Tag Archive for: Elvis Mail

Alexander hoping Shishkin sets up Rehearsal for Elvis

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Nick Alexander is keeping his fingers crossed that Shishkin lines up at Newcastle on Saturday to give him the best possible chance of bagging a second victory in the BetMGM Rehearsal Chase with Elvis Mail.

The Kinneston handler saddled stable stalwart Lake View Lad to land the prestigious handicap five years ago and has high hopes for his latest candidate, who made a successful start to his campaign when notching a fifth Kelso win in last month’s Edinburgh Gin Chase.

What complicates matters slightly in terms of this weekend’s race is the presence of Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin, who could make a swift reappearance under the welter burden of 12 stone after refusing to race in last Saturday’s 1965 Chase at Ascot.

If Shishkin does take his chance, Elvis Mail will carry just 10st 1lb, but if Henderson decides against sending his multiple Grade One winner to the North East, the weights will rise considerably, and it is not inconceivable that Elvis Mail himself could yet end up carrying top-weight.

“I’d love him to be running with 10st 1lb on his back. He’s well and ready to run again and he’d certainly be running if that was the case,” Alexander explained.

“If the top-weight doesn’t run and the next two (Ga Law and Datsalrightgino) were to run at Newbury and he was to end up with top-weight, then I wouldn’t be certain.

“He’ll probably run anyway. He won very nicely at Kelso, we were delighted with him and he’s been great since, so fingers crossed he’s still great on Saturday.”

It remains to be seen whether Shishkin will run at Newcastle
It remains to be seen whether Shishkin will run at Newcastle (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Elvis Mail has won eight races in his career so far, with his five Kelso triumphs supplemented by a trio of wins at Ayr.

Alexander feels the nature of Gosforth Park should suit his charge just fine, adding: “He likes a galloping track and has run well at Doncaster.

“He doesn’t want holding ground, so he could do with them getting a snow shower or something, just to keep it on the wetter side. He likes decent ground as well, so he should be fine.

“I’m very much looking forward to running him.”



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Rusty Corach Rambler has no answer to Elvis Mail on comeback

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Grand National hero Corach Rambler kicked off his campaign by finishing fifth behind Elvis Mail in the Edinburgh Gin Chase at Kelso.

The nine-year-old, who was giving a stone and more away to all of his rivals, has tended to need the outing when making his seasonal reappearance and a slow pace did not suit the out-and-out stayer.

Derek Fox was content to bide his time at the back of the six-runner field in the early stages, as Empire Steel and Highland Hunter dictated the pace at the head of affairs.

Lucinda Russell’s charge jumped fluently for much of the contest but was caught flat-footed when those ahead of him quickened up from the third-last fence.

Corach Rambler was untidy at the penultimate obstacle and was then left to coast home, while 11-4 chance Elvis Mail, trained by Nick Alexander, kept on strongly to get the better of Highland Hunter by two lengths.

Corach Rambler remains the 16-1 favourite with Coral to defend his Grand National crown at Aintree next April.

Lucinda Russell was not too disappointed with Corach Rambler
Lucinda Russell was not too disappointed with Corach Rambler (Andrew Milligan/PA)

Russell told ITV Racing: “Derek and Scu (Peter Scudamore, assistant trainer) said he got tired, the track was quite sharp for him and I’m not going to make loads of excuses it’s probably my fault for bigging him up.

“When you actually look at his form he always tends to need his first run so hopefully he can build on that.

“Derek was happy but just said he blew up. I have to apologise to everybody but that’s how he is.

“We did mention the Betfair Chase but he’d have to improve a lot at home for that and he is still in the Coral Gold Cup so we’ll just see how he is and then make a plan.”

His reverse was just about the only disappointment on the day for Russell who had four winners on the eight-race card.

Bollingerandkrug (6-4) won the Beauchamp Estates Handicap Chase and Old Gregorian (100-30) gave Fox a double in the second division of the Just Add Tonic Events “National Hunt” Maiden Hurdle.

Patrick Wadge partnered Caithness (3-1 favourite) in the Bill & Irene’s Celebration Handicap Hurdle while Conner McCann rode Jem In Em (13-8 favourite) to victory in the racingtv.com/freetrial Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.



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