Robert Cowell is hoping Encore D'Or will show the right signs when he returns from a gelding operation in the toteswinger Three Ways To Win Handicap at Chelmsford on Monday. Cowell felt the unkindest cut was needed as Encore D'Or was not concentrating on racing as much as he should be.
However, as the four-year-old has been off the track for five months, he should benefit for the outing.
"Encore D'Or has been gelded since he last ran in June - he had just started to get stallion-like rather than racing-like," said the Newmarket trainer.
"He has been very effective on the all-weather (won three from five), but he will have to be on the top of his game to win this race. He has been working well but has a bad draw (10) and may just need the race after his break. I think he will do well again this winter on the all-weather if not on Monday."
Cowell also saddles Huntsmans Close, who has a history of being troublesome at the start, but has his fingers crossed that is a thing of the past.
"We have been getting Huntsmans Close to behave and enjoy himself on his last few runs," said the trainer.
"He would be very well handicapped on his best form and should be spot on. Huntsmans Close has only had one run on the all-weather when he led for a long way and showed lots of speed."
David Simcock fears being drawn out wide will be hard to overcome for Doctor Sardonicus unless he is fast out of the stalls.
The five-year-old drops back to the minimum trip after being caught on the line by Boomerang Bob over six furlongs on this course on his latest start.
"It will be very hard from that draw but he loves the surface and has plenty of pace," said the Newmarket trainer.
“He is probably best over six furlongs rather than five but, with this sort prize-money, we are happy to give it a go. It will depend on how Doctor Sardonicus breaks, what position he can get and how much luck he has in running."
Heading the weights in a competitive contest is the Ian Williams-trained Sir Maximilian, a winner at Listed and Group three level, David Nicholls' speedy Kimberella and Mick Easterby's five-time course winner Bosham.
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Source: At The Races
