Andy Gibson's Eyecatchers: What next for Cornerstone Lad and Kitty's Light?
- Andy Gibson
- 21 January 2023
Andy Gibson's Eyecatchers reviews a couple of recent races to offer an insight into what the performances of Cornerstone Lad and Kitty's Light tell us about what lies ahead for these two chasers.
There is usually more upside to noting an interesting performance when you believe the majority are more likely to have missed it.
Andy's Eyecatchers Service considers horses that may go under the radar for many, some obvious ones, and a few interesting performances from horses I may be keen to oppose on another day. Spotting winning and losing efforts that may be underestimated or overestimated in the future can be key.
Andy's Eyecatchers Service has made notes on nine horses in total this week, and they can be viewed on his Tipstrr profile page, which is now available to trial until the end of January. Click here to learn more
Cornerstone Lad
My first reaction when Cornerstone Lad finished last of the four finishers in the Book Corporate Hospitality At Wetherby Racecourse Handicap Chase last week was to think that maybe he has regressed further, as he had an awful lot in his favour in what appeared to be a relatively weakly contested race.
He was outpaced some way from home and was never able to close the gap on the leading trio, ultimately finishing 14 lengths behind the third horse and 20 lengths behind the winner in what appeared to be a performance representing another step in the wrong direction.
However, the Micky Hammond stable's five runners were all tested by the course vet post-race and found to be sick horses. He was three out of four on the scale when scoped which is very high and completely vindicates this apparently poor showing.
Presumably he will need a week to ten days on the quiet list before being prepared for his next race which I hope will be back at Wetherby on Wednesday February 15.
Kitty's Light
I mentioned the quiet time of things that Kitty's Light had been enjoying in the early part of the season. He finished third on Saturday at Kempton and has now been dropped to a mark of 132.
When a horse has not been competitive over a prolonged period of time, it is always heartening to see an encouraging effort, especially when the horse in question should still get dropped another couple of pounds.
In that sense we got the best of both worlds here as the extra-long lead held by Annsam turning for home allowed Jack Tudor the luxury of closing on the winner without putting his mark at risk.
Kitty's Light stayed on nicely, albeit past very little that ran a race. This 20-length defeat will see him return to the course off 132 in late February, assuming the race over this course and distance which he ran so well in last season is his first target.
I suspect the state of the ground on that day may determine how competitive he will be back here in five weeks' time. Failing that, he has the Scottish National and the Bet365 Gold Cup in April as very plausible targets to aim for.
All three of those races at Kempton, Ayr and Sandown respectively offer broadly similar prize money which could present his connections with three bites at the cherry to win a big prize with Kitty's Light.
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