McGuinness hoping Harry's Bar will pour it on in Newcastle sprint championships
- Tom Reed
- 15 April 2022
Irish trainer Adrian McGuinness knows a thing or two about lucrative overseas raids and he is targeting the sprint at Newcastle on Friday, April 15.
Irish trainer Adrian McGuinness knows all about lucrative overseas raids with his Case Of You taking the mega money Al Quoz sprint at Meydan.
He sends Harry's Bar to Newcastle for the the Betway All-Weather Sprint Championships Conditions Stakes on Friday, April 15.
The seven-year-old Exceed And Exel gelding has wintered over in Dubai before returning to take a five furlong Dundalk sprint on March 23 which shoould put him bang on for Friday's dash.
McGuinness was pleased to see his charge, an 11 times winner on the all-weather, come back home with a win and is champing at the bit for a run in the race which has been switched from Lingfield to Gosforth Park in Newcastle. Harry's Bar, named after the iconic hostelry in the movie "La Dolce Vita" was sixth in the race last year at Lingfield but McGuinness is confident he can come on this time around.
"You would have to say that Harry's Bar favours the all-weather and it was great to see him back in that sort of form at Dundalk the other week," he said.
"He disappointed us a little in Dubai, although he did run well over seven furlongs one night, but I think everything about the race at Newcastle should really suit him.
"The straight course there takes a bit of getting and he will enjoy it if they go hard and come back to him. I can see him running a big race."
Meanwhile, Charlie Fellowes' useful Ejtilaab should go well and built up to the Newcastle appearance with a front running win at Kempton.
Slade Power gelding Ejtilaab is the highest rated horse in the race and could go off favourite in the six furlong dash at Newcastle.
"Ejtilaab has been in really good nick and this race has been the plan since he returned from Dubai. He worked on Friday on the grass and looked fantastic," he said.
"I think he has a lot going for him; he has won over the course and distance, he is the highest-rated horse in the race and he is coming in on the back of a career-best performance."
