Gina Andrews delighted to pick up ride on Milansbar in Classic Chase
A year ago Milansbar provided Bryony Frost with one of the biggest wins of her career when landing Warwick's Classic Chase and now Gina Andrews can dream of a similar feat after being handed the ride by trainer Neil King for the repeat bid in Saturday's McCoy Contractors Civil Engineering sponsored feature.
Frost went on to finish fifth aboard Milansbar in the Randox Health Grand National but heads to Kempton to maintain her partnership with Black Corton for boss Paul Nicholls.
Card and betting for Classic Chase (Warwick, Saturday 3.05 ITV)
Andrews enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success aboard the Stuart Edmunds-trained Domesday Book in the Kim Muir two years ago and is relishing the chance to team up with Milansbar.
"I'm really pleased to be riding him although it's a shame for my brother Jack, who should have got the ride but can't do the weight," said Andrews on Thursday. "The big races are what everyone wants to ride in and, especially for an amateur, it's a big opportunity and one for which I'm very grateful."
"It was quite a big ask after not having run for such a long time and on soft ground over that trip but he still didn't run badly and he should have come on a lot for that," said Andrews. "If he can get in a good rhythm I think he can go well again."
King will be using the services of Frost, who will be on the stable's Canyon City in the day's other feature race, the Unibet Lanzarote Hurdle at Kempton.
"It's disappointing not to have Bryony at Warwick but that’s life," said King. "We know she works for Mr Nicholls and he’s got first call. The upside is she gets to ride Canyon City, who she’s won on and I think that horse runs really well for Bryony.
"Gina's brother Jack has ridden the horse a few times so she’ll have watched them plenty. Gina has ridden for us in the past and we just thought she might suit him rather than him being bullied by a professional."
Calett Mad and Ibis Du Rheu head the market for the Classic Chase at 7-1 but King expects improvement from 8-1 shot Milansbar after he was beaten 21 lengths by Morney Wing last month.
King said: "He's been in tremendous form all autumn and I thought he'd win at Sandown on his comeback but he just never got into a good rhythm jumping and I hope we can put a line through that.
"The good, good to soft ground is fine for him and he's an out and out stayer."
For the freshest betting advice, based on latest going and market conditions, don't miss the Live Tipster every afternoon. Just click Raceday Live at racingpost.com or the mobile app
Published on inNews
Last updated
- 'Lovely ground' leaves Irish and French runners in festive spirits on Christmas Day as Kempton remains good, good to soft
- Strong Leader to see wind specialist after Long Walk flop as Olly Murphy targets Cleeve Hurdle in late January
- Join Racing Post Members' Club for the very best in racing journalism - including the award-winning Patrick Mullins
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months
- 'Lovely ground' leaves Irish and French runners in festive spirits on Christmas Day as Kempton remains good, good to soft
- Strong Leader to see wind specialist after Long Walk flop as Olly Murphy targets Cleeve Hurdle in late January
- Join Racing Post Members' Club for the very best in racing journalism - including the award-winning Patrick Mullins
- Join the same team as Ryan Moore, Harry Cobden and other top jockeys with 50% off Racing Post Members' Club
- Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months