A Nicky Henderson hat-trick seeker, hardy veteran has 18th run of the year and a sister to Cracksman - three things to note on Friday

1

In The Air slipped to a BHA rating of 106 in the spring but a switch to Nicky Henderson this autumn has transformed his fortunes and he is likely to start favourite for the curtain-raiser at Cheltenham (1.15) after two wins already this month. 

He was in a different league to his rivals when scoring by five and a half lengths on his debut for Henderson at Southwell and looked value for more than the three-quarter length winning margin when following up under a penalty at Exeter 15 days ago. 

He has been raised to a mark of 118 now but considering he was rated 127 when contesting the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at Aintree in 2022, it is unlikely his current figure reflects the ceiling of his ability.

2

Not many horses who ran on New Year's Day are still going strong on the Flat but plucky veteran Summerghand has always done things his own way and the ten-year-old steps out for the 18th time in 2024 to contest division one of the 6f handicap (4.25) on day one of Doncaster's Futurity Trophy meeting. 

His runs this year include a third in the Bunbury Cup and fourth in the Great St Wilfrid, and not a single month has passed without at least one appearance from the Group 3 winner. 

Time is running out if he is to get his nose in front before the year ends but this is the first time since May 2018 he has been eligible to run in a 0-85 handicap and he was beaten barely two lengths in a premier handicap at the Curragh only two starts ago.  

3

Queen Of Thieves takes the day's best-bred award as the daughter of Frankel steps on to a racecourse for the first time in the mile maiden for fillies at Doncaster (2.08). 

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, she is a sister to four-time Group 1 winner Cracksman, who was at his best when conditions were similar to those Queen Of Thieves is likely to face. A close third in the 2017 Derby, Cracksman landed back-to-back Champion Stakes on soft ground at Ascot in October, so his sister should not be inconvenienced with a bit of squelch in the Doncaster turf. 

Homebred by Cracksman's owner Anthony Oppenheimer, Queen Of Thieves faces seven rivals in a race the Gosdens won with subsequent Oaks winner Soul Sister on her debut two years ago.

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