Heavy going will play to Cornerstone Lad’s strengths in chase debut

MICKY Hammond is looking forward to Grade One-winning hurdler Cornerstone Lad making his steeplechase debut at Haydock this Saturday.
Cornerstone Lad (left) wins at Haydock two years ago under Billy Garritty. Photo courtesy of Haydock Park.Cornerstone Lad (left) wins at Haydock two years ago under Billy Garritty. Photo courtesy of Haydock Park.
Cornerstone Lad (left) wins at Haydock two years ago under Billy Garritty. Photo courtesy of Haydock Park.

The Middleham trainer believes ground conditions at the track, likely to be heavy, will play to the strengths of his stable star.

Victorious in last year’s Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle, Cornerstone Lad was a late absentee from the 2020 renewal because the going was uncharacteristically quick in the North East for a race won by reigning Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante in sublime style.

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But it had always been the intention for the Mary Lofthouse-owned horse to go novice chasing this season and two prep races on the Flat at Redcar, including a win, mean Cornerstone Lad won’t be lacking fitness. Two years ago the horse came to prominence at the corresponding meeting by winning under Billy Garritty who will, once again, be in the saddle.

Cornerstone Lad in winning action at Haydock under Billy Garritty. Photo courtesy of Haydock Park.Cornerstone Lad in winning action at Haydock under Billy Garritty. Photo courtesy of Haydock Park.
Cornerstone Lad in winning action at Haydock under Billy Garritty. Photo courtesy of Haydock Park.

“We thought that now is the time to give him a try over fences,” Hammond told The Yorkshire Post. “He schooled well the other day.

“He will get his ground, he likes Haydock and we are looking forward to running him. It was disappointing to miss the Fighting Fifth but it was genuine good ground so we had to put the horse first.

“Billy (Garritty) has won on him over hurdles, and on the Flat, and the horse jumps well for him. Though they are big fences there (Haydock), we are looking forward to running.”

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The booking of Garritty comes after the Malton rider received a 21-day ban for allegedly ignoring the advice of a vet at Newcastle on Tuesday.

Cornerstone Lad's trainer Micky Hammond.Cornerstone Lad's trainer Micky Hammond.
Cornerstone Lad's trainer Micky Hammond.

He was riding Richard Fahey’s Princess Of Lir before his mount became unruly in the stalls and withdrawn. An inquiry was held to consider why Garritty had ridden back from the start when his horse had been taken out, despite being instructed not to do so by the on-course vet.

The rider was found in breach of the rules, in that he had acted against the instructions of the veterinary surgeon.

However Garritty’s agent Wilson Renwick pointed to a “mix up”.

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“The vet had told Billy to walk the horse back and, as Billy was walking her back down the track, somebody said to him he could get on and ride her back,” he said. “There has been a misunderstanding in what Billy was required to do.”

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