Skip to content

Kevin Ryan watching Newmarket weather for Flaming Spear

Image: Kevin Ryan: Trainer of Flaming Spear.

Kevin Ryan hopes there will be sufficient cut in the ground to allow the hat-trick seeking Flaming Spear to take his chance in the bet365 Bunbury Cup.

The five-year-old, who is one of two potential runners for the Hambleton handler in the seven-furlong contest at Newmarket on Saturday, has not been seen out since claiming the second of two all-weather successes at Newcastle in January.

Ryan said: "Flaming Spear's participation is ground dependent, we need rain for him and I'd like to see the ground riding good or softer.

"Flaming Spear hasn't run for a while but he's run well before on his return from a break, so I have no fitness concerns.

"It is always a bit of a doubt if they will handle the downhill run into the dip at the July Course, but he's run well on the Rowley Mile in the past.

"It's going to be a really tough race, just like you would expect it to be."

Ryan has warned a late decision will be made over the participation of his other possible runner Big Time, who also holds an entry in the Tote Scurry Handicap at the Curragh on the same day.

Also See:

He added: "Big Time would also be ideally suited by good ground and he has an alternative engagement in Ireland on Saturday. We will leave it until the last minute before deciding which way to go with him."

Around Sky