Classic Chase chance for Kerry Lee’s giant racehorse Krackatoa King at Warwick racecourse on Saturday
Krackatoa King has been in great form since joining Lee and she is hoping he can break her run of near misses with a win in Warwick’s feature race
KERRY LEE has a BIG chance of winning her second Betfred Classic Chase today.
In a dream first season after taking over from her dad she saddled Russe Blanc to win the Warwick marathon in 2016.
Last year Goodtoknow chased home One For Arthur in the £75,000 thriller.
Both are back gunning for glory again but it’s giant-sized Krackatoa King who looks to have the best chance.
The average height of a racehorse is around 16 hands, but Lee told me: “He’s probably the biggest horse in training. He is 18 hands and two inches, he’s enormous.
"We have to stand on some steps to tack him up! In the bottom yard we have two nice big corner stables so he’s got a double-sized stable.
“He has taken a long time to grow into himself. He’s a great chap with a huge personality and a lot of character.”
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The ten-year-old won on heavy ground at the track last season and Lee added: “He has been hugely consistent. Since he joined me he hasn’t been out of the first four in eight races.
“He ran a blinder when beaten a head at Wincanton last time. He tries his heart out and, hopefully, he’s still progressing.
“The 3m5f distance doesn’t worry me in the slightest as he’s got form over a trip."
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Krackatoa King will tower over his Warwick rivals but Russe Blanc will be even easier to spot.
He’s the only officially white horse in training and his snowy coat has made him a firm favourite among jumps fans.
The bookies were the ones cheering two years ago when he slogged through the mud to win at 20-1. He has not won since but is a couple of pounds lower compared to his finest hour.
Lee said: “As well as winning the race two years ago he also won the bumper on this card on his debut seven years ago. Charlie Poste, who won on him in 2016, is back on board.”
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This year’s race does not have the quality of the one subsequent Grand National hero One For Arthur won 12 months ago.
Goodtoknow was the only horse to get close to him last year but things have not gone to plan this time.
He unseated at the second fence on his comeback and then failed to fire in the Becher Chase over the National fences.
But Lee revealed: “He had a nasty foot infection this winter so he had an interrupted preparation for the Becher Chase and it resurfaced after the race. He got over it and seems in good form.
“How unlucky were we to bump into One For Arthur last year? He’d have a chance on that. Fingers crossed, we’ll be looking to go one better.
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“The Grand National is his ultimate target for the season.”
Last weekend 13-year-old Alfie Spinner came close to winning the Welsh National, another prize Lee won in her debut season, when he chased home fellow veteran Raz De Maree.
Lee said: “It was very exciting it was just a shame we had to finish second.
“He’s the stuff National Hunt racing is built on. We’re looking at Haydock’s Grand National Trial and the Devon National, that kind of race for him.
“Top Gamble is in the Dublin Chase at Leopardstown’s February festival and the Game Spirit.
“He ran well when fourth in the Betbright Chase but it’s impossible to give that weight away. I also think he’s better over two miles.
“I’m going to try to keep him to graded races.
“I could do with a big winner. Bishops Road was second in the Rehearsal Chase, Top Gamble second in the Hilly Way at Cork and Alfie Spinner second in the Welsh National.
“The big wins just keep eluding me.”
That wasn’t the case two years ago. After heading up the graphics team at Channel 4 Racing, Lee returned home to take the reins from her father Richard.
In a golden run of top Saturday prizes in her debut season Lee saddled the winners of the Welsh National, Classic Chase, Haydock’s Grand National Trial and the Game Spirit.
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Kylemore Lough’s Ryanair Gold Cup win at Fairyhouse’s Easter meeting gave her a first Grade 1 success and Top Gamble completed a big Irish double two days later in a Grade 2.
It was some collection of trophies for a yard with a capacity of just over 30 and enough to be the envy of trainers with four times as many horses.
It was always going to be hard to repeat that success but last year’s 22 winners was just one shy of her first-season total. She stands on 18 winners this term.
The winter downpours mean the rivers run deep around her Herefordshire stables. Hopes are high more success will also flow.
Lee said: “I’m happy with the way things are going. I’ve got lots of nice young horses — I’ve got plenty who haven’t run yet.
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“I set the target for 30 winners and I think we’re just about on course for that. I’m having a better season because we’ve had so much rain. Last season was a bit quiet because the ground never went truly soft.
“We don’t just drill our horses up a gallop. We go up in the woods, splash in the river, play about in the fields.
“I think it’s hugely important - it’s important for us as well.”