Flat season comes to a close

The 2002 flat season reaches its conclusion, while Florida Pearl starts his long road to Cheltenham

Saturday sees the curtain fall on the 2002 flat season. Kieren Fallon signs off withhis fifth flat jockeys’ championship, hoping to win the last big race of the turf season at the traditional swansong, Doncaster.

Fallon’s mount Capitano Corelli has a great chance of completing a sparkling hat-trick. Capitano Corelli enjoyed his first taste of success at Musselburgh in September and followed up in style over the Doncaster course and distance.

This will be no easy task but Capitano Corelli is on the up and Fallon would get a great kick from finishing yet another tip-top season on a high.

Berkshire trainer Hughie Morrison is rapidly making a name for himself as a dual purpose trainer and Tom Paddington, his recent Newbury winner, is in the sort of form which should see him to take the Saffie Joseph Handicap.

Seb Sanders has enjoyed a memorable year, finishing third behind Fallon and Richard Hughes in the jockeys’ table. He could close the book on a highly profitable domestic season on Ovambo in the Serlby Stakes before flying out on Monday for a winter riding in Dubai.

Over the fences

Florida Pearl’s (pictured) reappearance against Foxchapel King and See More Business in the James Nicholson Chase at Down Royal in Northern Ireland should provide a pointer to events in coming months.

It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Florida Pearl will finally take the Cheltenham Gold Cup back to Ireland in March.

Moscow Flyer, so impressive in last season’s Arkle Chase, makes his bow in the Kiltullagh Properties Chase. He will be a serious threat to Flagship Uberalles’s two-mile crown this winter.

At Chepstow Supreme Prince isworth noting in the Persian War Novices’ Hurdle, while Carbury Cross and Quazar could complete a big race double for the Jonjo O’Neill stable at Wincanton.

Read more racing news:

• New plans for historical racing yard
• Gifted racehorse sent for slaughter

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