Bensalem Bids to Stay Unbeaten Bensalem, impressive winner of his only start 'between the flags' at Dromahane on the penultimate day of last year, puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Weatherbys Bank "National Hunt" Novices' Hurdle at Chepstow today. Well-touted in Formcard's Point-to-Point Review, the five-year-old was one of the top-rated of his age group and also figured in the horses to follow list. That is hardly surprising given the manner in which he skated in under Derek O'Connor from a reasonable field. Then under the care of Liam Burke, the Turtle Island gelding recorded the fastest time of the day on that twelve race programme, some sixteen seconds faster than the average. According to Alan King, in a Racing Post stable tour on October 13th, the bay hadn't been under his tuition for long, but he went off a well-backed market-leader for a bumper at Sandown on November 8th and got the job done in a professional manner after Pepe Simo threw his chance away. Now going over hurdles and going a further three furlongs can surely only be in Bensalem's favour and with Barbury Castle Stables sending out winners left right and centre it is easy to see why Wayne Hutchinson's (unfortunately missed most of last term through injury) mount has hardened in the betting in morning trading. With some big owners and powerful trainers represented by promising types in this 12.40, Bensalem faces a serious test in what should be a very informative contest. (EM)
