WEBBER RUES AUSTRALIA REVERSE

Paul Webber felt things conspired against Australia Day during his chasing debut at Huntingdon on Sunday.

The eight-year-old grey was sent off favourite to make a winning start to his new career, having won four races on the Flat and three times over hurdles, but it was not to be his day.

Australia Day jumped the first fence in a false start, and then produced an enigmatic display, that included both hair-raising and spectacular leaps, at the second attempt. He eventually finished second.

"I think we were very unfortunate with the false start," said Webber.

"He was reasonably relaxed and then he went and jumped the first and had to go back again.

"He's a bold front-runner and I'm not expecting him to go to the top over fences as he needs fast ground.

"He has done very well for us on the Flat and over hurdles but the handicapper has collared him in both spheres now so we'll see what we can do over fences.

"I suspect he'll probably tire himself out eventually as front-runners like him are that bit harder on themselves.

"He'll go to Kempton on a fortnight and we'll go from there."

Posted in: News