Rab McNair was wholesome in his praise of the Monmore management after being allowed to trial Havana Lover early on Thursday morning.
Prior to the cancellation of Saturday’s meeting, the beaten Towcester Juvenile Classic favourite would have been ineligible for the Ladbrokes Stayers Classic as she had no Monmore form – a requirement to enter the competition.
Rab would have trialed Lover on Wednesday but was unable to do so due to the GBGB’s new Four Day Rule. However, after contacting Entain’s Ian Smyth, a special 210m sprint solo was arranged with Lover clocking 12.78 (-10).
Rab said: “I wanted to get in contact because I am the first to slaughter people when they get it wrong, and I should be the first to praise them when they step up to the mark. I admit I can be a bit hot headed, but I was frustrated by this new Four Day Rule which is sheer madness. I ranted at Craig (Gardiner) in the racing office and to Ian Smyth and have apologised to both of them.
“I cannot praise Monmore enough. The vet was there to check Lover over, even though it was her day off. Lover’s trial was the only one of the day, but the sprinklers were on and the track was in fabulous condition. The air conditioning in the kennels had been put some time before I arrived and they were beautifully cool. Lover was kenneled up for 45 minutes and when I checked the temperature outside, it was 28 degrees.”
The McNairs have entered both Lover and Warzone Tom for the Stayers Classic and Havana Class for the Gold Cup.
Rab added: “We had planned to run (Havana) Bale Out but the last run took too much out of her but I am delighted that Lover will get her chance. But I am fully aware that they won’t be short of entries for either competition. I am looking forward to both of them.”
