Miller Spirit out to extend winning run at Doncaster

Josh Moore is hopeful Miller Spirit can give a good account of himself in the Virgin Bet November Handicap at Doncaster despite the ground being less than ideal.

The gelded son of Australia won the Jump Jockeys Derby under David Noonan on soft ground at Epsom in September and went on to complete a double in the Apprentices’ Derby in the hands of Alec Voikhansky on heavy going later that same month.

He followed that up, again on heavy ground, by landing a Newbury handicap late last month.

The four-year-old has been kept busy this season and has got his nose in front on five of his nine starts.

While he has won on ground with good in the description, Moore would prefer to run him on a slower surface.

Moore, who jointly holds the training licence with his father Gary, said: “He’s rated 97 and he’s gone up (7lb from the win at Newbury). He’s in great form, so we’d like to think he can run well.

“The negative is that he has enjoyed running on bad ground; he has won on decent surfaces but his best performances are when the ground is bad. It’s soft there but it’s not going to be terrible ground.

“He’s done remarkably well, he’s won five races this season from good ground to heavy ground. As his mark’s gone up, it’s mostly gone up when it’s been on the heavy ground. That’s probably why it has gone up so much but he’s become a consistent horse.

“It’s going to be hard work for him but he’s in good form. He’s working well, so hopefully he can give a good account of himself.”

The Moores are contemplating a campaign over obstacles, as Miller Spirit has shown a talent for jumping when working at home.

Moore added: “We know he jumps well, so we’ll have a talk with the owner to see if we might run him in a novice hurdle, because he does jump well.

“I remember basically he had been frustrating all season long last year, he was obviously just a bit immature and we schooled him thinking maybe we might run him over hurdles.

“And he went and won after we schooled him at Sandown and we thought well maybe we’ll just leave him on the Flat. He’s had a good season this season after jumping, so maybe jumping is what he needs.”

Moore is hopeful that stablemate Kotari can take his place at Town Moor.

The five-year-old has won three times this year but needs three to come out at the declaration stage to earn a place in the maximum 23-runner race.

He will be stepping back up to a mile and a half at Doncaster after running over 10 furlongs last time out at Leicester.

Moore said: “He ran well at Newbury first run back after a break in the Autumn Cup. He didn’t run bad and (jockey) Hector (Crouch) was happy with him at Leicester as well.

“He thought a step back to a mile and a half would be what he needs, so hopefully he gets in and he’s working well, so all being well he gets in the race.

“He’s won on heavy, he’s won on good to firm but we’d rather it was on the slower side for him if I’m honest, but he’s versatile.”