Jessies Dream still in Hennessy Gold Cup frame
The nine-year-old has not been seen in competitive action since going down fighting in last season’s RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but Gordon Elliott’s stable star is now ready for a racecourse return.
The Co Meath handler still harbours Cheltenham Gold Cup ambitions with the Grade One-winning chaser and is excited about his return.
“We’ll give him a little bit of work and see whether we go for the Hennessy or go to Gowran Park, but we’re edging towards the Hennessy. He’s in good form and we’re very happy with him,” said Elliott.
“We had him in Fairyhouse in a schooling race two weeks ago and he went very well. At home he’s one of the best we have. He’s exciting and I’m looking forward to getting him back on the track.”
Another with Cheltenham on his radar is Mount Benbulben, who returned home sore after being beaten by Boston Bob at Navan in December.
“He’s going to go straight to the Albert Bartlett,” Elliott added.
“He pulled a muscle in Navan and he was lame afterwards, but he’s fine now and is jumping out of his skin.
“He’s a proper horse and he won’t be too far away (in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle).”
Meanwhile, owner Dai Walters believes Oscar Whisky could head straight for a mouthwatering clash with Bug Buck’s in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
Walters, the owner of Ffos Las racecourse, had hoped to see his star performer defend his crown in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at the track on Saturday, but the meeting fell victim to the freezing temperatures.
With the race looking unlikely to be rescheduled, Walters believes opportunities to run the Nicky Henderson-trained gelding between now and the Festival are few and far between.
“It was disappointing the meeting had to be abandoned. The reason we decided to have the Welsh Champion Hurdle in February was because it was a good stepping stone to Cheltenham,” said Walters.
“Our next Saturday meeting is on March 17, which is the same week at the Festival, so it won’t work out the way we wanted.
“I’ve spoken to Nicky about where we could run Oscar Whisky. There is the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell (February 26), but that is probably too close to Cheltenham.
“I think there’s every chance he’ll go straight to Cheltenham now and run in the three-mile race.”
Oscar Whisky also has a Champion Hurdle entry, a race in which he finished third last year, but he looks set to tackle three-time World Hurdle winner Big Buck’s on his first attempt at three miles.
