THE defections of Synchronised and Quito De La Roque have greatly enhanced my prospects of winning the Hennessy Gold Cup on Quel Esprit at Leopardstown tomorrow.
This seems to be far from a vintage renewal and I certainly would not swap my lad for any of the others left in the contest.
I schooled Quel Esprit at Punchestown last Sunday and could not have been happier with the way it went. I know he has hit the deck too often for comfort, but is essentially a good jumper.
On top of that Quel Esprit is a very unlucky sort of horse. He fell at Cheltenham as a hurdler and was going well in ther RSA Chase last March when again getting it wrong.
Then at the Punchestown Festival he was bombing along, jumping for fun, when sent spinning to the turf by a loose horse.
This season Willie Mullins has found him two easy touches, at Naas and Thurles, and they should have done his confidence the world of good.
I think Quel Esprit is now ready to come into his own over this three miles and the time has arrived for him to deliver.
I kick away on Ut De Sivola in the Grade 1 hurdle for juveniles. Willie runs two here and it is possible I’m on the wrong one.
I know Gorgeous Sixty didn’t look anything special on her Irish debut at Gowran Park, but her work at home on good ground is far better than what she does on a soft surface. If the ground continues to dry out then she will have a life.
Ut De Sivola was impressive first time at Clonmel and, I suppose, despite winning, was a little disappointing subsequently at Punchestown.
I thought I was in the wrong place throughout, however, and will be seeking some cover now. There are three useful English horses coming across and I don’t think there is much between them and ours. I haven’t lost faith in Ut De Sivola and this will tell us exactly where we stand with him.
Catleen, fresh from winning a modest contest at Limerick, runs in a handicap hurdle. She went up 9lbs and, I’d imagine, have better chances for the weekend.
Sous Les Cieux is on a retrieving mission in the Deloitte Hurdle, having disappointed somewhat at Leopardstown at Christmas.
I remain a big fan of the horse, though, because it didn’t just pan out for him last time. It was windy and blustery that day and he got very lit up before the start.
I felt making the running was the right thing to do and would love to be given the opportunity to ride the race again.
Captain Conan comes from England, but had the race handed to him when scoring at Sandown and Cash And Go, who beat us at Leopardstown, looks the main danger.
I believe Lambro has a great chance of turning-over Last Instalment in the Moriarty Chase. I know Last Instalment is good and am not underestimating him in the slightest.
But Lambro made a real race of it with Flemenstar at Naas and that represents top-class form. As well stepping up another five furlongs in trip will be a big help.
I end aboard Pozyc in a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle and, considering how poorly he performed at Punchestown, he is difficult to fancy.
If Newbury had gone ahead today then I would have had lot of rides, but now have to settle for lesser pickings at Naas.
I team up with Tony Martin’s Wingtips in the first, a 25-runner maiden hurdle. I’m aware he ran well enough at Leopardstown, but other than that know nothing about him.
Willie runs a Gigginstown horse in this called Midnight Oil and Davy Russell, obviously, takes the ride. He’s come out of Luca Cumani’s and is decent.
I’d say he will love the trip and the track and schooled well for me some two weeks ago at the Curragh. He will take all of the beating, so I’ll be more than interested in what Tony tells me about his fellow.
I ride Blackstairmountain for Willie in the novice chase, but we are up against it taking on Tony’s Bog Warrior.
I won the Drinmore on Bog Warrior at Fairyhouse and was hugely impressed. The ground will not be a problem for him, but it will for Blackstairmountain.
I end on Lord Gale in a maiden hurdle. A smart sort in bumpers, you would have to say he’s been disappointing so far over flights.
There may be buckets of runners, but it does appear to be a particularly weak race and think we should give Lord Gale the benefit of the doubt.
Willie’s Mozoltov is one I really like and expect him to win the bumper.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, February 11, 2012
