Pilot charts Champion course
A decision over the participation of the nine-year-old in the Down Royal showpiece was left until after a piece of work today as the Meath handler had yesterday reported him to be heavier than usual.
“He worked well this morning and at this moment, all being well he will run on Saturday,” he said.
However, the ground could be another obstacle to Harbour Pilot, who was third in this year’s Gold Cup, as Meade would prefer testing conditions for the horse, who is a confirmed mud-lover.
“The going is soft at the moment at Down Royal, and if it dried out before then I would have to think about it,” he added.
“We are happy with him, he might be a bit over his usual weight but we are happy with him and we should get a good run out of him.”
Despite Harbour Pilot’s well-being being confirmed, he has proved friendless in the market with Cashmans, who eased him to 7-2 from 3-1.
But the firm have seen strong support for ante-post favourite Beef Or Salmon and they cut the Michael Hourigan-trained runner to 11-8 from 7-4.
Promising chaser Murphy’s Cardinal looks likely to make his seasonal reappearance in the Killultagh Properties Ltd Chase at Down Royal on Saturday.
The eight-year-old has always been well regarded by trainer Noel Chance but has only raced once over fences, having picked up a pelvic injury in a winning chase debut at Plumpton last December.
Cashmans bet:
James Nicholson Chase, Down Royal, Saturday: 11/8 Beef Or Salmon, 11/4 Kicking King, 7/2 Harbour Pilot, 10/1 Colca Canyon, Nil Desperandum, 14/1 Risk Accessor, 16/1 Cloudy Bays, 20/1 Glenelly Gale, Rathgar Beau.
November Handicap, Doncaster, Saturday: 6/1 Turbo, 8/1 Carte Diamond, 10/1 Tempsford, Millville, Mith Hill, Sendintank, 11/1 Big Moment, 12/1 Artistic Style.
Paddy Power Gold Cup, Cheltenham, November 13: 3/1 Our Vic, 5/1 Monkerhostin, 10/1 Farmer Jack, 12/1 Fondmort, 14/1 Colca Canyon, Take The Stand, Therealbandit, Tikram, Hand Inn Hand, 16/1 Ballycassidy.
