Artic Jack’s Gold Cup aspirations facing Haydock trial
That was the message from connections of the eight-year-old after he worked over seven furlongs at the Merseyside track yesterday.
The Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding claimed the scalp of another Gold Cup aspirant, Kingscliff, when taking the Peter Marsh Chase at the same venue last month and will return to tackle the Grade Three handicap, in which he is set to carry 11st 11lb.
“He is in very good form and is a big, strong horse who gallops relentlessly and is a super jumper,” said trainer Sue Smith.
“We gave him a couple of days’ rest after his last win, but he didn’t take a lot out of himself as he loves it in front.
“If he is lucky enough to win next week, or be in the first three running a very big race, then he deserves to take his chance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Hemmings’ racing manager Michael Meagher, who added: “He would have to win well to have any chance of beating Best Mate.”
Artic Jack also holds an entry for the Martell Cognac Grand National, in which has been allotted 11st 4lb.
“I think he was given too much weight for the National,” said Smith. “They have been very harsh on him.
“The weights could go up a few pounds again, and these days it only seems to be light-weighted horses that win the National or finish in the first few places.”
Meagher, however, admitted: “You only get weight for good performances and Artic Jack has done it. He has made the running at Haydock over three and a half miles under 11st 12lb and is big and strong enough to carry plenty of weight.”
Artic Jack put in an exhibition round of jumping when victorious at Haydock last month on what was only his third start of the campaign.
The son of Cadoudal had been off the track for 18 months due to a tendon injury before scoring on his comeback in November, again at the Merseyside track, where he has won three times in total. “He jumps well, but Aintree is a different place with different fences and atmosphere.It often brings a couple out of the woodwork,” Smith concluded.
