Kickham looks just Champion
The imposing seven-year-old travelled to the foot of the Cotswsolds with high hopes of beating mighty Best Mate in the Tote Gold Cup.
But those hopes were dashed at the third fence when he made no attempt to get to the other side of the obstacle. That was completely out of character because, prior to Cheltenham, Beef Or Salmon had been well nigh foot-perfect in his three successes over fences in this country.
He remains a most exciting youngster, warming up for this with a smoothly gained victory on the flat at the Curragh, when greatly impressing pilot, Michael Kinane.
This has the makings of a super contest although, what the final composition of the field is, remains to be seen.
First Gold came right back to his best with a scintillating front-running display at Aintree.
Harbour Pilot was a highly creditable third to Best Mate at Cheltenham, but his tendency to clout the odd fence puts one off him. Hussard Collonges ran no race in the Gold Cup, but is a really good sort and has to be on the short-list.
Native Upmanship comes here in the form of his life.
Conor O’Dwyer’s mount toyed with Seebald at Aintree, but the worry is whether he will get the trip.
If he’s ever to get it then now is the time and if Beef Or Salmon declines the assignment then Arthur Moore’s charge would get the nod.
Edward O’Grady’s Kickham gets the nap to win another serious contest, the Paddy Power Champion Bumper.
He is at his best on a decent surface, as he proved when beating the high class Iris’s Gift at Aintree last year.
Kickham proved disappointing over hurdles through the winter, but showed he’s far from a back number when chasing home Beef Or Salmon at the Curragh on his latest appearance.
O’Grady can complete a double with Sheltering in the Cox’s Cash and Carry Champion Hunters Chase.
He cut out quickly at Cheltenham and fell at Aintree.
But Sheltering cut little ice at both venues a year ago as well and came back to score at this meeting.
Hedgehunter, a desperately unlucky loser of the four mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, he was absolutely bombing when crashing into the second last, is a hopeful choice to land the Colm McEvoy Auctioneers’ Novice Handicap Chase.
