Morris happy with Attrition’s progress
Having sent out the seven-year-old to claim a memorable success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup last term, Morris is well aware that the pressure surrounding each of his races this year will be greatly heightened.
However, despite experiencing some inevitable pre-race nerves, War Of Attrition’s trainer has been very happy with the progress made by his charge over the summer.
He was also thrilled with the gelding’s seasonal reappearance at Punchestown last month, where he easily accounted for Watson Lake by 11 lengths.
With regard to today, Morris joked: “I’m certainly looking forward to tomorrow night when it’s over, whatever way it goes!
“He seems very well after his last race and that couldn’t have gone any better but tomorrow will be a stiffer test.
“He feels a bit stronger this year though, and he looks stronger too. We couldn’t be happier with him at this stage but there’s a long way to go.”
Among War Of Attrition’s six rivals is the Michael Hourigan-trained Beef Or Salmon, winner of 16 races and no fewer than eight Grade Ones.
Having failed to show his best form in the Gold Cup again last season, he went on to finish only two-and-a-half lengths behind his Cheltenham conqueror when the pair locked horns at Punchestown in April.
He confirmed his current well-being with an encouraging pipe-opener on the level last month, and Morris knows he will provide a stern test.
“Beef Or Salmon would look the main danger on paper but that’s horse racing - it’s a Grade One and it’s not going to be easy,” he concluded.
While much attention will centre on the anticipated showdown between the two, the participation of Eamonn Sheehy’s promising second-season chaser Justified adds further spice to a fascinating renewal.
The seven-year-old took high rank among last season’s novice brigade and enjoyed a successful campaign, in which a battling success in a two-and-a-half-mile Grade One event provided the undoubted highlight.
Victory in last April’s Powers Gold Cup underlined his considerable talent but Sheehy knows he needs to improve again to trouble the ‘big two’.
He made the ideal start to the current campaign with an authoritative success at Limerick last month.
“We’re looking forward to it and he’s in great form,” said Sheehy.
“He’s done well since Limerick but we wouldn’t be having him really wound up at this time of the year as we’re waiting for the second part of the year really.”
