Ustedes fine after Creek run
The Grade One contest was the five-year-old’s first race out of novice company and last season’s Arkle Trophy hero put up a highly-creditable effort behind Britain’s highest-rated chaser.
Voy Por Ustedes was beaten seven lengths by the impressive winner in his first race for almost eight months.
“He’s absolutely fine,” said trainer Alan King.
“He’s nice and bright this morning – I’m very happy with him.
“The Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton on December 27th is the plan.
“He was beaten by what looks an exceptional horse. I was very pleased with his performance. It was his first run back after a long time.”
Meanwhile Nicky Richards has reported Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup flop Turpin Green to be in good order since his mishap at Newbury.
Sent off the 5-1 second favourite he belted the first fence and was never travelling thereafter for Tony Dobbin.
But Richards has revealed he is in fine form and is likely to be seen at Haydock at the turn of the year.
“He seems to have come out of the race all right,” said Richards.
“He made a fair old hash of the first and he wasn’t travelling from then. It just wasn’t his day so we’ll have to pick the pieces out of it.
“He’ll probably go to Haydock for the Haydock Graduation Chase at the end of the year (December 30), that is the plan for him,” he said.
Richards is also looking forward to taking on hot favourite Kauto Star in the Stan James King George VI Chase with Monet’s Garden.
The Penrith trainer admitted being impressed with Paul Nicholls’ ace on Saturday, but is happy to have a horse good enough to oppose him in the Kempton showpiece on Boxing Day.
“There’ll be a lot of very good horses there and Paul’s horse looks an exceptional animal, but hopefully we’ll get there in one piece, firing on all cylinders and let’s have a good race for everybody,” said Richards.
