Lexus next on agenda for Attrition
Last season’s totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero was sent off the 2-1 favourite in the Grade One John Durkan Memorial Chase, in which he was unable to overhaul the Michael O’Brien-trained winner, despite battling gamely.
Handler Mouse Morris was very pleased with the effort despite his charge’s eclipse as underfoot conditions were riding unsuitably heavy.
“He’s fine after Sunday – not a bother,” said the trainer.
“Obviously we would have liked to win but we didn’t want to have him completely bottomed out, which he wasn’t.
“Conor (O’Dwyer) was very happy and I was very happy too, but he just doesn’t jump as well out of that sort of ground.”
While Morris was delighted with his stable star, he admits to being impressed with In Compliance.
“The winner looked good and I’m sure he’s going to be a fine horse now,” Morris added.
The pair could again lock horns in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown on December 28, after Morris confirmed that contest as War Of Attrition’s probable next port of call.
“We’ll look at the Lexus for him now if he’s OK. He has two weeks to recover before that and should be OK,” he said.
Meanwhile, Paul Nicholls believes conditions will be ideal for Kauto Star as he prepares his charge for an assault on the Stan James King George VI Chase on St Stephen’s Day.
The Clive Smith-owned six-year-old has recorded three impressive victories already this season and heads to Kempton as a general 4-6 chance to cement his position as the best chaser around.
And despite winning the Tingle Creek over two miles last time, Nicholls believes the race conditions of the upcoming test will prove right up his street.
“I think three miles around Kempton will be made for him, although two miles on soft ground around Sandown was fine,” he explained.
“I felt the pressure before he ran at Sandown, but he jumped so well and won so nicely – all roads lead to Kempton now.
“I had no doubt before Haydock that he would get three miles. It was only when I read all the papers that I started to worry about it, although I would now say he is more of stayer than a speed horse. The horse has done all the talking himself.
“People suggest he is better going left-handed, but he’s won two Tingle Creek’s going right-handed and Ruby (Walsh) says it doesn’t matter which way he races.
“He’s a horse that wouldn’t want too many days off and he’s come out of the Tingle Creek better than he did the race at Haydock. He’s in very good order at the moment.”
Nicholls fired a final warning shot to his rivals by adding: “I’ve won two King George’s with See More Business and I’d really like to win it a third time with this horse.”
Also looking forward to the King George is David Yates, owner of the Nicky Richards-trained Monet’s Garden.
The galloping grey has only once tasted defeat over fences, when second to Voy Por Ustedes in the Arkle at Cheltenham.
Yates said: “I’m proud to have him and the horse is a star, as his good run in the Arkle proved.
“He was good over hurdles but was always going to be a chaser and Roselier’s (sire) always improve as they get older.
“Monet’s Garden excels with his jumping. I was delighted with the way he ran in the Arkle as it proved he does like Cheltenham and we were worried with him disappointing there in the past.
“Kempton is a good sharp track and that will suit his jumping and the ground there is usually good, which he will like as well.”
