Straw Bear needs to go close, says McCoy
The champion jockey rides Straw Bear for his boss JP McManus and admits that to be classed as a serious contender for Cheltenham honours, he will have to seriously push the Philip Hobbs-trained grey.
Nick Gifford’s charge was just touched off in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last year and when he won the ‘Fighting Fifth’ at Newcastle on his reappearance, he looked destined for the top.
However, a disappointing showing when he was under the weather in the Christmas Hurdle has left him with questions to answer.
“Nick is pretty happy with him, but he did say that he thinks he will come on a fair bit for the run,” said McCoy.
“He would have to run a pretty sound race and, if he is to get beat, not get beat too far by Detroit City to have a realistic chance in the Champion Hurdle.
“At Newcastle, Straw Bear travelled well and jumped better and also gave me a good feel, even though I thought that to get to the level of Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace he would still have to improve a little bit.
“I want Straw Bear to run well for JP’s (McManus) sake really, he’s a very good boss and I’d like to ride a good horse for him.”
Gifford has been pleased with the horse since the setback at Kempton.
“He’s in good form and we are very much looking forward to seeing him run,” he said.
“He’s scoped clean and seems in very good form so we have to take a chance as he needs to have a run before the Festival.
“Obviously, Detroit City looks the one to beat. We beat Arcalis earlier in the season so you wouldn’t think he would be a danger – it does very much look like a match up between the two of us.”
Detroit City’s connections also see the race as a match and owner Terry Warner is looking forward to it.
“Straw Bear could be anything. I think he’s a very nice horse when he’s right and if he was wrong at Kempton, it will be interesting to see how he goes against us,” he said.
“It’s all systems go and we probably ought to win if nothing goes wrong – but you don’t want to be over-confident as an owner.
“He has won seven on the bounce over hurdles and one on the Flat. But as Black Jack Ketchum showed last week, everyone’s run has to come to an end at some time.”
Detroit City has been off the track since defeating AIG Europe Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace at Cheltenham.
Warner reports him to be in top form, however, and hopes he can follow in the hoofprints of Rooster Booster, who claimed the race in 2003 before going on to Champion Hurdle glory. “It would be a good omen to win tomorrow and I think he will run well.”
