More expected from Mansony
The nine-year-old, twice a winner at Grade One level, has not been seen since finishing a distant third behind Tamarinbleu in the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot in January.
Despite that comprehensive eclipse, County Kildare-based Moore feels the nature of the Champion Chase will suit his charge down to the ground on Wednesday week.
Moore said: “I’m delighted with the horse and with his preparation for the race.
“I’d be very hopeful that he’d be in the money, I really would.
“I think the race will bring out the best in him and he’s very relaxed and well in himself at the moment,” he told At The Races.
Schindlers Hunt finished one place and 16 lengths behind Mansony when fourth in the Victor Chandler and things have not gone quite to plan since.
In his only subsequent appearance, the Dessie Hughes-trained eight-year-old was in command when unshipping Roger Loughran at the final fence in a decent event just over a week ago.
Although left understandably frustrated, Hughes now feels Schindlers Hunt is nearing a return to peak form and expects him to get involved at Cheltenham.
“He was unlucky at Naas last Sunday in his Grade Two when he just unseated Roger,” he reflected.
“He’ll like the track and I think he’ll run a good race. We’ll be running him in the hope that he’ll run into a place in the Champion Chase.
“If he comes back to last year’s Arkle form he had with the Irish horses here he would run a good race. We think he’s back to that now.”
Fair Along has failed to hit the target for over a year but big-race partner Richard Johnson warns punters not to ignore the six-year-old.
Philip Hobbs’ charge has finished second at the Cheltenham Festival in each of the last two seasons and pleased Johnson when fourth behind Kauto Star last month.
“I think he’s probably one of my very best rides at Cheltenham and he’s in very good form,” said the jockey.
“I was really pleased with him over two and a half miles at Ascot the other day behind Kauto Star, he really seemed to be back to his old exuberant self.
“He had a few runs when he seemed to be a bit overly quiet and I just think a good winter break has done him the world of good.”
Fair Along found only My Way De Solzen too strong in the Arkle last season and Johnson feels a similar effort would put him in the Champion Chase equation.
“Hopefully he goes to Cheltenham a very fresh horse in good form,” he continued.
“On last year’s Arkle form he probably hasn’t got quite as much to find as some people might think.
“I think he has a very good chance and should be in the shake-up at the end.”
