Testing ground can swing Champion in Inca’s favour
He really is one of the great warriors of Irish racing and, though an 11-year-old now, is far from a back-number as far as I’m concerned.
Realistically, he cannot beat Sublimity on their running at Leopardstown at Christmas, but the ground is going to be far more testing on this occasion and that’s where my hope lies.
He jumped and travelled great last time and ran right to the line, but ultimately was no match for either Sublimity or Won In The Dark.
That was a muddling race and Colm Murphy has taken measures to ensure there will be no repeat. He runs both Allez Petit Luis and Swiftmarc, in an effort to ensure an end-to-end gallop.
That was very much Colm’s idea, I had nothing to do with such thinking, but it is a decision with which I would obviously concur.
I’ll guarantee you now that the word muddling will not appear in any of the press reports come Monday morning. There will be no hiding place and it wouldn’t take a genius to work out I will be trying my hardest to get Sublimity, and anything else which might move sweetly though the contest, at it as far from the finishing line as possible!
Willie Mullins has decided to wait for another day with Cooldine, but runs two in the Arkle, Jayo and Golden Silver. I ride Jayo and this is going to tell us an awful lot about him.
Jayo has taken beautifully to fences and is a terrific jumper. He won in a canter at Naas, but this is an entirely different proposition altogether.
Made In Taipan was his only danger at Naas and was beaten after a couple of fences. But that wasn’t Jayo’s fault and he went about his business in style.
You would have to respect Follow The Plan and Forpadydeplasterer and you can’t entirely rule out Golden Silver or Cuan Na Grai either.
It’s going to be most informative and the winner will have every reason to travel to Cheltenham for their Arkle with high hopes.
I start on Time Electric for Tom Mullins in the maiden hurdle. I’d say, up to now, he’s a horse who has done more talking than galloping!
That said, his latest effort, second to Zaarito at Punchestown, offers real hope and I have to be optimistic of a big run, in what doesn’t look the hottest of contests.
Conem didn’t do much in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown, but I’ve ridden him before and think he probably struggled to stay three miles.
We have to have a fair chance, dropping down in trip, in a handicap chase, although Arthur Moore’s Major Sensation catches my eye at the bottom of the weights.
Oscar Dan Dan is my partner in the Grade 2 Novices Hurdle, but seems to face an uphill task against a number of horses who are simply better than him, on what we know right now.
My final ride of the two days is Ross Accord, for Tony Martin, in the two miles and six handicap hurdle and I wouldn’t stop you backing him.
I won on the horse at Leopardstown at Christmas and let’s just confine ourselves to saying I’m particularly looking forward to renewing acquaintances.
If I leave Cheltenham this evening with a winner under my belt, I will be more than happy. The horse that exites me most is Tataniano in the first, the Grade 2 novices’ hurdle.
I’m not for a minute saying we will beat Diamond Harry, because he’s just about the best novice in England at the moment.
I do strongly recommend, however, that whatever happens today, you very much keep Tataniano in your head for the future. Put simply, he’s one to remember.
He is a big, strapping sort and will make a hell of a chaser next season. Right now, Tataniano is a bit immature and faces a hard task, but I will be far from shocked should he at least give Diamond Harry something to think about.
Turko should be a fair price in the handicap chase and is an each-way possibility. He’s been out of form lately, but his third in the Ryanair at the Cheltenham Festival was a smart effort.
Jumping-wise, Turko can be messy. When on form, he’s good but when out-of-form he’s bad. He’s working well right now, though, and let’s hope this is one of his better days.
You might be a little surprised I’m on Nozic, rather than Star de Mohaison, in the Grade 2 Chase. Star de Mohaison could well run in the Gold Cup and I certainly won’t be riding him in that.
Barry Geraghty has a good record on the horse and, though he could be needed for Barbers Shop in the Gold Cup, is far more likely to be available than I am.
Star de Mohaison is classier than Nozic, but it’s never as simple as that. Nozic will revel in the heavy ground and that can be a great leveller.
On paper Big Buck’s has it all to do against Punchestowns in the Cleeve Hurdle. But Big Buck’s was good the last day, defying 11-11 to win a handicap at Cheltenham, after I got to the front far too soon.
Paul Nicholls continues to rate this fellow very highly and, if he is to be a Stayers’ Hurdle candidate, then at least has to be competitive now.
