Dix Villez ‘ready to rock’ in cross-country chase
Bolger has saddled three of the four winners of the cross-country event since its inception in 2005 and would appear to hold all the aces again this time around with the likes of Garde Champetre and L’Ami heading his team.
However, Dix Villez had both horses in behind when winning over the unique fences at Cheltenham in November and Nolan is confident he will again be in the money.
“He did the job well the last day and he won’t mind if the ground dries up a little bit,” said Nolan.
“He was never within two stone of either Garde Champetre or L’Ami over fences but he seems to be a lot better horse with the banks in front of him.
“Davy Russell was brilliant on him the last day and he’ll be riding him again, so he should give people a run for their money.
“He’s in great form at home at the moment so we’ll just give him one more piece of work and he’ll be ready to rock.
“If we get him over there as fit and well as he was the last day he is a bit of each-way value against the Bolger horses and, with a bit of luck, he could finish in the first three.”
Meanwhile Nolan believes Shinrock Paddy’s victory at Cheltenham last November will stand him in good stead when he returns to the track for the Weatherbys Champion Bumper on Wednesday week.
The five-year-old is unbeaten in three starts under Rules and has been off the track since winning by eight lengths at the Paddy Power meeting in the hands of owner-jockey Barry Connell.
“We’re certainly looking forward to the race and he seems to be in good shape at home,” said Nolan.
“It’s going to be very hard to taken on Willie Mullins’ battalion but our horse is there with a chance.
“You are far happier taking horses over there when your team are in good form and, thankfully, ours having been running well for the last couple of months.
“I would be delighted to hear the horse mentioned turning for home and I’m just hoping he gives Barry a good spin as he deserves it.
“He showed us in November that he was that bit better than we thought and it was always the intention after that to bring him back to Cheltenham without another run.
“Barry has put a lot of money into the game and it has been his ambition to have something good enough to run at the Festival.
“Hopefully this guy is good enough.”
