Down in trip Polos looks the part in novice chase
At this late stage nothing else really matters, but you still have to do your job and the plan is to get among the winners and to put Cheltenham, at least as far as you can, out of one’s mind.
I’m reasonably confident Tchico Polos can win the novice chase at Sandown today. He’s been mixing it with the likes of Punchestowns and Somersby and they head to the Festival with major chances.
Tchico Polos was outclassed by Punchestowns at Sandown last time, but there was no disgrace in that over a trip - two miles and four and a half furlongs - which was too far. Two miles is his best distance and he showed that on this track when third to Somersby and Crack Away Jack. He’s as honest as the day is long and has been taking on the best. He has to be one of my best rides over the two days.
I’m looking forward to Red Harbour in the first, a wide open 18-runner handicap hurdle. I was second on him at Ascot recently and think he pulled up on me a bit.
He’s not ungenuine or anything like that, but was just caught out a little. He battled well to beat the horse who was nearest, but was beaten by one who was racing away from him.
He is not overly big, so having to carry less than 11-0 is a help. I’d imagine he’s going to test whatever skills I possess and the plan now will be to challenge between horses.
I’m not too optimistic regarding the prospects of Meanus Dandy in a handicap chase. To put it simply, he’s as slow as a hearse. He’s a big, old-fashioned horse, who will want every yard of this tip, and is almost certainly best watched.
I partner Pepe Simo in the Imperial Cup and, with 24 runners set to line-up, you could describe this as particularly competitive.
But, I wonder if that is really the case. When you see Tony McCoy doing 10-3 you really have to take notice. He’s going to do that weight on Qaspal and that would be the equivalent of me managing 9-12.
Pepe Simo was eventually beaten a long way behind Go Native in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton at Christmas, but was bang there to the second last. There was no shame in that.
I’m hoping for a big run, but my best advice is you should try and get the Cheltenham expenses with Qaspal, who has won his last two and still seems well in!
I end on the old stager, Oracle Des Mottes, in a handicap chase. He doesn’t have any scope for improvement and if he’s placed then that would do.
I head to Limerick tomorrow for just two rides, Glenlo Abbey and Morning Supreme. Glenlo Abbey has plenty going for him in a maiden hurdle.
A bumper winner at Gowran Park, he probably needed his recent run when third to The Book Thief on his first outing over jumps at Fairyhouse. I had a sit on him at Willie Mullins’ on Thursday morning and he pleased me. The trip - two miles and five furlongs - is perfect and he should be hard to beat.
If still in one piece after the Listed race for mares, then I can finally begin to concentrate fully on what’s ahead of me for the week. It’s a cracking little contest, which looks between my horse, Morning Supreme, and For Bill. Everyone knows how this is going to develop, because Morning Supreme only knows one way and that’s from the front.
Morning Supreme is a very good mare, who does everything right except settle. We will be going along at a swinging gallop and it will take a good one to pass her.
I have nothing but admiration for For Bill and greatly respect her. An unblemished record speaks for itself and she beat Killultagn Queen and myself in a canter at Clonmel.
Morning Supreme, however, appears to have better form than Killultagh Queen, so it is going to be mighty interesting.
