That’s the Espirit as Quel tries again
However, he returned unscathed and Willie Mullins is happy to let him take his chance just 48 hours later in this afternoon’s Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh rides him in preference to Mullins’ other three runners, Enterprise Park, Arvika Ligeonniere and Fionnegas
Mullins said of Quel Esprit: “We rode him out today and he’s 100% fine and all he did yesterday was gallop from the start of the race to the winning post and would do more in a piece of morning work.”
Shinrock Paddy meanwhile has not raced since December but trainer Paul Nolan reports him to be in top form. He is not sure, though, whether the six-year-old will cope with faster conditions than he’s used to today.
“The horse is in good form and we’re hoping he will handle the better ground,” said Nolan, who trains at Davidstown, about two miles from the picturesque town of Enniscorthy.
“Most of his best form has been on the heavier ground, so it will all depend on whether he will handle it, and hopefully he will.
“The preparation for the race has gone OK. He did have a bit of a setback early on but that’s not an excuse now.
“He’s fit and he’s well and we couldn’t be happier.”
To win, though, Nolan will have to overturn The Betchworth Kid whose camp is oozing confidence.
It is only the fifth renewal of the race and the Kid’s jockey Robert Thornton has ridden two of the four previously winners, Moulin Riche and Nenuphar Collonges.
Thornton has assured connections that Alan King’s five-year-old is a better horse than those two, and there is no doubt he brings some useful form to the table.
On the level he was good enough to be placed in a Goodwood Cup, after which he was an unlucky loser in the Ebor.
Owner Henry Ponsonby hopes that touch of class means he has enough speed to see off his main rivals, many of whom are long-term prospects.
Both King and Ponsonby are due a change of luck this week. The owner’s General Miller tipped up at the first in the Supreme, while King’s Bensalem looked the likely winner of the William Hill Chase before falling two out.
“Everything has gone according to plan and I think everything is in his favour,” said Ponsonby.
“I think the race will be run to suit, the ground is fine and we think that the trip is a plus, not a minus.”
