Pulse on target for ‘Paddy Power’
The nine-year-old landed one of the biggest successes of his career when winning the Listed Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase at The Festival in 2008. However, he failed to complete in three of four lacklustre starts before emphatically bouncing back to form when winning the Galway Plate in July.
Since then, the J P McManus-owned gelding has confirmed his well-being with a fine effort to finish third of 18 behind Alfa Beat in the Guinness Kerry National over three miles at Listowel.
Taaffe said: “We are happy with Finger Onthe Pulse and it is the intention to go to Cheltenham for the Paddy Power Gold Cup.
“It was a cracking run in the Kerry National - he only got collared at the last fence. It was a great effort carrying his penalties, he is in good form and we are hoping to go there as a livewire. I’m really pleased with him, it’s great to see him coming back and let’s hope he can stay on track.”
JP McManus, looks set to be well represented in the race with Finger Onthe Pulse, Sunnyhillboy, Dancing Tornado and Can’t Buy Time all in the reckoning.
Sunnyhillboy is the shortest priced of the quartet in the betting, but retained rider Tony McCoy looks set to partner one of the other runners.
McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “Sunnyhillboy has quite a light weight, so I don’t think Tony will be riding him. They are all in good form and I don’t think the ground would bother them either way.”
Conditional jockey Ian Popham will take the ride on top-weight Poquelin after 26 horses were remained in the handicap chase at the five-day stage.
The Paul Nicholls-trained seven-year-old was second to Tranquil Sea in this race 12 months ago, but is now a stone higher in the weights.
Forpadydeplasterer will make his seasonal reappearance in the Sinbad Testimonial 2010/2011 Chase at Cheltenham on Sunday.
The eight-year-old endured a luckless campaign last season, filling the runner-up spot on each of his five starts including in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham and the Melling Chase at Aintree.
His trainer, Tom Cooper, is eyeing a step up to three miles in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, but he will run over the minimum trip at Prestbury Park this weekend to blow away the cobwebs.
“He’s in good form and we’ve had no problems at all with him, thank God,” said Cooper.
“We’re looking at the King George for him but this looks a good place for him to get started again.”
It promises to be a fascinating contest with Andy Stewart's Grade One winner Tataniano also set to take his chance.
A total of 14 entries have been received, including dethroned champion chaser Master Minded, who like Tataniano is trained by Paul Nicholls.
I’msingingtheblues, Mahogany Blaze, Oiseau De Nuit and Petit Robin are also in the mix.
Menorah heads the weights for the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham on Sunday after 25 horses were left in at the confirmation stage.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner at the Festival in March could renew rivalry with the runner-up that day, Get Me Out Of Here from the Jonjo O’Neill stable.
Menorah may also get the chance to take revenge on his Aintree conqueror General Miller as Nicky Henderson’s charge has stood his ground.
Menorah’s trainer Philip Hobbs has another possible in Nearby while General Miller’s stablemate Lush Life has been left in.
Paul Nicholls is represented by Sanctuaire, winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at the Festival while Donald McCain looks to impressive Chepstow Silver Trophy winner Any Given Day.
Nigel Twiston-Davies took this prize 12 months ago with Khyber Kim and could rely on Astracad this time while Alan King’s Manyriverstocross and Tom George’s Olofi are among other interesting entries.
The acceptors also include three Irish-trained horses – Tony Martin’s Salute Him, Paul Nolan’s Far Away So Close and Eoin Griffin’s St Devote.
Get Me Out Of Here is an intended runner as connections hope the six-year-old can perform better than on his seasonal debut when he was only seventh to Tocca Ferro at Ascot.
“He was disappointing at Ascot but it was his first run back and he seems to have come out of the race in good form, so hopefully all will be well,” said Frank Berry.
