Menorah and Cue Card set for International clash
Menorah, winner of this year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, entered Champion Hurdle calculations when landing last month’s Greatwood Hurdle under top weight and his credentials will certainly be put to the test.
Alongside Colin Tizzard’s immensely exciting novice Cue Card is the Paul Nicholls-trained Silviniaco Conti, a late-comer to the top table after three very easy wins this autumn.
Menorah’s trainer Philip Hobbs has also entered Nicene Creed for the same owner Diana Whateley, who is joined in the field by Clerk’s Choice, Astracad, Der Spieler and Liberty Seeker.
Evan Williams may use the Grade Two to introduce Cristal Bonus, who stayed on to be second in a leading event in his native France a few weeks ago.
“The handicapper thinks Cristal Bonus’ form is good because he has rated him 152,” said the Welsh trainer.
“We are giving weight away, which is going to be difficult for his first run over here, but it makes sense to start him in a good race with not too many runners.
“It’s not easy for four-year-olds but he has already shown that he has a certain level of ability and we will know a lot more about him at teatime on Saturday.”
Andy Stewart’s hand in the staying hurdling division could become even stronger this weekend if Celestial Halo impresses at Cheltenham.
Stewart’s red, white and black silks have been carried to victory in the last two runnings of the Ladbrokes World Hurdle by Big Buck’s, who made a winning reappearance at Newbury last month.
Celestial Halo won his fair share of decent prizes as a two-mile hurdler but fell a fraction short of top-class and was sent novice chasing at the start of the season.
But a fall at Exeter and an ordinary run at Newbury caused plans to change and Stewart and his trainer Paul Nicholls will try him back up at two and a half miles in the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle.
“He will definitely take his chance in that, but he might just need the run,” warned Stewart.
“He won’t need it fitness-wise but maybe just mentally as he fell last season at Aintree and again at Exeter.
“If he runs well on Saturday and looks to be staying on, then he might end up running against Big Buck’s somewhere along the line.
“I don’t think he’ll beat Big Buck’s, but we’ll see if he stays this weekend anyway.”
Of Big Buck’s himself, Stewart added: “He’s come out of Newbury fine and he’ll definitely go to the Long Walk at Ascot next.
“I personally think if there is going to be a race that he’s beaten in this season, then the Long Walk will be the one.
“Ruby (Walsh) and Paul (Nicholls) won’t have it and think I’m mad, but I just think he might get found out on a right-handed track, going down Swinley Bottom.
“After that I think he’ll go for the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham in January.
“We had thought about sending Celestial Halo for that but it’s three months between Ascot and the World Hurdle and that’s a long time for a horse to do absolutely nothing.
“Last year we gave him a lot of work rather than running him, but people go to the races to see these horses.
“I was amazed at Newbury last time as people were asking for his autograph and taking photographs on their mobile phones!
“It’s a privilege to own a horse like that, so let’s get him out at Cheltenham again and see if we can win the Cleeve.”
Meanwhile, David Pipe could pitch I’m So Lucky against Master Minded and company in the rescheduled Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The trainer admits the eight-year-old has plenty to do on ratings to trouble the dual Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, despite having won Sandown’s Celebration Chase in the spring.
Pipe has also given the Zilzal gelding an alternative entry in the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase on the same card and will weigh up both options before making a final decision.
“I’m So lucky is in the Tingle Creek and won well at Sandown in April, but on official ratings, he has a bit to find,” said Pipe.
“It will probably suit him better going around Cheltenham rather than Sandown.”
