Prince ready to go the distance
The seven-year-old has stuck to around two miles in three races over the bigger obstacles but Nolan has always wanted to wait until the Festival to give him a try over two and a half miles.
“We’ve always said that with the heavier ground here in Ireland during the winter, we’d try to keep him to the minimum trip,” the County Wexford trainer told At the Races.
“I think we ran him in the wrong race at Cheltenham last year. We went for the County Hurdle instead of the Coral Cup. He was off his legs the whole way.
“He was a stayer on the Flat and we made the decision to step him up to two and a half miles and go for the Jewson very early on and nothing else. Hopefully he will run very well.”
Philip Hobbs saddled Captain Chris to win the Arkle Trophy on Tuesday and he hopes Wishfull Thinking, also owned by Diana Whateley, can follow suit.
“He’s in very good form and he should have a very good chance,” said Hobbs.
Henry de Bromhead has also had a successful Festival and the Irish trainer is looking for a good run from Loosen My Load.
“He‘s in great form and has travelled over well. Everything’s good and I‘m looking forward to running him,” said the County Wexford handler.
“We think the two and a half miles suits him better so that‘s why we‘ve chosen this race.”
Willie Mullins feels the relatively small field of 11 will help Blazing Tempo.
“We elected to go for this rather than the handicap on Tuesday (Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase), which means she’s a bit to find on the ratings here,” said the County Carlow trainer.
“But I just felt this smaller field, rather than the hustle and bustle of the handicap, would suit her better. If she ran into a place we’d be pleased.”
