Gifford ponders Tullamore Dew’s Cheltenham options
The 10-year-old also holds an entry in the Byrne Group Plate over two miles and five furlongs, but Gifford would prefer to let him take chance in the extended three-mile race as long as the ground is decent.
Tullamore Dew proved he stays the longer distance last time at Ascot, going down by only a head to Massini’s Maguire.
“At the moment he’s more likely to go for the three-mile handicap,” said Gifford.
“He’s in the Byrne on the Thursday, and in the Festival Chase on the Tuesday which the way the weather is looking at the moment is the favourite.
“I nearly lost my voice at Ascot on the run from the last. He does tick that box now that he stays. Ascot is a stiff three miles so it gives us another option now and I should think that is more likely where we are going unless there is a sudden downpour before Cheltenham.
“Two miles five on proper soft ground round Cheltenham would be far enough for him.”
Meanwhile, plans for Deep Purple are on hold after the Evan Williams-trained chaser bled as well as taking a bruising fall at Kempton on Saturday.
The 11-year-old was fancied to run well in the Racing Plus Chase, but had lost his place when he fell at the 14th fence.
“He’s a bit battered and bruised and he did bleed as well during the race which he has done in the past,” said Williams.
“I imagine he’ll have to have a quieter time now . It was very disappointing, but he’s done it before. The unfortunate thing was that he fell as well.
“I’ll talk to Mr Green (owner), but it was far from an ideal prep for a race like the Grand National. I haven’t decided anything, but I wouldn’t describe it as the ideal platform to go to Aintree.
“Plans for him are right up in the air.”
Deep Purple is one of three entries Williams has in the National long with Cappa Bleu and State Of Play, who are both owned by Mr and Mrs William Rucker.
Although connections have yet to confirm Cappa Bleu a definite runner, the 10-year-old is the shortest priced of the trio in the ante-post betting.
He returned from a long lay-off to win at Haydock in November and has since finished third in the Welsh National and third in a competitive handicap chase at Ascot behind Massini’s Maguire.
“There are no real decisions about him, but the National is definitely something the way I’m training,” Williams went on.
