All systems go for Kauto
He went two miles with stable companion Mon Parrain. Kauto moved particularly well and was simply full of beans.
Plenty of people stayed on to see the work and he got a good old clap as we headed down towards the start.
It got him going and, truth to tell, he was even more keen than usual. We didn’t do anything mad in the gallop, because it is just too close to the Gold Cup.
But Paul Nicholls and I had to be more than pleased and I’d say it is all guns blazing for next Friday now.
Right then, let’s see if we can get you a few quid on the eve of Cheltenham. I have no hesitation suggesting Dualla Lord as my best in the first at Sandown today, a competitive and valuable Grade 3 handicap hurdle.
A multiple point-to-point winner, he finished third last time at Taunton with Daryl Jacob aboard. What very much sways me towards Dualla Lord is how sweet Paul Nicholls is on his prospects.
Dualla has been given a rating of 130 and Paul, I can tell you, is more than pleased. You can argue he has his share of weight, but all the good novices are heading to the festival and that’s a big help.
Martys Mission, who used to be trained by Richard Rowe, has his second run for Paul in a handicap chase.
He ran well first time for Paul when second at Sandown, but I can’t reveal has made dramatic improvement in the meantime, or anything like that. Martys has a fair chance all the same.
I’ve been tipping Ted Spread for next Friday’s County Hurdle at Cheltenham, but he takes in the Imperial Cup on his way to Prestbury Park.
I rode him to win by seven lengths at Taunton and he blew home. It probably wasn’t a great race, but he really impressed me.
David Pipe’s Master Of Arts has been a real talking horse this week but I think, at worst, we’ll put it up to him. If we don’t then it will be a waste of time heading to the Cotswolds.
The enigmatic Sanctuaire is head and shoulders over his rivals in the novice chase, assuming he’s in the mood to do a bit of work.
I rode him to a run away win in a contest at Taunton last time, when he scored unextended by 16 lengths. I’ve no worries about the horse if he condescends to take part, but he can certainly be mulish before a race.
Assuming he does agree to participate then we will be bowling along in front from the start. There’s no way you could hold him against this lot.
Aldertune ends my afternoon in a handicap chase. He always goes well, but never wins. He is likely to travel beautifully and, perhaps, even look like obliging, but I’ll believe it when it happens.
I’ll be back in Ireland tomorrow for Naas, where the undoubted highlight is the clash between Bog Warrior and Flemenstar in the Grade 3 novice chase.
I’ve ridden Bog Warrior and against Flemenstar and have to come down in favour of the former. Flemenstar is now moving up to two and a half miles and I just feel Bog Warrior will stay going longer than him.
It is interesting that handicapper, Noel O’Brien, has Flemenstar 4lbs a better horse. Noel doesn’t get much wrong, but it is hard to get a handle on novices.
My day begins with Maggie Connolly in a 24-runner handicap hurdle. She will run her race, but you could make the case that this is the most opon contest of the weekend!
Maggie ran well when second to The Bishop Looney at Punchestown, when I was probably in front too soon.
I’d be sweeter on A Fine Young Man in a maiden hurdle, on the basis this is a far easier task than trying to win a seriously competitive handicap.
The horse won a bumper for Willie Mullins, then left the yard and has returned again. He’s working nicely, will love the trip and I have to be optimistic.
DOUBLE: Dualla Lord and Ted Spread.
