Kirby sweet on his Cool guy
The Middleham trainer decided to target the 10-year-old at the Newcastle marathon today after a minor setback ruled him out of the Chepstow feature.
Cool Operator had been in top form, winning his first two races of the winter at Uttoxeter and Carlisle.
“He seems in really good order and has had a nice break,” said Kirby.
“Once he missed the Welsh National he was always going to go to Newcastle. Hopefully he’ll run a big race.
“It was just something and nothing that caused him to miss Chepstow.
“He was fine two days later, but we just didn’t want to take him down there as he was a bit tender. I think he’ll get the trip. I suppose it has to be a concern, but he settles and pops away.
“He doesn’t do anything exuberant and hopefully he’ll travel well within himself.”
Chris Bealby has no doubts on the stamina front about Chac Du Cadran, who was a eight-length winner of the North Yorkshire Grand National over three and three-quarter miles at Catterick last month.
“Stamina seems to be his strong suit. We stepped him up to three-miles-six at Catterick and he was relentless,” said the Lincolnshire handler.
“He kept going, and hopefully another three furlongs at Newcastle won’t inconvenience him too much. He’s gone up 11lb, it’s another grade up and hopefully he’s on the way up as well.”
The sole Irish challenger is Tarquinius, who was just touched off by Jadanli in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran.
Trainer Gordon Elliott feels the handicapper has been a bit harsh on the 10-year-old grey, but he is still hoping for a good run.
“He came to us rated 100 over fences and he’s rated 136 now. The handicapper must think we have worked a miracle, but he’s going there with an each-way chance,” the County Meath handler said.
“Had he jumped the third-last better at Gowran he might have won – he got beat a head. He’s a honest little horse and he jumps and he stays.”
