Cheltenham on Pique agenda
Willie Mullins’ charge toiled in a heavy-ground Galway Hurdle last month and was then beaten at odds-on in a qualified riders’ race at Wexford, but there is no doubt he is a potent force when he gets his conditions.
Given a confident ride by Billy Lee, the six-year-old showed smart acceleration to win going away and Steve Massey, racing manager for owners Supreme Racing, is excited about the prospect of another trip to Prestbury Park this autumn.
His Cheltenham target is the Open Hurdle on November 17, a valuable prize formerly known as the Greatwood Hurdle.
Massey said: “We had a nice filly make a winning debut at Kilbeggan on the Friday (Ask Vic) and then for Pique Sous to go and win a valuable race at Leopardstown was just the icing on the cake.
“Myself and Willie had a really good chat on the Friday and together we decided we’d let him (Pique Sous) race up with the pace and everything went to plan. He likes Leopardstown, he has such a high cruising speed and is able to quicken up as well.
“The two keys to him are the ground and getting him to settle. He just wants to run and if he can settle, he has great potential.
“There are loads of options for him going forward, both on the Flat and over hurdles and eventually he’ll jump a fence.
“The big handicap hurdle at the Open meeting at Cheltenham is a target for him. The ground isn’t usually too bad there in November and we still think he’s on a good mark on 137.
“He’ll run somewhere before that. There is a handicap hurdle at the Listowel Festival next week and another option might be the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh on October 13.”
