Timesremembered takes Neptune test
An Irish point-to-point winner, he fairly dotted up in Grade Two company in Wales and runs at the same level again this weekend.
His trainer Emma Lavelle said: “He has done really well since Chepstow and I think this race will give us an idea whether we should be aiming him at the Festival and whether this is the right trip for him.
“He has always worked well at home and we felt that it was worth a crack at the Persian War after he won at Uttoxeter. He jumped much better last time and really needs a lead in his races.
“He was great when he was in behind runners at Chepstow but started to make mistakes when he was left out in front on his own. He was out in front for so long at Uttoxeter that every hurdle seemed to get in his way. It was good (ground) at Uttoxeter and soft at Chepstow, so I think all ground comes alike to him. My gut feeling is that his ideal conditions are good ground or just on the soft side of good over two and a half miles.
“We have still got to plenty to learn with him, which is quite nice. He has definitely got a big engine and Saturday’s race will hopefully teach us a bit more about where we are with him, how good he is and whether this is the right distance for him.”
Willie Mullins has been true to his word that he would send more runners over to England this season and he is represented by Indevan, a Grade Three winner at Limerick in October.
Local trainer Martin Keighley runs Creepy, who finished second at the first meeting of the season at Cheltenham last month.
“He was second at Cheltenham last time behind a good one of David Pipe’s (Kings Palace), but ran with the choke out and you cannot afford to do that over three miles,” said Keighley.
“The drop back in trip should help him settle and he is another who runs well around Cheltenham.”
Paul Nicholls is represented by Port Melon, winner of two point-to-points, Nigel Twiston-Davies runs Pure Science, a smart bumper horse, Nicky Henderson fields Rally while Charlie Longsdon’s Drop Out Joe has been impressive the last twice. Venetia Williams’ improving mare Toubeera completes the eight-strong field.
