Sire De Grugy gets go-ahead to run at Chepstow
Trainer Gary Moore reports his stable star on course to make a surprise appearance in the Rifles Handicap Chase Supporting Care For Casualties ahead of his bid to retain his crown at the Cheltenham Festival on March 11.
“He schooled very well and I’m very pleased with him,” said Moore.
“Jamie (Moore) rode him and he jumped enough fences. It looks like it’s all systems go for Saturday, I’ve just got to speak to the owners.”
Meanwhile More Of That is “very much odds against” running in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival on March 12, according to regular jockey Tony McCoy.
Jonjo O’Neill’s seven-year-old defeated top Irish mare Annie Power in the race last season, when ridden by Barry Geraghty, but was comprehensively beaten upon his return to action at Newbury in November and has not run since.
The JP McManus-owned More Of That also bled after exercise last week to leave connections chasing the clock in order to prove his fitness for the Festival.
McCoy said: “Sadly, More Of That bled in his work last week, which is hugely disappointing. Whether he gets back in the given time is very much odds against at the moment.”
The 19-times champion jockey snubbed More Of That in preference for At Fishers Cross in last season’s World Hurdle, but he could only finish third.
Rebecca Curtis’ stayer has struggled this term, with McCoy distinctly nonplussed by his no-show at Haydock last Saturday. He said: “At Fishers Cross ran deplorably bad at Haydock over the weekend — that is the only way of describing it – and he is long way off being a World Hurdle contender at the moment.”
