Coneygree set to rest on his Gold Cup laurels
The Cheltenham Gold Cup victor is trained by Bradstock’s husband Mark in nearby Letcombe Bassett and he was afforded a hero’s welcome as he took a turn around the parade ring at his local track following his pillar-to-post victory in the Festival highlight last week.
A possible trip to Punchestown had been mentioned by connections, but Bradstock reports connections’ sights to be set on next term instead.
She said: “It was a wonderful triumph and jolly hard work, but he is very talented. Next year is his oyster and he won’t run again this year.
“He’s fairly oblivious to his adoring public and he only had a moment in the stables as otherwise he probably would have thought ’I’m not running again a week later am I?’.
“We put him in the car park beforehand and he had a pick of grass and was enjoying himself.”
Nico de Boinville was in the plate at Cheltenham and he admitted he is still on something of a high.
He said: “We made it a true test and we wanted to see what happened. He jumped so well and it was a great day – I’m still coming down off it.”
Coneygree was bred by the late Lord Oaksey and Lady Oaksey was on hand to herald a special winner for the family.
Sara Bradstock is also the daughter of Lord and Lady Oaksey, making Coneygree’s triumph all the more memorable.
“John would have been so proud of family Bradstock. It doesn’t just happen, it’s hard work,” Lady Oaksey said.
“I’m really pleased to be back at Newbury as he’s won two here now and I’ll ask the trainer, but he will probably go the Lambourn Open Day and then the Whitbread (Bet365 Gold Cup meeting at Sandown) for a parade as well.”
