Meade eager to keep big guns apart
The County Meath maestro is reconsidering his options for Cheltenham Gold Cup third Road To Riches after owners Gigginstown House Stud decided against letting him defend his crown in Saturday’s JNwine.com Champion Chase, instead choosing to field the impressive Don Cossack in the Down Royal feature.
The Clonmel Oil Chase on Thursday is a potential alternative, but that Grade Two event is also an option for Apache Stronghold, who has not been seen since finishing third at Punchestown in the spring.
The John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in early December is also on the radar for both horses.
“Road To Riches is in great form, but they (Gigginstown) decided to run Don Cossack and we had to take a back seat,” said Meade.
“Bryan (Cooper) rode him in a bit of work at the Curragh the previous Saturday over a mile and a furlong and he worked really well. He was ready to run on Saturday.
“It looks like Don Cossack is going to go for the King George and we’ll go for the Lexus. He’ll also get an entry in the King George.
“We’ll look at races like the Morris Oil at Clonmel and the Durkan.
“Ger Fox rides him out at home and thinks he’s a stronger horse this year.
“He had a very hard race at Cheltenham. It was as tough a race as you could imagine.
“They were flat out from the top of the hill and I’m not surprised he disappointed after at Punchestown.”
Apache Stronghold had been pencilled for Saturday’s Powers Irish Whiskey Chase at Down Royal before suffering a setback.
Meade said: “He was due to run at Down Royal, but he gave himself a wrap and missed about a week.
“It’s quite possible that he could look at the Morris Oil or the Durkan, but ideally I don’t want to run him and Road To Riches in the same race.
“Down the road the Ryanair Chase is an obvious target at Cheltenham, if he shows us he’s not getting the three miles.”
Meade worked around a dozen horses in front of the gathered media yesterday morning.
Wounded Warrior, placed at Cheltenham and Punchestown last spring, was due to be part of the contingent strutting their stuff, but has suffered a setback.
“He was cast in his box last week,” said the trainer. “He’s a huge horse and I’ve always thought the world of him. He could improve a lot and he wants a trip on soft ground.
“I tried to get Michael (O’Leary) to enter him in the Hennessy at Newbury, but he wouldn’t have it. He’s a really good horse.”
Texas Jack was last of four behind Don Cossack on Saturday and is set for a drop in trip, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in less than a fortnight in the melting pot.
Meade said: “Saturday proved once and for all that he doesn’t stay three miles. He was travelling really well again and just didn’t get home.
“He’ll go back to two and a half miles. He’s in the Paddy Power at Cheltenham and it will be interesting to see what weight he gets.”
Meade also revealed Very Wood, not seen since disappointing when favourite for Cheltenham’s National Hunt Chase, remains on the sidelines.
“He knocked a joint when we were getting him ready for the Irish National. It got infected and it’s taking a long time to get it right,” he said.
“He’s a horse with plenty of ability, but his form was in and out last season and he can be a bit of a funny character.
“Training him can be as much mental as physical.”
Meade also revealed Monksland is set to make his seasonal reappearance in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.
