Don Cossack set for Golden moment
His stamina was just coming into play when he took an unfortunate tumble at the second-last in the King George Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day.
The imposing gelding had just put his nose in front of eventual winner Cue Card when taking that fall, suggesting he may well have won had he stood on his feet.
While that’s speculation, he looks as though this longer trip will suit — though that is unconfirmed.
It’s only a couple of seasons since we wondered whether he’d stay three miles and yet now, without concrete evidence, there’s a firm belief it’s a minimum for him.
Although he hasn’t had the best of luck in two runs at this track, he was somewhat unlucky in last season’s Ryanair Chase, when it all may have happened a shade too quickly for him.
With quicker ground to suit, if he can get into a jumping rhythm a big run can be expected.
Cooper chose Don Cossack over Don Poli, and that cannot have been an easy decision.
The latter, trained by Willie Mullins, has been to the Festival twice and won twice. On the first occasion, he ran out an impressive winner of the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, and followed up with an impressive display in last season’s RSA Chase.
He can race quite lazily, and his running style may not be good for the hearts of his supporters, but we know he acts on the track and stays the trip, which is more than can be said about many of the runners.
He also knows how to win races, even if seldom doing so emphatically, as when fending off First Lieutenant in the Lexus Chase on his last outing.
If he doesn’t get run off his feet early — which is a distinct possibility on quick ground — he will be a big player.
Those which turn for home in front may look around to gauge his proximity, because none will tackle the hill with the same relish as this gutsy sort.
For him and his supporters, the first half-mile will be as crucial as the last half-mile.
Don Poli’s stable companion, Djakadam, boasts similar if not better credentials as he finished runner-up to Coneygree in this race in 2015.
It is a concern that he has fallen twice in three runs over fences at this track, but his trainer has pointed out that Dawn Run unseated her rider in the same race, the Cotswold Chase, prior to winning the Gold Cup in 1986, and is hoping for a similar result.
If the seven-year-old stays on his feet he should reach the frame, but, barring a deluge, the ground is likely to be much quicker than he encountered last year.
He should run well, but may come up short once more.
Irish Gold Cup winner Carlingford Lough wasn’t good enough last year and while it would be fantastic to see him win for trainer John Kiely, it is an extremely difficult task for the now 10-year-old, who finished ninth in 2015.
Alan King’s Smad Place has been in superb form this season, winning the Newbury Hennessy by a wide margin and likewise the Cotswold Chase here in January.
In between those two races he wasn’t disgraced in the King George, but looks a level below the best of his rivals.
He’s likely to set out to make it a stern test, and that will weed out the doubtful stayers.
Cue Card must be mentioned, as he has been a credit to connections this season. Better than ever, he got up on the line to win the King George. Like many of these, he has his stamina to prove, but must be respected for what he has achieved in his last three outings.
In a wide-open renewal, Don Cossack, who has won nine of his last 10 completed starts over fences, can account for Djakadam and Cue Card.
