Henderson undecided on Fondmort and Tripleprint
Trainer Nicky Henderson is still in two minds over whether to go for Saturday’s Tripleprint Gold Cup with Fondmort or take in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day instead.
Fondmort won last year’s Tripleprint and would be bidding to become the first horse to land the Cheltenham feature for a second time if he is given the go-ahead.
He was among 22 horses confirmed today for the £100,000 (€141,750) race.
Henderson said: “Fondmort is a probable starter in the Tripleprint, but we are undecided as we are still looking at the King George.
“I will talk to Bill Brown (the horse’s owner) and we have got to think long and hard about whether he has a realistic chance in the King George.
“At the moment it is 50-50 whether Fondmort runs at Cheltenham. He would not run in both races.”
Fondmort beat Foly Pleasant, who is also among the entries, by six lengths in 2002 and again showed his liking for Prestbury Park when running out an impressive winner of last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup.
He could attempt to join Pegwell Bay (1988) and Senor El Betrutti (1997) as the only horses to have completed the Cheltenham ‘autumn double’ in the same season.
Fondmort carried a mere 10st 5lb to victory 12 months ago, but has 11st 11lb this time and has drited out to 6-1 from 5-1 with William Hill.
The Grade Three contest is normally run on the New course, but the entire two-day meeting has been switched to the Old course, where underfoot conditions are better.
Henderson was more certain about plans for his other Tripleprint Gold Cup contender, recent Ascot winner Iris Royal, who has 10st 7lb.
“Iris Royal has to run at Cheltenham – everything is right for him and he is a definite runner on Saturday,” he said.
Top-weight on 11st 12lb is the Martin Pipe-trained Seebald, who was only sixth of seven behind Moscow Flyer in the Tingle Creek Trophy at Sandown on Saturday.
Pipe has also left in Cyfor Malta and It Takes Time. Both ran in the Paddy Power, with the former finishing unplaced and the latter falling.
Michael Chapman reports Ei Ei, who was third in the Paddy Power, to be on course for the race.
He said: “He’s fine, 100 per cent. He had a week’s holiday after the Paddy Power but he’s back to himself now.”
Lee Vickers, who claims 3lb, will again ride the eight-year-old.
Henry Daly could be double-handed with Paddy Power fourth Young Spartacus and Hand Inn Hand, who is 7-2 favourite with Hills following a pleasing seasonal debut over hurdles at Aintree last month.
Redemption, trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies, was pulled up in the Paddy Power when his saddle slipped and he has since returned to winning form in style at Newbury.
Adamant Approach is said to be on target for the Tripleprint by trainer Willie Mullins, with Ruby Walsh booked for the ride.
There are two other possible Irish raiders – Michael O’Brien’s Kadoun and Risk Accessor from Christy Roche’s stable.
Frank Berry, racing manager for owner JP McManus, said today that Risk Accessor will be in the line-up, while a decision will be made later about Kadoun and the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Master Tern.
“The definite runner in the Tripleprint Gold Cup at the moment is Risk Accessor,” he said. “He’s fine and he’s in good form.
“Kadoun and Master Tern are still possibles. They will work during the week to see how they are and then we will make plans.”
Tripleprint Gold Cup betting:
William Hill: 7-2 Hand Inn Hand, 6-1 Fondmort (from 5), 7-1 Iris Royal, Risk Accessor, 10-1 Redemption, Telemoss (from 12), 11-1 It Takes Time (from 9), 12-1 Kadoun (from 11), Young Spartacus, 14-1 Cameron Bridge, 16-1 Ballinclay King, Cyfor Malta, Foly Pleasant, 20-1 Master Tern, Seebald, 25-1 Adamant Approach, Armaturk, Indian Scout, Royal Auclair, 33-1 Banker Count, Ei Ei, Eskleybrook.
