Bandit could still go for Gold
Owner David Johnson today refused to rule out a tilt at the Tote Cheltenham Gold with his promising novice Therealbandit.
The seven-year-old could still tackle the blue riband, even though he took a heavy tumble at the tricky downhill fence when still going well in the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham yesterday.
Therealbandit is undergoing treatment from physio Mary Bromiley, but Johnson is confident of having a crack at either the Gold Cup or the Royal & SunAlliance Novices’ Chase at the Festival in March.
“Thankfully, Therealbandit is okay and I am sure he’ll be back in time for Cheltenham,” he said.
“What happened to him in the fall could have been a lot worse and he’s come back with a few superficial cuts and some bruising to his neck, for which Mary Bromiley is giving him some physio.
“If anything, the fall looked far worse than the one which claimed Take Control at Warwick and it is hard to say what would have happened as my horse had jumped well up to that point and Jair Du Cochet was the only other one going well.
“Neither jockey had played their cards and Tony (McCoy) gave him a great ride.”
Johnson added that another factor to take into account when considering Therealbandit’s Cheltenham target would be how Our Vic gets on in his first novice chase at either Warwick or Folkestone later in the week.
Johnson, who said he could run around 10 horses over the next few days, continued: “Our Vic is due to run and I have others set to go including Well Chief and Liberman.
“I also have a number of very nice young horses to run and if Our Vic does his stuff he would be in line for the SunAlliance Chase.”
Johnson will take into account McCoy’s advice, though, before deciding which runners to send for the big Festival races.
He concluded: “To a large degree I shall be guided by Tony.
“With the best will in the world, my horse had to come first or second in the Pillar Chase in order to be considered a Gold Cup horse and as far as backing him is concerned, people should hold their bets, as I’m not ruling it in and not ruling it out.”
