Johnson hopeful for Chief
Champion owner David Johnson believes his Well Chief is “the one to beat” in the major two-mile chases this season.
The six-year-old was runner-up to Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last spring before ending the campaign by beating a previous winner of the Cheltenham showpiece, Azertyuiop, at Sandown in April.
With Azertyuiop out for the season and Moscow Flyer being 12 years old come Cheltenham in March, Johnson has every reason to be optimistic about the 2004 Arkle Trophy winner, trained by Martin Pipe, taking the top two-mile prize.
“He’s very well but he hasn’t been back long. The plan is to go for all the top two-mile races, he won’t be stepping up in trip, certainly not this year anyway,” he At The Races.
“I think he’s the one they’ve got to beat. Moscow Flyer has a few years on the clock so I think it would be a crime to step him up in trip at this point in time.
“I think the Tingle Creek (at Sandown, December 3) is the one we have pencilled in but I need to speak to Martin about that and see how he progresses. We will take it along steady, it’s a long season. Cheltenham is still five or six months away.”
Johnson could have a dark horse for the Arkle this season in the shape of French import Don’t Be Shy.
The four-year-old Trempolino gelding is only 12-1 with William Hill, even though he has to make his debut over fences.
“He was the second-highest rated hurdler in France but they all are until the next one comes along,” said Johnson.
“We paid a lot of money for the horse, quite a few people were interested, and we took a chance in buying him.
“He’s at Martin’s yard, he’s had a summer at grass and has only just recently come in. He may be good enough, and quick enough, for the Champion Hurdle, who knows? If not, the Arkle would be an option for him.
“He’s a nice, big, fine horse and like most French horses he jumps for fun. I would be disappointed if he didn’t make the higher ranks as a novice, so fingers crossed.”
Marcel is another Arkle possible following a highly-successful first campaign in Britain which resulted in nine wins over hurdles.
“It’s an old adage but he was bought to go chasing and last year was a bonus - it was certainly a surprise if nothing else to win nine races like he did,” said the owner of the five-year-old gelding, who is a 25-1 shot for the Arkle.
“He was probably over the top when he got to the Festival but what he achieved was a fantastic feat. The plan now is to go novice chasing.
“Hopefully he will be good enough for the Arkle but that’s a long way away, but you would think on his hurdle rating he would have every chance of getting there if he’s good enough.”
