Harris considering Cheltenham plan

Trainer Milton Harris is eyeing a crack at next month’s Boylesports.com Gold Cup at Cheltenham with stable star Magic Sky.

The seven-year-old has been a tremendous servant for the Northamptonshire-based handler since being bought out of a selling hurdle for 11,500 guineas at Uttoxeter in October, 2006.

Harris’ charge was considered unlucky at Ascot on Saturday when he blundered at the last and caused his jockey, Charlie Poste, to lose his irons before finishing second to Hoo La Baloo.

“Magic Sky was very unfortunate at Ascot last Saturday,” said Harris.

“The aim is to go for the Boylesports.com Gold Cup. Now that he is rated 143, we are not over-burdened with choices as to where he can go.

“He didn’t enjoy the best of luck at Cheltenham earlier in the season and I think he certainly has the ability to win a decent prize.

“My main worry is that he could always be vulnerable to a better-handicapped horse at the bottom of the handicap.

“He would prefer soft ground, the softer the ground the better for him really. He ran on good ground over hurdles earlier in the year as he needed a run.

“Although he has mostly run over two miles, I actually think he is a better horse over two and a half miles.

“The reason he has run over two miles since I have trained him is simply because there are fewer opportunities over two and a half.”

Heading 45 entries for the Grade Three handicap chase over two miles and five furlongs on December 15 is L’Antartique, although trainer Ferdy Murphy has indicated the Paddy Power winner could miss the race in favour of a trip to Ireland.

The sponsors make L’Antartique and David Pipe’s Abragante, a leading fancy for Saturday’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup, 7-1 joint-favourites in their opening show.

Boylesports.com Gold Cup, sponsors bet: 7-1 L’Antartique, Abragante, 8-1 New Alco, 10-1 Palarshan, Knowhere, Madison du Berlais, 12-1 Our Vic, New Little Bric, Kalca Mome, Howle Hill, Ungaro, Il Duce, Imperial Commander, Limited Edition, 14-1 bar.