The Irish champion jockey and Betway ambassador previews his Saturday at Gowran Park, and in addition discusses Lulamba’s win at Newbury final weekend.
It’s been one other fascinating week, with loads of Cheltenham chat throughout the media because the Pageant will get ever nearer, and it’s all nice enjoyable within the build-up to the most important week in our sport. One of many large clashes everyone seems to be trying ahead to is Kopek Des Bordes v Lulamba within the Arkle. Having caught the replay of Lulamba’s win at Newbury final weekend, I’d say that have will stand him in good stead going into the Pageant. Though he did loads improper, I assumed he overcame it properly to win properly ultimately. He’s actually obtained extra chasing expertise than we’ve got, and I’d be mendacity if I mentioned it wasn’t a priority going there with just one run over fences beneath our belt. However his Cheltenham expertise will depend for lots, and I feel he’s discovered loads from his current education classes. These are the clashes you need to be concerned in as a jockey, so hopefully we’ll have a easy run between now and subsequent month and might head there with a giant probability in one of many opening races of the assembly.
Earlier than that, although, I head to Gowran Park on Saturday for 4 good rides, beginning with MADNESS D’ELLE / (12:45) within the maiden hurdle. We had been very proud of how he ran on his first begin for us when ending second to a pleasant horse of Donnacha O’Brien’s at Punchestown final month, and I’d say he’ll enhance loads with that run beneath his belt. It’s been properly documented all yr {that a} good few of our horses have wanted their first run, and the way in which he formed the final day suggests we should always see a good higher model of Insanity d’Elle right here. Arouet, from Paddy Twomey’s yard, is rated 101 on the Flat, so he’ll be an fascinating recruit to hurdling, however we take pleasure in expertise over obstacles already, so I’d be hopeful we will go one higher this time.
STORM HEART / (13:20) runs within the Pink Mills Trial Hurdle, the primary graded race on the cardboard. He’s a horse I rode loads in his juvenile days, and I all the time thought he’d be an improver, however he’s simply had just a few niggling points that imply we haven’t seen him on the monitor as a lot as we’d have appreciated. He did win properly the final day at Limerick on heavy floor over two and a half miles, and I’m not involved in regards to the step again in journey right here, as he’s all the time proven loads of pace. This seems to be a very good race that ought to throw up loads of winners, and Kawaboomga might be probably the most fascinating runner contemplating how a few of his type has labored out. He wasn’t overwhelmed far by Kopek Des Bordes in a maiden hurdle on debut, after which got here out subsequent time and beat each William Munny and Koktail Divin – critical type within the context of any race. That mentioned, he’s been off the monitor a very long time now, so taking up race-fit rivals after 13 months away is perhaps a giant ask, however it is going to be fascinating to see how he will get on.
We then have IMPAIRE ET PASSE / (15:40) in a while the cardboard. He’s a really proficient particular person who’s been excellent to me through the years. Sadly, we haven’t managed to get him out since he was introduced down on the Punchestown Pageant, nevertheless it’ll be nice to see him again on monitor this weekend, and this seems to be the best alternative for him. He appears in good order at house, and it is a good journey and a pleasant monitor to start out him off at. Though he doesn’t fairly come out finest on the weights, I feel he’s straight sufficient to do himself justice and begin his season with a win.
My last journey on Saturday is KING ALEXANDER / (16:15), and he seems to be very stable right here with that chasing expertise beneath his belt. Whereas most of his higher hurdle type got here on good floor, his current runs on testing floor have proven he’s extraordinarily versatile concerning circumstances, and that can little doubt stand him in good stead this weekend. Champagne Jury might be the most important hazard after getting off the mark over hurdles final time. It’s fascinating they’re eager to ship him chasing so quickly, however he’s proven a good stage of capacity and has proved he handles testing floor, so he’s entitled to loads of respect. That mentioned, I’d be very dissatisfied if King Alexander can’t make it third-time fortunate over fences right here.
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