Very unfortunate news that Dynaste will be
missing the festival. Could you give us more information on these setbacks?
It was a strained hind-leg last time out and he should be back for a full campaign next season. We were leaning towards the Ryanair Chase with him and clearly as the defending champion, he would have gone there with leading claims once again.
It was a strained hind-leg last time out and he should be back for a full campaign next season. We were leaning towards the Ryanair Chase with him and clearly as the defending champion, he would have gone there with leading claims once again.
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| Kings Palace: "our best chance of a winner at the Cheltenham festival." |
Kings Palace attracted a bit of criticism
after winning at Newbury last time out and drifted in the RSA market; what did
you make of the run and how do you see him doing in the RSA?
He is our best chance of a winner at the Cheltenham Festival. He has been faultless in two races around Cheltenham this term and any criticism of his Newbury run are unjustified. Two runner races are always difficult for horse and jockey and he will have learned from his mistakes at the open ditches. It will take a very good horse to beat him.
He is our best chance of a winner at the Cheltenham Festival. He has been faultless in two races around Cheltenham this term and any criticism of his Newbury run are unjustified. Two runner races are always difficult for horse and jockey and he will have learned from his mistakes at the open ditches. It will take a very good horse to beat him.
You’ve obviously had much involvement with
AP McCoy through the years, could you comment on Tony and his career as we
approach his final Cheltenham festival?
What else can you add? It has all been said before – he is the greatest there has ever been and I don’t think there will be another like him.
What else can you add? It has all been said before – he is the greatest there has ever been and I don’t think there will be another like him.
McCoy aside, who in your opinion are some of
the most underrated jockeys in National Hunt racing?
The way we eulogise about A P McCoy I don’t think there is any chance of him being underrated! I do feel sorry for Richard Johnson however – he has finished runner-up in countless championships and has won more races than any other jockey (other than AP). He is unfortunate to have been around in McCoy’s era – without him, we would undoubtedly be proclaiming Richard Johnson as the greatest!
The way we eulogise about A P McCoy I don’t think there is any chance of him being underrated! I do feel sorry for Richard Johnson however – he has finished runner-up in countless championships and has won more races than any other jockey (other than AP). He is unfortunate to have been around in McCoy’s era – without him, we would undoubtedly be proclaiming Richard Johnson as the greatest!
Moon Racer is a very interesting entry in
the bumper after winning so well over course and distance in October – how is
he doing at home?
He is doing fine. He was impressive at Cheltenham in October and following a little break, the plan was always to bring him back for the Festival bumper.
He is doing fine. He was impressive at Cheltenham in October and following a little break, the plan was always to bring him back for the Festival bumper.
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| Sail By The Sea "needs to improve" |
Sail By The Sea has done everything right
over fences so far and seems to be improving, is he a bit underrated for the
Arkle in your opinion?
He is a nice horse, although he needs to improve considerably to win a very hot looking Arkle. Having said that, Western Warhorse also needed to improve last year and look what happened! At this stage of his career Sail By The Sea arguably has better credentials than last year’s winner so let’s hope that lightning can strike twice!
He is a nice horse, although he needs to improve considerably to win a very hot looking Arkle. Having said that, Western Warhorse also needed to improve last year and look what happened! At this stage of his career Sail By The Sea arguably has better credentials than last year’s winner so let’s hope that lightning can strike twice!
Heading into the festival, are there any of
your horses which stand out to you as being underrated or which seem to be
going unnoticed but are in with a chance?
Not yet - the entries for the handicaps only closed yesterday and we will know a lot more about those when the weights are published.
Not yet - the entries for the handicaps only closed yesterday and we will know a lot more about those when the weights are published.
Could you give us one tip for the festival
and one horse to watch for next season?
Don Poli in the NH Chase – I’m hoping he goes in the four miler rather than the RSA! A nice horse to follow for next season could be What A Moment. There was a lot to like about the way he knuckled down to his task when winning a Towcester bumper on his debut for the stable and I am hoping there will be further improvement in this former Irish pointer when faced with hurdles and eventually fences.
Don Poli in the NH Chase – I’m hoping he goes in the four miler rather than the RSA! A nice horse to follow for next season could be What A Moment. There was a lot to like about the way he knuckled down to his task when winning a Towcester bumper on his debut for the stable and I am hoping there will be further improvement in this former Irish pointer when faced with hurdles and eventually fences.
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"Best chance of a winner" Kings Palace is currently 9/2 for the RSA Chase with Bet365, and "tip for the festival" Don Poli in the National Hunt Chase is currently 3/1 - if you don't already have an account, open one here to avail of their special offers and free bets in the run-up to and throughout the Cheltenham festival!
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