We head to Cheltenham in prime type after a double at Sandown together with an amazing success by Iceo within the Betfair Imperial Cup.
With Larchmont Lass breaking her duck with a decided victory within the Listed Mares’ EBF bumper and Quel Destin solely simply overwhelmed in a helpful novice handicap Chase we had loads to rejoice.
Iceo has bounced again brilliantly after lacking the very best a part of a yr with an damage that had us baffled for 3 weeks when he was on and off lame quickly after operating within the Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton final February. Simply to verify my head lad Clifford Baker organised an Xray of his entrance legs which revealed a hairline fracture down the entrance of his cannon bone. He then required surgical procedure which concerned utilizing a number of screws to restore the injury.
We gave him loads of time to heal and didn’t rush him when he returned into coaching so I used to be a bit shocked at how nicely he ran on his comeback at Sandown in January. The second he handed the submit in third place I advised his proprietor Chris Giles that I’d purpose him on the Imperial Cup within the hope that the bottom could be mushy sufficient for him. As soon as the rain arrived I used to be fairly bullish about his probability as a result of he’d improved tonnes up to now few weeks.
Harry Cobden gave Iceo a stunning affected person trip however nonetheless felt he obtained to the entrance too quickly. However he saved on willingly late on for a nicely deserved victory by three and three quarter lengths.
Whereas Iceo is within the County Hurdle at Cheltenham I’d say he’s unlikely to run there as he had a tough sufficient race on Saturday. I’ll attempt to discover another race for him this season offered there’s reduce within the floor which is so necessary to him.
Chris would definitely like to run Iceo the Scottish Champion Hurdle if the going is mushy sufficient. Long run he can be an thrilling novice for fences subsequent season.
I used to be thrilled with the success of Larchmont Lass on essentially the most testing floor she has encountered. She has progressed with every race and dug deep with the assistance of a decided trip by Harry. She is not going to run once more this season, has already schooled over hurdles, and can sort out mares’ novice hurdles subsequent season.
Quel Destin relished the situations at Sandown, got down to make all of the operating and was solely simply caught on the flat by Hudson De Grugy who was in receipt of virtually a stone.
All roads now result in Cheltenham the place we can have round sixteen runners by means of the week. They’re all in good condition after they labored properly on Saturday morning and our strike continues to hover at round 30%.
We’ve made a quick begin to March, the horses look fabulous and we couldn’t be happier with their preparation forward of the Pageant the place we can have three runners on Tuesday together with the extremely progressive Tahmuras within the Supreme Hurdle.
Then we can be busy with probabilities every day main as much as the Gold Cup on Friday wherein I’ve excessive hopes for Bravemansgame who appears to be like superb in his coat.
A day afterward Saturday we can be sending some attention-grabbing runners to Kempton and Uttoxeter.
For the newest information on all our Cheltenham contenders please try my Betfair column which this week will go reside quickly after declaration time every day.
