Owner Andrew Gemmell is feeling a mixture of
nerves and excitement ahead of Paisley Park's
return in the Ladbrokes Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.
Last season's Stayers' Hurdle hero will take
the first step towards the defence of his crown at the Cheltenham Festival in
March in the three-mile Grade Two contest on November 29
Grade One winner Elixir
De Nutz could make his return from injury in the Unibet International
Hurdle at Cheltenham next month. Joe
Tizzard, assistant to his father, said: "The plan for Elixir De Nutz is
the Champion Hurdle. He has been in a fair time and we have started ramping our
work up with him.
Willie Mullins is just as enthused as
everyone else at the prospect of seeing Chacun Pour Soi
in action again this season.
The lightly-raced seven-year-old has run
just twice for Mullins since moving from France in December 2016, but has
impressed on both occasions.
He gave notice of his talent when winning on
his Irish debut by 31 lengths at Navan - and then left Defi Du Seuil and
stablemate Duc Des Genievres, who had both won at Cheltenham, trailing in his
wake at Punchestown.
When asked if people were right to be
getting excited about Chacun Pour Soi this season, Mullins said: "Yes.
He's in great order.
"We'd been waiting for him to come out
for a long time last season, but his run at Punchestown was exceptional.
Harry Cobden can barely contain his
excitement as Cyrname's clash with Altior at
Ascot in the Christy 1965 Chase next weekend edges nearer.
The two highest-rated chasers in training
are on course to meet in the Grade Two event over two miles and five furlongs.
That trip will pose no problem to Paul
Nicholls' Cyrname, having blitzed the field in a Grade One over the same course
and distance last February - but dual champion chaser Altior needs to prove his
stamina as he goes on trial for the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.
"Cyrname is in great form, I rode him
the other morning, I don't ride him as well as the lad who rides him out every
morning though, he lights up when I get on him!" said Cobden.
"He felt fantastic, I schooled him and
he jumped great. He's had his wind done so hopefully we've got every base
covered.
"Scott Marshall rides him every day and
he has been very pleased with him and it's just really exciting to look forward
to.
"He loves Ascot, he jumps very well -
he is a strong-travelling horse and he gets them off the bridle because he's
got so much speed.
"Obviously Altior is a class horse in
his own right and will probably travel well behind me, so it will be an
interesting race but one I'm really looking forward to.
"The race will probably begin in
earnest when we turn into the straight and I'm just praying I've got a bit left
under the bonnet!
No comments:
Post a Comment