On the Road again..
I’VE been looking forward to riding Road To Respect again here in Cheltenham since he finished fourth in Gold Cup last year.
Things haven’t gone to plan since he won the Grade 1 in Down Royal back in November.
But everything has been great with him since he arrived over. I sat up on him yesterday morning for a bit of canter and he felt in great form.
So I’m expecting a bold show from him in today’s Ryanair. And, hopefully, the decision to run today, and not in the Gold Cup again, will be rewarded.
The ground wasn’t deep yesterday but it was hard work. I don’t think it’ll inconvenience my horse today though, particularly over this short trip.
Nothing went our way in the Savills at Leopardstown over Christmas, when he finished third to Kemboy.
The last day, with just four runners in the Irish Gold Cup, I had to do the donkey-work on him.
He didn’t appreciate the good ground and never jumped with his usual flair or enthusiasm. I’m expecting a very different display today.
He probably didn’t get home over the Gold Cup trip last year but a stronglyrun two miles and five should play to his strengths.
There should be plenty of pace in the race, which should allow me drop in and take my time.
Frodon wears his heart on his sleeve, always runs well around here and should insure a good, solid gallop.
Monalee, second to Presenting Percy in the RSA last year, will be up there too and, of course, Un De Sceaux will be close to the pace as well. He has a very good record here and won this race two years ago.
The other Mullins runner Footpad is another horse with a huge chance. If he comes back to his best, he’ll be hard to beat.
Road To Respect’s form is solid.
In two runs here, he has won a competitive handicap and finished fourth in a Gold Cup.
I’ll take my time on him. He should be doing his best work late and, with any luck along the way, I expect him to be very much in the shake-up.