SLEEPY OUT TO WAKE UP HILL
NOT SO SLEEPY “worked like a rocket” ahead of his bid to make Cheltenham Festival history in next month’s Champion Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson’s reigning champion Constitution Hill is William Hill’s 1-4 hotpot to defend his unbeaten record on March 12.
The 12-year-old Not So Sleepy, winner of the rescheduled Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown Park in December, can be backed at 25-1 to become the Champion Hurdle’s oldest victor – National Hunt greats Hatton’s Grace (1951) and Sea Pigeon (1981) captured the two-mile test at the age of 11. But trainer Hughie Morrison (below) was in fighting form after watching the veteran’s workout in Lambourn yesterday morning.
“He had a spin up The Long gallop and he went up there like a rocket,” reported Morrison, whose gelding will seek to make it fifth time lucky in the Champion Hurdle a fortnight on Tuesday.
“We’d like a day like today on Tuesday March 12. Hopefully, we get wet ground to make it hard work so the speed horses can’t quicken away from him.
“We also need Constitution
Hill and State Man to have a day off – I’m sure they will start quivering in their boots when they hear ‘Sleepy’ is running!
“We are realistic but at this moment in time I’m very happy with him.”
This afternoon’s jumps card at Lingfield Park must pass an inspection at 8am, while tomorrow’s action at Warwick is subject to a 4pm precautionary check today.
VANILLIER is now as short as 8-1 favourite for the Randox Grand National after money continued to flow for last year’s runner-up yesterday.