Heartbreak delights Martin ahead of his shot at a million
TONY MARTIN is thrilled with the well-being of Heartbreak City ahead of the Melbourne Cup runner-up’s Dubai Gold Cup bid tomorrow in Meydan.
The seven-year-old, which was beaten by a head in Australia and was since eighth in a Leopardstown handicap hurdle, will again be ridden by Joao Moreira. And, as at Flemington, the draw has not been kind, but it will be easier in a 14-runner field this time.
Martin (pictured right) said yesterday: “He’s here three weeks and I couldn’t be happier with him. I was with him this morning and I was very happy.
“The preparation has gone well. He has mostly been at the training track so I will let him have a look at the main track on Friday.”
Heartbreak City is available at 7/1 for the $1m race, with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Kingfisher among the opposition.
DEPUTISING
Day-long rain, Naas getting around 20mm on Wednesday, saw the ground turn heavy, but it is to dry out between now and Sunday’s card at the venue, which opens the Flat season.
Naas is deputising for the Curragh while the latter is redeveloped. Conditions will hold no fears to Tote Irish Lincolnshire top-weight Onenightidreamed, which bids to get rookie trainer Fozzy Stack off to a fine start to his career.
Having taken over the licence from his father, Co Kerry native Tommy, Stack junior is optimistic ahead of the cam- paign, declaring: “I’ve around 60, half of them two-year-olds, and I’m lucky to have the owners I have.
“Onenightidreamed won the Lincoln two years ago and he’s also won left-handed, so the race being in Naas shouldn’t be a problem.”
Adrian Joyce entered English recruit Keble, the best horse in his stable, but says that he will likely stay at home due to the testing terrain.
Damien English has a strong hand in his bid to win the race for the first time. He said: “Red Avenger ran well at Dundalk the last day, runner-up to a filly that could still be anything. He’s come out of the run well and we’re very happy with him; the ground is an unknown but at least he has race fitness on his side.
“Tribal Path is a ‘mudlark’ so the ground won’t pose a problem for him. I’m undecided on whether or not Geological will run.”
Meanwhile, Yorkhill, a superb winner of the JLT Novices’ Chase at last week’s Cheltenham Festival, could put his unbeaten record over fences on the line in the Grade One Ryanair Gold Cup Novice Chase at Fairyhouse on Sunday, April 16.
His name features among 24 who are entered for the Easter Sunday showpiece. Remarkably, this would be Willie Mullins’ first success in the race.
Sponsor Michael O’Leary’s sole success in it arrived in 2007 courtesy of One Cool Cookie.
The Noel Meade-trained pair, Cheltenham winner Road To Respect and JLT third Disko, are possibles for Gigginstown, which could also run the Gordon Elliott-trained trio of Ball D’Arc, A Toi Phil and General Principle.
SETBACK
There will be no Aintree trip for Vics Canvas this year. Last season’s gallant National third, which has not run since, has encountered a minor setback.
Mags Mullins is unsure as to whether or not Champion Bumper runner-up Debuchet will run again this season. “He came back in great form and seems in mighty order,” she said.
“You’ve never won until you’ve crossed the line, especially in Cheltenham with that hill to climb.
“It would have been nice to win but he ran a great race and the main thing is he’s come home in one piece. I don’t know whether we’ll run him again (this season).”
One horse which will see action between now and the end of the term is 2015 Gold Cup winner Coneygree, which is due to return on April 26. The ten-year-old takes on Sizing John in the Coral Punchestown Gold Cup and connections are very happy with the progress of Mark Bradstock’s charge.