Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HEND HAS NEW PLAN
Altior heads straight to the Festival as Champ redirected
ALTIOR will head straight for the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase after Nicky Henderson opted against a Cheltenham tune-up at Newbury next Sunday.
But Seven Barrows will have a representative in the race originally earmarked for the star two-miler’s National
Hunt Festival prep – Cheltenham Gold Cup hope Champ (right).
The rescheduling of Betfair Super Saturday – the card takes place eight days closer to Cheltenham – has persuaded Henderson and owner Patricia Pugh that Altior should bypass the Betfair Cheltenham Free Bet Pot Builder Chase – better known as the Game Spirit Chase – which the 11-year-old has captured three times before.
“He is in excellent form but he does tend to take his races quite hard,” reasoned Henderson.
“We have therefore decided to continue his preparation at home, and almost certainly an away day at some stage in the next 10 days.”
Champ, absent since his 11th-hour success in the three-mile Festival Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham last March, had been lined up to make his return to action in the three-mile Betfair Denman Chase.
But Henderson added: “He hasn’t run for a year, so three miles may be slightly too far for his first run of the season.
“He is a fresh horse and can be quite free in his races, so it would be harder to curtail enthusiasm and you’re never going to take as much out over two miles as you are over three.
“He could be keen and do too much, so in the interest of the Gold Cup being his ultimate goal it is preferable to run over a shorter distance which could stop him having a harder race.”
MOUSE Morris (inset) trained Whatsnotoknow, beaten over hurdles last time, should take plenty of beating in Thurles opening beginners chase, if reproducing the form of his solid second to Franco De Port at this venue. Form boosted by the winner’s subsequent exploits (a win and a second to classy stablecompanion Energumene) in Grade 1 company.
And German-bred Schone Aussicht, third to subsequent Grade 3 winner Roseys Hollow at Fairyhouse, might have the edge over Willie Mullins runner Gorki D’airy in the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle.
BEN FOAKES has once again proved that in a crowded market his quality can still shine through if given a chance.
But whether the stumper (left) will be able to keep up his burgeoning Test career in the immediate future depends on how much England are prepared to simply pick the best players in each position. With up to four wicketkeepers to choose from on tour this winter including Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, and James Bracey, he is grabbing his chance.
“It is fantastic to be playing,” said Foakes. “With the lack of game time I have had, it’s a pretty difficult pitch to keep on. With the batting I was just trying to play the ball late basically.”
Bairstow is due to be available for the third and fourth Tests.