QC and trainer McPherson eyes big-race verdict COURTING SUCCESS
GRAEME McPHERSON is well placed to state the case for Kayf Blanco in today’s Matchbook Imperial Cup at Sandown.
The 46-year-old trainer, having his best season since taking out a licence in 2009, leads a double life as a Queen’s Counsel.
“I love both jobs – you can more from one to the other, and life’s good as a result,” said McPherson, now a practising barrister for 25 years.
“It works pretty well most of the time. I’ve got an excellent team of people that look after me – as a barrister and a trainer.
“There are times it’s doubly stressful, but the times it’s doubly enjoyable make up for those.”
During his early days at the bar, McPherson kept himself well briefed with events in the racing world by reading The Sporting Life, and competed in pointto-points when not in court.
Having retired from riding, he took up training pointers before joining the professional ranks.
“If you’d asked me three years ago, I’d have said I’m a QC that trains horses,” adds Kayf Blanco’s trainer. “Now, I’d like to say I’m a trainer that works as a QC as well.”
The change of emphasis is understandable. McPherson, based in the Gloucestershire hamlet of Upper Oddington, is closing in on 30 winners, and victory for Kayf Blanco would take him beyond £200,000 in prize money for the campaign.
The son of dual Ascot Gold Cup hero Kayf Tara ran his best race of the winter over this afternoon’s course and distance when running third to Champion Hurdle fancy Brain Power on the Tingle Creek undercard in December.
Kayf Blanco ran fifth in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury four weeks ago – winner Ballyandy and second Movewiththetimes are uppermost in the lists for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle – and McPherson reflects: “It was a competitive Betfair – it always is.
“The first two are young and improving sorts, and two miles round Sandown is where he seems to be running his best races. He ran a super race behind Brain Power and Consul De Thaix in December, and in the Contenders Hurdle last year.”
Sponsor Matchbook has returned the traditional bonus on offer if the Imperial Cup winner doubles up at Cheltenham next week – there is £50,000 in the pot.
Kayf Tara finished seventh in the County Hurdle 12 months ago, but needs a 5lb penalty for a win today to stand a chance of making the cut at Cheltenham on Friday.
“The plan would have been to go for the County Hurdle again, but the handicaps at Cheltenham are so competitive, he’s not going to get in off his mark of 135,” reveals McPherson.
“The Imperial Cup was an obvious Plan B. If we could win, we will see how he is and look at the County Hurdle with a penalty.
“The race is usually won by an improver but nothing jumps off the page. Hopefully he can take advantage.”