HE’S OK WITH US
NEWSBOY’S 1-2-3 1 OK CORRAL 2 ROKSANA 3 CHEF DES OBEAUX
OK CORRAL represents the best three-mile novice hurdle form and should have too many guns.
The eight-year-old isn’t the easiest horse to keep sound. He’s now eight and has had just six career outings in the care of Nicky Henderson.
But there’s no doubting his ability and, after a close second to useful stablemate Whats wrong with you at Newbury in January, Ok Corral scored takingly by seven lengths at Kempton the following month. Henderson supplemented the JP McManus-owned Mahler gelding for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Ok Corral rewarded the move with an excellent second to Kilbricken Storm, finishing ahead of stable-companion Santini (third), Tower Bridge ( fifth), Poetic Rhythm (10th) and Chef Des Obeaux (pulled up).
With the Cheltenham victor bound for Punchestown, this represents an excellent opportunity for Barry Geraghty’s mount to go one better and rack up a first Grade 1 success.
Chef Des Obeaux had done nothing wrong until the wheels came off and shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand, while there is more to come from Roksana.