I’M READY TO ROCCO
Exciting times as the Festival looms
I was delighted to be asked to ride Minella Rocco and My Tent Or Yours for JP McManus earlier in the week, and I’ve also got the ride on O O Seven in the RSA Chase.
He’s a nice ride to pick up and I was 10 lengths behind him when he won at Cheltenham at The Open back in November; and won a decent chase in January.
As for the other two, Minella Rocco beat Native River at the Festival last year and Jonjo O’Neill’s horses are flying.
It was a shame things didn’t work out for him when unseating in Ireland last time as we would have known where we stand going into the Timico Gold Cup, but I am still excited.
Native River looks the one to beat, but it’s looking a competitive Gold Cup and I know a lot of people have been tipping up More Of That recently, which makes sense given his top-class form over hurdles.
He was going very well before unseating at the last in the Irish Gold Cup, which shows he looks to be back to form.
My Tent Or Yours has been runner-up in this twice before and looks a solid each-way proposition.
Things are shaping up nicely and I will go into the rides in more detail on a daily basis next week.
At this stage I don’t have a stand-out ride, but I’m sure I’ll have lots of outside chances and I’ll be going into the Festival with what looks to be my strongest book. I