Classy Menorah lights up Perth’s Gold Cup fiesta
Love isn’t always at f irst sight. When Menorah just nutted Get Me Out Of Here in the Supreme at the 2010 Cheltenham Festival, romance wasn’t in my head.
Given he’d done me out of a few quid, I’d have happily never set eyes on him again.
However, sometimes, admiration has to take over and there could have been few more consistent or impressive servants to the jumping game over the past half-decade.
Seeing Menorah at Perth today is both hugely enjoyable for punters and also a massive coup for the course.
He’s had Grade 1 triumphs ahoy - 14 wins from 28 starts. Placed another 10 times. This is no run-of-the-mill beast. Rated 164 at his peak over hurdles and 169 over fences.
Last time out, he bolted up at Sandown to take his career earnings to over £650,000.
The Whateleys have had some cracking h o r s e s bu t Menorah is the pick and has kept Diane and trainer Phi lip Hobbs’ missus Sarah in fancy hats for years.
When Hobbs immediately pinpointed today’s Perth Gold Cup as the next target, it proved they are getting it right at Scone Palace.
No wonder a crowd of 10,000 is expected with advanced ticket sales up 25 per cent on last year.
Menorah has a heck of a task lugging top-weight around in a hugely competitive event. But given his past record and obvious class, it might just pay to back him to write another chapter in his fabulous career.
Cracking week in Scotland with three top fixtures following Perth. Ayr has a strong card tomorrow, while Hamilton is also full of interest for Wednesday.
We’re back at Musselburgh on Saturday for another superb meeting. Take advantage of the good weather and get out there.
Given I’m in France this week on my hols, it seems mighty rude not to nick up to Chantilly today.
The Prix Du Jockey Club is a great race and I’m having a few Euros on the well-bred Mekhtaal. Spectacular on his debut in the Prix de Frauenfeld at Deauville, the big one was immediately declared the target.
Trained by Jean- Claude Rouget and related to Sea The Stars, the Al Shaqabowned colt could be perfect for the job.