ONE LAST CHANCE
Goshen’s Champion hopes alive
GOSHEN will bid to resurrect his Champion Hurdle challenge in the Contenders Hurdle at Sandown Park on February 6.
And Gary Moore (below) yesterday blamed holdup tactics for the fiveyear-old’s no-show in Cheltenham’s International Hurdle last month – in contradiction to the post-race diagnosis of atrial fibrillation.
Goshen, who had last year’s Triumph Hurdle at his mercy when parting company with Moore’s son Jamie at the final flight, was reported to have suffered an uneven heartbeat after trailing in last of 10 behind Song For Someone 22 days ago.
“That was just a misinterpretation of a conversation,” said the West Sussex trainer, whose son of Authorized had won his three races over hurdles – at Fontwell, Sandown and Ascot – by an aggregate of 68 lengths.
“His heart absolutely fine.
“The whole race was a mess – they were all crowded round him, and I don’t think it was suited to his style of racing.
“If they’d run the race again, he’d have gone on and made the running.
“He’s won his three races and the only time he’s had a lead was in the Triumph –
is and that was only because the other horse went hard.
“He was able to sit upsides one other horse, and he wasn’t claustrophobic. He had loads of daylight.”
But Moore insisted Goshen must demonstrate he is up to a Champion Hurdle bid on his return to action at Sandown.
Goshen can be backed at 20-1 for the National Hunt Festival’s Tuesday feature.
Moore added:
“He’s going to have to show he’s worth sending there.
“At the moment, he hasn’t – so he’s got to put a lot of things right, but, hopefully, he will do.”