Coneygree being primed for Kerry National assault
Coneygree will run in his first handicap chase since winning the 2015 Cheltenham Gold Cup when trainer Mark Bradstock takes him to Ireland for the Guinness Kerry National at Listowel on Sept 13.
The 10-year-old, who has missed both Gold Cups since his victory as a novice through two different injuries, returned to the racecourse with a brave third behind Sizing John at Punchestown in April and the Bradstocks were keen to get him back on a racecourse sooner rather than later.
Sarah Bradstock said: “The thinking behind running him is that it is better on fragile bones for a horse not to be let down completely so we only gave him three weeks off. If we had waited to run him in England there wouldn’t have been a suitable race until seven months after Punchestown.
“More often than not this race is run on soft. It’s quite a wet part of the country and they won’t let it get fast anyway.”
Colin Tizzard has issued upbeat reports on star staying chasers Cue Card and Thistlecrack. Talking to Racing Post he said that Cue Card is “burning up the gallops”, while Thistlecrack, who tore a tendon last season, “looks a picture and his legs are perfect”. Tizzard was also positive about the prospects of one of last season’s top novice hurdlers Finian’s Oscar, who is set to go chasing this coming season.
The Turf Club will review the decision to issue a caution to Davy Russell after he was found guilty of punching a horse at Tramore on Aug 18. A statement said: “The Registrar has asked the Appeals Body to review the sanction imposed on Davy Russell on the grounds that it was unduly lenient.”