NICHOLLS’ KID CAN SHOW THEM WHO’S BOSS IN GREATWOOD GOLD CUP
O’neill added: “He wouldn’t go to Cheltenham now. If everything goes according to plan, it will be straight to Aintree.”
It is 14 years since the Jackdaws Castle handler claimed National glory with Don’t Push It, who provided perennial champion jockey Tony Mccoy with his first and only victory in the race.
O’neill feels Monbeg Genius ticks plenty of boxes in terms of the world’s most famous steeplechase, even if his stamina needs to be taken on trust.
He said: “You can’t be confident a horse is ever going to stay the National trip until they try it, because there’s no other race like it, but he’s the type to do it if there is one. He’s a grand, simple horse, who just gallops and jumps.
Air
“He might get to the Melling Road and run out of air, as they say, but you take your chance.
“He’s a different type to Don’t Push It, he had a touch of class, whereas this lad is a grand, honest to God horse who just might lack a bit of class, but what he lacks in class, he puts in through energy and he jumps well.
“We were disappointed when he didn’t win the Ultima last year, but it didn’t work out too bad did it!”
Monbeg Genius’ rivals include the admirable veteran Aye Right, trained by Harriet Graham and Gary Rutherford.
The 11-year-old has been placed on each of his three starts so far this term and another bold bid is anticipated from his connections.
“He’s in good form and he likes Kelso. It’s not quite level weights, but he’s much better off at the weights against other horses than he normally is,” said Graham.