Slick Bob jumps to it to lay down Cheltenham marker

TRAINER Henry De Bromhead said Bob Olinger showed the gears that make him special as he was cut to odds-on favourite for the Cheltenham Festival after an authoritative win in the Grade Three Kildare Novices’ Chase at Punchestown. Rachael Blackmore’s mount, who brushed aside Britain’s big hope Bravemansgame when winning the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at last year’s Festival, has the Turners Novices’ Chase over two and a half miles in his sights at this season’s Festival. De Bromhead was equally encouraged how much slicker Bob Olinger’s jumping was compared to his winning chasing debut at Gowran Park in November as he beat the highly-regarded and tenacious Capodanno, trained by Willie Mullins, by more than four lengths. De Bromhead said: ‘I was delighted with his jumping and happy that Rachael was happy with him. ‘He seems to have another gear. He jumped fine at Gowran but you could argue he didn’t take to it like a duck to water. We have done a lot of schooling with him since.’