Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Cuneo more than a mere Mortal
ANOTHER quiet week, with just one weekend ride, Cuneo, in Navan today. But I’m happy to report all is well with Finian’s Oscar ahead of next Saturday’s Cleeve Hurdle in Cheltenham.
I was over in Tizzard’s on Tuesday, and will be there again this Tuesday. And I was very happy with Finian’s Oscar when I schooled him over hurdles.
He jumped very well, fast and fluent. And it was hard to believe that he has been novice-chasing.
Finian has always jumped well at home and has a definite appetite for the job. And it’ll be interesting to see how he copes in a race situation on Saturday.
He felt in good nick, fresh and well. And I’ll be very confident of a big run from him.
It’s a pretty low-key weekend. And my only ride is Cuneo, one of three Gigginstown runners in the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle in Navan today.
This fellow is a nice, big Frenchbred that will make a lovely chaser. I’ve ridden him a few times, including in a schooling hurdle around Tipperary. And I liked him.
He showed a bit of promise, although beaten a long way, on his debut in Gowran back in November.
Henry (de Bromhead) started him over two miles in heavy ground. But I think he’ll be a far better horse over a trip. So he should relish this over two and a half miles today.
It looks a decent maiden, with Joseph O’brien’s horse the horse to beat on form. But I’m expecting a good run from my mount, Cuneo.
I suppose the two big races of the weekend are the Clarence House in Ascot today and the Kinloch Brae in Thurles tomorrow.
will probably get things his own way in the Clarence House, when Paul (Townend, inset) will be riding him for only the second time.
I don’t really fancy which is second favourite. And I expect Un De Sceaux to be allowed do a solo in front. And, if he is, he’ll be very hard to peg back.
I won two Kinloch Brae Chases on Don Cossack, one of them on the way to winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. And, of course, Sizing John won the race lasts year.
With that in mind, the field for tomorrow’s renewal is very disappointing. And it’s hard to know what to expect from the race. has won at a higher level, but he has had plenty of chances. has been running over two miles and is stepping back up in trip. And I can’t see seeing out the two and a half miles.