Lil Rockerfeller set for Cheltenham test
Lil Rockerfeller, who is beginning to gather together quite a popular following, takes another step towards his target of the RSA Chase in March when he meets Ibis Du Rheu, The Worlds End and Gunfleet in the Neville Lumb Novice Chase at Cheltenham today.
A “nearly horse” over hurdles, most notably when coming in a narrow runner-up to Nichols Canyon in the 2017 Stayers Hurdle, Neil King’s seven-year-old won a flat race at Glorious Goodwood and is unbeaten in three starts over fences.
“He was good at Uttoxeter,” said King. “It went awry a little on his first visit to Cheltenham but he was clever and his class got him through and then we sent him to Exeter for a lovely confidence booster.
“But this race is up three notches. It’s a hot little contest, he’s in great order and Cheltenham plays to his strengths with an uphill finish and test of stamina. This is getting him more experience of the track and hopefully he will be wiser and better for his last visit.”
Gordon Elliott is represented by Bless The Wings in the Glenfarclas Cross-country, having decided against running his Grand National winner Tiger Roll in the second of this season’s races over the obstacles.
“Bless the Wings has been a great old servant,” said Elliott. “This will be his 15th start at Cheltenham. It’s a big ask with top weight. We decided against running Tiger Roll with top weight. He’ll have one run in conventional chase somewhere before he goes back for the crosscountry at the Festival.”
It pays to follow Enda Bolger and JP Mcmanus in these contests and they have the favourite Josies Orders but there was not much between him and Jamie Snowden’s Fact of The Matter, who took to the course like a duck to water last time, and the value may be in the eight-year-old to reverse the form.
Tomorrow’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup has attracted a field of 15, including Baron Alco, Gary Moore’s Betvictor Gold Cup winner over course and distance last month. He bids to become the first horse to complete the double since Exotic Dancer in 2006.
Willie Mullins has said Laurina, an impressive winner at last season’s Festival, is unlikely to make the trip to Cheltenham for the Unibet International Hurdle. He is looking for softer ground and were it to arrive he might come over for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.