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We head to Cheltenham in prime kind after a double at Sandown together with an incredible success by Iceo within the Betfair Imperial Cup.
With Larchmont Lass breaking her duck with a decided victory within the Listed Mares’ EBF bumper and Quel Destin solely simply overwhelmed in a useful novice handicap Chase we had loads to rejoice.
Iceo has bounced again brilliantly after lacking the very best a part of a 12 months with an damage that had us baffled for 3 weeks when he was on and off lame quickly after working within the Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton final February. Simply to ensure my head lad Clifford Baker organised an Xray of his entrance legs which revealed a hairline fracture down the entrance of his cannon bone. He then required surgical procedure which concerned utilizing a number of screws to restore the injury.
We gave him loads of time to heal and didn’t rush him when he returned into coaching so I used to be a bit shocked at how effectively he ran on his comeback at Sandown in January. The second he handed the publish in third place I advised his proprietor Chris Giles that I’d intention him on the Imperial Cup within the hope that the bottom could be mushy sufficient for him. As soon as the rain arrived I used to be fairly bullish about his probability as a result of he’d improved tonnes prior to now few weeks.
Harry Cobden gave Iceo a stunning affected person journey however nonetheless felt he received to the entrance too quickly. However he saved on willingly late on for a effectively deserved victory by three and three quarter lengths.
Whereas Iceo is within the County Hurdle at Cheltenham I’d say he’s unlikely to run there as he had a tough sufficient race on Saturday. I’ll try to discover yet one more race for him this season supplied there may be minimize within the floor which is so vital to him.
Chris will surely like to run Iceo the Scottish Champion Hurdle if the going is mushy sufficient. Long run he can be an thrilling novice for fences subsequent season.
I used to be thrilled with the success of Larchmont Lass on probably the most testing floor she has encountered. She has progressed with every race and dug deep with the assistance of a decided journey by Harry. She is not going to run once more this season, has already schooled over hurdles, and can deal with mares’ novice hurdles subsequent season.
Quel Destin relished the circumstances at Sandown, got down to make all of the working and was solely simply caught on the flat by Hudson De Grugy who was in receipt of virtually a stone.
All roads now result in Cheltenham the place we can have round sixteen runners by the week. They’re all in good condition after they labored properly on Saturday morning and our strike continues to hover at round 30%.
We’ve made a quick begin to March, the horses look fabulous and we couldn’t be happier with their preparation forward of the Pageant the place we can have three runners on Tuesday together with the extremely progressive Tahmuras within the Supreme Hurdle.
Then we can be busy with possibilities every day main as much as the Gold Cup on Friday through which I’ve excessive hopes for Bravemansgame who appears to be like superb in his coat.
A day afterward Saturday we can be sending some fascinating runners to Kempton and Uttoxeter.
For the most recent information on all our Cheltenham contenders please take a look at my Betfair column which this week will go dwell quickly after declaration time every day.
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