TAAFFE CONSIDERING ARGOCAT OPTIONS
The entries are revealed
today for the four novice chases staged at The Festival from Tuesday, March 12,
to Friday, March 15.
The Grade One Racing
Post Arkle, run over two miles, promises to be one of the races
of The Festival with Simonsig, who won last year's Neptune
Investment Management Novices' Hurdle, and the 2012 Stan James Champion Hurdle
runner-up
Overturn among the 33 entries. Ireland's big hope Arvika
Ligeonniere is also engaged.
As well as Simonsig, Nicky Henderson has also entered Captain
Conan in the Racing Post Arkle but has indicated a desire to run him in the
Grade Two Jewson Novices' Chase on
Thursday, March 14, over a half-mile further. The strapping six-year-old, who
is two from two over fences, heads 65 entries for the Grade Two contest.
Dynaste has made a perfect start to his chasing career for trainer David
Pipe with impressive victories at Cheltenham, Newbury and Kempton Park. He
headlines 49 entries for the Grade One RSA Chase over three miles on Wednesday, March 14, but a
strong Irish challenge includes Back In Focus and Boston
Bob.
Tom Taaffe's Argocat holds an entry in all three races after an
eye-catching eight-length success in the Grade Two Greenmount Park Novice Chase
over two and a half miles at Limerick on December 26.
Taaffe said on Wednesday:
"The preference for Argocat at the moment is the Jewson over two and a
half miles. He won't run again before Cheltenham but he has been in super form
since his win at Limerick. He had a mid-term break and is back in full swing
now.
"He did what he had to do at Limerick and was in receipt of the
four-year-old weight allowance. He is progressive and has done nothing but
please us since he has gone over fences.
"I started schooling him in April last year and he jumped so well
that I said that we are better off going over fences than sticking to hurdles.
"Better ground will definitely help him a lot and that's why I have
entered him in the two other races."
The longest race at The Festival is the John Oaksey National Hunt Chase over four miles. The
contest, restricted to amateur riders, has received 85 entries and takes place
on the Wednesday, March 13.
Meeting - The Festival, Dates - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, March 12 - 15
First race -1.30pm each day
Tickets available from www.cheltenham.co.uk or by calling 08445 793 003
No comments:
Post a Comment