Sport

Don't push it expected to give a good account

CHELTENHAM NEWS: CONNECTIONS of Don't Push It are confident the eight-year-old will give a good account of himself in the Paddy…

Wed Nov 12 2008 - 00:00

CHELTENHAM NEWS:CONNECTIONS of Don't Push It are confident the eight-year-old will give a good account of himself in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old made the perfect start to last season with victory over hurdles at Chepstow.

However, he fell when sent off as a hot favourite for the Racing Post Plate at the festival before disappointing in a Listed race at Aintree.

Don't Push It was also an intended runner in last year's renewal of the Paddy Power Gold Cup - only to miss the race due to injury.

READ MORE

"It is more than likely that Don't Push It will take his chance in the big race at Cheltenham on Saturday and he is in real good form," said Frank Berry, racing manager for McManus. "Nothing really came to light after his run at the festival last season, but he had a bit of a stop-start campaign with one thing or another.

"Hopefully we will get a better run at things this time around. He won at Cheltenham in his novice chase season and usually runs a good race round there. While it is his first run back, we think he will run a nice race."

Nick Williams believes Maljimar needs to improve to make his presence felt. The eight-year-old ran out a hugely impressive winner of a Grade Three event at Prestbury Park in January but is now 13lb higher.

"He was flying from two out when he won at Cheltenham back in January but he does need to build on that for a race like the Paddy Power as that race wasn't anything like as strong," Williams said. "The two races he ran at Newbury last season just didn't work for him and I don't think it's his track. He ran a terrific race to finish second to Knowhere at Cheltenham first time out last season and, 50 yards from the post, I didn't think we could get beaten.

"We're really happy with him at the moment and Daryl (Jacob) has given him a spin round the field this morning, popping him over a few jumps and he was very good."

Reisk Superman is an intended Irish raider from Tony Martin's Co Meath stable.

A 33 to 1 chance with the sponsors, the 10-year-old has not run since unseating Ruby Walsh five out when bidding for a second success in five days at the Galway Festival in the summer.

The horse in huge demand with the punters is the David Pipe-trained Piraya, who is set to make his British debut on Saturday.

Paddy Power have cut him to 11 to 1 from 14 to 1, while Coral offer 10 to 1 from the same price.