Tomorrow's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup Chase at Leopardstown is the poorer for the absence of triple winner Jodami, who unfortunately was found to be coughing badly yesterday morning.
However, the race has attracted last year's 15 lengths Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Master Oats and compatriot Monsieur Le Cure, successful in the Sun Alliance Chase at Cheltenham two years ago and runner up to One Man in the King George VI Chase at Sandown, as well as the cream of the Irish chasers headed by last year's Irish Grand National winner Flashing Steel.
Trainer Peter Beaumont was devastated when he found Jodami to be sick. The 1993 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner had worked very well in his final gallop and the Leopardstown specialist was likely to have the going in his favour which is more than can be said for Master Oats and Monsieur Le Cure.
As he showed at Cheltenham last March Master Oats is well nigh unbeatable when the going is soft or heavy and, despite the presence of One Man, who annihilated his rivals including Master Oats in the King George Chase, he will be a force to be reckoned with in the Gold Cup again should the going come in his favour.
Following an inexplicable display at Chepstow on his seasonal reappearance Master Oats ran a far better race in the King George to finish third, 17 lengths behind One Man and three lengths adrift of Monsieur Le Cure. He was reckoned to be only 75 per cent fit and the outing will have benefited him enormously. He will be a short priced favourite tomorrow to turn the tables on Monsieur Le Cure, who frequently runs well in defeat but with the ground drying out daily I do not consider either challenger value for money.
Flashing Steel was twice forced to miss Cheltenham outings in recent months because of inclement weather - which is a pity as his trainer was anxious go give him more experience of the course in his build up for a third, Gold Cup bid. At 11 he appears to be as good as every and certainly surprised connections when he made most of the running to win a handicap chase under top weight on his seasonal appearance at Fairyhouse in early December.
While Flashing Steel has not had a recent race he will be a lot fitter than at Fairyhouse and has the inestimable assistance of Richard Dunwoody who knows him so well. This high class chaser was one of very few horses to defy top weight when winning last year's Irish Grand National and it must not be forgotten that he was disputing the lead with Jodami and seemingly travelling easily when falling at the second last in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup two years ago.
There has been considerable support in recent days for the Fergie Sutherland trained Gold Cup bound Imperial Call. A high class chaser in embryo this seven year old won the McCain Handicap Chase over two and a quarter miles of this course last month when he beat the 12lb conceding Strong Platinum by a length and a half. It was a fine effort considering that he Was racing over a distance short of his best, but unlike Strong Platinum, he was well suited to the heavy ground. If the trip is in his favour tomorrow the ground may not be.
Life Of A Lord has not been in action since winning the Kerry National under top weight in September when he gashed his chest in jumping and this followed his victory in the Galway Plate. Aidan O'Brien has wrought tremendous and continuous improvement in this good, staying chaser who has had the Aintree Grand National as his objective since winning at Listowel. But if he succeeds tomorrow the big gelding may miss the National in favour of the Gold Cup. As there are only two weeks between both big races it will be a case of one or the other for more than a handful of horses.
Son Of War, successful in the Irish Grand National two years ago has not yet come into form, this season and the same remark applies to soft ground specialist Nuaffe. However, Fissure Seal has been competing well of late and could run a big race. "I favour Flashing Steel but would not put anyone off from backing Life Of A Lord.
Treble Bob, Major Rumpus and Time For A Run, engaged in Cheltenham's Sun Alliance Chase, clash in the WinElectric Novices' Chase Final. Dermot Weld has also entered Treble Bob for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham and will not make up his mind until the horse competes today. This very tough half brother to Remittance Man stayed on when beating Minela Man on his chasing debut over this course and distance last month and is preferred to Navan winner Major Rumpus.
In the absence of top novice Thats My Man the Deloitte and Touche Novices Hurdle is an opportunity for the very promising Paddy Mullins trained Noble Thyne, a Sun Alliance Hurdle hope, who bypassed Punchestown last Tuesday in favour of this race. Interestingly, Willie Mullins's Punchestown winner Mr Nightingale again renews rivalry. This half brother to Night Nurse is set for the Citroen Supreme Novice Hurdle which Mullins won last year with Tourist Attraction.
A danger to all is the Tom Foley trained The Subbie, who was not fancied when winning on his seasonal debut at Punchestown where Mr Nightingale finished well behind.
