Dynaste will run in the Jewson Novices’ Chase rather the RSA Chase at the e Cheltenham Festival because of the prospect of testing ground.
Connections of the David Pipe-trained grey feel the shorter distance of the Jewson is the better option due to the change in the conditions.
“Touch wood he’s the best horse in either race. We thought that on the ground the RSA could be a real slog, so we’ve leant towards the Jewson,” said Pipe yesterday.
Dynaste has won all his three races over fences between two and a half and three miles and has been ante-post favourite for both races.
Another horse also heading for the race is Noel Meade’s Texas Jack. A Grade Two winner at Leopardstown in January and just touched off by Boston Bob in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase, Meade was going to wait for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse but has had a change of heart.
“We’d said we weren’t going to go but when you look and see that Boston Bob is favourite for the RSA and we were just a short-head behind him we had another think,” said Meade on At The Races.
"It looks a hot race what with Dynaste going there as well now but I think we're going to travel."
Ensure a run
Trainer John Quinn is hoping the 5lb penalty Calculated Risk incurred for winning at Sandown on Saturday will ensure him a run at Cheltenham.
Although Calculated Risk still needs several horses to come out to guarantee him a place in Wednesday’s Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, he is much closer to making the cut thanks to his success at the Esher track.
“After pulling out of his stable this morning 100 per cent sound and having eaten up we have decided to aim him at Wednesday’s Fred Winter Hurdle at Cheltenham,” the North Yorkshire handler told www.johnquinnracing.co.uk.
“The 5lb penalty that he has picked up as a result of the win will hopefully be enough to get him into the race. “Terry Warner bought the horse after he won at Doncaster and I was pleased to train my first winner for him yesterday.”
Timmy Murphy was not in action at Market Rasen yesterday after feeling "stiff and sore" following a fall at Ayr on Saturday.
Took a tumble
He took a tumble from Super Ally at the sixth fence in a three-mile one furlong handicap chase, but rode in the very next race.
“He rode after he had a fall at Ayr yesterday but felt a bit stiff and sore on the way to the races today,” said his agent, Chris Broad. He told me he got to the races but decided to swerve it. He’s going to have some physio. He’ll be fine for Cheltenham.”
Coneygree is lame and highly unlikely to take his chance in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Friday. The six-year-old, trained by Mark Bradstock, returned stiff after what had been a pleasing workout on Saturday.
The horse will be checked over today and should the issue be found not to be serious, Coneygree will be re-routed to run at Aintree’s Grand National meeting next month. “He did the most fantastic, best-ever piece of work on Saturday. He came in a little bit stiff and last night he was lame behind,” said Bradstock’s wife and assistant, Sara.
“It will be investigated on Monday morning so it is extremely unlikely he will run (at Cheltenham).
