RACING:JESSICA HARRINGTON has all but ruled out a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Bostons Angel following another disappointing run at Leopardstown.
The eight-year-old completed a hat-trick of Grade One novice victories in last season’s RSA Chase at Cheltenham, but has been disappointing in three starts this term.
After failing to complete on his seasonal return at Down Royal, he was a well-beaten third at Sandown and the application of cheekpieces for his run in the Hennessy Gold Cup failed to bring about the anticipated improvement. After racing prominently, he weakened to finish sixth of the seven runners.
“He seems fine and he just didn’t spark for whatever reason,” said Harrington. “He ran better yesterday than he did at Sandown the time before, but I’d say it’s unlikely he’ll run in the Gold Cup now.
“There is a race at Fairyhouse for him in a couple of weeks’ time (Bobbyjo Chase), so he’ll probably go there next.”
David Pipe, meanwhile, is in no hurry to decide on Grands Crus’ target at Cheltenham after confirming the talented grey will not run again before the festival.
Grands Crus, winner of the Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton on St Stephen’s Day, is ante-post favourite for the RSA Chase but is also prominent in the betting for the biggest race of the four-day meeting. the Betfred Gold Cup.
The Nicholashayne trainer had planned to give the seven-year-old a prep outing at Newbury last Saturday, but that was lost to the cold snap.
And he resisted the temptation of giving him an entry in the Sodexo Prestige Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot at the weekend. He said: “We could have gone to Ascot this coming Saturday in the three-mile novice chase, but I didn’t want to go there so we’re going straight to Cheltenham with him.
“He’ll be left in both races until the final stages. We’ll have to see what horses turn up for each race.
““You watch all the races and those in Ireland on Sunday. There were some nice performances from some of the horses.
“Last Instalment put up a good performance, but probably has to raise his game again to challenge Grands Crus (in the RSA).”
