PAT FLYNN confirmed yesterday that Montelado will run in next Sunday's AIG (Europe) Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, for which 13 horses, including four English trained, were left in after yesterday's forfeit stage.
Flynn, who yesterday attended a luncheon at AIG's offices in Dublin, said that Montelado is well but that he will be better at Cheltenham. "He is a spring horse." The trainer is concerned about the possibility of soft going at Leopardstown as Montelado is very much a good ground horse and, while fit enough to run, has not competed over hurdles since Cheltenham last March.
Despite these fears, Paddy Power have installed Montelado a firm 11 to 8 favourite. At first sight this would seem a most ungenerous price, but there are so many imponderables that the layers may have had no other choice. For instance, Danoli is so ring rusty after his 10 month lay off that trainer Tom Foley has intimated that he will be satisfied if he runs respectably.
Hotel Minella, Balawhar, and Shaihar were all out of the frame behind Kharasar in the December Hurdle at Leopardstown, the first two being particularly disappointing. Elas Image is only a novice and novices do not win this race - Danoli himself was beaten into second place by Fortune And Fame in 1994. Of the English trained quartet Absalom's Lady, Chief's Song, Collier Bay and Mysilv, the first named is second favourite at 7 to 2 despite being pulled up in the Bonusprint Handicap Hurdle at Sandown last time out. Mark you she almost fell at the fifth hurdle.
Chief's Song could finish no nearer than 14th in Saturday's Ladbroke, with Shaihar fading in the closing stages to finish fifth. Destriero weakened to finish 10th and Sambara was 19th of the 22 starters.
Collier Bay missed the Ladbroke, the race coming too soon after he had won the Bonusprint Hurdle under 10st 10lb by seven lengths; while Mysilv is set to run at Haydock on Saturday.
Jim Old has also entered Collier Bay for the Haydock race, but said at Fontwell yesterday: "That is only in case something goes wrong with transport, etc. His aim is the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday."
This leaves Clifdon Fog, absent finishing down the field in a handicap hurdle at Listowel. In view of Montelado's fine performance in winning on the flat on his reappearance at Listowel, he is probably a worthy favourite, even at such short odds.
Incidentally, Pat Flynn yesterday apologised to the public for Montelado's withdrawal from Leopardstown's December Hurdle. "He was just back after spending three days in England for the abandoned Kempton meeting and, as he was very lethargic on the morning of the race, I felt I could not risk him."
At this stage, the jockey situation for the big hurdle is very fluid. As there is no racing in England on Sunday some of the major riders may be snapped up. I understand Adrian Maguire has made overtures - certainly to Flynn - and if Richard Dunwoody is claimed by Edward O'Grady for Balawhar, as is very probable, Maguire is likely to ride Montelado. Likewise, Charlie Swan is almost certain to be claimed by Aidan O'Brien for Hotel Minella, but I understand Tom Foley may secure the services of Tony McCoy for Danoli if Swan is unavailable. There is talk of ultimatums as far as the Champion Hurdle is concerned, but Cheltenham is another day.
The acceptors yesterday were (ante post prices in brackets): Absalom's Lady (7-2), Balawhar (14-1), Chief's Song (20-1), Clifdon Fog (25-1), Collier Bay (12-1), Danoli (6-1), Destriero (14-1), Elas Image (10-1), Hotel Minella (5-1), Montelado (11-8), Mysilv (4-1 with a run), Sambara (33-1), Shaihar (33-1).
Six horses have been declared for the Baileys Arkle Challenge Cup, namely: Arctic Wather, Blazing Spectacle, Double Symphony, King Wah Glory, Manhattan Castle and Ventana Canyon. The going at Leopardstown remains heavy, but while some rain is forecast for Thursday, there is every chance the course will dry out sufficiently to please Pat Flynn for one.
