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Cheltenham is on horizon for Mr Moonshine
Mr Moonshine ridden by Henry Oliver. PA
sue Smith’s Mr Moonshine, a potential top-class chaser, could be Cheltenham-bound if he passes his Wetherby jumping test on Saturday.
However, the horse’s biggest obstacle may not be a possible 16 opponents in the Grade Two Towton Novices Chase – but any prolonged spell of below freezing weather that endangers the meeting’s prospects.
The eight-year-old, already a Carlisle and Haydock winner this season, has always been held in high regard by Bingley-based Smith, who co-owns the horse with her husband Harvey, the former showjumper.
However, he paid the price for his bold front-running tactics when beaten by Grands Crus in the Feltham Novices Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day in a time that was three seconds quicker than it took Kauto Star to win a record-breaking fifth King George.
If Mr Moonshine wins the Towton, Smith says the RSA, Cheltenham’s three-mile championship race for novice chasers, would be a likely target.
She said: “We gave him a couple of weeks on the easy list after Kempton, but he’s come back in really good order.
“He cut his own throat in the Feltham, so we can forget about that – the ground was also too quick.
“He is a possible for the Towton and then we’ll look to the RSA at Cheltenham.
“He’s a good horse – there’s no two ways about it – and he wants three miles. Hopefully, Cheltenham will also suit.”
Smith has an affinity towards the Towton, having won the Grade Two heat in 2004 with Royal Emperor, who went on to be second in the RSA to the Willie Mullins-trained Rule Supreme.
Other entries of note include The Panama Kid and Mac Aeda from Malcolm Jefferson’s in-form Malton yard, plus Nicky Henderson’s recent course winner Cucumber Run.
Another possibility is Pam Sly’s Helpston, who stepped out of novice company to finish second to the aforementioned Jefferson’s According To Pete in Wetherby’s Rowland Meyrick Chase.
As to the prospects of racing, Wetherby clerk Jonjo Sanderson is keen to take every precaution to ensure he does not lose a second successive meeting following the abandonment of the frost-hit January 14 card.
“We will be covering all the worn, vulnerable areas. The worst case scenario is cold nights from Tuesday to Saturday and I have seen minus 3C forecast for Wednesday and Thursday,” he said. “We will cover the vulnerable areas and keep everyone updated.”
Chancery will tackle Newbury’s prestigous bumper on February 11 before North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara decides whether to enter the promising four-year-old in Cheltenham’s equivalent at the National Hunt Festival.
The horse is a 25-1 chance for Festival glory but O’Meara said: “That would only be a possibility as it’s a big ask for a four-year-old.”
O’Meara is, however, eyeing the County Hurdle for Viva Colonia. The seven-year-old won the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen last July and also ran an excellent race to finish fifth behind Brampour in the Greatwood at Cheltenham.
Diamond Harry, the 2010 Hennessy hero, will be checked out for a possible breathing problem today after producing a below par run at Cheltenham on Saturday.
The Nick Williams-trained nine-year-old faded into fifth place behind Midnight Chase in the Argento Chase after racing prominently.
Ruby Walsh has appealed against the three-day ban he incurred at Cheltenham.
Walsh was found guilty of causing interference when partnering Pearl Swan to be first past the post in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial.
Meanwhile trainer Willie Mullins reports Hurricane Fly, who Walsh rode to Irish Champion Hurdle glory on Sunday at Leopardstown, to be none the worse for his exploits. He is now odds-on to successfully defend his Champion Hurdle title at Cheltenham in March.
David Bridgwater is eyeing a crack at the racing+ Chase at Kempton following The Giant Bolster’s impressive victory at Cheltenham.
The seven-year-old ended a year-long barren spell with a 17-length verdict in the Grade Three Murphy Group Chase, making all of the running under Tom Scudamore and putting recent jumping errors behind him.
The Queen’s Open Hearted, a Doncaster winner a month ago for Malton-born Andrew Tinkler, reappears at Folkestone today, though the Kent track must pass a precautionary inspection.
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