Kennedy believes Time for Rupert can go all the way

“It is the best Charlie Hall for years, four or five runners could end up in the Gold Cup, and I would be very hopeful that my boy could give Long Run a run for his money,” said the 30-year-old former champion apprentice.

“I think he is a very good horse – I have always had a lot of faith in him – and I think he can go all the way to the top.”

This Saturday’s bet365 Charlie Hall Chase, Wetherby’s feature race of the year and worth £100,000, will certainly tell Kennedy, and Oxfordshire trainer Paul Webber, whether the seven-year-old can land steeplechasing’s most prestigious prize.

Time For Rupert has not run since finishing a disappointing fifth to Bostons Chase in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, a dispiriting day for both connections and those punters who believed the horse was the meeting’s banker bet.

Yet Kennedy believes that there were legitimate reasons for this unforeseen five-length defeat and that the horse “could not have been better” when he was schooled over nine fences yesterday, the first occasion Time For Rupert has jumped such obstacles since his Cheltenham setback.

“I could not have been happier and I’m just looking forward to Saturday,” he told the Yorkshire Post. “I think we have a great chance. The form from last season is still second to none, despite the RSA.

“Rupert beat both Quinz, who went on to land the Racing Post Trophy and may run in the Charlie Hall, and also Chicago Grey who won at the Festival for Gordon Elliott.

“We think he had a small bleed on the day of the RSA and a little infection on his lung that had not cleared up. He felt very well, and looked very well, but these things make a difference.”

Time For Rupert is not the only horse on the comeback trail. Diamond Harry, the mount of Saltburn’s James Reveley, is set to reappear after an even longer lay-off – the chaser, trained in Devon, has not raced since defeating the trailblazing Denman to land the Hennessy at Newbury last November.

Yet, while Diamond Harry is the horse that Kennedy fears, he believes Time For Rupert can prevail – provided the Wetherby ground is not on the firm side.

Though the likeable rider from County Kildare has struggled for opportunities since becoming champion conditional in 2005-06 – beating Richmond-based Keith Mercer by one winner – Kennedy realises his association with Time For Rupert offers him a chance to showcase his talents to the wider racing community.

He has ridden the chestnut gelding in each of his 14 races. His career has yielded seven winners – including a debut Bumper victory at Ludlow in April 2008.

“I hope Time For Rupert will get me on a few more horses, though I doubt any will be as good as him. I’m fortunate that I rode him in that Bumper – I was riding a lot of horses for Mr Webber at the time – and he’s stuck with me,” added the jockey.

“He doesn’t travel as well as Kauto Star who has won two Gold Cups, but he gallops and jumps really, really well. He hasn’t seen a fence since the RSA but that did not matter schooling him. He’s so economical in the air and has a great attitude.

“I haven’t ridden a horse that can gallop in top gear for so long. When we were second to Big Buck’s in the 2010 Ladbrokes World Hurdle, everyone was surprised – except me. I think the best is to come.”

That Time For Rupert and Diamond Harry are intended Charlie Hall runners is a major boost to the Wetherby executive where betting firm bet 365 has agreed this week to extend its sponsorship until 2014.

Neil Mulholland’s Midnight Chase will swerve the Charlie Hall and instead will take on the Paul Nicholls-trained veteran Kauto Star at Down Royal on Saturday.

With Nicholls unsure whether his No 1 jockey Ruby Walsh will carry through his threat to boycott Wetherby’s meeting in protest at the severity of new whip rules, and the five-day suspension incurred by the rider at Aintree on Saturday, the champion trainer says his entry Poquelin will only run if the ground is not unduly testing.

However, conditions should favour Diamond Harry, according to Reveley who is relishing his first big domestic test for Nick Williams – his newly-retained trainer.

“I really can’t wait – he’s in really good order,” said the North Yorkshire jockey.

“He has a great record fresh, but that’s probably not by planning, it’s probably because he’s so fragile he doesn’t run so often.

“I was watching his run in the Hennessy last night and he was so impressive

“He really jumped well and cruised better than anything in the race.”

As Kennedy implied, this really could be the year when the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase – the first major race of the steeplechasing season – regains its old lustre as a genuine Gold Cup trial.

“It would not be a surprise if the winner won at Cheltenham,” added Kennedy.

“Let’s hope it’s Time For Rupert.”

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