Setback is no big worry for Divers

Divers remains on course for a tilt at the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday week, despite being pulled up on his seasonal return at Carlisle.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Nov 2011, 08:23 BST

Ferdy Murphy’s grey – who landed the Centenary Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March – appeared lacklustre in a race won emphatically by Sue Smith’s Mr Moonshine.

But the West Witton trainer has blamed the testing going, saying: “He wouldn’t go on that ground at all as it was very dead. He’ll come on a lot for the run. He’s a stuffy horse and he was just the same last season.”

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Charlie Hall hero Weird Al is set to miss next month’s Hennessy Gold Cup – Kempton’s King George on Boxing Day is his likely target – while Chicago Grey, third in the £100,000 Wetherby feature, will be aimed at the Grand National.

The King George is also the target for Henrietta Knight’s Somersby who won his comeback race at Kempton yesterday under Guiseley-born jockey Dominic Elsworth.

“He’s probably finally matured. It was a difficult year for him last year as a second-season novice, but now he’s grown up,” said Knight who was particularly enthused by her horse’s error-free jumping.