Turf Talk: Trainer Gifford aims to keep Didtheyleaveuoutto fresh for Cheltenham

Trainer Nick Gifford. PIC: Nigel Bowles/Connors Brighton/PA Wire

The JP McManus-owned five-year-old made a big impression when scoring on his racecourse debut at Lingfield in November and left several winners trailing in his wake when following up in a Listed contest at Ascot last month.

He is a best priced 8-1 for his Cheltenham Festival assignment and Gifford sees no reason to give his charge another run between now and March.

Gifford said: “He’s going to go straight to Cheltenham. Barry (Geraghty) said at the time (at Ascot) we didn’t need to run him again because he’s so professional.

“He’s a good-ground horse, so there’s no point dragging him through the mud at this time of year.

“We’ll freshen him up and go straight there.”

n Trainer Anthony Honeyball is eyeing the Punchestown Festival as a long-term target for his exciting mare Duhallow Gesture.

Bought for £100,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point and Tipperary bumper last spring, the daughter of King’s Theatre is already looking a shrewd purchase having made a successful debut for her new connections in a Listed contest at Huntingdon on Boxing Day.

Another Listed mares’ bumper at Sandown on March 10 is her likely next port of call, after which she could be prepared for a return to her homeland.

Honeyball said: “Duhallow Gesture will go to Sandown. She’s qualified for that and that will be her fifth bumper.

“After that we’ll go to Punchestown I think, there’s a graded bumper for mares at the Festival.

Honeyball added: “We are a bit in no-man’s land with her regarding hurdling, so as long as she runs well at Sandown we’ll take her there.”

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

CATTERICK: 12.30 Turning Gold, 1.00 Chu Chu Percy, 1.30 Swift Crusader, 2.05 Turtle Wars, 2.35 Sun Cloud, 3.10 Canny Style, 3.45 Hit And Run.

NEWCASTLE: 1.55 Artful Rogue, 2.25 Esspeegee, 3.00 Theglasgowwarrior, 3.35 Swordcraft, 4.05 WINDSOR CROSS (NAP), 4.35 Twizzell (next best), 5.05 Native Appeal.

LEICESTER: 12.45 Vocaliser, 1.15 Sky Of Stars, 1.45 Ballydine, 2.20 Canyouringmeback, 2.50 Chasma, 3.25 Canyon City.

CHELMSFORD: 5.55 Nature Boy, 6.30 Paradise Lake, 7.00 Tangramm (treble), 7.30 Sea’s Aria, 8.00 Udogo, 8.30 Deben, 9.00 Black Truffle.