Turf Talk: Cheltenham offers Cloudy Dream a silver lining after last week's race-entry error
Norton trainer Malcolm Jefferson’s grey was a leading ante-post fancy for Saturday’s main event but was a surprise omission from the list following Monday’s confirmation stage.
Jefferson’s daughter Ruth has taken responsibility for the mistake as he instead ended up with an entry in the three-mile-three-furlong BetVictor Handicap Chase, which precedes the feature race. However, Sunday’s Shloer Chase was reopened after insufficient entries were received, so another option at Prestbury Park is now available.
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Hide Ad“We’ve put him in the Shloer on Sunday as that has been reopened,” said Mick Meagher, racing manager to owner Trevor Hemmings.
“Ruth was supposed to confirm him for the BetVictor Gold Cup Handicap Chase and he’s actually ended up in the BetVictor Handicap Chase, the race before. It’s human error, it will happen again, but we’ll kick on.
“We’ll make a decision on whether he runs later in the week, but that is where we are at. He’s fully entitled to run in that, he was second in the Arkle.”
n Nicky Henderson is already looking forward to taking on Douvan with Altior at Cheltenham in March.
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Hide AdWhile he admits a lot of water needs to pass under the bridge before then, he does not envisage the two meeting prior to the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Altior, who won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2016 and the Arkle earlier this year, is due to reappear at Sandown in the Tingle Creek next month.
When asked if he felt Altior simply had to avoid falling to be beaten, Henderson said: “There’s Douvan of course (later down the line). I hope the meeting is in March as it will be one to savour.”
SOBOT’S SELECTIONS
SOUTHWELL: 12.40 Break The Silence, 1.15 She’s Royal, 1.45 Zapper Class, 2.15 Eva Docc, 2.45 Take The High Road, 3.20 Topamichi, 3.50 Gatillo.
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Hide AdCHELMSFORD: 5.25 Hic Bibi, 5.55 IL PRIMO SOLE (NAP), 6.25 Magic Pulse, 6.55 Final Treat, 7.25 Dreaming Time (treble), 7.55 Daring Guest, 8.25 Never Folding, 8.55 King Kevin (next best).
LUDLOW: 1.25 Black Sam Bella, 1.55 Dark Castletown, 2.25 Royal Ruby, 3.00 Cowslip, 3.30 Champagne Chaser, 4.00 Cubswin.
TAUNTON: 1.05 Storm Home, 1.35 Red Admirable, 2.05 Jumping Jack, 2.35 Ridgeway Flyer, 3.10 Midnight Tune, 3.40 Resolution Bay, 4.10 Hattaab.