Paul Flynn reports his Galway Hurdle hero Moon Dice in good form and on course for a crack at the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival next month.
The seven-year-old gelding has been lightly-raced since enjoying his finest hour to-date in the Ballybrit feature last July.
He coped well with a stone rise in the ratings to a mark of 144 when beaten just over three lengths behind Brampour in the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham last November, and was found to be amiss when disappointing on his only subsequent start at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
The son of Norwich, who likes to be ridden up with the pace, was soundly beaten behind Unaccompanied in the Istabraq Festival Hurdle at the south Co. Dublin track.
The midlands trainer explained, “He was sick at Christmas but is in good form now, and the County Hurdle is the plan.
“He ran a good race at Cheltenham in the Greatwood, and was probably a bit unlucky in running.”
For what it’s worth, have a look at his first run which was on Good to Yielding. He gets bumped out of it about 2-3f out and completely loses his stride. He lost the race at that point. But look at how he manages to run on for third while continuing to close on second. I don’t think the ground will be an issue for him. Not being good enough is my main worry at the moment.
lads, I was on him with a run, but there must be a reason she’s taken him out?
Any statement from jessie? He’s flat bred, winning a bumper is punchestown is what he was bred to do not a huge deal after 12 mths off, he was fit and well, thats all it proves.
Winning 24 runner championship 2m hurdle race where flight speed and position is more important than fitness is a different proposition…will be interested to see exchanges today
In fairness KC, he has plenty of experience over flights, a maiden, a handicap and a grade 2 over course and distance. There wont be many with that profile in this race.
your not comparing like with like. You are talking about a horse thats had 9 runs from april to oct. These consisted of 2 bumpers, 4 flat races and 3 hurdle races.
He needs good ground and thats why he has not run since oct, plus they wanted to freshen him up for a spring campaign.
He has more experience than any other runner in the field and is not your typical bumper horse that goes hurdling. That stat is pointless when assessing his chance.
he doesnt need good…exchanges have pushed him out 1-2 pts, so nothing too dramatic wrong …prob also due to Gallieos choice winning, but the prospect wells form looks poor now. I cant really back him without seeing him again…maybe the race tomorrow will crumble…anyway, he’ll drift more and more between now and the day as others come out, no point in backing him now
Interesting novice hurdle tomorrow at newbury. All the Aces, Colour Squadron, Montbazon and Vulcanite all go.
I think it’s a rematch between Colour Squadron and Montbazon. All the aces is held on form and i don’t think Vulcanite is good enough, despite what Segal said, and i think Montbazon is too slow…i am backing the Hobbs horse tomorrow
have you looked at his form? he has won 11 times in his career and only raced on ground described worse than good once.
11Nov11 Cheltenham ( 17 Gd ,RPR140 )
He´s a very nice prospect and he might not even run before the Festival. He´s been on the go all summer and rather than drag his heart out over the winter we might just put him away.-Jessica Harrington, trainer.
