|
|
|
Black Jack Ketchum could be left with a relatively straight-forward task in Saturday's Byrne Bros Cleeve Hurdle after it was announced that chief rival Inglis Drever is likely to miss the race.
The pair were expected to take each other on in a dress rehearsal for the World Hurdle in March, but no sooner was Black Jack Ketchum confirmed a runner by Jonjo O'Neill than owner Graham Wylie revealed most of his string would not appear at the weekend.
"Heavy ground would not be the ideal preparation prior to the Cheltenham Festival," said Wylie.
"All the horses are fine and stood in a box at the moment. Howard (Johnson) will keep them ticking over and if it is desperate, we will have to make a decision on Friday."
Besides Inglis Drever, Festival aspirants Tidal Bay and Lennon are also likely to swerve their engagements this week because of the testing ground.
Of Arkle Trophy hope Lennon Wylie added: "Howard said the most important thing is to get him to Cheltenham.
"He may go straight there, as there is also Aintree and Punchestown to think about. We will just keep him schooled and ticking over for the moment."
Meanwhile, O'Neill confirmed that Black Jack Ketchum will take his chance in the three-mile event whatever the ground.
The unbeaten hurdler has never raced on heavy ground, but the trainer is desperate to get another run into the eight-year-old.
"He is in great form at the moment and the plan is to run," he said. "He has run on soft ground before but never heavy.
"I don't mind running him on heavy as he needs match practice, but he wouldn't want it sticky.
"The way the ground is at the moment, I don't want to tear the guts out of him and he does go so well on good ground.
"If all goes well after the weekend he will go straight to Cheltenham. If he doesn't run this weekend I don't know where else he could go as this has always been the plan."
|
Source: Sky Sports |
|
|
|
Other great sites
Search
|
