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Doughty competitor Tim has quickly bounced back from a tough bout on the opening day of the Riccarton carnival and is ready for round two this weekend.
The Hunterville jumper came to grief after clearing the last fence in the Koral Steeplechase, but has made a good recovery and will strip a fit horse for Saturday’s Racecourse Hotel & Motel Lodge Grand National Steeplechase.
“He’s fine now, but he was a bit shattered last Sunday after his big crash,” trainer and part-owner Dean Cunningham said.
“He fell over that fallen horse and nose-dived into the ground. He had a nose bleed and we got him scoped and he was all clear.”
Tim, who will have a change of rider on Saturday with Matthew Cropp engaged, had gone south in good form after wins at Wanganui and Hastings, where he beat Palemo, before he landed the Manawatu Steeplechase.
The nine-year-old then finished a gallant runner-up to the dashing Rangatira around the figure eight course at Trentham in the Wellington Steeplechase.
Cunningham said Saturday’s 5600 metres would suit the rugged gelding and his final piece of work had been encouraging.
“He had a gallop at the beach this (Wednesday) morning and he was great, jumping out of his skin.
“After this, he’ll go home and chill out in the paddock and we might bring him back for one or two in September or wait for next year, but he definitely won’t be going to the Northern.”However, stablemate The Fox is likely to head to Ellerslie for the Pakuranga Hunt Cup.
“We brought him down here for one run and did nominate him for the National, but that was a bit of a fantasy,” Cunningham said. “He’s tightened up and he’ll probably go to Wanganui on Sunday week first.”
The Fox has only had two runs back since he won the Waikato Hunt Cup in 2012 and fell in the Koral when going boldly in front.