3 minute read
Champagne Fever bids to bounce back from the first fall of his career when taking on four rivals in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park tomorrow.
Bred locally in Thomastown by John Cahill, the Stowaway gelding for the first time affords his County Kilkenny fans an opportunity to see him perform on home soil, and hopes will be high he can put his Thurles last-fence tumble behind him.
Paul Townend has ridden the grey three times in races and has a 100 per cent record, and Champagne Fever will go off favourite to maintain that flawless strike-rate as regular rider Ruby Walsh is on duty at Ascot.
"At the ratings he's entitled to win. He's in good form and it would be great to get a bit of a confidence into him after a fall the last day," said trainer Willie Mullins' son, Patrick.
"It's our local track and it's a race we like to support. Every horse can fall and he's schooled well since. It doesn't seem to have left a mark on him and the fall is not a huge worry in our minds."
Owner Rich Ricci revealed Cheltenham options were open for Champagne Fever.
He told At The Races: "He's in good form. He's only won two chases, that's the remarkable thing because he does jump a fence pretty well.
"Unfortunately the last day he came down. He's fine and we've got to decide yet on what race for him at Cheltenham - the Champion Chase or the Ryanair.
"He's in great form. With his style of running he may be better off over two miles than over two four, I don't know, but we'll make that decision a bit nearer the time.
"You'd think he would stay, but he didn't at Christmas time at Kempton. I think it's the way he runs, it's not a stayer's style. We're not going to go beyond two four, that is for sure."
Recently married Noel Meade will be in search of a different result as he sends Texas Jack into battle.
The Paul Carberry-ridden contender was a well-held second in the Kinloch Brae, which went the way of Don Cossack after Champagne Fever's exit, and he is out quickly after a decent showing to finish fifth behind Carlingford Lough in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown last weekend.
The field is completed by Gigginstown House Stud runners, and Bright New Dawn steps back up in distance and is the choice of Bryan Cooper ahead of Arnaud and Rathlin, who have plenty to do on recent evidence.
Cooper told his Racing FX blog: "He's put in some solid performances this season, but I'd be a little concerned that he ran just under two weeks ago. This could come a bit quick.
"He's entered in the Queen Mother and the Ryanair, but I'd say he's not quite up to that standard. I'm sure he'll pay his way in Ireland."
Gigginstown's Eddie O'Leary added: "Bright New Dawn will be suited by the two and a half but it's just a pity Champagne Fever is in it!"