3 minute read
Ireland's champion owner is going all out for a JNwine.com Champion Chase hat-trick on Saturday with no fewer than four of the ten horses still in contention for Down Royal's big race.
Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud has won the Grade 1 chase for the past two seasons with Roi Du Mee and Road To Riches, who c0uld both run again.
Add in Wounded Warrior, placed in championship novice events at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals last season, and the best of the quartet has still yet to be named.
Don Cossack, the highest rated chaser in Britain and Ireland, has the three mile chase as a possible target among a raft of major races within his reach this season. The Gordon Elliott-trained eight year old has won seven of his last eight races and is the sponsor's 8-1 third favourite for the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
Opponents on Saturday are feeling their way; British challengers Rocky Creek and O'Faolain's Boy are possibles, while exciting six-year-old The Young Master is also engaged.
O'Faolains Boy could be joined by stablemate Irish Cavalier, though their trainer Rebecca Curtis has the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday as an alternative for the latter.
She said: "We'll have a good look at both and make a decision in a day or two. We also have O'Faolain's Boy entered for Down Royal but we will probably leave it for another couple of weeks before running him."
Making up the ten are Texas Jack, a stablemate of Cheltenham Gold Cup third Road To Riches with Noel Meade, and the David Pipe-trained Dynaste whose most recent start was a defeat over hurdles at Auteuil earlier in October.
You win some. You lose more. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.