Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Minella Indo faces a new challenge in the Glenfarclas Crystal Cup Cross Country Handicap Chase when he returns to the scene of his finest hour on Friday.
The 10-year-old has a stellar record at Prestbury Park, famously providing trainer Henry de Bromhead with a first victory in the blue riband when getting the better of stablemate A Plus Tard in 2021.
He had previously claimed the Albert Bartlett in 2019 before going mightily close when chinned by the fast-finishing Champ in the following season’s RSA.
Although scoring twice since that herculean Gold Cup effort, and also placing in the following year’s renewal, his overall form has been hit and miss in the past few campaigns and, having been well held behind Gerri Colombe at Down Royal most recently, connections have decided to try a change of approach.
He is not the first classy operator to throw his hat into the cross-country mix and there have been positive reports from his handler ahead of this first try around the twists and turns of Cheltenham’s popular circuit.
“He seems to really enjoy it and has been schooling well, so we said we would let him take his chance,” said De Bromhead.
“He seems in great form and we have been delighted with him. We want to have a look at the race and see, we think it is something he enjoys and we will see on Friday.”
Rider Rachael Blackmore told Betfair: “This is obviously a new discipline for him, his first run in a cross-country race, but he has done plenty of cross-country schooling at home, and he has also had a pop over some of the obstacles at Cheltenham.
“Of course, you can’t beat racing experience around that track, but he has shown us plenty with the cross-country bits that he has done.
“It’s a handicap, so he has to give weight away to all his rivals, but he is a Gold Cup winner who retains lots of ability, and I’m hoping that he can run well.”
Few can match Gordon Elliott’s dominance at Cheltenham in this sphere, with the Cullentra House handler winning the Cheltenham Festival edition of this contest five times in the past seven years, as well as being denied another victory due to suspension.
Tiger Roll and Delta Work have become cross-country legends for Elliott in recent times, but both the latter and Galvin finished out of the money when appearing at the November meeting.
Festival runner-up Galvin was sent off favourite on that occasion and is given the chance to make amends as he continues on his path to March and he is joined on the team sheet by Fury Road, as Elliott searches for his first success in this particular contest since Bless The Wings’ triumph in 2017.
“Both horses are in good form, they would probably prefer better ground, but they are in good form,” said Elliott.
“Galvin will come on for his run there in November, but we’re just working back from Cheltenham in March.
“Fury Road has been great for us. It’s his first run over the fences, so a good education will do him well.”
It was Mouse Morris’ Foxy Jacks who took advantage of a rare off-day for the Elliott runners last month, but going down valiantly on his shield in second was Latenightpass and his regular jockey Gina Andrews.
The 10-year-old, who claimed the Aintree Foxhunters’ in 2022, is 3lb higher this time around but still receives over a stone in weight from some of his higher-calibre rivals, with trainer Dan Skelton anticipating another bold showing.
Skelton said: “He ran beautifully last time and I was very happy with what I saw.
“He’s got a low weight again this time and he’s got to be competitive again. He would have to be in the mix.”
Gesskille has relished a unique jumping test since joining Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero and the Grand Sefton hero arrives in search of a hat-trick, having secured another victory in Auteuil on his penultimate start.
His training team see this as the ideal spot to preserve the seven-year-old’s enthusiasm while they consider a Grand National tilt in the new year, while Didero Vallis was third here last month and represents the flying Venetia Williams stable.
Ciaran Murphy’s Irish raider Enjoy D’allen will sport the green and gold hoops of JP McManus, with Richard Bandey’s Diesel D’Allier 3lb lower than when successful two years ago and tried in a tongue-tie and cheekpieces combination for the first time.
Supreme Ventures Racing urges review of racing rule after Caymanas Park abandonments
Supreme Ventures Racing and Entertainment Limited (SVREL), operators of Caymanas Park, have called for a review of Rule 44 (iii) enforced by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) following the cancellation of two races during the April 27 race meet at Caymanas Park.
In a press conference on Monday addressing the abandoned races, SVREL Executive Chairman Solomon Sharpe expressed frustration with the rule, highlighting its potential impact on the racing industry.
"This rule, unique to Jamaica, imposes a strict five-minute limit after the published post time for races at Caymanas Park," Sharpe stated. "It fails to account for various factors that can delay race starts and penalizes all stakeholders when races are abandoned, affecting punters, jockeys, grooms, trainers, owners, promoters, and the government."
Last year, Caymanas Park contributed over $260 million in combined taxes to the government's coffers. Sharpe urged the JRC to engage SVREL in discussions on Rule 44, emphasizing the need for constructive dialogue to address the rule's impact.
"We were not consulted during the initial discussions on this rule, and now, with two races abandoned in a single race day, our concerns have materialized," Sharpe explained. "SVREL is open to collaborating with the JRC to review and refine this amended rule."
Representatives from the Grooms Association, Jockeys Association, and the United Racehorse Trainers Association echoed SVREL's concerns and supported the call for a review of Rule 44.
Sharpe concluded by appealing to regulators, stakeholders, and the public to support the growth of the horseracing industry in Jamaica. "Horseracing has immense potential in Jamaica and can become a significant foreign exchange earner. Realizing this potential requires collaboration among all stakeholders."
SVREL has been operating Caymanas Park since March 2017 after the government divested the property. With investments exceeding J$4 billion in product enhancements and innovations like the Mouttet Mile, which boasts the largest purse in the English-speaking Caribbean, SVREL remains committed to advancing the horseracing experience in Jamaica.
Supreme Ventures Racing regrets abandonment of two races at Caymanas Park on Saturday
Supreme Ventures Racing & Entertainment Limited (SVREL) has expressed regret and disappointment following the abandonment of two races during the Saturday, April 27 race day at Caymanas Park in St Catherine, Jamaica.
The decision to abandon these races, SVREL said, was made in compliance with regulations set forth by the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC), leading to the refund of all related pools according to SVREL's Pari-mutuel rules.
According to the statement released by SVREL late Saturday, the abandonment of races number one and six, respectively, was declared by the stewards of the Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) due to delays that exceeded the permitted time frame as stipulated by Rule 44(iii).
Specifically, in race number one, scheduled to commence at 12:00 pm, a saddling issue with horse number five and a mandatory veterinary check for horse number eight, which reared and fell after exiting the saddling barn, resulted in delays beyond the allowable limit.
Similarly, race number six, slated for 3:10 pm, was delayed due to a horse running loose, ultimately leading to its abandonment by the stewards of the JRC.
SVREL explained that the recent amendments to Rule 44(iii), which came into effect from April 1, 2024, mandate strict adherence to race start times with a maximum allowance of five minutes after the published post time. SVREL noted that Jamaica is unique in enforcing such a rule without prior consultation with the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica.
The enforcement of this rule has led to financial losses for industry stakeholders, including owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms, punters, and the promoter and as such the disruption caused by the abandonment of these races understandably resulted in unrest among stakeholder groups.
Despite the challenges faced, the race meet resumed with race number seven at approximately 4:00 pm, SVREL noted.
SVREL has now issued a sincere apology to valued customers and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused by the abandonment of races one and six by the JRC. SVREL also emphasized its readiness for open dialogue with the JRC and all impacted stakeholders to ensure the continued success and integrity of the horseracing industry.
As the sole promoter of horseracing in Jamaica, SVREL said it remains committed to addressing challenges collaboratively and upholding the highest standards of professionalism and service within the industry.
Light seeking to shine again at Sandown
Kitty’s Light is taking aim at his usual season finisher in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown.
The gelding has been a star for trainer Christian Williams, winning big handicap events like the Eider Chase and the Scottish Grand National and going close in the Charlie Hall and the Coral Trophy.
He has particularly good record in the bet365 Gold Cup on the final day of the season, missing out only due to interference when second in 2021 and coming home third in 2022.
Last year he was completed the set of podium finishes when winning by two and a half lengths under usual jockey Jack Tudor.
The two are well acquainted and teamed up for Kitty’s Light’s Grand National bid at Aintree earlier in the month, where he ran a valiant race to finish fifth behind four Grade-One winning Irish chasers.
Williams was incredibly proud of his stable star and is now hoping the gelding can shine again in the Sandown contest he has found to be lucrative in the past.
“It was wonderful, we trained him to win the race and we thought he could, but you couldn’t be disappointed with what he did,” Williams said of the National performance.
“We were thrilled, the horse tried his best and we were very, very proud of horse and jockey.
“He’s come out of it very well, if the race was run today even then he’d be running, he’s in good form.
“He loves it at Sandown with the big fences, his jumping has come on now but even as a five-year-old he nearly won the race.
“He was third the year after that, it really seems to suit him.
“I think he likes going right-handed, he hangs a little bit right at home and he seems to really enjoy it there.
“We’re taking our chance anyway, he seems well and we’ll hope for the best.”
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