DAVY RUSSELL BLOG Sat: Gowran Park

I’d like to begin this week’s blog with a word on all the stuff in the press this week about Nicky Henderson and him not running Constitution Hill in Ascot last Saturday. I just don’t understand why there was such a furore about it. Listen, if a man with the experience of someone like Nicky Henderson doesn’t want to run his horse on that ground, he should be allowed to do it without having to justify himself. It wasn’t unsafe ground or anything like that, Nicky Henderson just didn’t want to start a horse like that on that surface.

He’d be as keen on a winner in Ascot as anyone, so he’d have been desperate to run rather than not. The truth is he has mastered the art of training a racehorse and deserves the respect. I’ve no doubt that Constitution Hill would have been and is now fit enough to do himself justice, but he’ll improve and tighten up for that first run. What I mean is he’s likely to be heavier than his peak racing weight and he’d be wanting to start on ground with plenty of give in it.

Like a Premier League footballer, he’d be fit for the first game of the season but at his peak after at least 10 games. There aren’t many better around at training National Hunt racehorses than Nicky Henderson and I suggest we all leave it to him…

Anyway, let’s hope that conditions are right for the horse to get started in Newcastle on Saturday and we don’t have to witness last weekend’s stuff all over again. I’ll be watching on with interest in Gowran where I’ve the one ride. I’ll be back on Saturday evening with a new blog looking ahead to Troytown day in Navan on Sunday. …

SATURDAY

GOWRAN PARK

12.00pm – Beginners Chase

No ride for me in the opening Beginners Chase but it looks some race. Minella Cocooner taking on Journey With Me, not to mention Classic Getaway, Whatdeawant and Sams Profile. I guess Minella Cocooner was the best of these over hurdles finishing second in Cheltenham and in Punchestown. He’ll be tough to beat in what looks a cracker.

GEVREY– 1.05pm

My only ride of the day is Gevrey (pictured below) who steps back up in trip for the handicap chase. He’s not the easiest of rides as he has to be held up and played late which can be tricky to pull off. Hopefully the application of first-time pieces may sharpen him up a little, but I’d say going back up in trip will help him more.

NEWBURY

3.05pm – Coral Gold Cup

The big race of the day is the Coral Gold Cup which looks as wide-open as you might expect. If I’m honest my eye is drawn to the only Irish raider in Busselton who comes here on the back of a hell of a win in the Kerry National the last day. He wasn’t stopping that day so the trip should be okay, and Joseph (O’Brien) has his team flying. There isn’t much between the home contingent with the likes of Corach Rambler, Remastered, Threeunderthrufive and Oscar Elite all holding obvious chances. However, if I had to pick one it might be last year’s runner-up Fiddlerontheroof in first-time pieces. He may be ridden a bit more prominently this year and looks the biggest threat to Busselton.

NEWCASTLE

2.10pm – Fighting Fifth Hurdle

With the reputation he has, Constitution Hill has to win this. He’s on the back of winning as weak a Supreme as I can remember (pictured below) and has got to come out this season and prove himself the great everyone seems to think he is. At the moment, the filly (Honeysuckle) tops the hurdling division, but plenty have already handed her crown to Constitution Hill before they’ve even met. He’s not won anything for me yet and Epatante may not be a pushover in this!

Good Luck
Davy

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