Racing: Bold Gold Cup bid is unlikely

By PETER ALLISON
Published on 30/01/2013 01:16

Lucinda Russell has effectively ruled out a crack at the Cheltenham Gold Cup for promising chaser Bold Sir Brian.

After two easy wins this season he travelled down to Cheltenham at the weekend but took a tired fall at the final fence.

Thankfully, he escaped unscathed but trainer Russell does not think a run in the blue riband would be wise. “We can’t make any plans just yet but he’s been ridden today again,” said Russell. “We just need to see how he is over the next few days and we’ll have a sit down with his owner to make a plan. I don’t think after that the Gold Cup would be the best plan.”

Bold Sir Brian’s stablemate Tap Night, meanwhile, is likely to have his second start over fences in the Scottish Future Champions Novices’ Chase at Musselburgh on Sunday.

The six-year-old, bought by JP McManus earlier this season, won his only start over fences to date in style. He also holds an entry in the Scottish Arkle Novices’ Chase and the Grade One Scilly Isles at Sandown. But Russell said: “He’ll definitely run this weekend. We’ll look at running in the two-and-a-half-mile race just to see if he stays.

“Both the Musselburgh races look hot but we need to get him out, he’s only had the one run over fences and he needs experience.”

SELECTIONS

Kempton

4.50 Panther Patrol

5.20 On The Hoof

5.50 Venetias Dream

6.20 Litmus

6.50 Black Truffle

7.20 Haaf A Sixpence

7.50 Prophets Pride

Leicester

2.00 Lough Coi

2.30 Module

3.00 Topaze Collonges

3.30 Buddy Bolero

4.00 Abnaki(nap)

4.30 Arthur’s Pass

Ludlow

1.40 Sky Khan

2.10 Furrows

2.40 Brockwell Park

3.10 Father Probus

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Double

Abnaki

4:00 Leicester

Buddy Bolero

3:30 Leicester