Fears over Power favourite as Williams wants rain

Nov 15 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

PADDY Power Gold Cup favourite Don’t Push It is a doubt for Saturday’s race following reports of a injury problem.

The Jonjo O’Neill-trained seven-year-old, who is a best-priced 9-2 with bet365 and Stan James, had his final work-out yesterday morning. And although the initial reaction was that he had worked well, O’Neill reported of a possible problem.

Speaking at Bangor yesterday O’Neill said: “I will know a lot more tomorrow morning.”

Venetia Williams is hoping there is some rain before her committing her runner Idole First to the Grade Three 2m4f contest.

The eight-year-old won the Racing Post Plate at the Cheltenham Festival and is due to make his seasonal reappearance in the Paddy Power. But Williams will monitor the going, which is currently good on the chase and hurdles courses.

She said: “Like all, it depends on the weather more than the ground. We need a drop of rain.

“We are looking forward to his season beginning, whether it’s this weekend or not.”

Jonathan Geake knows his Black Hills will need to improve if he is to have a chance in the Paddy Power. But unlike the well-fancied duo, Abragante and Granit Jack who may not get into the race due to the 20-runner safety limit, Black Hills is expected to take his chance.

He was 15th on his seasonal reappearance in the Pyments Quantity Surveyors Handicap Chase at the course last month behind another leading contender Knowhere.

Geake said: “He needs three to drop out, so he should get in.

“The plan is to run – he ran okay last time but has got to do a lot better as it’s a very tough race.

“With a horse like him, there’s not much else to go for at the moment.”

Meanwhile Newmarket permit holder George Haine can’t wait for Sunday at Cheltenham and is hoping The Sliotar can run well

The six-year-old is entered in the Browne’s Gazette Intermediate Handicap Hurdle and the £20,000 Gideon Kassler Novices’ Hurdle both 2m5f

The Sliotar gave Haine his first success when scoring at Market Rasen in September and he also added to that at Uttoxeter.

Hained said: “I’ve spoken to Jamie Moore and I’m leaning towards the handicap. He definitely heads to Cheltenham though. First time out was a bit of learning curve as we were just getting to know him but next time he seemed to turn over a new leaf and I couldn’t be happier with him.”

Haine got The Sliotar from Mouse Morris’s Irish stable in the summer and he added: “Mouse Morris was good enough to tell me to undercook him rather than overcook him and in a small yard everything revolves around him, which I think he appreciates.

“He was quite a timid horse when he arrived but now he’ll have a go at you and at other horses. He has a lot more confidence.

“The Sliotar was a good third to Aitmatov last year at Galway and then came fourth at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival in a race in which Farmer Brown was second, and that horse went on to win the Galway Hurdle this summer.

“He then went straight from maidens into good class handicap hurdles as a novice, so now he’s got his confidence back, I’d be very hopeful of a big run.”

TODAY’S NAP: Kyathos (1.40pm Taunton).