DAVID PIPE thinks Great Endeavour is one of his best chances of success at the Cheltenham Festival in next Tuesday’s Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase.
The Nicholashayne trainer sees the seven-year-old grey as likely to go well on the step up in trip. He is entered in the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup, but Pipe is not aiming too high just yet.
The Pond House handler said: “He’s quite highly strung, but he’s lightly-raced and seems in good form.
“He was slightly disappointing in the Paddy Power but he ran well against Poquelin the next time and his form is rock solid. He’s in the Gold Cup and the Stewart Family race and he’s going to be going for the handicap.
“The step up to three miles will help and I’m hoping he will be one of my better chances of the week.”
Pipe also thinks Dan Breen deserves to take his chance in the Irish Independent Arkle Trophy, also on the opening day of the meeting, despite losing a race in the stewards’ room.
Pipe said: “He won at Sandown but got disqualified and unfortunately the handicapper has taken a dim view and he’s now rated only about 9lb below the best.
“He’s got options of the Arkle and the Grand Annual. He’s in cracking form and a dry forecast would suit. He has to improve but the race could cut up even more.”
TODAY’S NAP: Tewin Wood (8pm Kempton).
