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KIM MUIR:
A more overcast morning encouraged us to declare Galant Nuit. Soft ground is not going to happen but the conditions this morning added to the knowledge that the course would be watered 4-5mm overnight meant that we were prepared to let him take his chance. Obviously any rain between now & 4.40pm would be appreciated!
Positives:
Galant has run well here 3 times.
He is in very good order having been aimed at the (abandoned) Eider Chase
He looks reasonably well handicapped on 133 (7lb higher than when winning here in November
Great amateur jockey booking…Nina Carberry.Negatives:
Ground could be softer
Trip of 3m1.5f is short of the 3m3f he won over last time…and he didnt get to front in that race until after the last
Much more competitive race than the 2 that he has won so far.
Relatively inexperienced
We are thrilled to be running him & with the yard in form we are hopeful of a decent run. To place would be fantastic.Really looking forward to it.
The horse I’ve gone e/w on for the Kim Muir is I’moncloudnine. He’s been improving a lot as of late, he’s won off this sort of mark before, and he has to be respected here.
BlueSky @pghenn.bsky.social
So don't run, just like the others always do
dprp – I’m sure you’re very proud he ran an absolute stormer given some of your reservations. Thanks for sharing. Has he come back okay and any plans for the rest of the season? Could be some horse.
Thank you for your kind words, Zamorah.
I had an uncomfortable feeling I hadn’t responded – so much on my mind with Chelters and all that, too – and checked.
dprp – I’m sure you’re very proud he ran an absolute stormer given some of your reservations. Thanks for sharing. Has he come back okay and any plans for the rest of the season? Could be some horse.
He was balloted out of the William Hill Trophy though in reality, our choice was between the Kim Muir (3m1f at Cheltenham for amateur riders) or the Midlands National (4m at Uttoxeter).
An overcast day on Wednesday & knowledge that they were going to water was enough to encourage us to run at Cheltenham, though any rain would have been welcome.
In the event, the rain did not arrive until after the race but the ground appeared to be riding dead & was, at least,definitely not lightning quick.
Galant attracted lots of money & went off the 11/2 fav, backed in from 8s. I can honestly say that, just like when he won at Cheltenham in November, I had not put a penny on him. He was towards the top of Timeform’s list, the racecard had tipped him & there was support for him amongst the pundits…I just wanted him to jump around & not be discredited!
He was settled in mid div by Nina Carberry & jumped beautifully throughout. Turning for home he was in about 8th but still travelling. "He has run ok, David" someone said over my shoulder. "He isn’t finished yet!" I said, "He will run on from there!"
He did indeed run on & with the eventual winner stopping on the run in,he was 3rd beaten only 1 and a quarter lengths. Another furlong would have made things interesting…he would definitely have beaten the winner & just how much more the 2nd (Faasel) would have been prepared to give is anyone’s guess…though that is mere conjecture.
What is fact though is that for the 3rd time & for the 2nd year in succesion, DPRP visited the presentation area at the Cheltenhma Festival. Our two previous times being with Nine De Sivola (3rd in NH Chase 2009) & Aces Four (4th in 2007 Sun Alliance Chase).
Nina was thrilled with him; "He dances, he just dances at his fences!". She reported that when the pace quickened on the far side, he was outpaced for half a furlong before picking up & running on. She said that he was a clever, nimble jumper & that he was very honest & brave.
He was a little stiff on Friday morning , less so on Saturday & was perfect by Sunday morning.
The official handicapper will judge the tomorrow.
He may run again this season though I would prefer to give him some soft ground next time. He will not get into the English National this year & whilst he he is entered in the Irish one, Easter Monday is probably too soon. He is in the Betfred (April 24th) & we will probably put him in the Scottish National (April 17th) too but there are no firm plans. There is a really nice listed handicap at Aintree on Grand National day but being another 3m1f we would definitely want soft ground for that – he was 2nd over C&D in May.
A final thought…having seen the Midlands National run on heavy ground with just 3 finishers & an exhausted winner I think that we made the right call.
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