'CHIEFY' ON COURSE FOR THE KEITH PROWSE HOSPITALITY TINGLE CREEK STEEPLE CHASE
01/12/2009
Twelve horses have been entered at the five-day stage for the Keith Prowse Hospitality Tingle Creek Steeple Chase. With Master Minded on the easy list this newly sponsored race on paper looks to be a fascinating contest with Irish contender Big Zeb and Master Minded conqueror Well Chief, one of Britain’s most fragile yet talented chasers, heading the betting for this Grade 1 event.
Big Zeb has pleased trainer Colm Murphy with his recent work. At the end of last season at Punchestown the eight-year-old gave Master Minded a huge scare only losing out by a head and probably would have won but for a blunder at the last.
He will face stiff opposition however from David Pipe’s 10-year-old Well Chief – conqueror of Master Minded last time at Cheltenham. Pipe has worked miracles to keep Well Chief in training for as long as he has and it would be hard to find a more popular winner come Saturday afternoon.
His well documented injury problems have curtailed what could have been an exceptional career but the Somerset handler now feels he has the horse back to somewhere near his best. David Pipe said, “The cut Well Chief had at Cheltenham has now had the staples removed, which had held us up a bit. He seems in good form and with the Irish runners coming over it looks a competitive race even without Master Minded. The ground will not be a problem as he goes on all types of going.”
Paul Nicholls is doubly represented by Twist Magic, an encouraging third on his seasonal reappearance in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter in November as well as past winner of the Tingle Creek back in 2007 and has Free World entered, owned by Kauto Star’s owner Clive Smith, who was second on this card last year.
Another of the Irish hopefuls is Forpadydeplasterer, last season’s Arkle winner, who finished runner up to Herecomesthetruth at Down Royal earlier this month. He could however be searching for a new jockey as regular pilot Barry Geraghty has the option of riding favourite Big Zeb. Should this be the case Tony McCoy would come into the reckoning as a potential replacement.
Other notable entries include Emma Lavelle’s Crack Away Jack. Last season’s Champion Hurdle fourth was an impressive winner at the course earlier this month and is an exciting recruit to the chasing ranks – he also holds an entry in the betinternet.com Henry VIII Novices Chase on the same card.
Another interesting entry is Howard Johnson’s Tidal Bay who second to Monet’s Garden in the Old Roan Chase last time out. A ten length second to Master Minded last year he will be looking to go one better this time around. The field is completed by former Champion Chase winner Newmill, Gary Moore’s exciting chaser Fix The Rib, Petit Robin, Mahogany Blaze and an exciting entry from Willie Mullins, Barker, a comprehensive victor over Forpadydeplaster at the Punchestown Festival.
Betinternet.com is the title sponsor of the race meeting, supporting both the Grade II Henry VII Novices’ Chase and the London National.
The current going on the chase course is described as soft.
