There were some understandably long faces in the unsaddling enclosure after Jessica Harrington’s Bostons Angel ran a poor race in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup to come home a well beaten sixth to Quel Esprit on his final start before attempting to land the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2012 next month, writes Elliot Slater.
Racing in cheek-pieces for the first time in his career in a bid to freshen him up, last year’s RSA Chase winner was prominent on the heels of Quel Esprit but was soon brushed aside as the pace quickened from the third last. Despite the best efforts of Robbie Power the eight-year-old simply failed to pick up in much the same manner as when well beaten at Sandown last time out behind Golan Way. His first outing of the term had also proved disappointing as Harrington’s charge managed to blunder and unseat his rider when in touch in the JNwine.com chase at Down Royal won by Quito De La Roque.
It’s difficult to think quite what his trainer can do to resurrect the form of Bostons Angel in time for the showcase March 16 contest having seen the son of Winged Love ran an equally lack lustre race at Sandown on his previous outing and those looking at the Betfair Horse Betting should remember this.
It may very well prove to be that the gelding has simply not recovered from a hard race at Cheltenham last term where he dug tremendously deep to fend off fellow Irish raider Jessies Dream in a terrific finish to the RSA Chase which went his way by just a neck, completing a hat-trick of Grade 1 wins all of which were characterised by a narrow margin of victory.
Bookmakers have now pushed Bostons Angel out to 50/1 to land the Gold Cup, and anyone supporting him will doubtless be banking on better ground and a return to Prestbury Park making all the difference.
