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Trainer Enda Bolger today revealed that Spot Thedifference, winner
of last
season's Sporting Index Handicap Chase - The Cheltenham Festival's
first
cross-country event - will aim to win the 3m 7f event again on March
14 at
the age of 13.
Speaking at a Cheltenham Racecourse media day at his stables in Co
Limerick, where he oversees a team of 26, Bolger confirmed that J
P
McManus's cross-country star would also be in action at Prestbury
Park next
month as he tries to again to complete a hat-trick in Cheltenham's
three
Sporting Index-sponsored Cross-Country events (this season taking
place on
Friday, November 11; Friday December 9 and Tuesday, March 14)
"Spot Thedifference is going to be 13 years of age next year
and last
season is going to be a very hard act to follow, but it could just
be like
the old wine thing.
"We'll give it a go and if it happens, it happens. It surprised
us what he
did last season and his forte is how he finishes in his races,"
said
Bolger, whose team worked this morning under a team of riders that
included
Paul and Nina Carberry along with Ken Whelan.
"When Spot sees that hill at Cheltenham he just eats up the
ground, he's an
old horse but he minds himself very well. I certainly wouldn't swap
him for
anything else.
"Next month's race is a conditions event (the Sporting Index
Chase at The
Open on Friday, November 11) which should suit him well, probably
better
than the handicaps."
Bolger is a fan of The Festival's Sporting Index Handicap Chase and
added:
"The new race at The Festival was a real hit last season as people
have got
back into cross-country racing.
"I think the combination of what Risk Of Thunder did at Punchestown
and the
Cheltenham races have brought it right back to the fore. I think having
the
two races at Cheltenham beforehand is good for the build-up."
Spot Thedifference could be joined in the Cheltenham cross-country
races by
Buailtes And Fadas, who has been off since finishing fifth the La
Touche
Cup behind Spot Thedifference in April, 2004, but completed a rare
cross-country double in the Ladies Cup and La Touche Cup at the 2003
Punchestown Festival.
"We may also have Buailtes And Fadas (for the Cheltenham races)
this time
around - he missed out last season because he had a leg but when he's
on
song he's good," continued Bolger. "His asset is that he's
a terrific
jumper and, although he won the La Touche at Punchestown, I just wonder
if
3m 7f is too much for him."
Good Step, the 2005 Blue Square Chase (for the La Touche Cup) winner
who
was partnered this morning by Paul Carberry, is likely to be a longer-term
cross-country prospect.
"He's seven and won't go for the races this time around but
he might go
over to The Open at Cheltenham for the amateur riders' handicap chase
(sponsored by paddypower.com) on November 11," added Bolger.
For further information, please contact Peter McNeile, Commercial
Manager
of Cheltenham Racecourse, on 07850 091523.
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