Great Endeavour to be rewarded in Paddy Power Gold Cup
Martin Pipe was always going to be a tough act for his son, David, to follow when he took over the trainer’s licence.
However, when it comes to the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, the task takes on almost Herculean proportions. Pipe Snr won the race no less than eight times but the son can rise to the challenge with Great Endeavour.
Long Run is the market leader and impressed in his first two starts for Nicky Henderson, having previously been trained in France. He won the Grade One Feltham Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and then the Grade Two Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick in February.
Long Run was then not disgraced when he finished third to Weapon’s Amnesty in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, when his stamina may not have been up to three miles on such a demanding track. However, his jumping did look a little suspect at times and he is high enough in the handicap for such mistakes to exact a heavy price.
Great Endeavour was also a novice last season but his biggest win came when he was tried in handicap company in the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival. He has gone up 7lbs for that win but still looks to have plenty of improvement in him.
Tricky Trickster was a hot ticket for the Grand National last season until a lacklustre run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In the National itself he was badly hampered at the 20th fence and lost all chance but his form was solid before that and, having been dropped 3lbs, he can win the Morson Group Handicap Chase.
How long is it before Gordon Elliott moves to Britain?
The Irish trainer is a regular visitor and his strike-rates at some tracks are outstanding. His return of 16% at Cheltenham is not to be dismissed lightly and Supercede can add to that in the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle.
In seven starts for Elliott he has won four and finished second twice, some of which may be put down to the use of a tongue tie. Has been pushing up in the weights but may have improvement in him.
Tags: