ZAARITO WILL have a crucial workout on Friday to decide if he goes straight to Cheltenham or has a festival prep’ in Sunday’s Paddy Power Johnstown Hurdle at Naas.
Colm Murphy’s star novice missed out on last Sunday’s Deloitte at Leopardstown when failing to please the trainer on the run-up to the race.
However, Murphy yesterday reported the horse is “A1 and 100 per cent” and still on course to take in Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
“He was absolutely bombing on the run-up to the Deloitte before the first Leopardstown meeting was called off. We then had to keep him on the boil for the following week and, knowing him, he probably boiled over a bit and we just weren’t happy with him. But he’s AI and 100 per cent,” Murphy said.
Zaarito is one of 11 entries left in the Johnstown, which is one of three Grade Two races to be run at Naas on Sunday. He could be joined by his stable companion Kimberlite King, as well as Kempes, who is part of Willie Mullins’ hugely powerful novice squad for Cheltenham.
Murphy added: “We will give Zaarito a piece of work on Friday and decide then if he runs or goes straight to Cheltenham. I would like to get the run into him, but he is a horse that can be kept ticking over pretty easily.”
The Co Wexford-based trainer also issued an upbeat report on Brave Inca, who is set for a fourth attempt on the Champion Hurdle crown he won three years ago. However, no decision on who will ride the veteran star has been taken.
“I haven’t even thought about that. He is as straightforward a horse to ride as you can get so we will see who is available closer to the time,” Murphy said. “He is in very good form right now.”
Dermot Weld plans to give Majestic Concorde another chance to earn a possible Cheltenham ticket in the Nas Na Riogh Chase on Sunday after the horse’s first-fence exit at Navan on Monday. Majestic Concorde unseated Barry Geraghty two days ago, but Weld said yesterday: “These things happen and the plan is to run on Sunday.”
Lead The Parade won a bumper on Monday and Weld is considering whether to send the horse over jumps quickly on Sunday or wait to begin his jumping career until next season.
“He is in a few hurdle races, but I will have to discuss it with Dr (Ronan) Lambe whether or not we will go jumping now or keep him for a winners bumper,” Weld said.
“He is a super leaper and knows his job, but we might just wait with him until next season.”
One of Lead The Parade’s weekend entries is in the Grade Two alongside Zaarito.
The most valuable of Sunday’s Grade Twos will be the €55,000 Newlands Chase in which Mansony is set to attempt a hat-trick after wins at Fairyhouse and Punchestown. Arthur Moore’s two-mile star is one of nine left in the race after yesterday’s forfeit stage, and his opposition could include the Grand National hope Snowy Morning and the Leopardstown Chase winner Schindlers Hunt.
The going at Naas is soft but conditions are expected to improve.
O'BRIEN TARGETS KEMPTON
IT'S A long way from Kempton in March to Kentucky in May, but Aidan O'Brien could attempt to bridge the gap en route to American classic glory, writes Brian O'Connor.
Ireland's champion trainer has three possible starters in Kempton Park's Kentucky Derby Challenge Stakes on March 18th, the winner of which is guaranteed a starting spot in the Kentucky Derby in Churchill Downs in May.
The Ballydoyle trio are the Storm Cat colt Born To Be King, the Leopardstown winner Chief Lone Eagle and Great Wisdom, who won his sole start on the all-weather at Dundalk in October.
O'Brien was the last European trainer to have runners in America's most famous race, but Johannesburg and Castle Gandolfo finished out of the money in 2002.
"We have three possibles at this stage and the fact that the winner is guaranteed a spot in the Kentucky Derby is a major bonus," O'Brien said yesterday.
Raven's Pass secured a memorable Breeders' Cup triumph for John Gosden last season, and that trainer could also have runners in March for a race where balloting could eventually have to take place.
