Ground concerns raised for Madara in Paddy Power Gold Cup
Festival winner might not take his chance if conditions not considered suitable.
Brian Drew feels it is unlikely he will keep hold of the Paddy Power Gold Cup trophy after revealing his Cheltenham-loving Madara is a doubtful participant in this Saturday’s feature.
The leading owner linked up with Dan Skelton to take home the spoils with Panic Attack 12 months ago and was looking to repeat the dose with Madara, who has some fine form figures at Prestbury Park and won the Sun Racing Festival Plate at the track’s showpiece meeting back in March.
However, connections are wary of conditions in Gloucestershire and with alternative options on the horizon, will take a temperature from participants on Friday which could lead to the 13-2 chance with the race sponsors being declared a non runner.
Drew said: “We’ve declared Madara, but I’m not sure if he will run. We’ll see how it rides on Friday and have a look at it, but I’m doubtful – he might not even line up.
“I’d really like to run and I gave the trophy back last week and would love to retain it. I think he has a great chance, but having come back from a leg injury last season, I won’t be taking any risks with him and if there’s any doubts I won’t run.
“I will be quite disappointed if Cheltenham can’t get totally safe ground ready for the November meeting and it’s going to count a few horses out and dilute the offering over the weekend.”
If Madara does bypass the £160,000 contest he could make an immediate move into graded company, with Ascot’s Ladbrokes 1965 Chase the following weekend one of a number of possibilities for the seven-year-old.
Drew added: “There’s a few options, there’s the 1965 at Ascot on November 21, the Peterborough Chase (December 6) and I’d quite like to come back to Cheltenham in December for the December Gold Cup if we can, as he loves it there and I still think there’s some room in his mark off 152.
“We think he is a graded horse which is why the 1965 Chase and the likes are options.”