Luke Morris: “I hope the handicapper hasn’t got to her yet and that she can win again”
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AW Champion Jockey Luke Morris previews his Saturday rides and tells us his fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup…
Much like everyone else, all the jockeys in the weighing room are really looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival next week.
We’ll have Cheltenham on at the races and a lot of the lads will try take a day off during the week to go along. I’ve been a couple of times and it’s a really good day out, but I’ve been too busy to go back since. Maybe the next time I’ll go it’ll be for the Champion Bumper as if I had a reasonable ride I’d love to have a go in the race.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is obviously the highlight and I think Native River would be the one for me. He looks a proper chaser and is an improving horse. Although he’s had a hard year I think he’s still on the up and I hope he can step forward again in the Gold Cup.Outside him, it’ll be exciting to see what Douvan and Altior can do. They are the two star names and I’m sure both will produce something special.
He’s down to a competitive mark and this is a competitive race. He needs to put his best foot forward but he’s more than capable of being in the shake up as he handles Wolverhampton so well. There are lots of horses in there that are solid off their marks and in good form, as opposed to there being something that is very well in.
She’s improved with each start this winter. She needs to step up again to win this race but I’m hopeful that the handicapper hasn’t got to her yet and that she can win again.
I’m not riding in this race and it looks a very trappy contest. The one I like Yuften. He won a very competitive handicap last time and, while you have to take his fitness on trust, I thought he was able to step up to pattern company this year.
I’ve never ridden this filly but by all accounts goes well at home. Hopefully she can run a nice race and I’m sure she’ll improve for the outing. I think she’ll be one to follow for the season.
She hasn’t run for over a year. I worked her the other day and she’s going to improve for a run and possibly a bit further too. She’s best watched on this occasion.
He’s dropped to a good mark. He didn’t get the rub of the green last time as he was squeezed out of it at the start and then ran on well. He’ll be a reasonable price and I think he’ll run better than that. He won’t be too far away.
He’s down to a 0-55 for the first time and if he put his best foot forward he’s more than capable of winning. He shows much more at home and it’s just a case of whether he feels like doing it or not. Simple as that.
Cheers,
Luke
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