Tritonic goes up in trip for the Relkeel on Sunday
December 30
Being a loyal Scot, Alan obviously has a soft spot for the New Year, but this year he hopes to carry over Hogmanay celebrations into Sunday, when we have a quartet heading to Cheltenham.
Success for any of them would make it a flying start to 2023, and, while Tritonic is one of the longer priced runners for the Relkeel Hurdle, Alan hopes that, despite reverting to Grade 2 company from handicaps, a combination of going up in trip and encountering better ground will bring him into the mix.
Alan said:”Plan A had been to try and repeat last year’s win in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot, but when that meeting was abandoned we decided to come here rather than have another crack at the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
“It will be Tritonic’s first attempt at two and a half miles, but the way he stays on the Flat suggests he could well have the necessary stamina, and he might even improve for stepping up in trip.”
Deyrann de Carjac, denied his chance in the December Gold Cup here in November when the meeting was abandoned, will be suited by the drier ground in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase.
Alan added:”Deyrann de Carjac has been in super form at home, so we were pleased that he crept in at the bottom of the weights. He was staying on well to finish fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup over the course in November when he was 4lb out of the handicap, and he deserves to win a decent race.
“I am also hoping for a big run from Dancing In Brazil in the Listed junior bumper, which has been his target for some time. I’ve always liked him, and he put up a lovely performance to win on his debut at Huntingdon in November.
“It was difficult to know how strong that race was as they were all newcomers, but I could not have been happier with the way in which he did it.
“I even contemplated running him on the Flat last summer but eventually decided to give him a break and wait for the bumpers. He is going up in class but deserves to take his chance.”
Other runner at Cheltenham is Future Investment in the maiden hurdle. Alan said:”He ran his best race over hurdles when runner-up to a previous winner at Chepstow last time, so warrants his place in the field.”
