Irish set to feel the Force

Chaser to test Gold Cup credentials at Leopardstown

Last updated: 12th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Charlie Mann is targeting next month's Irish Hennessy Gold Cup with Air Force One in what could be a warm-up for the totesport.com Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The eight-year-old ran disappointingly in the King George VI Chase last time out but was subsequently found to have injured himself early in the race before being eventually pulled up.

However, Mann believes his charge will have recovered in time to test his Gold Cup credentials at Leopardstown on February 8.

"He tore ligaments in his back at the second fence, after which he was never travelling. When we took the saddle off he had a large haematoma that took a week to clear up.

"It has taken a while to get him right and he's only just going back into light work, but Leopardstown gives us plenty of time. I'm sure the course will suit him better than Kempton.

"He ran a cracker in the Hennessy at Newbury which is also a flat, left-handed galloping course."

Air Force One had earlier gone close to landing the Hennessy Gold Cup in November, going down to Madison Du Berlais in a driving finish.

"Now we have a new year ahead of us and I hope he'll show his best form in the Gold Cup."