Llewellyn - frustrated once again by Redemption.
STILL WAITING FOR REDEMPTION
By Carl Llewellyn
The Vodafone Gold Cup at Newbury was the weekend's feature race and we saw a really good finish as Cornish Sett and Horus dead-heated. It was a decent performance from both horses as they came away from the rest of the field. It looked like there would be plenty involved in the finish at the fourth last but they have both drawn away and put some space between themselves and the placed horses. I am sure that both of them had a hard race and the important factor is that it was fast ground. With all the rain around at the moment I would perhaps be worried about them reproducing that form again so soon on softer ground if they went to Cheltenham. Both days of the meeting at Newbury survived with the use of the frost covers and although it was quick ground there was no frost at all. They were obviously a big success and I am sure they should be used more in the future. I rode Redemption in the Vodafone Gold Cup and and he was going very nicely and had jumped well for him until unseating me at the third last. I thought he had a real good chance at the time and unfortunatly we parted company once more so we are yet to see if he can win a big race. I am not sure how he is but there was talk at the time of him going to Cheltenham as he is in a couple of races over hurdles and fences. There is also a race for him at Aintree so I am sure he will be kept busy if he is okay. As a jockey, I would prefer him to go for World Hurdle but he would have a better chance of winning one of the handicap chases. The World Hurdle is perhaps not the best of races but it would still take a lot of winning. Desert Quest highlighted his claims for the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle. He saves a little bit for himself but is a really good traveller in his races and came away well up the run-in to win well at Newbury. He is open to more improvement and the way the County will be run should suit his style of racing as he can come from off a strong pace. It is a fast-and-furious race so it is a good event to employ those sort of tactics. Wichita Lineman won the bumper and could head to Cheltenham but it was a little worrying how the field all finished in a bunch. There was not much between first and last - which suggests the form was not that good - so he may have to improve if he is to figure in the Champion Bumper.
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