Windsor next for Tikram
Gary Moore has reported Tikram to be “fresh and well” after his performance in yesterday’s Paddy Power Gold Cup, and the Brighton handler is considering running his stable star at Windsor next weekend.
The winner of this year’s Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup at the Cheltenham Festival was not as fluent at the obstacles when returning to Prestbury Park yesterday, making shocking blunders at fences 10 and 11, which ended his chances in the race.
The seven-year-old was ridden sensibly by his new pilot Leighton Aspell once he had lost touch due to the mistakes, and he finished seventh behind the winner Celestial Gold.
“He seemed fine. He was pretty fresh and well when he came home last night,” said Moore.
“He made two horrendous mistakes, and you can’t do that there. He must have just lost concentration, but we are happy with him.”
Moore had been considering the Windsor Castle Gold Cup next Saturday as a target for Tikram for a while and, all being well, the gelding will head for the intermediate chase at the Thameside venue.
“Because he hasn’t had a hard race, there is every chance he will run again next Saturday, as there is a good race for him at Windsor.
“It was always the plan to go for it, and it was really because the race at Cheltenham was so valuable that we went there. Otherwise, he would have started off at Windsor. He will definitely be entered. We will just see how he is in the week.”
