Irish alternative for Cardinal
Murphy’s Cardinal could make a second trip to Ireland this season as Noel Chance considers Leopardstown’s Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup on February 6 as another option for his promising chaser.
The trainer had also been thinking about the Pillar Property Chase at Cheltenham the weekend before as the next run for the nine-year-old.
Murphy’s Cardinal travelled across to Down Royal for his first start of the season when he impressively took a Grade Three event, and has raced only once since, when a close fourth to Colonel Frank at Sandown in December.
“I’ve been pleased with him since Sandown and he’s in grand condition,” Chance told the Racing Post.
“He travels well, and the Hennessy gives us another option to the Pillar Chase. I’ll monitor what’s likely to run at Leopardstown, where there’s some serious prize-money on offer for the placed horses – and who knows, he might win.
“While we’ll no doubt have to take on Beef Or Salmon, they’ll be no Kicking King or Best Mate and there must be a chance the race will cut up. However, if it begins to look otherwise, we’ll take our chance at Cheltenham.”
