Hopes high for Zaiyad
Herve Barjot, racing manager to Irish owner Sean Mulryan, believes Zaiyad holds a live chance of notching up a first victory at the Cheltenham Festival for the property tycoon.
Mulryan has a string of horses in training with Arnaud Chaille-Chaille in south-west France as well as established chaser Forget The Past with Michael O’Brien in his native Ireland, but out of a possible five runners, it is Zaiyad who gets Barjot’s blood pumping.
The five-year-old is a possible for both the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as well as the Royal and SunAlliance Hurdle, but at this stage he looks set to appear in the latter.
“The ground is not really a problem for Zaiyad, he has run well on both heavy and good ground, but like all Sadler’s Wells horses he probably prefers a little bit of cut,” Barjot told At The Races.
“The horse is in very good form, but unfortunately he couldn’t race earlier in the year at Cheltenham as the meeting was cancelled.
“That would have given us a very good idea of where we stood, but the horse is in very good condition and we are really looking forward to his race.
“We will look at the complexion of both novice races, but at this stage the Royal & SunAlliance is the preferred option.”
Barjot also had news of the chances of Mulryan’s other Festival runners, including Gold Cup hope Forget The Past.
“Forget The Past won very well last time and he showed improved form from his run before that and we are really excited about running him in the Gold Cup,” he said.
“He has to improve a bit with Beef Or Salmon, but that one seems to be a different horse at Cheltenham.
“Michael O’Brien’s horses were not in good form earlier in the season, but they are coming back now and we think he will run well.
“Mid Dancer is a horse we really like and has done nothing wrong in France. The Arkle is the plan and obviously it will be tough, but he is a big price at the moment. I think the rain that his forecast will help his chance.
“Ambobo is on target for the World Hurdle and also likes soft ground but if the ground was to be quick that would be a problem for him.
“The horse is coming back to himself and we are sure he is back to at least the form he showed last year.
“Oh Calin will run in the Triumph Hurdle and was second to the very good Tidal Fury earlier in the season. He likes the good ground and has been trained for the race and has been chasing on his last three starts so he jumps very well. We like him a lot but we are not sure if he is up to this class.
“We are very lucky to have all these good horses and all we are hoping for now is that they all run well next week.”
