ROAD To Riches is the star of the show at Noel Meade’s Tu Va Stables and the son of Gamut has to a large extent, been the forgotten horse for this year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He will return to action at Leopardstown next month for the Irish Gold Cup and then hopefully back to Cheltenham, where he ran a fine race to finish third in last season’s Gold Cup.
It remains to be seen what horse Bryan Cooper will ride at Cheltenham - they all have to get there - but granted reasonable luck in running, Road To Riches would have to go to Cheltenham with solid each-way prospects in what looks a very open race.
Paul Carberry has been on the sidelines for the majority of this season and his much awaited comeback won’t be anytime soon and Meade explained: “Paul is still not right and he is struggling. He is in a good bit of pain high up and we’ll just have to see how it goes. He didn’t spend a lot of time here in the yard, but he is a big loss as a jockey, but in saying that I am very happy with Sean and Ger. Sean has a great pair of hands and he has plenty of experience as well and he does ride very well.
“I have been lucky with Ger [Fox] and Johnny [Moore] and I think the pair of them will definitely make it. Johnny has just the one winner left of his 7lb claim and he is a talented rider. Ger has been very lucky for me and while Paul is a big loss, the lads have slotted in very well and they all ride well.”
Meade has over 60 horses riding out but it has been a frustrating campaign and he added: “It has been a very, very awkward season. We have never been able to get into that nice rhythm - we did for a while in November and then when we worked the horses coming into Christmas, I wasn’t altogether happy with them.”
“We scoped them and ran bloods on them and Roads was wrong. He was showing signs of an infection then we had dirty noses. It seems to have been very mild and the odd one had to get antibiotics. They seem to be on the way back and last Monday was the first day that I was really happy with them.
“You just need them in a good rhythm and I am sure the weather was a problem. It was hot one day, then cold the next. People have always said that a good blast of frost kills the bugs, but amazingly around Christmas time, we had midges in the air. The weather appears to have changed and it may be that we’ll just have to change the way we do things. The forecasters have been saying that the winters will get milder and wetter and it is hard to argue with that assessment at the minute.”
His string consists of an army young horses and he stated: “We haven’t that many older horses to run which is a bit of a shame, but we do have some lovely young horses that will start off in bumpers before the season is out.
“Amongst them are Gettysburg Address, Leopards Leap, Corkskeagh Express and The Rory Story. Of the four-year-olds that I’d look out for include Up The Town, who is a sharp type that will go for a bumper. Other four-year-olds that I like include She’s A Star, Laverteen, Lord In Red, Kagney, Runforbob and Moulin D’Vent.”
AENGUS
6yo b g (3131U-009))
Robin Des Champs - Which Thistle
Mrs Patricia Hunt
He has been very disappointing this year. He had a lot of problem with his back and he had a kissing spine operation. But it doesn’t appear to have made a huge difference to him and then when Sean rode him over fences, he said that he hadn’t the scope for that job. So I’d say we’ll go back to long distance hurdling with him. We worked him for Christmas, but he had a dirty nose so hopefully he’ll get over that.
He will want two and a half miles and he does handle soft ground, but he doesn’t need it. Paul and Patricia have been great clients of mine and they have a good few horses with me.
A GENIE IN A BOTTLE
5yo b g (13)
Beneficial - Erkindale Miss
Gigginstown House Stud
He ran a nice race at Leopardstown over two and a half miles and I’d imagine that he will go for another bumper. He is a nice horse and he will make into a lovely staying hurdler/chaser in time.
APACHE STRONGHOLD
8yo b g (14/212212F-3)
Milan - First Battle
Mrs Patricia Hunt
He had a small setback in October time. The vets seemed to think nothing of it and we thought that we might have him for Christmas but I wasn’t happy with him. We have had a second opinion and we have decided to give him a month’s rest and then we’ll see - it is possible that we won’t see him again this season. We might have him back for the very end of the season but he won’t be ready for the likes of Cheltenham.
BONNY KATE
6yo ch m (1611P-U21)
Beneficial - Peppardstown
Mrs Patricia Hunt
She has had just the two runs over fences. She jumps super and she stays great. She had a bit of a dirty nose over Christmas but in saying that, there wasn’t a whole lot to run her in. She might go to Naas at the weekend but we’ll see how she is this week. She seems to have a reasonable mark and staying is her forte. She lacks experience over fences but I have put her in the Thyestes. Long term something like the Irish National might come into the equation for her. She is a lovely, tough and genuine mare.
BLACK ACE
5yo b g (2)
Yeats - All Our Blessings
Mrs P Hunt
He was second in a point-to-point last season to A Genie In A Bottle. He has just turned five and he is a nice horse. He will start off in a bumper in the near future.
CHEROKEE BILL
5yo b g (3)
Robin Des Champs - Daizinni
Mrs Derville Meade
He is a gorgeous big horse. I ran him in Punchestown and there was no pace and he ended up having to make the running. He is over 17hh and he needs all the time that he will get, but I think he can win a bumper in the spring.
CLARA SORRENTO
5yo (gr g)
Maresca Sorrento - Call Me Clara
Gigginstown House Stud
He is a nice horse. He got a bit held up, but he isn’t too far off a run. I think he’ll win a bumper and I’d imagine that he will remain in bumpers for the remainder of this season.
CLAY ALLISON
5yo b g (0)
Primary - Cockpit Lady
Brian Mellon/Michael D. Muldoon/P. McBride
I think he wants better ground. He just doesn’t handle that real bad ground and I’d be hopeful that we’ll see an improved performance from him on nicer ground.
DE NAME ESCAPES ME
6yo ch g (7/1-311)
Vinnie Roe - Heartlight
J.P. McManus
I always liked this lad. He has been very progressive. He has had his two runs this season and he has done well. He is in at Leopardstown tomorrow but he lacks experience for a race like that. He has a nice weight so we’ll work him during the week and see what Frank and J.P. want to do. He had a dirty nose over the Christmas but he is on the way back. If all is well with him, he could run.
DISKO
5yo gr g (1-221)
Martaline - Nikos Royale
Gigginstown House Stud
The plan all along had been the Navan Hurdle and then the Grade 1 at Naas, but when we worked him for Navan, he pulled a muscle behind. It has just taken a while to get him back. The plan now is that he’ll go for a two and half mile race at Leopardstown. He’ll get an entry in the Deloitte as well and I still think he is a very good horse. The aim is that we’ll get him to Cheltenham for the two and a half mile or three mile novice. He does jump very well. He likes soft ground and it was just too quick for him when he got beat at Galway. He jumped super when he won at Naas and he does like soft ground. Ideally we’d like to get him to Leopardstown but we don’t want to run him unless we are happy with him. I’d imagine that he will have just the one run before Cheltenham. As I said, he does like soft ground, but he is a good moving horse and the ground at Cheltenham should be fine for him.
FAIR RETURN
6yo b g (1-456)
Presenting - Polivalente
J.P. McManus
He has had his two runs but I’d say he wants better ground. We will wait now until the spring before he runs again.
GRECO ROMAIN
5yo b g (2)
Martaline - De Haute Lutte
Mrs Patricia Hunt
He ran a very nice race the other day at Fairyhouse. He was no match for Gordon’s horse, but he would have learned plenty for that. Hopefully he will win a bumper in the spring.
GUNNERY SERGEANT
5yo b g (1-1F3)
Presenting - Dame Foraine
Gigginstown House Stud
He fell when he looked like he might have won that race at Gowran and then we ran him in the Royal Bond. He ran a good race that day but afterwards Michael said that we’ll keep him as a novice for next season.
The plan is that he’ll go for a winners’ bumper in the spring and then we’ll see if he’ll go any further in bumpers. The time will stand to him and the day he fell, Bryan was very sweet on him and he ran a good race in the Royal Bond. He needs to improve to get up to that (Grade 1) level, but he could yet make into a decent novice hurdler for next season.
HARVEY LOGAN
7yo b g (66/117-029)
Saffron Walden - Baie Barbara
J.P. McManus
He has been a bit disappointing really. He would have won had he jumped the last at Fairyhouse and then he ran no race after that at Navan. He had a dirty nose over Christmas so he won’t be out for a while. I’d say two and a half suits him best. He has the ability to win a good race and he seems to handle on any ground.
HECK THOMAS
8yo b g (12/52130-P650P)
Oscar - Good Heighway
J.P. McManus
He ran a poor race the last day and I don’t know why. I gave him a bit of time and he might not want it as heavy as it was the last day. He isn’t a bad horse and he’ll be out again in a few weeks’ time.
ICE COLD SOUL
6yo b g (1/115-5741)
Stowaway - Western Whisper
Gigginstown House Stud
I thought he had a reasonable mark when he won the last day at Leopardstown. Now it was only a 0-116 handicap but still he did it well. I’d like to think that he will improve. The runner-up did his bit for the form when he won last Sunday and in time, he will get further. He didn’t jump that great in a couple of maiden hurdles, but he jumped super the last day.
MONKSLAND
9yo b g (/121/320-2123)
Beneficial - Cush Jewel
Mrs Patricia Hunt
He just couldn’t handle the ground the last day at Leopardstown. It was just too deep and it was just one of those things but he has been fine since. He swims half the time and that seems to suit him. He has been a delicate horse to train, but he has been in good form since Christmas. If the ground is reasonable, he might run at Naas today.
NIGHT GENERATION
4yo ch g (51115-)
Sholokhov - Night Woman
Gigginstown House Stud
He is a huge big horse that won a couple of handicaps in England for Mark Prescott and he came to us last year from the sales. He does stay well and I can see him making into a better chaser. I’d say he’ll want better ground and anywhere from two and a half miles plus will suit him.
OFFICIEUX
5yo ch g (4318-5P5)
Discover D’Auteuil - Souri Des Champs
Mrs Patricia Hunt
He has just been very disappointing and I just don’t know why he is running so badly. We have run every test under the sun on him and I am at my wits end with him. If he can’t win some sort of a hurdle race, he will hardly win a chase. We’ll give him every chance though as he looked a nice horse when he won his maiden hurdle last season. I just can’t put my finger on what the problem is.
RATHNURE REBEL
6yo b g (1-)
Beneficial - Euro Magic
Gigginstown House Stud
He has been a bit frustrating as whenever I have got close to running him, he has developed a little setback. He is a very nice horse though that stays well and he is another that will remain in bumpers for the remainder of this season.
RED GIANT
5yo ch g (4)
Beneficial - Barrack Star
Mrs Patricia Hunt
He cracked his pelvis last year, but he is back walking again now and he is on the way back. He ran very well on his only start at Punchestown last season and he will go for a bumper in the spring.
RICH COAST
8yo b g F (5149011/5-) NH (-P0FR558)
King’s Best - Costa Rica
Philip Reynolds
He has been rested over the winter and he’ll be back for a spring campaign. I’d imagine that he will go back over fences.
ROAD TO RICHES
9yo b g (212113-31)
Gamut - Bellora
Gigginstown House Stud
It was very disappointing that we couldn’t run him in the Lexus, but basically he was showing signs of infection. He wasn’t right and that was that, but he seems to back to himself now and the plan is that he’ll go for the Irish Gold Cup. He got over it very quickly and I am very happy with him.
This year I had it my head to run him in the Lexus and then the Irish Gold Cup. I have been listening to people saying that it is too close to Cheltenham, but it is five weeks to the Gold Cup and to me that is perfect. My horse had a very hard race at Cheltenham last year and he was very tired when he got beat at Punchestown.
He had a really good break over the summer and I was delighted with him when he ran (and won) at Clonmel. He looks a stronger horse this year and he beat some nice horses at Clonmel. He was entitled to beat them, but he would have gone around again and he just looked back to himself that day. Ger [Fox] rides him out all the time now and he thinks he is a stronger horse as well. H
e came out of Clonmel in super form and I was delighted to hear Bryan saying that he is the forgotten horse in this year’s race. I think the horse that we all have to beat is Djakadam. You have to respect Gordon’s horse as well. If you go back to last year’s Gold Cup and if Coneygree wasn’t in it (and we were hard at it for a long way out trying to beat him) but if we ran the race again, I think we might have beaten Djakadam for second spot.
The race took an awful lot out of him - it was gruelling and it didn’t surprise me that Don Cossack beat him at Punchestown, as my lad was flattened after Cheltenham.
Coneygree was exceptional last year, but there might not be a horse that will go as hard as he did in this year’s race. He is nine now as well and he looks a stronger horse. He has had a very light campaign and you’d imagine that will stand to him.
RUSSIAN BILL
6yo b g (119-45242)
Kalanisi - Littleton Liberty
Joseph Kirwan
He was a bit unlucky to be beaten the last day and I said to Johnny (Moore) going out not to kick off the bend. After the race he said that maybe he should have kicked on, if he had done that and got beaten, I’d have throttled him. It looked like he would pick off the winner, but he didn’t. You’d hope that there is one of those good three miles races to be won with him. He’ll be entered for the three mile handicap at Cheltenham, but he does want soft ground.
SHOWEM SILVER
5yo b g (91U)
Winged Love - Swap Shop
Philip Reynolds
He won his bumper well and I wasn’t that keen on running him over the Christmas. I wasn’t that happy with him after the race either, so we’ll give him a chance now. You see him for a little while, but he wants soft ground and a trip. He is a nice horse though.
SNOW FALCON
6yo b g (2156-315F)
Presenting - Flocon De Neige
Mrs Patricia Hunt
His jumping has been poor enough. He made a mistake at the second last when he won at Naas. We put blinkers him at Leopardstown and he jumped brilliant down the back, but then he was unfortunate to take a heavy enough fall. He has been a bit sore since so he is on the easy list at the minute. He has a high enough rating and he wants three miles and kind of falls between two stools. If his jumping improved a bit, I still think that he can be competitive in those good staying hurdles. I had hoped to have him ready for the Galmoy at Gowran, but that will come too soon for him.
STONEFORD
5yo b g (1)
Beneficial - Hester Hall
Gigginstown House Stud
He won his bumper well and he could make into a very nice novice hurdler next season. He won’t run again this season, but he is a horse that I have always liked.
STRETCHINGTHETRUTH
5yo b g (1)
Gold Well - Maryanndoyle
Noel Meade
He has won a point-to-point and he is another horse that will start off in a bumper before the season is out. We bought him after he won his point-to-point and he jumps great. He could be a nice horse to go jumping with next season.
TAMLOUGH BOY
5yo b g (1)
Central Park - Zamyatina
J Kernohan
He is a very nice horse. He did it well when he won a bumper at Punchestown and I was going to run him at Leopardstown, but he had a dirty nose. I was debating if he’d go for a winner’s bumper, but I think he will go over hurdles now. He is a nice horse with a nice bit of boot. He jumps super, but he does need soft ground.
TEXAS JACK
10yo b g (-40254P6)
Curtain Time - Sailors Run
Robert Watson
He got infected with lymes disease, which is a disease they get from the bite of a tick. Where he got it I don’t know - it must have happened in a paddock. But his form since has just gotten worse and worse.
We sent him to Cheltenham and he pulled himself up. He ran a reasonable race the last day over hurdles. He is out in the field at the minute and we’ll give him a good break as he was in for a good while as I had trained him for the Plate, but we’ll just have to see if we can get him back.
THOMOND
8yo b g (62212S4-)
Definite Article – Hushaby
Mrs Patricia Hunt
He has had a year off and he is a very nice horse. He wants good enough ground and he stays really well. He is an Irish National type horse and he is just on the way back now. Hopefully we’ll have him back for the spring.
TULSA JACK
7yo b g (-FF12311P)
Urban Ocean - Jessica’s Pet
Grand Alliance Racing Club
He’s done well for us this season winning three handicap chases. He got away with soft ground in the Cork National but just couldn’t handle the real deep ground in the Troytown. He’s being rested and will be back for a spring campaign.
TURFMANS DAUGHTER
6yo b m (03)
Flemensfirth - Atomic Winner
J Kernohan
She was third in a maiden hurdle last year and on the basis of that, she should be up to winning a maiden hurdle. She should get a bit further and she is a nice filly. I just got as bit held up with her around Christmas time, but she is fine again now and she isn’t too far off a run. She likes soft ground.
UNE LAVANDIERE
5yo b m (59)
Laveron - Nouvelle Donne
P.M. O’Loughlin
She ran a nice race on her first start at Naas, but then she disappointed us at Fairyhouse. She is better than that and we’ll give her another go at a bumper. Her last run was just too bad to be true.
WAXIES DARGLE
7yo b g (-913P)
Sakhee - Cup Of Love
J.P. McManus
He ran a great race in the Greatwood and then he worked a million going to the Ladbroke and we really fancied him, but he never got into the race at all. We kept him out wide and that was the plan as the ground was a lot better out there. But Barry [Geraghty] eventually pulled him up - he seems fine since. He may run on Sunday and he loves soft ground. We will see how he works this week and I wouldn’t rule him out of that big handicap hurdle at Newbury. He will get an entry in the County Hurdle, but he does want soft ground. We will also enter him in the Coral Cup and Barry said the last day that we might try him over a bit further.
WES HARDIN
7yo b g (-51B2063)
Beneficial - Luas Luso
J. Hunt
He just doesn’t seem to be getting home and I had thought about running him over a bit further at Thurles. He does jump fences really well but it is getting on a bit in the season to be going chasing with him. I’d say we’ll stay over hurdles with him this season.
WOUNDED WARRIOR
7yo b g (F221313-22)
Shantou - Sparkling Sword
Gigginstown House Stud
It has been a bit frustrating with him this season. He pulled a muscle behind last year then he got a dirty nose, but he is back singing again now and he startedoff in the Kinloch Brae.
I was happy with him as I hadn’t intended running him in it. He’s come out of it in good shape. He is also in the Thyestes next week. I still think he is a very good horse and he will get entries in the English and Irish Nationals. I made a mistake by not running him in the four miler at Cheltenham last season but he still ran very well in the RSA.
He stays very well and he is in the Irish Gold Cup and the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He is only a seven-year-old and he is a huge big horse. You would have thought that he would have improved with another year under his belt. He is very laid back and I still think he’ll make a big name for himself.
FACTFILE
Trainer: Noel Meade
Address: Tu Va Stables, Castletown, Navan Co Meath
Telephone: 087 2566039/ 046 9054197
Jockeys: Sean Flanagan, Ger Fox, Jonathan Moore