Neil Mulholland hopeful of Midnight Chase’s success in Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase at Cheltenham
Neil Mulholland’s 10-year-old, Midnight Chase, is out to win Cheltenham’s Majordomo Hospitality Handicap Chase for the second time in his career, this Friday. The veteran horse is 5lb higher than when he won this Grade 3 meeting a couple of years ago, but
the trainer is nevertheless hopeful for a positive outcome.
"The two horses who finished in front of him in the Charlie Hall have both won since, he is fit and well and we know he likes the track,” Neil Mulholland said ahead of the big meeting, which has attracted nine entries over a distance of three miles, one
furlong and 110 yards.
"The Charlie Hall wasn't his Gold Cup and you would expect 90 per cent of ten-year-olds to come on for their first run of the season. I would prefer to see no more rain but if the ground stays unchanged I'll be delighted as his best run came in the Argento
Chase on good to soft," he added.
Midnight Chase’s Cheltenham stats are quite impressive. Barring the fifth and seventh in the previous two Gold Cups, his Cheltenham figures read 2-3-1-1-1-1-1. With such an excellent track record under his belt, the veteran horse is all set to make a huge
impact. Owned by Lady Clarke, the bay gelding is facing no easy task though.
Bradley was extremely close on his previous start here, when missing the victory only by a neck’s distance in the Grade 3, Henrietta Knight Handicap Chase. Appreciating his last run, the bookies have given him the highest odds of 3 to 1.
The 8-year-old is also a course specialist, and deserves respect on his notable handicap win at this track. Despite a 5lb rise, the Fergal O'Brien-trained looks very interesting. Cheltenham’s soft surface is unlikely to make his life any problematic.
Quartz De Thaix, who is enjoying the best form of his career, also has a big role to play. The 8-year-old has reached here after tasting a couple of comprehensive wins. Becauseicouldntsee apparently seems another principal player, although the 9-year-old
is coming off a couple of unlucky defeats. With several big names up against each other, an exciting battle is on the cards.
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