Behrajan's Cheltenham options kept open

13 April 2012

Leading Royal & SunAlliance hopeful Behrajan could switch targets at next month's Cheltenham Festival as a result of his surprise defeat at Newbury two days ago.

The six-year-old gelding, who remains clear fourth favourite for the 3m 1f "novices' Gold Cup" on 14 March, could instead be switched to the shorter Cathcart Challenge Cup or tackle more seasoned chasers in the William Hill National Hunt Handicap Chase.

His Ludlow trainer Henry Daly admitted to being "baffled" by Behrajan's two-length defeat by Frantic Tan.

Daly suggested three miles in such testing ground may reveal flaws in his charge's stamina. But he also pointed out that the race was held over the same course and distance as the Aon Chase - in which novice Shotgun Willy scalped Gold Cup favourite, First Gold - and completed in a time more than six seconds faster.

"I really don't know what to make of Behrajan's race," said Daly. "But I think back to his Haydock hurdles run over 2m7f in heavy ground last year when he looked like winning easily, but had to be really ridden out to hold Merry Masquerade. I know he was third in the Stayers' Hurdle at Cheltenham, but that was on fast ground.

"So perhaps the 2m 5f Cathcart trip would suit him better, but first I'll wait to see what the handicapper would put him on in the William Hill Handicap. I think he'll still run at the Festival, but the question is which race."

handicapper, Phil Smith, is at odds with Daly. Behrajan's performance struck him as that of a Grand National horse. "His size and the way he races - he doesn't do anything quickly - makes him a National type for me. Frantic Tan seemed to have the better turn of foot. But far be it for me to argue with Henry Daly," he said.

Shotgun Willy's shock win may have propelled him to Royal & SunAlliance Chase ante-post favouritism, but he will still lag behind likely rival Bacchanal - who beat him at Kempton in December - when revised UK novice-chase ratings are published tomorrow. Arkle hope, Best Mate, is rated 1lb superior to Bacchanal on 160.

Smith believes First Gold ran "over a stone below" his best form in defeat. He shares a hunch with trainer Paul Nicholls - who houses both Shotgun Willy and 1999 Gold Cup hero, See More Business, in his Ditcheat yard - that the French horse may not stay the 3m 2f 110yds Festival trip.

"On that heavy ground at Newbury, he appeared to get outstayed by Shotgun Willy," said Smith.

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