I was absolutely delighted with Present View yesterday as he ran a blinder to be 3rd in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. He was only beaten 2 lengths in a pulsating finish to such a fabulous race, run on ground that was far softer than ideal for our star. His natural exuberance and flair meant he travelled well towards the front end of the field as he jumped from fence to fence. However, his flamboyance was slightly dulled on the tiring ground but as he pinged the 2nd last in front I began to believe that it just could happen…..however, he got in a bit tight to the last and lost a bit of momentum but he fought bravely to the line to be a fine 3rd. What a thrill!
It was a huge team effort to get Present View to the race after that cut he picked up in his prep run, and I have to take my hat off to our head girl, Kate Robinson, who was instruemental in nursing him back to peak health. I’m pleased to report that he’s come out of the race in good order bar a few little cuts and scrapes, and he’s bucking in his box this morning. I feel so privileged to have such a fine horse in our yard, and I’m sure there is a big handicap in him on some better ground. That handicap could well be the Topham chase over the National fences! We’ll let the dust settle before we make any definite plans, but we must remember that he is still a novice over hurdles and we might exploit that route with him whilst plotting our way through the spring.