One of the underdog stories of the Cheltenham Festival is to be continued in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle rather than the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
I’ll Sort That is an unbeaten novice hurdler trained by Declan Queally. His handler also rides him as an amateur in his races.
They have combined for substantial success so far over timber. The six-year-old has won all four of his hurdling starts, landing the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle last time out.
Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott trained half of the ten-strong field that day. However, it was the smaller yard that was successful, with the Mullins-trained Sortudo back in second. Now, hopes are high that he can maintain his winning run at the Cheltenham Festival.
Wednesday Turners run preferred to Friday’s Albert Bartlett
I’ll Sort That is trading at a shorter price ante-post for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. That contest takes place over 3m on Gold Cup day.
However, Queally is leaning towards the shorter contest over a distance his charge is familiar with.
“We’re probably leaning towards the Turners,” Queally said to the Racing Post. “He showed plenty of speed around Listowel on good ground over two miles and he’s not slow. His mother won nine races over six furlongs to a mile and he has a good cruising speed.
“We’ll just have to see how the races shape up. You don’t know what’s going to happen and things change a lot with horses so we’ll try to get there in one piece and weigh up each race closer to the time.”
Getting there in one piece is not always a formality. However, Queally reported that all systems are currently go for Cheltenham.
“We’re happy with I’ll Sort That and he’s in good order. He’s had a nice break after Naas just to recharge the batteries and has been back in work the last couple of weeks. Everything has run smoothly.”
A smaller yard claiming one of the Grade 1 novice events at Cheltenham would be a fairytale in itself. Doing so as an amateur rider too would be an even greater accomplishment.
Queally has resisted any temptation to contact any professionals for the mount too.
“I’ll ride him at Cheltenham. I’ve been a bit limited with how much I wanted to ride this season as you can have only 21 rides against pros…It’s probably a disadvantage that I can’t race-ride to keep my fitness up.”
Despite the lack of race riding rotations, Queally is hopeful he can prepare effectively for the big day.
“It would worry me a little bit that I’m not riding enough, but I’m on the simulator every evening! I just have to keep the boot to the floor with that, the cycling and the running.”