January 9th 1999

Teeton Mill favourite for Cheltenham Gold Cup

At Kempton on St Stephen's Day in the King George VI Chase Teeton Mill, an improving nine year old grey exploded onto the Gold Cup market.

In the process he proved that his Newbury win in the Hennessy to be much more than a flash run He is by the Busting Sire Neltino which is a half brother to Further Flight.

At all stages throughout the race he travelled well, and jumped superbly to win as he liked from the enigmatic Escartefigue and Imperial Call back in a remote third position.

Neltino (which is now retired from stud duties) has produced good winners in the past such as Elfast, and Mandy's Martino, but his present representative an ex Point-to-Pointer and hunter chaser out of the Celtic Cone mare Celtic Well now takes central stage for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

In the King George he had been asked to improve on his breathtaking Newbury run and this he did in no uncertain manner. If you are looking for an improving sort to back in the Gold cup this may be the one.

Teeton Mill has an armoury that contains the most important elements in steeplechasing, he is the right age (a nine year old) he is a superb jumper, he goes in any ground, he stays a trip and is improving rapidly (he has now a rating of 171 which means he has gone up 36 lbs in less than two months).

The Ericsson Chase at Leopardstown on Monday was expected to shed some more light on the Gold Cup with entries such as the antepost favourite Florida Pearl, the top rated steeplechaser in the UK, Sunny Bay, and twice third in successive runnings of the Gold Cup, Dorans Pride.

In an eventful race it was left to Doran's Pride to come home alone, the favourite having fallen when getting into contention half mile from home and the English Challenger running stones below his best form.

As a result Florida Pearl has now eased to 5/1 and Teeton Mill has hardened to become the outright favourite for the Cheltenham contest in March.

In the Denny's Novice Chase the Accordion horse His Song redeemed himself in no uncertain manner. Having succumbed to the moderate UK runner Guttridge at Punchestown, he was subsequently found to have been suffering from a lung infection.

Many of the runners had met in the Denny's Novice Chase over 21/1 miles at Fairyhouse, which was won by Promalee. Of these runners Feathered Leader was quietly expected to reverse form with his Fairyhouse conquers, and Lanturn's Micko's Dream and Native Estates were also well supported in the market.

Under a polished ride from Shay Barry Mouse Morris's horse took up the running before two fences out, and in a few strides had a star studded field scurrying for place money behind him.

This Pat Joyce bred winner out of Pampered Finch will return to Leopardstown to contest the Arkle and then return to Cheltenham for the English equivalent and it will be a fair animal who lowers his colours in either race.

In the three year Old Denny's Hurdle Michael O'Briens Knife Edge, bought out of Michael Stoutes Stables would have won easier had he been luckier in running. He was squeezed up turning in and had to be produced late on the outside to overhaul Golden Rule.

At the end he won easier than the official distance of 1/21 and having been well supported in the market this Son of Kris is now aimed at the Triumph Hurdle.

In the Paddy Power sponsored Handicap chase, the £66,000 first prize went to the Paul Nicholls trained Calling Wild. This eight year old son of Callernish out of the Pollerton mare Chestnut Vale was bred by P Budds and is owned by John Keighley who lost a decent horse when his runner Rushing Wild was fatally injured in last years Irish Jameson Grand National.