Henry de Bromhead favouring new Dublin festival for his stable stars
Last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Special Tiara will miss the Clarence House Chase at Ascot in favour of running at the brand new Dublin Racing Festival.
HENRY DE BROMHEAD is targeting several of his stable stars, including last season's Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Special Tiara, at the inaugural Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in February.
The classy two-mile chaser made a respectable reappearance when finishing third at Cheltenham in November but failed to complete for only the second time in his career in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton earlier this week.
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Although De Bromhead had the option of another trip to Britain for the Clarence House Chase at Ascot on January 20, he has decided to stay closer to home in a bid to return to winning ways with his soon-to-be eleven-year-old.
The newly-formed two-mile-one furlong Grade Two Coral Dublin Chase at Leopardstown on February 3 is the intended target.
De Bromhead told Press Association Sport: "I definitely won't be doing that and coming for Clarence House. There is a possibility I might run him Dublin Chase at Leopardstown in February.
"Hopefully he will go to the Queen Mother as he still seems as good as ever."
De Bromhead is optimistic dual Grade One winner Petit Mouchoir will be back for the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown.
The six-year-old grey has not been sighted since he sustained a joint injury shortly after making a flamboyant winning debut over fences at Punchestown in October.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding won both the Ryanair Hurdle and Irish Champion Hurdle last season, before finishing third in the Champion Hurdle on his final start of the campaign.
De Bromhead said: "Petit Mouchoir is good and he is hacking away at the moment.
2.10 Haydock - Emperor's Choice: 'He gets his conditions today and he has slipped in the weights'
2.25 Newbury - Daklondike: 'An improving young stayer with a liking for testing ground'
2.45 Haydock - Federici: 'Ran a cracker when fourth behind Blaklion in the Becher Chase'
3.00 Newbury - Poetic Rhythm: 'He seems a much better horse this season and is still a novice'
3.35 Newbury - Rocklander: 'I reckon he’s well enough weighted to see off these rivals'
3.15 Taunton - If You Say Run: 'Some decent form in the book and she looks well up to this level'
The eight-year-old ran a fine race on Thursday when fifth to Road To Respect in the Leopardstown Christmas Chase on what was his first outing since finishing fourth in the same race to Outlander 12 months ago.
De Bromhead said: "He ran well. For his first run back of the year, I thought it was a nice run.
"He seems good and I'm happy with him. Hopefully we'll see him back here for the new festival (Irish Gold Cup)."