‘I’m optimistic he’s going to run a very big race’ – Coach’s expectations of seventh runner Cheltenham

Midnight Shadow won the Paddy Power Gold Cup here at Cheltenham last month and coach Sue Smith is confident the steady star can hit a big handicap double. The Connectors were pleased with the way their horses came out of the race. He was given the nod to win the Racing Post Gold Cup at Prestbury Park this Saturday.

This horse has great form all around. He has won Relkeel Hurdle and Dippers’ Novice Chase here in the past, and finished second in last year’s extension of this race. Smith mentioned that they could even target King George on Gift Day. That shows how appreciated he is on the pitch.

Sue Smith quote

“He seems to be in very good form and we are very pleased with him,” she said on Monday’s 10-1 shoot with Paddy Power and Betfair.

“Mr. and Mrs. Clarke very much want to get back into this race and we will have to see how he gets out of this race if there is any thought of King George.

“He took the Paddy Power very well, although we wanted Dashel Drasher to stay in the weight class to help us out a bit, even though our friend is a strong horse.

“He loved it at Cheltenham and you have to say it was the best game of his career at Paddy Power. He did it in great style, just one pat on landing, which kept him steady, but he picked up and ran well.

“He put on 7lb for that and you always want less, but it could have been worse.”

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