The contenders: Monmiral and Il Ridoto
Trainer Paul Nicholls believes that Sir Alex Ferguson's involvement could bring luck to one of his two runners in the upcoming December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Nicholls will be saddling Monmiral and Il Ridoto in the big race, and he shares his thoughts on their chances.
Il Ridoto: Consistent but facing a tougher task
One of Nicholls' contenders, Il Ridoto, is currently priced at 13-2. The horse, ridden by Bryony Frost, has been a regular in valuable big handicaps at Cheltenham and secured a win in the Premier Handicap on Trials day in January. However, Nicholls acknowledges that running off a 5lbs higher mark makes the task a bit harder for Il Ridoto. Although the horse finished third in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month, he will need to improve to secure a victory in the December Gold Cup.
Monmiral: A class horse with potential
Sir Alex Ferguson's horse, Monmiral, is another contender in the December Gold Cup. The Grade 1 winner over hurdles and strong performer in fences has shown promising form this season. After a wind operation in the summer to address breathing issues, Monmiral has impressed in recent workouts. Nicholls believes that the horse's class and attractive mark of 145 make him a strong contender. Jockey Harry Cobden, who rode Monmiral in a piece of work, is keen to ride him in the race.
Sir Alex Ferguson's recent success
Sir Alex Ferguson has been in brilliant form as an owner, with recent victories including the £500,000 Bahrain International Trophy. The legendary former Manchester United manager also has another horse, Protektorat, competing in the Favourite From SE Now Daily Handicap Chase. Protektorat has seen a significant shift in odds, backed from 11-1 into 11-2.
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