Gift fine after Haydock tumble
Iris’s Gift is reported to be in “great form” despite falling in a schooling session after racing at Haydock yesterday.
The Robert Lester-owned grey galloped with another Jonjo O’Neill horse, Keen Leader, in a bid to get some valuable practice over the big fences before a possible tilt at the Peter Marsh Chase back at the Merseyside track on January 21.
All went well until the ninth fence when Iris’s Gift appeared to jump the obstacle well enough but knuckled over on landing. He was soon caught and appeared none the worse for the spill.
“He’s grand, there’s nothing wrong at all,” said Lester.
“He just lost his footing. They weren’t going that fast and it was getting dark. He’ll be better when they jump at a racing pace.
“Fingers crossed he’ll go for the Peter Marsh. He might have to carry top weight but that will be on merit. He’s strengthened up and he looks the part now. He’s in great form.”
Iris’s Gift is as low as 16-1 with Coral for the totesport Gold Cup. He won his first three novice chases this autumn but was beaten by subsequent Feltham Chase victor Darkness on his latest start at Newbury in November.
