Pandorama, Ireland’s main hope for success in the Totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 18, is in danger of missing the showcase race after bruising a hock and being found to be lame, writes Elliot Slater.
With the best part of two months to go until the big race itself it might seem at first glance to be something of an over-reaction to suggest that the eight-year-old won’t be fit again in time to take on Imperial Commander, Denman, Kauto Star and Long Run, but his lameness means he will definitely miss his intended prep race in the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown on February 6, and as a consequence getting him 100% fit and ready to run for his life is now no foregone conclusion.
Last week ago it transpires that trainer Noel Meade found the horse to be lame on morning inspection, the gelding apparently having bruised a hock whilst in his box during the night. He did seem to be over the lameness a day or two later, but it has now returned. Now needing more rest to give the bruising chance to right itself, Meade is hoping that he will lose no more than a week’s training with the horse who defied his critics with a fine win in the Grade 1 Lexus Chase at Leopardstown at the end of December after running a shocker in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury in November, where he was pulled up when tailed-off at half-way.
News of the setback has prompted bookmakers to push Pandorama’s odds for the Gold Cup out to as big as 20/1 with racing tips for today(from 12’s), so should he miss the big race it would mean that currently the shortest priced Irish representative could be Sizing Europe at 33/1!
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