Answer To Kayf going for more handicap gold

Terence O’Brien is out to once again upset the big guns with Answer To Kayf in the Goffs Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.

The veteran stayed on strongly to land the Troytown at Navan in November and will now try to add further riches in another of Ireland’s prestigious long-distance handicaps.

“He is lightly raced. The Troytown was a career-best, but you’d like to think he could have improved from that,” the Carrigtwohill, Co Cork trainer noted.

“He has gone up the handicap, but he’s been fantastic for us and anything he does would be a bonus now. If he runs his race, he will be one of the ones to beat.”

Answer To Kayf is disputing favouritism with Robert Tyner’s Better Days Ahead, who could appropriately named if remaining unbeaten this term after a pair of Fairyhouse wins prior to Christmas.

Owner JP McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “He’s been lucky for us so far and he’s probably up a bit again in grade and it’s a good race.

“Robert is really happy with him and he goes there in good form, whether he is good enough or not we wait and see.

“Stamina is his asset and he stays really well and he won’t mind the soft ground.”

Gordon Elliott runs three in a bid to win the race for the third time – Search For Glory along with Pied Piper and Shecouldbeanything.

“Search For Glory has been second in two big handicaps, the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown the last time, and he might be best suited of ours even if he has crept a little up the handicap,” Elliott said.

“In these races, I think it’s more which horse handles the conditions best on the day.”

Meanwhile, Willie Mullins saddles five in a race he has won four times in the last 10 years and 12 months ago with subsequent Grand National hero Nick Rockett.

Paul Townend has plucked for Captain Cody from the Closutton quintet, with High Class Hero, Quai De Bourbon, Shanbally Kid and Spanish Harlem the other Mullins contenders.

Betway ambassador Townend explained his decision by saying: “In such a stamina test I’ve gone for Captain Cody. He’s got two runs under his belt already this season – including a brilliant run when third in the Drinmore, over a trip way too short for him.

“His run at Leopardstown over Christmas wasn’t too bad either. This extended three miles will definitely suit him, although horses towards the top of the weights might find it tougher on this ground. It’s going to be a slog of a race. We’ve had a lot of rain, and it’s forecast to keep raining.”