a day ago
Irish trainer targeting Cheltenham to avoid Willie Mullins
Willie Mullins is set to send a number of horses to Cheltenham's opening meeting of the season as he targets more success in the Cotswolds.
The Meath trainer won the 2023 Plate Handicap Chase with Seddon, which was his first Cheltenham Festival winner. He has also tasted a number of other victories at some of the famous racecourse's other meetings.
Intense Approach won a Novices' Hurdle at the venue last October and looks set to run at the same meeting this year. McConnell also landed a £100,000 handicap chase with Moon D'orange in January of this year at Cheltenham.
And he has a team lined up for the Showcase meeting, which takes place on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25.
"I have a vague team (in mind) - obviously, Intense Approach who won last week could go there. Lieutenant Mayne might go. They have loads of options," McConnell told Irish m.
"I'm going to try and convince Tommy (McGeough, owner) to take Mrs Mc Go to Cheltenham with us in October. I think there is a three-mile race there for her.
"The Cheltenham October meeting is a beautiful meeting and it beats running into Willie (Mullins) here in Navan!"
