Racing News: When he takes the starting line at Gary Moore’s nearby track Lingfield on Tuesday, the multifaceted Goshen will have another opportunity to face the bigger challenges.
The seven-year-old made his eagerly anticipated chasing debut at Ascot on his seasonal debut, having already established himself on the Flat and over hurdles. However, he laboured on the ground wasn’t ideal and finished third, well beaten.
Since then, in his two most recent starts, he has excelled over hurdles, first winning the Ascot Hurdle and then coming in a valiant second on his maiden attempt at three miles in the rescheduled Long Walk Hurdle on Boxing Day.
However, due to a weather-related cancellation of an engagement during the Winter Million weekend at Lingfield, Moore is now looking for acceptable alternatives before the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton on February 18.
In the At The Races App Market Movers Beginners’ Chase, which only has a maximum field of three horses, Goshen gets another chance to chase.
It will be a little entertaining, said Moore. “We reasoned that because it’s close by and such a fantastic track for beginners, why not? He can compete in his next hurdles race at Wincanton; otherwise, it will be the stayers’ route and he won’t be able to win a stayers’ hurdle.”
Moore is hopeful that the race will provide a clear indication of whether the seven-time hurdles champion has a future over fences because Goshen is rated 18lb higher than both Christopher Wood and Quel Destin, who stand in opposition.
“We really shouldn’t be trying to win a novice chase this year,” he said. But it will indicate whether he is competent enough to cross the border again the following year.
“He badly needed some rain because the ground wasn’t soft enough for him. However, he won’t jump about anywhere if he can’t jump around there (Lingfield).
“He doesn’t enjoy travelling this way, but because there are only three runners, he must take a chance. Just to help him stay a little bit more focused, the cheekpieces are on.
“If it were the other way around, he would take a lot of battering,” he said. However, the fact that he is left-handed and that the ground is decent too soft may not be to his advantage.
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