JP McManus’ Racing Manager Frank Berry Admits Tough Decision in Virgin Bet December Gold Cup

In a surprising turn of events, Mark Walsh faced a perplexing choice between top-weight Fakir d’Oudairies and So Scottish in the highly anticipated Virgin Bet December Gold Cup. Owned, trained, and ridden by an Irishman, the ironically named So Scottish is only six years old and has followed a rather unorthodox campaign strategy masterminded by his trainer Emmet Mullins.

Last season, So Scottish achieved success with victories in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan, a novice chase at Tipperary, and a three-runner event at Carlisle. However, he fell short to Boothill in a £100,000 race at Ascot. Meanwhile, the winner’s rating soared by 18lb since then, while So Scottish struggled with unplaced finishes at Cheltenham and Aintree before making a quiet comeback at Gowran.

The decision posed quite the dilemma for Mark Walsh as Fakir d’Oudairies had been instrumental in securing Grade One wins for him under Joseph O’Brien’s guidance. With triumphs achieved at Ascot,Aintree,and Fairyhouse,Fakir d’Oudairies certainly made his mark on the racing scene.

A Perplexing Choice:

Racing manager Frank Berry revealed that it was indeed difficult for Mark to make this tough call:

“It was undoubtedly challenging for Mark as he has experienced many exhilarating moments with Fakir. The horse is in outstanding form, and Joseph has expressed his satisfaction. However, Mark ultimately decided to side with Emmet’s charge.”

Top-weight selections always present a conundrum when there is a younger contender with a lighter burden. While Fakir d’Oudairies has been an exceptional partner for Mark, the allure of So Scottish proved too strong.

Berry acknowledged that it would be unwise to dismiss the top-weight entirely, given his performance in previous races:

“We cannot underestimate Fakir’s potential; he recently competed in a Grade One event and will now face off against handicapped opponents. Joseph is confident about his prospects as well, so we approach this challenge with optimism.”

So Scottish: A Horse Shrouded in Mystery

The decision to back So Scottish also leaves racing enthusiasts curious about what he may achieve on race day:

“This Saturday will shed more light on our understanding of So Scottish’s capabilities. We hope for an impressive performance from him as he navigates the course confidently. His previous contest against Boothill looks increasingly compelling now.”

A Competitive Field

Ollie Murphy’s Thunder Rock emerged as the early favorite throughout the week leading up to the Virgin Bet December Gold Cup. Murphy believes Thunder Rock has had impeccable preparation:

“Thunder Rock ticks many crucial boxes essential for success in such high-stake handicap races,” said Wilmcote handler Ollie Murphy.

“He enters this race as a handicap novice but remains in excellent condition both physically and mentally after showcasing remarkable talent during Thursday morning’s schooling session,” added Murphy. “In hindsight, considering how well Carlisle run turned out, one might question whether the handicapper will allow Thunder Rock to take part at a rating of 146.”

Murphy further expressed enthusiasm for Thunder Rock’s chances, highlighting the horse’s affinity for staying tracks:

“Given his impressive performance in last year’s Dipper and his strong stamina, I believe this outer track will undoubtedly suit him. He has demonstrated resilience and staying power before, so we anticipate an exciting run.”

The Paul Nicholls Factor

Paul Nicholls brings two contenders to the Virgin Bet December Gold Cup – Il Ridoto and Monmiral. Jockey Harry Cobden opted to partner with Monmiral after a promising trial run alongside the horse:

“Monmiral boasts an illustrious record as a Grade One winner over hurdles. Despite facing challenges in previous winter seasons, we decided on a wind operation during summer to address breathing issues,” explained Nicholls.

“His recent training sessions have been exceptional,and he displayed great potential during our most recent away day exercise.”

As for Il Ridoto,

“Il Ridoto consistently delivers remarkable performances but faces more significant obstacles this time around with a mark that is five pounds higher. “He presented us with another solid race when finishing third behind Stage Star in last month’s Paddy Power Gold Cup. With some improvement from his first seasonal outing and plenty of determination, we expect him to put up quite a fight!”