Show Jumping Therapy For Gold Cup Hope Chase

When Neill Mulholland's lively Cheltenham Gold Cup outsider Midnight Chase eventually retires from bidding for the top prizes in the National Hunt game, it would come as no surprise to learn that a new career as a show jumper beckons as he has shown plenty of ability in that sphere during his somewhat unorthodox preparation for steeplechasing's blue riband event on March 18, writes Elliot Slater.

A horse who likes plenty of variety in his routine at home and who loves to be doing something every day, Mulholland has turned to show jumping to keep Midnight Chase fresh, the nine-year-old having not been seen in competitive action since completing a four-timer with victory in the Listed Majodormo Hospitality Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in mid-December. Anyone looking to bet on Gold Cup 2011 should ignore his unusual preparation and concentrate on his results.

That neck win over Presenting Forever (received 17lbs) confirmed the tremendous progress made by Mulholland's Midnight Legend gelding this season, with other wins (all at Cheltenham) having coming in the Sportingbet.con Handicap Chase in October, then the Grade 3 Morson Group Handicap Chase over three and-a-half miles in December, where under regular pilot Dougie Costello he made every yard of the running and kept producing more, eventually scoring by 10-lengths from the decent Any Currency (received 14lbs).

Raised to an official mark of 163 following his latest Cheltenham success, there were few other options than to look at championship class races with opportunities in handicaps now very limited, and his love affair with the Prestbury Park track convinced owner Lady Clarke and Mulholland that their horse is worthy of taking his place in the line-up for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Along with show jumping and trotting along country roads, Midnight Chase has reportedly been working well in the build up to the big event and is currently a best priced 16/1 chance to lower the colours of the likes of defending champion Imperial Commander, former champions Kauto Star and Denman, and the young pretender Long Run.

Meanwhile, those looking to bet on Grand National horses will have a hard time making their selection, with around eight runners currently vying for favouritism.

However, with a month to go until the big day there are likely to be plenty of shifts in the market between now and the off.