Salsify has Leopardstown comeback target ahead of Cheltenham Festival

The former champion hunter chaser Salsify could return to action at Leopardstown next month en-route to an attempt at a historic third triumph in Cheltenham’s CGA Foxhunters Chase.

Salsify’s attempt to follow up Foxhunters victories in2012 and 2013 ended around this time last year when he knocked a joint and he hasn’t been seen in action since.

However, he remains an 8-1 shot in some ante-post lists to secure that Foxhunters hat-trick and secure himself a unique festival niche. Seven horses have won the race twice but no horse has managed to land the hunters title on three occasions.

Stable stalwart

Prior to both of his wins at Cheltenham, Salsify landed the Raymond Smith Memorial Chase at Leopardstown on Hennessy

Gold Cup

day and Co Cork trainer Rodger Sweeney is hoping to use that race as a stepping stone again for his stable stalwart.

“When you’re bringing a horse back from injury, it’s a day-to-day thing so when you get your hopes up, that’s when you get a kicking: but right now he’s going the right way and if things keep going right we’d like to run him in that race at Leopardstown on Hennessy day again,” he said.

The 10-year-old boasts a 50 per cent strike rate over fences, winning nine of his eighteen hunter chase starts.

Antrim-based trainer Stuart Crawford is pondering a substantial raid on Haydock this Saturday, with Glenquest and Man With Van holding a couple of engagements, while both Strongpoint and Trucking Along are among a shortlist of possible opposition to The New One in the Champion Hurdle Trial.

Fine Rightly could be another option in a Grade Two novice chase. “He only ran coming up to a fortnight ago, but I think the track and the race would suit him really well,” Crawford said.

"I'd probably prefer to run in an ordinary beginners' chase with him, but at the same time, this race is worth good money and the beginners' chases in Ireland are just as hot at the moment anyway.

“He has two good runs over fences under his belt now and the race at Navan he ran in [when second to Lots Of Memories] was a graded race in all but name.”