Lavelle wary over Gullinbursti
February 21, 2012 09:40:49 UK
Emma Lavelle has revealed that impressive Gullinbursti will miss his engagements at the Cheltenham Festival if the ground comes up better than soft.
She has been impressed with the horse this season, particularly his effort in finishing second to Knock A Hand at Newbury last Friday, but she declared: "He definitely needs it soft and as he will make a smart chaser next season, I don't want to run the risk of him injuring himself on unsuitable ground at Cheltenham."
I don't want to run the risk of him injuring himself on unsuitable ground at Cheltenham.
Emma Lavelle
Meanwhile the trainer insisted that her relationship with former No 1 jockey Jack Doyle is not completely over.
The highly successful trainer appointed Noel Fehily as her number one at the weekend declaring him to be 'totally uncomplicated' and that it would have been 'mad not to make the decision while he was available'.
She gave as a part example the relationship Fehily has struck up with Penny Max and other horses claiming they all 'really jump for him'.
Penny Max in particular is a horse who has delighted her so far this season and one who is not far off becoming something of a stable star.
Lavelle added: "He's won his last two and is getting better and stronger all the time. It's fair to say that I'm very pleased indeed with him and he can go on from where he's at."
She also holds Doyle in very high regard and made it clear that this was not the end of the road for the young jockey.
"Jack has done very well for us and ridden a lot of winners. There will definitely be rides for him along the way do . It would be wrong to say this is the total end," Lavelle concluded.
Long Run is 2.75 to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Kauto Star 4.50 and Grands Crus 6.50.
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