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Punchestown possible for Rightly

Sun 28th Feb 2016, 13:48

Fine RightlyFine Rightly
© Photo Healy Racing

Stuart Crawford could keep Fine Rightly fresh for a crack at the Punchestown Gold Cup.

Sent off an unconsidered 33-1 chance in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown earlier this month, he belied those odds to finish third.

He holds an entry in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, but Crawford is considering keeping his powder dry in the hope he will be taking on some battle-weary horses come Punchestown.

"He's in the Ryanair, but if we get usual Cheltenham ground I'd say that's unlikely as he prefers a bit of dig," said Crawford.

"We could just keep our powder dry until Punchestown, go there with a fresh horse when the others have had a hard race in the Gold Cup.

"There aren't many options for him in truth, there's a Grade Three at Cork or a Grade Two at Navan but that's about it.

"He's got a great owner who has been with me from the start and she never puts me under pressure. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if he had a long holiday now.

"I thought he ran a great race the other day, he made a race-stopping mistake at the third-last and if not for that he would have been even closer."