18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

McConnell keeping options open ahead of Cheltenham raid

Trainer John McConnell has a couple of live contenders for Cheltenham this weekend. Trainer John McConnell has a couple of live contenders for Cheltenham this weekend.
© Photo Healy Racing

Trainer John McConnell is keeping his options open with Cheltenham contenders Streets Of Doyen and Bodhisattva ahead of this weekends meeting.

Both horses have been entered in the cross country and an amateur riders handicap chase at the Paddy Power Gold Cup fixture.

John McConnell said: “We might split them up between the cross country and the amateur handicap chase.

“Streets Of Doyen is most likely to run in the cross country. He made a bad mistake at Cork, it was a miscommunication between rider and horse, and he hit it pretty hard so that knocked the stuffing out of him.

“He likes cross country races so if he can get into a rhythm there you wouldn’t know how well he could run.

“Bodhisattva on his day is well handicapped, he’s just a bit of a character with a mind of his own. He was third in the Ulster National.

“He’s in good nick, he’s fresh and well.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.