2 minutes Inthepocket's Comeback: A Glimmer of Hope on the Road to Cheltenham Festival
So, Henry de Bromhead has been stirring up the horse racing community with some interesting updates on Inthepocket, that standout novice chaser we've all been keeping an eye on. Owned by JP McManus, this horse has a bit of a fan following, thanks to some impressive performances, including that memorable win at last year's Top Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. But here's where it gets juicy: De Bromhead's playing it super coy about whether we'll see Inthepocket at the much-anticipated Cheltenham Festival next month. It's like he's keeping his cards close to his chest, which only adds to the intrigue.
Remember the disappointment when Inthepocket had to skip his scheduled appearance at Leopardstown's Racing Post Novice Chase over Christmas? That was a bummer, with him being pulled out just days before due to some unexpected setback. The rumor mill was buzzing with talks that we might not see him in action for the rest of the season. But, plot twist: De Bromhead shared a rather hopeful message this Tuesday morning, turning the tables on what we thought we knew.
In De Bromhead's own words, "He’s been back in training a few weeks now and we’ve been very happy with him." It's like a breath of fresh air hearing that Inthepocket is not only back but also impressing in training. This comes after his debut in the chasing scene at Navan in November, where he finished a commendable second to Facile Vega, hinting at his potential in this new discipline.
Then, when pressed about the possibility of making a splash at the upcoming festival, De Bromhead kept us all hanging with, "Nothing is set in stone yet, and no decisions have been made. We’ll see how he is over the next week or two and then sort out a plan for him." It's this blend of cautious optimism and strategic planning that makes the whole scenario so fascinating. They're clearly not rushing into any decisions, weighing their options based on how Inthepocket progresses.
But here's a kicker for you: Inthepocket hasn't been officially entered for Cheltenham. So, if they do decide to take the plunge, they'll need to supplement him into the race. It's a move that echoes what happened before the Leopardstown race he missed, signaling that, despite the setback, they're willing to make bold moves if the conditions are right.
This whole saga underscores the unpredictable nature of horse racing, where plans can change with the wind, and every decision is a calculated risk. De Bromhead's updates keep us on our toes, eager to see if Inthepocket will make a dramatic return to the festival circuit. It's a waiting game now, but one thing's for sure: the potential for Inthepocket to shake things up at Cheltenham, should he enter, is a tantalizing prospect for racing fans everywhere.