NO GOLD FOR MAVERICK BUT WRF A POSSIBLE

Ian Fortune

It was reported last week that connections of leading UK tracker Links Maverick were eyeing up a possible tilt at the Gold Cup at Shelbourne Park next month.

It was confirmed yesterday to the Racing Post that they have decided to go to the winter Derby at Monmore instead.

His trainer Tom Heilbron did confirm, however, that the Winter Racing Festival at the end of the year was still very much a potential target. Said Heilbron to the Racing Post, “We discussed Shelbourne but in the end decided the traveling might just b too much with the possibility of at least four round trips should he make the final.

“His real focus this year is Towcester and the Derby, but if things pan out then I’d definitely like to take him to Shelbourne at the end of the year for their Winter Festival”.