Presenting Percy

[Desert Orchid]

It's not really fair to compare his mark, mostly earned as a novice, with the established chasers but he is a year older than many of the other novices and there's a chance that he has less improvement in him. His hurdle run today was only a few pounds better than the one last year and 5/2 for the Gold Cup is a bit cheeky. It may look good after the Red Mills but not yet.

Whatever the arguments about price and proven ability, there can be no doubt that he's good for the game because the public have latched on to him.

Yes. I usually have a notional ball-park figure of 10lbs when anticipating improvement either from hurdles to fences or from novice chasing to second-season chasing but we're usually looking at younger horses when we do that.

The RSA last year was a good one, not far off Might Bite's on my figures and Percy did it easily enough. The big question is whether he can improve at his age without any further experience of chasing. I wouldn't rule it out, mind.

[edgt]

Davy said yesterday the horse only does enough to win, whatever the opposition.
That he has not been over raced or over tried too often should stand to him .