Presenting Percy© Photo Healy Racing
Davy Russell believes it is too early just yet to describe Presenting Percy as a future Cheltenham Gold Cup contender despite his convincing victory in the RSA Insurance Novices' Chase.
The Pat Kelly-trained seven-year-old is 6-1 co-favourite, alongside this year's Gold Cup first and second Native River and Might Bite, with some bookmakers.
However, the leading jockey at the four-day Festival is keeping an open mind as to what the future holds for the seven-year-old, putting full faith in the talents of Kelly, whose reputation continues to grow.
"He was very good. He surprises me ever year. His jumping is good and he is so well handled by the man that trains him," said Russell.
"I've not put much thought into him being a Gold Cup horse yet. I would kind of prefer to see what he can do again and prove it as he goes along.
"Pat does his own thing and he will have his own plan for him. I wouldn't get too carried away yet. Pat will come up with something and I will go along with it. I will let him do the talking next year.
"It is hard to match (compare) horses because they are all individuals. He just jumps well and has got a great attitude and just has a lot of ability.
"He is not over-big and is very compact. He is a neat, classy sort of a horse rather than a big chaser. I just think he is a clever horse. He knows when to switch on and off in a race and he knows what to do with himself.
"When he jumped the third-last he just seemed to come alive there. He did the same in the Pertemps (when successful in 2017). He doesn't over-race early on. He just settles well and tips away and comes alive when you need him."
