CONFIDENCE STILL BEHIND CROCADEE

Crocadee is still capable of climbing to the top rank despite some faulty jumping, connections insisted today.

The talented gelding, a possible runner in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot on Saturday, has gained mixed results since being switched to fences.

The horse owned by The Winning Line took a heavy fall at in the Feltham Chase at Kempton over Christmas then unseated his rider in Newcastle`s Dipper Chase last month.

Even when finishing second to the impressive Best Mate at Sandown on his last outing, Venetia Williams` charge was far from confident in his jumping.

'His record doesn`t look that good, but we don`t feel his jumping is a real problem,' said The Winning Line spokesman Mark Gichero.

'To watch him schooling at home you wouldn`t believe he was a bad jumper and we do think he`s been a bit unlucky on the course.

'At Kempton he fell after making his only mistake while at Newcastle he may have been distracted by a television camera.'

Crocadee has jumped to the right on occasions so he should be suited by the clockwise course at Ascot.

However, there is a stumbling block there with Bacchanal a likely runner in the three-mile contest.

Bacchanal appeared to have taken Crocadee`s measure when the latter crashed in the Kempton race.

'It`s 50-50 whether Crocadee goes to Ascot as Bacchanal would be a tough one to beat,' said Gichero. 'But we realise when you`re going for races as valuable as this you`re always like to be up against something decent.

'Bottomless ground at Ascot would also not be ideal and there is a possibility we could wait for the Pendil Chase at Kempton the following weekend.

'But wherever he runs Crocadee is a decent horse and not too many will beat him when he stands up.'

Whether the eight-year-old makes it to the Cheltenham Festival is open to doubt. Crocadee`s apparent right-handed kink could make life difficult for him over Prestbury Park`s anti-clockwise circuit.

Crocadee is entered in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and Cathcart Chase at next month`s showpiece meeting.

Gichero said: 'We`re not necessarily saying he will miss Cheltenham, though there is a possibility he will wait for Punchestown.'

Riding plans for Crocadee are undecided should he run at Ascot on Saturday.

His regular jockey Norman Williamson is likely to partner Nick Dundee in the Red Mills Trial Chase at Gowran Park.

The Winning Line`s Happy Change is still on course for the Festival despite an abject display last time out.

He is entered in the Smurfit Champion Hurdle but also has the option of switching to the County Hurdle.

The smart Flat racer, trained by Mark Johnston, finished in the ruck when tackling a moderate handicap hurdle at Doncaster last month.

'He was very disappointing but he`s back in work now and the plan is to go straight to Cheltenham. It might be that the County Hurdle will be the race for him,' said Gichero.