Nacarat aims for Guinness glory

Nacarat is set to attempt to follow up his victory at Aintree by travelling over for the Grade 1 Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup next month.

Tom George's grey ran out a ready winner of the Grade 1 totesport Bowl last week with a bold front-running display which had his rivals in trouble a long way from home.

The valuable Punchestown feature is now under consideration for the ten year old where Kauto Star could be amongst his rivals.

Trainer Tom George said "We are considering the Punchestown Guinness Gold Cup for Nacarat. It's a Grade 1 race with prize money to match and it could be that he is one step better going right-handed on better ground. We always thought he was best going right-handed and Paddy (Brennan) has mentioned that in the past."

George is hoping for similar ground conditions to those experienced at Aintree last week. He continued: "At Aintree, he showed everything that he has always promised to do when he gets his favoured ground. It doesn't have to be good ground - he likes good to soft but not soft ground.

"He goes on heavy to a certain extent, but to perform at his optimum, he needs good to soft or good and I actually don't think he would like it fast either. The better ground brings out the best in him. He loves jumping off it and he is much happier.

"He has come out of the race unbelievably well. He never even blew much and the only three times he has had the ideal ground were in the Racing Post Chase two years ago, the Charlie Hall Chase earlier this season and last week at Aintree.

"As it is, we have a month to see how he is and that is about the length of time he likes between his races. I know him well and he is a horse that I can get fresh quite quickly and easily at home - he is not a horse that takes a lot of work, so we can keep him happy.

"We would not run him on soft but if it were good or good to soft and if he is in good form, we would have to think very seriously about going over there. There is no point waiting until next December to find that we have heavy ground when this could be a chance on good ground."

The Grade 1 Punchestown contest has also been mentioned as a possible target for Kauto Star as Paul Nicholls bids to win it for a third time following the success of Neptune Collonges in 2007 and 2008.