Fahey looking to 2020 with Soviet Pimpernel Peter Fahey is looking to 2020 with Soviet Pimpernel, though he hasn't ruled out running his Cheltenham October second placer over Christmas if he impresses sufficiently in his home work. Fahey, and owners of the Elusive Pimpernel gelding, Direct Bloodstock Limited, introduced another nice type when Belfast Banter finished second at Navan on Sunday. Much focus centres on Soviet Pimpernel though, given his progressive profile. The four-year-old won his bumper at the Harvest Festival in Listowel, before really taking the eye on hurdles debut at Gowran in October. It was on to Cheltenham then, an effort which encouraged connections to go for the Grade One BARONERACING.COM Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. Soviet Pimpernel finished sixth of the nine on that occasion behind Envoi Allen. Fahey is convinced his charge is better than that. He said: “It’s unlikely Soviet Pimpernel will run at Christmas. He’s fine after the Royal Bond and came home grand but I was disappointed with the way he ran all through the race. He ran flat. “Even if he travelled for the first half of the race and didn’t get home you would say he was beaten fair and square but I just don’t think he was right on the day. “We could find nothing wrong with him and he’s eaten up and is cantering away. He hasn’t missed a day since he ran but we want to be sure and give him enough time and have him back right. “I still think he’s a very nice horse and I just put a line through his run the last day. I know the winner is unbelievable but I think my lad should have run a lot better than he did. After two hurdles I knew that he wasn’t travelling and he wasn’t jumping and it’s the two things that he does do. “I’d say we’ll give him plenty of time before his next run unless he’s absolutely bombing it at home he won’t run over Christmas.”
