Percy on track for mouth-watering Savills Chase Presenting Percy has provided Davy Russell with many memorable days in the saddle, and the former champion jockey believes the gelding can play a prominent role in a mouth-watering renewal of the Savills Chase at Leopardstown on December 28. The Sir Percy gelding won ten times when in the care of Pat Kelly including twice at the Cheltenham Festival in the Pertemps Network Final and the RSA Novices’ Chase and, after joining Gordon Elliott this season, regained the winning thread at Thurles last month. Russell, who is currently on the sidelines with a serious back injury, was impressed with the nine-year-old’s recent win as he revealed on a call to launch the Leopardstown Christmas Festival meeting. “He never got a real run at it in the past two seasons but he seems to be an awful lot better in himself now and his homework really is spectacular,” said the Youghal rider. “Maybe in Down Royal the effects of the fall at Cheltenham were still on his mind. Gordon fitted the sheepskin noseband back on him at Thurles and little things like that would make a significant difference to him. “He's back into a position where he could challenge at Leopardstown but it looks a helluva race. “Hopefully Presenting Percy can put in a good round and finally get his head in front around Leopardstown. It's a slight worry that he hasn't been at his best there. There are only two fences in the last half mile and he does like jumping so that could not play in his favour.” Presenting Percy is among 23 entries for the Savills Chase along with the likes of Minella Indo, Champ, Delta Work and Kemboy. (AM & GC)
