Ricci Looking Forward to Djakadam Return

With over fifty horses set to carry the colours of leading owners Susannah and Rich Ricci this season including the likes of Douvan, Vroum Vroum Mag, Vautour, Faugheen and Annie Power the 7-Y-O chaser Djakadam still holds a special place in their hearts.

In only twelve chase starts Djakadam has twice finished runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup including last season when four and a half lengths behind Don Cossack. He finished even closer to the novice winner Coneygree in 2015 and will bid to make it third time lucky in the Blue Riband of Chasing this season.

Ricci is full of admiration of Djakadam's efforts last year: “We think he is made of Iron. To come back from his fall in the BetBright Cotswold Chase on Trials Day and then run second again on the big day ( at the Festival ) was a huge effort.”

“To his credit he ran a blinder at Punchestown too behind Carlingford Lough, having looked knackered at Aintree just a few weeks earlier.”

An impressive Thyestes Chase winner of 2015 his only win since came in the John Durkan Memorial Chase at Punchestown in December of the same year when easily accounting for Valseur Lido.

His Grade 1 chase record of F,2,2,1,2,3,2 does look that of a “nearly” horse but as a mere 7-Y-O Djakadam's best years as a chaser are ahead and it would be normal to expect further improvement to come and Ricci thinks that's possible this time around.

“He has summered well and is doing plenty, we haven't decided where to start him off yet but he could go back to the John Durkan.”

“He has a preference for soft ground which will probably influence his targets to some degree, hopefully he will settle a bit better now he is older as he has been keen in his races to date.”

Rated 170 Djakadam is already towards the head of the chasing pecking order and is likely to contend again for top honours this season.

Rich Ricci has previewed all his leading horses at BetBright.com