Middleham Park’s National Hunt manager, Tom Palin, spoke exclusively to Oddschecker
Marie’s Rock has a ’99.9%’ chance of not running again before Cheltenham Festival, according to her manager Tom Palin, in an exclusive interview with Oddschecker.
In fact, Palin explained: “It’ll only be an act of God that’ll stop us from going to the Festival”, with just over a month to go until the Mares’ Novice Hurdle.
On the topic of whether she’ll run again prior to Thursday 12th March, Palin elaborated: “No. Things are subject to change – but ‘no’ in a word.
“She’s 99.9% likely not to run again this year. She’ll have a quiet week this week and then we’ll work backwards from Cheltenham like Nicky does with all his horses.
“Whatever he does to make them look tip-top heading into the Festival and looking a million dollars, whatever he does year-in-year-out – that’s what he’ll be doing with Marie’s Rock.
Currently sitting at the top of the Oddschecker grids at 4/1, the mare has won her first three races in decisive fashion and has attracted 31% of all bets over the last 24 hours.
Discussing the pressure that comes with having an ante-post Cheltenham favourite, Palin said: We’ve been in the fortunate position where we’ve had a few nice horses before, and we’ve always found ourselves making reasons up why they’re so good.
“Whereas, with Marie’s Rock, it’s the other way around. Everybody is telling us she’s a good horse.
“The markets on Oddschecker after the 1:55 Limerick on the 30th of January, the third favourite ran (Lamarckise).
“Six bookies shortened her, and the world’s telling us we’ve got a favourites chance.
“It’s kind of a weird feeling, normally there’s a lot of pressure and stress that comes with it, but it’s pure excitement for me rather than any element of pressure.
“We’ve done our bit, she’s rated 144, there’s no horse in the novice filly in the country rated higher than her - we’ve done our job.
“Let’s put our feet up, leave it to the trainer, the jockey and the horse for the next five weeks and go to Cheltenham with what we think is a live chance.”
Having ridden the five-year-old on her opening three runs, Palin was coy over whether Nico de Boinville will be the pilot when March rolls around.
When asked whether De Boinville will be on board, he said: “I’ve not asked that question. He’s ridden Floressa in every race except the last one, where James Bowne did. And, he’s ridden Marie’s Rock every time.
“I would love him to be on board, but if he chooses to opt for Floressa, that’s fine and I would respect his decision.”
