Owner Philip Reynolds has mooted the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown as a possible starting point for Presenting Percy.
The eight-year-old was sent off favourite for the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March but with had one previous outing over hurdlesthat he could only finish eighth.
Issues were then discovered that prevented him but all those have been solved.
Reynolds advised the Irish Field:”it is a case of so far, so great. Pat (Kelly, trainer) and Jerry Kelly (vet) are delighted with him and once they are glad that’ll do me.
“He had a little procedure to remove fluid from his spine and I don’t know whether that had something to do with how he ran Cheltenham. We found he had bone bruising post Cheltenham.
“He’s starting the season off just like everyone and the reality is that he may just be”another horse”.
“This time I couldn’t lie straight in bed with excitement. I believe that the very best opportunity a horse has of winning a Gold Cup is straight after their novice season. Today he will be meeting with all last seasons novices, along with Al Boum Photo, so we’ll just have to see where he fits in.
“it is a little premature to say where he will return. Everything needs to be suitable for him, although hopefully we’ll get started someplace before Christmas.
“Clonmel will come too soon for him personally as will Royal, therefore I suppose you might be taking a look at exactly the John Durkan in Punchestown. Then remains to be seen, where he would go there is a great deal of water.
“I only hope we don’t have another winter like last season – the ground was quick all winter and also a repeat could be a disaster.”
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