Cozy Sky Reaffirms She Needs Longer Than Five Furlongs At Sligo

March 19, 2021

Cheltenham 2021 - Review

The week belongs to Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and Jack Kennedy. Minella Indo won the Gold Cup having lost the RSA on the line this time last year. Everyone loves a comeback story and this is one because following that defeat there was a fall at Leopardstown at Christmas and a very ordinary run in February. I thought he was very overrated and even though he fit the age range (the last 3 winners of the race were 7 or 8 years old), I over looked him for Al Boum Photo. Funnily enough it had the feel of when Al Boum Photo won in 2019 because there wasn't a lot of talk about him. I still expected him to be beaten even when he flew the last but A Plus Tard couldn't run him down. He proved me and the doubters wrong today by adding the top prize in National Hunt racing to that narrow second last year and the Albert Bartlett two years ago. What a Cheltenham record! Fantastic for Jack Kennedy as well. He's had some week too - Black Tears beating the hot favourite Concertis

We were told after her last run that Cozy Sky would be aimed at something around 7 furlongs but here she was again trying her luck over 5 and a half. Chris Hayes took the ride, as he did at Fairyhouse the last day.

Cozy Sky was drawn in 8 but she didn't get away that well and was last but one as they settled into their positions. It wasn't long before they were rounding the final turn and entering the straight. Cozy had got herself on the outside for a clear run but she didn't kick on to go with the leaders. Kodiqueen ran away with it, winning by almost five lengths from the favourite Trueba. Cozy Sky looked like she might have got third as the pack finished in a blur but Ebony Belle was a head in front of Anythingyouwantobe who beat Cozy by a nose. She got a couple of hundred euro prize money.

Again, she ran on well which points to her needing a bit longer. I can only think that this was the only race available to her as Gordon has already said five furlongs was too short and Alex reported the Boss was happy with the run. It certainly looks like she will win one soon and I think she could be a really good bet the first time she goes over seven.