Opera Hat Chase: Warrior seals Naas victory

The Cheltenham Festival / Timeform / 11 February 2012 /

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Bog Warrior got back on track at Naas.

"I wouldn't be that bothered about missing Cheltenham this year as next year I see him as a Lexus horse..."

Bog Warrior justified cramped odds by winning the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase at Naas...

His task was made easier by the late withdrawals of Blackstairmountain and Donnas Palm, and Davy Russell dictated matters from the front.

He was very impressive when winning the Drinmore in December, pulling well clear of his rivals, but fell on his last start at Leopardstown.

Jumping safely rather than exuberantly, Bog Warrior never came off the bridle in beating Slieveardagh by 11 lengths and trainer Tony Martin can now look to the future.

"I'm very relieved and he's back on track," said Martin.

"There'd been no signs that his fall had affected him in his schooling. He jumped grand today. Davy thought his jumping was right enough.

"The ground will dictate where we go, he definitely likes to get into it, but once there's yielding in it I'd be happy to take my chance.

"Where next I don't know. We'll get him back and see how he is because he did put his back out when he fell.

"I wouldn't be that bothered about missing Cheltenham this year as next year I see him as a Lexus horse in soft ground. He's definitely a winter horse."

If heading to Cheltenham, Bog Warrior has a multitude of options including the Arkle, for which he can currently be backed at [15.0], the Jewson ([17.5]) or the RSA ([22.0]).

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