RSA Chase: Mr Moonshine still has Festival in sights

Latest News / Timeform / 04 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Sue Smith's Mr Moonshine

Connections of Mr Moonshine must scour the programme book for a suitable race as he continues his preparations for a potential attempt at Cheltenham's RSA Chase.

Sue Smith planned to run the Timeform 141-rated eight-year-old this weekend in Wetherby's totepool.com Towton Novices' Chase before it was abandoned.

Having won at Carlisle and Haydock earlier in the season, Mr Moonshine was not disgraced in open company when third to Gauvain in the Peterborough Chase but faded to finish fifth behind Grands Crus in the Feltham Novices' Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, having helped force the pace.

"The run at Kempton was not as good as what we were expecting but the ground was actually very fast," said Smith's husband, Harvey.

"He has been officially rated 152 and there aren't the races for him so I don't know where we go now.

"If the ground was good or good to soft at Cheltenham he would go to the RSA Chase (currently trading at [46.0]) with a good chance, but if it was quicker it wouldn't be suitable."

Mr Moonshine has 17 lb to find with Grands Crus on Timeform ratings.