Warner sweet on State Of Play

/ Editor / 03 March 2007 / Leave a Comment

Terry Warner, who owns Champion Hurdle favourite, Detroit City, believes State Of Play could be the one horse to lower Kauto Star's colours in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The 74-year-old was impressed by Evan William's gelding when he won the Hennessy Gold Cup in November.

"I saw him win the Hennessy at Newbury very well and I thought he looked like a proper racehorse," he said.

"He's not run since and he's obviously being prepared for the Gold Cup.

"His trainer is a good trainer. He can get them ready at home and not a lot of people can do that.

"I think State Of Play must have a good each-way chance."

Warner believes Kauto Star will win, if he gets round, but knows that Cheltenham is a difficult course for any horses to deal with.

"If Kauto Star stands up and doesn't make a mistake, you'd think he'd win, but he does make terrible mistakes," added Warner.

"It's a different day and maybe he won't make any mistakes this time, because they might go slow and it won't be a rush for him.

"But Cheltenham is definitely more difficult to jump and he's fallen there already."

State Of Play is currently trading at 14 for the Gold Cup, with Kauto Star a solid favourite on 2.62. In the place market State Of Play is available at 4.2 with Paul Nicholls' Kauto Star on 1.84.