Racing: Veteran Cuchulainn may bounce back

Waikato trainer Bob Autridge is at a loss to explain Cuchulainn's latest indifferent performances but remains hopeful the rising 13-year-old can bounce back to form in the $50,000 Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) at Trentham tomorrow.

The former jumper of the year has lost contact with his rivals in the middle stages of his last two starts before running on at the finish.

"He's got us a bit beat - whether he is getting a bit cunning I don't know," Autridge said.

There was some excuse for losing contact in the Manawatu Steeplechase two starts ago when rider Shelley Houston reported the horse slipped a couple of times.

But there were no such excuses in the Hawkes Bay Steeplechase and Houston said she felt the horse had just switched off. He was running on again at the finish but he was more than 24 lengths behind the dashing winner No Hero in finishing sixth.

Said Autridge: "I don't think there is much wrong with him. I'm happy enough with him and he worked very good here on Tuesday."

Autridge is hoping the testing Trentham track and the 5500m journey will see Cuchulainn return to his best.

"But it's a very good field and he's got his share of weight," he said.

Cuchulainn carries 66.5kg. If he wins, it will be a weight-carrying record since the introduction of metrics to racing in 1974. However, the minimum weights have increased significantly in recent years and he is just 4.5kg above the minimum.

The Pats Victory gelding scored a memorable win over Sir Avion and Smart Hunter when the Wellington Steeplechase was last run in 2003.

He also boasts two placings at Trentham including a third in the Wellington Hurdles. That was in 2000 when he chased home two of the best jumpers of the last decade, Rand and Bodle. His other Trentham placing was a second to Bodle in an open steeplechase in 2003.

Safely through tomorrow's race, when he will be ridden by Jonathan Riddell, Cuchulainn will head to Riccarton for the Grand National Steeplechase on August 13. He is unlikely to tackle the Great Northern Steeplechase in September and Autridge said the horse was not expected to come back next winter.

"If he wins another big race, he would have too much weight for a horse of his age," he said.

Autridge is chasing a notable double tomorrow with Mr Barrymore tackling the $40,000 Wellington Hurdles (3400m).

Mr Barrymore was most impressive winning the Hawkes Bay Hurdles (3100m) on July 2 after chasing Van Winkle home in the Awapuni Hurdles at his previous start on June 18.

He faces Van Winkle again tomorrow but Autridge believes Mr Barrymore will be competitive.

"He's come through the Hastings race very well and the heavy track won't worry him."

- NZPA