Luke Morris: “I hope the handicapper hasn’t got to her yet and that she can win again”

AW Champion Jockey Luke Morris previews his Saturday rides and tells us his fancy for the Cheltenham Gold Cup…

Much like everyone else, all the jockeys in the weighing room are really looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival next week.

We’ll have Cheltenham on at the races and a lot of the lads will try take a day off during the week to go along. I’ve been a couple of times and it’s a really good day out, but I’ve been too busy to go back since. Maybe the next time I’ll go it’ll be for the Champion Bumper as if I had a reasonable ride I’d love to have a go in the race.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is obviously the highlight and I think Native River would be the one for me. He looks a proper chaser and is an improving horse. Although he’s had a hard year I think he’s still on the up and I hope he can step forward again in the Gold Cup.Outside him, it’ll be exciting to see what Douvan and Altior can do. They are the two star names and I’m sure both will produce something special.

2.05 Wolverhampton – Forceful Appeal

He’s down to a competitive mark and this is a competitive race. He needs to put his best foot forward but he’s more than capable of being in the shake up as he handles Wolverhampton so well. There are lots of horses in there that are solid off their marks and in good form, as opposed to there being something that is very well in.

2.40 Wolverhampton – Boost

She’s improved with each start this winter. She needs to step up again to win this race but I’m hopeful that the handicapper hasn’t got to her yet and that she can win again.