Upswing primed for Kim Muir Challenge

David Metcalf | March 16, 2016

Upswing has plenty going for him in Kim Muir

Upswing has some strong form to his name and looks decent value to land the Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival (17.30).

The Jonjo O’Neill trained eight-year-old was a useful staying hurdler and prior to being pulled-up last time out in the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow had shown progressive form in four starts over fences.

After opening his account in good style at Worcester when scoring easily by eight lengths, Upswing posted a career-best performance on his penultimate outing when chasing home Sausolito Sunrise in a competitive 17-runner contest at this venue.

The gelding was held-up at the rear by jockey Barry Geraghty before making stealthy headway three from home and staying on strongly after the last to go down by just 1 1/4 lengths.

Form of Cheltenham run very strong

Sausolito Sunrise, from whom Upswing was receiving just 5lb, has also gone on to land a valuable handicap chase at Ascot and is now rated 163.

That gives the form a strong look and suggests that Upswing is ahead of the assessor and potentially very well-treated off a mark of 139.

Connections have also resisted the temptation to run the son of Beneficial since the Welsh National, presumably as they believe Upswing is well handicapped and want to protect his mark, and O’Neill has no peers at getting one spot on for the big day.