Gary Moore reveals shock Gold Cup u-turn for Grand National contender Nassalam
GARY MOORE will go for Gold Cup glory with his star stayer Nassalam — but he needs a new jockey.
The trainer originally ruled out a Cheltenham Festival bid in favour of a straight shot at the Grand National on April 13.
But following further deliberation, Moore has made a dramatic U-turn and has his eyes on a slice of the £625,000 on offer for the Festival’s feature race.
Moore revealed: “I’ve had a change of heart and provided the ground is soft on Gold Cup Friday, he will take his place in the line-up.
“That’s partly due to the rating he’s been given by the handicapper, but I also think he’ll benefit from the run ahead of Aintree.
“He’s 50-1 in the betting but I do really think he has a place squeak.
“The wetter it gets, the bigger his chance.”
Sussex handler Moore will be looking for a new jockey, however, with his regular rider Caoilin Quinn on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone in a nasty fall.
The fall could not have come at a worse time for impressive Quinn, who had won on six of his last 13 rides before coming off Hector Jaguen at Plumpton last Monday.
Moore said: “It’s a massive shame to lose Caoilin as he was riding out of his skin.
“He’s broken his collarbone so will be out for around three weeks, which rules him out of the Gold Cup ride.
“All being well, he’ll be back for Aintree — he deserves his shot.”
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