A big future for Tiger Cliff

Posted by Andy at Bet1015.com on 28/08/2013

Tiger Cliff managed to win the Betfred Ebor at York on Saturday afternoon and the talented gelding looks as though he might be heading into the QIPCO British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.

This race is of course one of the highlights on the calendar for Flat racing fans and it will be interesting to see if Lady Cecil's charge does give it a go.

The performance at York would have given Tiger Cliff a great chance of running at Ascot as he put a superb performance in under Tom Queally and managed to win by half a length on turf that had been softened by the rain at the famous racecourse.

He could still go in the Betfred Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October, but owner Henry Ponsonby doesn't seem to be in any rush to make a decision. However, Ponsonby did say that the four-year-old is to test himself over jumps soon and that he will move to Alan King's yard - who is of course one of the best in the business.

The owner said: "He's not certain to run in the Cesarewitch. I wouldn't rule it out, but it is quite a gruelling race and we think he could be a good Cup horse next year, as well as going hurdling.

"The other option is the big stayers' race at Ascot on Champions Day. If the ground ended up firm there, we might go to Newmarket, but if there was a bit of cut then Ascot could be where we end up.

"We have also given him an entry in the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp on Arc day, so that's another option. The only race that is definitely ruled out is the Melbourne Cup as you need a fast ground horse for that, which Tiger Cliff definitely isn't.

"He'll have his one more run on the Flat and then have a nice break before going to Alan King's to go jumping."

Just where Tiger Cliff will be heading next remains to be seen, but there is no doubt he has bags of potential and he could prove to be successful over hurdles.

For now though, the decision needs to made on whether this gelding heads to Ascot and puts his names alongside the likes of Rite of Passage and Fame and Glory as a winner of the Long Distance Cup.

Tiger Cliff is one to keep an eye on.