Willie Mullins keen to send classy Kemboy straight to Cheltenham Gold Cup
The progressive chaser landed the Grade 1 Savills Chase in fine style over Christmas but is unlikely to run again before March
KEMBOY is likely to have his next outing in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, trainer Willie Mullins has confirmed.
The rapidly improving chaser was a brilliant winner of the Savills Chase over Christmas and is a general 5-1 shot for the big race in March.
Having struck in the Clonmel Oil Chase on his reappearance, the seven-year-old took his form to a new level with an emphatic victory in Leopardstown's prestigious Grade 1.
With opportunities before March now few and far between, trainer Willie Mullins has revealed his star seven-year-old is likely to head straight to Cheltenham.
Mullins said: "Kemboy is good, and I'm very pleased with how he came out of the race.
"I'm very happy with the way he has improved all year, and I think he can maintain that improvement.
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"I don't think he needs another run. However, he'll probably get an entry (for the Irish Gold Cup) - and we'll see what way the race cuts up.
"I would rather just go straight to Cheltenham, I think.";
Mullins also had an update on Sharjah, who destroyed a strong field in the Christmas Hurdle.
He said: "He's another horse that I think is benefiting from a gap between his races.
"As much as I'd love to go to Leopardstown with him - he'll have an entry, and we'll see how he is - I think I'd rather produce them in March fresh."