Harbour Court Looking To Spoil Bolger Party

Harbour Court goes into the Foxhunters Chase next month as one of the least experienced horses in the field having only had three runs in rules races.

The eight-year old won his opening two starts to gain a reputation as being one of the leading contenders for the race at the Cheltenham Festival next month.

His chances suffered a blow last month though, as he unseated regular rider James Tudor at Kelso.

Trainer Alan Lee is hoping to be able to overcome the top two horses in the betting which are both from Enda Bolger’s stable.

The Irishman always has one or two strong contenders for this race and this year is no different.

Mossey Joe has been tipped for glory in the Foxhunters ever since he was successful at Stratford last June. The field on that occasion was very strong and included recent Cheltenham winner Salsify who had to settle for third in the Midlands.

The 11-year old completed a four-timer in that contest in what was his first outing outside of Ireland. Bolger avoided the temptation of running at the Festival in 2013 to gain more experience. That decision may prove to pay off if he can continue his run of wins in the contest which follows straight after the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

If Mossey Joe is not successful in the race, the Irish trainer will be hoping it is On The Fringe instead.

He took part in the 2011 Foxhunters Chase where he finished a respectable fourth. That was when he was just six-years old. Since then he has remained in Ireland in which he has won twice.

Next month’s contest will be On The Fringe’s first visit back to Prestbury Park since that run three years ago.