Greatrex rates Good And Clever ‘an exciting horse going forwards’

Warren Greatrex believes Good And Clever is “the best maiden on both sides of the sea” and is keen to chart the right path following his admirable third at the Dublin Racing Festival.

The six-year-old comfortably took place honours in the Grade One Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle despite being affected by Jim Bolger’s Eastern Legend, who ran loose after unseating jockey Keith Donoghue with four to go at Leopardstown.

He was no match for Willie Mullins’ juggernaut Kopek Des Bordes, who finished 13 lengths clear of stablemate Karniquet, but the performance of Good And Clever – a further nine lengths back – has opened up possibilities on where his next appearance may be.

The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival looked most likely before his creditable display in Ireland, but two previous third-placed finishes at Aintree could tempt Greatrex into a return to Merseyside.

“He’s all good, he arrived back at 4am (on Monday), straight into his breakfast and all good,” Greatrex said. “It was a huge run, we were vindicated for going. He did us proud and I was happy with how the race went.

“He travelled nicely, the best he’s travelled yet, and I think he was a little bit disadvantaged when the loose horse went into him. It was the difference between probably being close to the second or second.

“He’s stepping up every time, he’s improving, he’s becoming more professional – that was the best he’s jumped. He’s going the right way and he looks an exciting horse going forwards.

“He is progressive and I think in England and Ireland, he’s probably the highest-rated maiden and the best maiden on both sides of the sea, but it’s the way we go about it.

“If I wanted to, I could run him in a maiden hurdle next week and he would win. But he’s learning more this way, improving all the time, physically as well. He looked a million dollars in the paddock and he’s just a thoroughly likeable horse.

“He’s got a great constitution and just wants to do his job. Whatever he does for this season, he’s going to be a very nice chaser.

“I’ll have a think (on his future plans). Ground is key. I could find somewhere just before, but then maybe look at Aintree. I may step him up in trip at Aintree.

“He would get two and a half (miles) now, but again I’m being conscious, I didn’t want to go to the well too many times. I think if you are able to stay at a minimum trip, you’re never bottoming them out and I think that’s important for their development and the years to come.

“I’ll keep the options open and I can go either way. I could possibly take him to Kelso for that novice race up there just before Cheltenham and then could go to Aintree. He’s also run well at Aintree twice, so that could be an option.

“I’ll let him get over this race first and then go from there.”