Kieswetter hoping Karbau can hit Cheltenham rivals for six

Craig Kieswetter is relishing another trip to the Cheltenham Festival after the exciting Karbau dazzled at Punchestown recently.

The former England international cricketer is no stranger to major sporting stages and picked up the man of the match award when England beat the old enemy Australia to lift the T20 World Cup in 2010.

Since his retirement from the crease, the South African native has been a regular visitor to the winner’s enclosure during some of the biggest days on the racing calendar thanks to the many stars that are either owned or co-owned by the Kieswetter family’s Barnane Stud.

Triple Grade One hero Il Etait Temps, Royal Ascot scorer Candleford and the popular mare Echoes In Rain are just three to thrive on the track for Kieswetter and his family, but as of yet, their quest for the “holy grail” and a win at National Hunt’s showpiece event has proved unsuccessful.

However, the 37-year-old has now found another horse to ignite Festival dreams after Karbau romped to a 16-length success in the hands of Paul Townend – and having watched the five-year-old book his ticket to the Cotswolds, the former white-ball dasher is now counting down to his own annual visit to Prestbury Park.

“He’s a very nice horse and I was impressed with his victory there at Punchestown,” said Kieswetter, who was watching the action back home in Cape Town.

“I was actually at Naas when he made his debut for us and obviously he was a bit keen and pulled quite hard. But I was impressed with how much he’s improved – and for a small horse, he really springs over those jumps, which is lovely.”

He went on: “I wouldn’t say we’ve been unlucky at Cheltenham, but maybe the Festival comes a bit soon in the season for our horses. Especially in the last two seasons, we seem to do better later on in the National Hunt season, but if we have a ticket, we have got to go.

“I’ll be over for Cheltenham to watch the horses and I’m a sucker for it. He’s got a couple of entries and Cheltenham is the holy grail of National Hunt racing in the UK, so it will be nice to see how he gets on.

“He’s a good little horse and it’s still early days, but we’ll crack on and get stuck in, as always.”

Karbau – who is owned jointly by Barnane Stud and Temple Bloodstock – holds entries for the opening Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the following day’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival, with his Punchestown success earning rave reviews from Ruby Walsh, who was providing TV analysis of the two-mile event.

He is now a general 20-1 chance for the Supreme, with slightly bigger odds available for the longer race and although Kieswetter is buoyed by Walsh’s comments, he is aware the improving French import still has plenty to prove, as he prepares to be guided by the Closutton team regarding future assignments

“Ruby is there every week at Closutton and gets to see the horses first-hand, so it’s nice to get some good feedback,” continued Kieswetter.

“But I guess we can’t get too carried away, as he now needs to put his hands up in the big races against some proper horses and give it a go.

“We seem to like having these smaller horses who fly under the radar, so let’s hope he can do the same.

“Whichever race Willie wants to run him in, we’ll be happy. We’ve had so much success with Willie and his brilliant team there at Closutton and we’re more than happy to follow whichever direction they think is best.

“There is a big group involved with this horse, which is lovely, and Ross Doyle purchased him, so there’s plenty of our usual team involved, but it is also great to be racing with some new faces as well.”

Karbau’s emergence is a welcome tonic to the Barnane team, who along with their partners at Hollywood Racing, have seen star performer Il Etait Temps sidelined for the season.

A top-level winner at the Dublin, Aintree and Punchestown Festivals last term, he has become a standard-bearer for the owners’ National Hunt endeavours, with Kieswetter confident he can eventually return better than ever.

“It’s disappointing and he had a terrific year last year, winning three Grade Ones at three different racecourses,” added Kieswetter.

“It was really cool and we’ve been so fortunate to have not only a horse like him but be affiliated to people like the Doyles and Willie Mullins, it really makes life in this sport a lot easier.

“It is what it is and we know in this industry setbacks happen, but he’ll come back firing next season, no doubt.”