Ginny’s Destiny is set to return to Cheltenham next month for the Cotswold Chase, following a solid effort in Sunday’s Peterborough Chase at Huntingdon.
Trained by Paul Nicholls, the gelding enjoyed significant success at Cheltenham last season, including three wins, and finished second in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Festival. He wrapped up his campaign with another runner-up finish at Aintree.
However, his seasonal reappearance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month was underwhelming, as he was pulled up as the favourite. Sunday’s third-place finish behind Djelo and Protektorat marked a step forward, but it also confirmed the horse’s need for a longer distance.
Nicholls shared his plans in his Betfair ‘Ditcheat Diaries’:
“He ran OK. We’ve worked out he wants a lot further than two and a half miles, and Harry (Cobden) said he’s probably better left-handed.”
“We’ll return to Cheltenham now and aim for the Cotswold Chase. He’s crying out for three miles, and Cheltenham suits him very well.”
“He’ll have a little break, and then we’ll freshen him up for the Cotswold Chase.”
The Cotswold Chase, a key trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, could be the perfect stage for Ginny’s Destiny to showcase his stamina and affinity for the Prestbury Park course.