Be on Garde at Cheltenham

Be on Garde

Tom Doran’s colours return to the Festival

David Jennings

THE COLOURS will evoke fond memories. Those green silks with red stars that Doran’s Pride made his own. Seven visits to the Cotswolds made him a festival favourite and that 1995 Stayers Hurdle success is still reminisced upon.

But there’s a new kid in town now. He goes by the name Allee Garde and he’s a leading fancy for the National Hunt Chase tomorrow (Wednesday). His owner Tom Doran, a native of Bangor Erris, knows how to deal with having a festival fancy. The secret is not to expect anything.

“I tend not to get too excited,” the well-known London-based businessman told The Mayo News.

“The less you expect, the bigger the surprise. We went over to Cheltenham with the favourite for the Gold Cup in 1998. Istabraq and Florida Pearl were both after winning and Doran’s Pride was the last leg of the Irish bankers’ treble. He only finished third though, a mistake at the third last probably cost him.”

Not since 2000, when Doran’s Pride was pulled-up in the Foxhunters, has Doran’s colours appeared at the festival. But the bookies are taking no chance about them being carried to victory in tomorrow’s opener.

Allee Garde has been a big mover over the last week and is now vying for favouritism with Patrick Mullins set to be on board.

He mightn’t admit it, but one senses Tom Doran is bubbling with excitement inside.

“I couldn’t believe he was 14-1 and Soll was favourite when the betting opened up. Allee Garde has proven Grade 1 form and has been contesting some of the best novice chases in Ireland. We lashed into him at 14s so it’ll be a nice pay-day for plenty of lads if he goes on to win.

“I think he has a right chance. When Ruby (Walsh) got off him in Leopardstown, he told us that we should be going to the Irish National with him this year. I know Willie (Mullins) was planning on aiming him at the English National next year so that tells you what a good jumper he is.

“Even when he was running over hurdles we knew that his future lay over fences. He got chopped off at the top of the hill in the Albert Bartlett last year but I think that might have been a blessing in disguise.

“Willie said immediately after the race that he’ll be back for the four-miler next year. He’ll love the ground and he’ll stay the trip.”

Tom Doran has been to Cheltenham more times than he cares to remember. But this time it will be different. After losing his brother a few months ago, his best pal Patsy O’Malley (‘The Cowboy’) also passed away in the last 12 months, and both of those will be sadly missed when Doran returns to the Cotswolds.

“It’ll be emotional. I usually have my brothers and Patsy with me at Cheltenham but they are no longer here. Patsy was with me when I bought Allee Garde too and he always said that he was a chaser in the making and to forget about hurdles.”

Whatever happens tomorrow, Allee Garde is a name you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the years ahead.

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