Go Native was today reported to have travelled over "brilliantly" and be in fantastic shape ahead of tomorrow's Champion Hurdle in which victory would scoop his connections a £1 million bonus.
The bonus for winning the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown would see £700,000 awarded to Go Native’s owners the Docado Syndicate, £150,000 to trainer Noel Meade, £100,000 to the responsible stable lad Alan McIlroy and £50,000 to the remainder of the team at Tu Va.
Go Native is looked after by Alan McIlroy who took over from aspiring jockey Daragh Bourke earlier in the season and stands to pocket £100,000 if Go Native wins the Champion Hurdle.
Alan said, “I’m very excited at the moment. The horse travelled over brilliantly and we are now all set for the biggest race in his, and my, life. I have been out on the track with him and the ground is currently perfect.
"It seems a long time ago that we were at Newcastle for the WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle when were ignored in the betting at 25/1. I have taken over looking after the horse from Daragh and should Go Native win I will be buying him a car. Fingers crossed I am!”
Daragh said, “Unfortunately I am unable to make the trip to Cheltenham for The Festival. I have riding commitments in Ireland so I will be watching the race with the rest of the team back at Tu Va. I am sure many people will question my sanity, given that I was up for £100,000 for looking after Go Native, but when I was growing up I dreamt of riding winners for Noel Meade and not being rich. Fingers crossed he wins the race for Noel, the owners, my co-workers at the yard and for Alan.”
Damien McGillick, a member of the stable staff at Noel Meade’s said, “It is absolutely fantastic what WBX have done for us with this bonus.
"Many people forget the stable staff and it is great that this bonus put up by WBX rewards us all. All the staff are looking forward to it and, regardless of the money on offer, we are desperate to win the Champion Hurdle because it’s the Champion Hurdle. Any extra bonuses can wait until we are having the inevitable party!”
Last year’s WBX Hurdling Triple Crown saw what has been dubbed the most expensive fall in National Hunt history, with Punjabi’s fall in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton costing connections £1 million. Punjabi had previously won the 2008 WBX.COM Fighting Fifth Hurdle and went on to land the Champion Hurdle later in the same season.
World Bet Exchange offers a “Will the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown Be Won?” market. Over £205,000 has so far been wagered on the market with `Yes` backed from a high of 49/1 into a current price of 3.8/1.
Iain Turner, PR and Sponsorship Manager for World Bet Exchange said, “We are now on countdown until the Champion Hurdle and the final leg of the WBX Hurdling Triple Crown after the declarations were made yesterday.
"Go Native is just eight hurdles and approximately four minutes away from winning the £1 million bonus and, from what I hear, the horse is in fantastic form at home.
"Kribensis remains the only horse to win the three races in the same season and hopefully Go Native can follow up his victory in the Supreme Novices’ last year with success in the Champion Hurdle this time around.
"It is fantastic that the whole team at Tu Va could benefit from the WBX bonus and I can’t wait to get an invite for the party should Go Native win the £1 million!”
