The suspension of the point-to-point season has forced leading handler Eugene O’Sullivan to alter his plans slightly as he charts a course back to the Cheltenham Festival with his defending St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup winner It Came To Pass.
The 11-year-old sprung a surprise in last year’s renewal when he powered up the fearsome Cheltenham hill at a price of 66/1 to land the most coveted prize in the Hunter Chase division by ten lengths.
Owned by Alurie O’Sullivan, the Brian Boru gelding has only been seen in competitive action on one occasion since when finishing fourth behind Stand Up And Fight on his seasonal re-appearance at Fairyhouse in November.
“It Came To Pass is in great form and we are delighted with him. Everything is according to plan except that the point-to-points are cancelled," said the Co. Cork based O'Sullivan.
“I was going to give him a run in a point-to-point and he’ll have to go now to either Naas or Thurles and we haven’t decided whether we will go or not. Last year we didn’t go anywhere and we did alright!
“If the ground is alright we’ll consider going for one of those and if not he might go straight to Cheltenham. He’s in great order.
“Cheltenham always was the plan since last year and he comes better in the spring. Hopefully we can go to Fairyhouse and Punchestown after that.”
It Came To Pass is currently a top-priced 10/1 shot to follow the likes of On The Fringe and Pacha Du Polder by winning the Cheltenham Festival contest for a second year in succession, with Willie Mullins’ Down Royal winner, Billaway, who was second in last year’s renewal, the current 5/1 market leader.
