This was from the RP in the first few days of the new year. With all the racing to be digested I said i'd post it here in case anyone missed it. Apologies if it's up somewhere already;
O'Brien excited by Triumph hope Ivanovic Gorbatov
JOSEPH O'BRIEN is relishing a new career following in his father's footsteps as a trainer and hopes JCB Triumph Hurdle favourite Ivanovich Gorbatov can give him a dream start to his new venture.
The two-time Irish champion Flat jockey, who admitted on Thursday his appearances in the saddle would be very rare in 2016, will concentrate on training this year and is hoping to acquire his own licence in the coming months.
Ivanovich Gorbatov could provide him with a fairytale first chapter if he were to win at the Cheltenham Festival in March, a prospect the 22-year-old is very excited about.
Punters certainly think that fairytale could happen as Ivanovich Gorbatov was a big mover on Thursday, shortened into 5-1 favourite with most firms following his impressing jumping debut at Leopardstown over Christmas.
'More to come'
"Ivanovich Gorbatov was a natural from day one," said O'Brien. "He jumped brilliantly from the word go and that's a huge asset. We thought he would run well at Leopardstown but, to be honest, he didn't have an ideal preparation for the race so we think there's a fair bit more improvement to come from him.
"When you have a horse of his ability on the Flat who jumps so well it's hard not to get excited.
"He has a very strong constitution and takes absolutely everything in his stride. He doesn't bat an eyelid at anything."
Aidan O'Brien deflected all the praise on to his son after Ivanovich Gorbatov won at Leopardstown and, while Joseph might not have his own licence in time for Cheltenham, he is the one doing all the work with the jumpers behind the scenes.
Team of about 70
He is running a yard at Owning Hill in Pilltown where an exciting team of about 70 - a mixture of jumpers, Flat horses and yearlings - are situated and it is a role he is relishing.
He said: "I love what I'm doing at the moment. It's really enjoyable. I suppose I've been doing this for about a year now so am starting to get used to it. We have a lovely team of about 60 or 70 horses.
"I missed the last chance to get my trainers' licence last year because I was at the Breeders' Cup but I hope to have it in the next few months. Whether I get it in time for Cheltenham I'm not sure.
'Ones to look forward to'
"Ivanovich Gorbatov was good at Leopardstown but we have a few others I like as well. Outspoken might have won at Fairyhouse had he not made a mistake at the last but he picked up a little injury so we might keep his novice status for next season.
"Best Kept Secret ran well at Punchestown and Edwulf looked like he was going to win a nice beginners' chase at Navan only for falling at the last. All of those are ones to look forward to."
O'Brien is very much concentrating on his new venture, and said: "You won't see me riding too much this year. It will be very rare."
I'm working less than 10 miles from Ballydoyle & there were a few whispers about this lad before Christmas from some of the lads there who'd knew what this fella was doing in Pilltown.
Got a few bob on him at 6/1 for March but wishing i'd got a bit more on. The fact he reckons there's a good bit more improvement to come from the horse is very encouraging too. That Christmas form is working out super.
If he wins again in February he'll go off a seriously short fav for the triumph. If Joseph doesn't get his trainers licence in time it'll have the feeling of those wonder days with Istabraq all over again.
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