The Fast Show: JJ Slevin is confident that he has a major chance of securing Gold Cup glory with Fastorslow: ‘He’s a different animal’


  • JJ Slevin is confident of securing success in the Gold Cup with Fastorslow 
  • Slevin praised Fastorslow’s pace, stating that he is a ‘different animal’

Soon there will be talk of a famous uncle and intense fitness regimes. First, though, JJ Slevin is eager to explain why this Cheltenham Festival can become known as ‘The Fast Show’.

Slevin is master trainer Aidan O’Brien’s nephew and his childhood was spent watching the TV in Ballydoyle when the great Istabraq was running amok in Champion Hurdles. With a pedigree of that calibre, it is little wonder that he became an ultra-reliable jockey, having initially aspired to be a journalist.

The opening day of The Festival begins with Slevin getting the leg up on Lark In The Morn, favourite for the ferociously competitive Boodles Juvenile Handicap; it is one of three rides he will have for his cousin Joseph O’Brien, the others being Banbridge and Home By The Lee on Thursday.

But the horse that Slevin has been dreaming about is Fastorslow, second favourite for the 100th running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday. There is a twinkle in his eye and significant change in his tone when he begins to emphasise what makes him stand out from the crowd.

‘He’s a different animal,’ says Slevin. ‘They’re a completely different beast, these good horses. It’s like when you get into a big Audi or BMW compared to an Opel Corsa or something, when you put your foot down. I wouldn’t mind running him over two miles, he’s got that kind of pace. Believe me, he’s a very, very good horse.

JJ Slevin expressed his belief that he can secure success in the Gold Cup with Fastorslow

JJ Slevin expressed his belief that he can secure success in the Gold Cup with Fastorslow

Slevin was full of praise for Fastorslow's pace, describing him as 'a different animal'

Slevin was full of praise for Fastorslow’s pace, describing him as ‘a different animal’

‘I would say (favourite and last year’s winner) Galopin Des Champs is probably in the same boat. You rock them up in them two-mile chases, they wouldn’t be far away.

‘I’ve never ridden in a Gold Cup but that’s what separates the good horse from a very good horse — that ability to travel and lie up. The middling lad… he’ll get on the back foot, make a mistake, end up back out of the race. The real good lad will kick on again — and this is a real good lad.’

Sentiments, certainly, that apply to the man himself. Slevin has an unflappable temperament and that came across when he guided Fastorslow to victories in the Punchestown Gold Cup and John Durkan Chase that popped the bubble of invincibility around Galopin Des Champs.

Many expect Galopin Des Champs to repeat last season’s Gold Cup victory, particularly after he left Fastorslow in his wake in the Irish Gold Cup last month, but Slevin argues: ‘My lad is a hardy. He gave him a bit of a run and a fight. I’m looking forward to it. All is not lost yet. We still have a chance.’

And where there is a chance, there is the potential for a dream to stay alive. Slevin will keep in trim this week pounding on treadmills and occasionally doing boxing circuits and won’t have any issue about going out for meals in Cheltenham as ‘I don’t think anyone will recognise me!’

They would certainly recognise his uncle, however, and this being Champion Hurdle day, it seems only appropriate that he finishes with a story about Istabraq.

Slevin is the nephew of master trainer Aidan O'Brien and learned a lot from his uncle

Slevin is the nephew of master trainer Aidan O’Brien and learned a lot from his uncle

Many expect Galopin Des Champs to secure victory again at the Gold Cup this year

Many expect Galopin Des Champs to secure victory again at the Gold Cup this year

‘I was only five but I remember it well,’ the now 31-year-old says with a smile. ‘There was pressure in the house, that day (in 1998). Istabraq needed to win, like, and thank God he did. It’s mad to be even thinking this is happening to me. It’s just looking forward to it, see what happens.

‘I’ll never rest on my laurels. I’ll keep going to the next. It’s all about tomorrow. I’ll keep going and going and until someday it’s going to stop. That’s not happening yet. The build-up to a big race is great. And with Cheltenham it goes on for weeks and weeks.’



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