Thursday 18 March
IRELAND'S EYE
Day 2 of Cheltenham did not prove as kind to us as the opening day. Despite that however we did register two winners through our savers Peddlers Cross (7/1) in the novice hurdle while Ruby Walsh reached another milestone in his career by landing his 26th winner at the Festival with Sanctuaire (6-4/1). In addition Al Ferof (9-8/1) finished an honourable runner up to an easy winner of the bumper.
In what is usually the toughest day of the Festival we are confident of getting a few decent priced winners on the board with a low weight ‘catching the eye’ in the closing handicap and a progressive and still reasonably treated handicap hurdler can land a red hot handicap for one of the lesser yards.
1-30 JEWSON NOVICE – 2m 4f hc hurdle
When faced with these competitive handicaps it is usually wise to go back to form in Graded company and the one that ‘ticks’ that box is the Mouse Morris trained CHINA ROCK. The 7yo has not been disgraced in Grade 1 and 2 chases on his last three runs and the ‘Slippers’ Madden ridden gelding who ran well in taking fourth in the Champion novice hurdle here last year should appreciate the better ground and looks to be on a fair mark. Dangers include Hey Big Spender – a course and distance winner who could give the Tizzard yard their second win of the week and Willie Mullins The Midnight Club who might be suited by some ‘juice’ in the ground but the 9yo did show some ability on that surface ‘between the flags’ in past.
2-05 PERTEMPS FINAL 3m hc hurdle
Another contest which boasts a poor favourites record and though Paul Nicholls ex pointer Alfie Sherrin could prove well handicapped there is a slight danger that this race could come too soon for the 7yo. One that appeals at a big price is the highly progressive ex pointer CROSS KENNON from the Jennie Candish yard as there seems to be little signs that the Craigsteel gelding has stopped his winning run and though this looks his stiffest test to date he could strike off a low weight here under Alan O’Keeffe. Irish challenger Time Electric will love the better ground here and could go close under Davy Russell while fellow raider Smoking Aces is another to consider in first time cheekpieces.
2-40 RYANAIR CHASE – 2m 5f
Not highly original but the vote here has to go to the Paul Nicholls trained POQUELIN who boasts a fine record at the track and he comes here fresh since he was not been seen since landing the Boylesports Gold Cup here over CD at the end odf last year. Scotsirish could turn out to be the best of the Irish challengers while Albertas Run cannot be discounted either despite having to find something ‘in the book’ on recent efforts but the O’Neill trained dual course winner does have his preferred good ground.
3-20 WORLD HURDLE – 3m
It is tempting to go with the obvious and tip the reigning champion Big Buck’s to land the title for the second year and Paul Nicholls seven year old holds the Alan King trained KARABAK on their running in the Long Walk at Newbury in December. However better ground may bring about the necessary improvement in the Tony McCoy ridden 7yo and he can bring down the third leg of the ‘fabulous four’ (Dunguib and Master Minded already floored) here.
4-00 BYRNE GROUP hc chase – 2m 5f
Local trainer Johnjo O’Neill invariably gets on the score sheet and he looks to have fine prospects of landing this open looking handicap with the dual chase scorer Sunnyhillboy who looks to be well handicapped here with the useful 3lb climing Richie McLernon on board. With the trip looking ideal for the 7yo the Old Vic gelding should be ‘right at home’ on this surface and he can account for another possible improver in the Lucy Wadham trained Victorias Groom while dual CD winner The Sawyer could go close off a higher weight though a little ease in the ground could suit the 10yo.
4-40 FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR hc chase - 3m 1f 110yds
Venetia Williams boasts a fine record in the Festival handicaps and her relatively unexposed Ma Yahab looks a decent win/place bet here off near bottom weight with Harry Challoner taking off 3lbs. Lightly raced this season the 9yo has effectively a pound or so on main danger Shillingstone from the Sally Alner yard on their running at Sandown over 3m 1f on just his second run following an absence. However the Alner runner was having his first run for almost three months and the former hunter chaser could be open to more improvement also. Phillip Hobbs Course and distance winner Boychuk under champion Irish point rider Derek O’Connor is another to consider with his stable in fine form at present.
ADVICE
BET 4pt win CHINA ROCK 1-30 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win/1pt win (savers) HEY BIG SPENDER and THE MIDNIGHT CLUB 1-30 Cheltenham
BET 4pt win POQUELIN 2-40 Cheltenham
BET 1pt win (savers) SCOTSIRISH and ALBERTAS RUN 2-40 Cheltenham
BET 3pt win KARABAK 3-20 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win (saver) BIG BUCK’S 3-20 Cheltenham
BET 5pt win (nap) SUNNYHILLBOY 4-00 Cheltenham
BET 2pt/1pt win (savers) VICTORIAS GROOM and THE SAWYER 4-00 Cheltenham
BET 4pt win MAY YAHAB 4-40 Cheltenham
BET 2pt/1pt win (savers) SHILLIGSTONE and BOYCHUK 4-40 Cheltenham
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