Wednesday 17 March
IRELAND'S EYE
Four winners on the opening day of the Festival ensured that we got off to a flying start. Quevega (2-6/4) fairly bolted home in the concluding mares hurdle while three savers Sizing Europe (13/2-6/1), Champion hurdle winner Binocular (9/1) and Cross Country victor A New Story (25/1) made it a highly profitable day for the team. In addition our sole lay Captain Cee Bee (5/2 – 8th) failed to fire in the Arkle while another of our selections Bensalem (6/1) toppled when travelling well in the William Hill chase.
Today we will forsake the lure of the Irish meets at Down Royal and Wexford and the Huntingdon card to concentrate on the major events at Cheltenham where an Irish trained handicapper (22.5 on the DAQ) can land a competitive handicap hurdle and the Henderson team can gain further glory in the Royal & Sun Alliance Chase on Day 2.
1-30 NATIONAL HUNT CHASE 4m
A race which surprisingly boasts a modest record for favourites and three against the field are the ex John Berry trained Abbeyraney who will be suited by the step up in trip; dual chase winner Any Currency and recent front running chase winner Fabalu who should could appreciate the better ground (beat recent chase winner The Midnight Club in point). However a narrow vote goes to the talented if quirky Venetia Williams trained MOBAASHER who invariably runs well here and has ground to suit.
2-05 NEPTUNE NOVICE HURDLE – 2m 5f
This contest has gone to the Irish three times in the last 4 years with Willie Mullins taking the last two. His charge here Quel Esprit is a horse of some potential but he could be unsuited by easier ground but we will side with another Overseas challenger in the Jessica Harrington trained 5yo SUMMIT MEETING who can land his third hurdle on the fastest ground that he has encountered to date. His biggest threat can come from the former pointer and unbeaten Peddlers Cross (Donald McCain) while another promising sort who can make his presence felt is the Nicky Henderson trained Finian’s Rainbow.
2-40 RSA CHASE – 3m 110yds
In what looks a very strong renewal but the Henderson yard hold a particularly strong hand and former top hurdler PUNCHESTOWNS can keep his unbeaten record over fences intact and he could hold too many guns for another unbeaten chaser and course winner Diamond Harry and the Charles Byrne runner Weapon’s Amnesty.
3-20 QUEEN MOTHER CHASE – 2m
MASTER MINDED put up a scintillating performance when landing this race for the first time in 2008 and though Paul Nicholls 7yo has had his training problems this year he was back to his brilliant best in the Game Spirit last time and the Ruby Walsh ridden gelding can make it 3 in a row with Ferdy Murphys Kalahari King looking the obvious danger with drying ground riding in his favour.
4-00 CORAL CUP – 2m 5f
One of the traditionally toughest handicaps of the 4 days. On Raglan Road returns from a lengthy break following injury and the Howard Johnson trained 7yo boasts decent form at a higher level and looks well treated on his handicap bow. However the interesting one near the foot of the handicap is one of Willie Mullins runners Hampshire Gale who made a mockery of his handicap mark when scoring in an ordinary hurdle over a month ago. The Paul Townend ridden gelding (22.3 on the DAQ) represents excellent value in a race in which the Irish have a decent record.
4-40 FRED WINTER hurdle – 2m 110yds
Not one of the races that inspire confidence as most of these are very unexposed. A chance is taken with the recent Necastle winner Stormy Weather – rated 98 on the flat and showed fair form on better ground who opened his account over hurdles at second attempt on heavy. Faster ground could bring about the necessary improvement in the ex French trained runner and he can account for another French bred in Sanctuaire who won in fine style at Taunton. Others to consider are Brian Ellisons unbeaten hurdler Bothy and Kudu Country.
5-15 WEATHERBY BUMPER – 2m 110yds
A strong revival and a race in which the Irish will hope to be in clover once again on St Patricks day. This year sees a wide open affair and the one that gets our nod is the Edward O’Grady trained From The Hip who has been impressive in both starts to date and he can beat another Irish runner in Tavern Times. Former Irish trained ex pointer Al Ferof can make up the placings for the Nicholls yard.
ADVICE
BET 4pt win MOBAASHER 1-30 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win/1pt win (savers) ABBEYRANEY and FABALU 1-30 Cheltenham
BET 4pt win SUMMIT MEETING 2-05 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win (savers) PEDDLERS CROSS and FINIANS RAINBOW 2-05 Cheltenham
BET 5pt win (nap) PUNCHESTOWNS 2-40 Cheltenham
BET 4pt win MASTER MINDED 3-20 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win (saver) KALAHARI KING 3-20 Cheltenham
BET 4pt win/1pt place HAMPSHIRE GALE 4-00 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win (saver) ON RAGLAN ROAD 4-00 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win STORMY WEATHER 4-40 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win/1pt win (savers) SANCTUAIRE and KUDU COUNTRY 4-40 Cheltenham
BET 4pt win FROM THE HIP 5-15 Cheltenham
BET 2pt win/1pt win (saver) TAVERN TIMES and AL FEROF 5-15 Cheltenham
Comments