Cheltenham 2007 – Day 3
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2.00 Jewson Novices Handicap Chase
New Little Bric’s has only suffered one defeat this season and that was when 3rd behind Fair Along and My Way de Solzen. Although he has top weight he looks sure to go well. One slight concern might be that his wins have come in small fields but he has won in France in races with 12 and 15 runners.
Tony McCoy’s mount, King Revo, has the look of a “plot” horse and off a low weight is certainly one to consider.
Vic Venturi and King’s Advocate head the Irsih challenge. Vic Venturi is a durable sort and the winner of 3 graded races. His wins have come on soft or heavy ground so the quicker ground is a slight query. This should be his ideal trip though. Similar comments about ground and trip apply to King’s Advocate.
Henrietta Knight doesn’t tilt at windmills and her Aztec Warrior has been gradually improving. He looks a fair each way proposition.
New Little Bric will do as my selection although King Revo is certainly a possible danger.
2.35 Ryanair Chase (Festival Trophy)
Monet’s Garden and Taranis are the two I like best here.
Monet’s Garden jumps well and this looks to be his optimum trip. He also comes here on the back of a good winning performance.
Taranis has been aimed at this race all season, will act on both ground and track and has had a nice little break since his last race.
If pushed to select one I would go narrowly for Monet’s Garden.
3.15 Ladbrokes World Hurdle
No 5 year old has ever won this race. For that reason I am not going to consider Blazing Bailey or Kasbah Bliss.
The race revolves around Black Jack Ketchum. After he lost his unbeaten record last time in the Cleeve Hurdle many were writing him off. I am prepared to stick with him, especially now that the ground is drying out. He has looked a class act in the past and that last run was just too bad to be true.
I am not sure that Mighty Man is quite suited to Cheltenham but he was 3rd last season in what might well have been a stronger race. He has been lightly campaigned this term and as long as the ground rides good I would expect a big run from him.
Inglis Drever won this race in 2005 and is most consistent. His record at the track is 2212. It is hard to argue against that.
Asian Maze is down to run again after disappointing in the Champion Hurdle of Tuesday. Interestingly she has won all her 3 races at 3 miles or further. She will also handle the ground. Her form this season has been a bit below par though and I would see the run earlier in the week as another negative.
Temoin wears first time blinkers and has some claims as he was not beaten far by Mighty Man at Ascot.
Natal has been supplemented by Paul Nicholls and although a chaser these days his hurdling form last season was decent and the drying ground will suit.
I would have been interested in Asian Maze had she not run in the Champion Hurdle but with the ground likely to be good or just on the soft side I will put up Black Jack Ketchum and Mighty Man to finish first and second with Inglis Drever likely to be close up.
4.00 Racing Post Plate handicap chase
Reveillez was a winner at the Festival lasrt season and will have ground conditions to suit but traditionally horses carrying 11 stone or more struggle in this race so I will ignore him. Madison Du Berlais, Roman Ark and Le Volfoni go out for the same reason.
One really intriguing runner is Palarshan who won at the 2003 Festival. He has been off the track though injury for 728 days. Presumably Henry Daly would not run him if he wasn’t fit so who knows!
A less risky option would be Opera Mundi who has progressed nicely for Paul Nicholls this season. Although he was narrowly beaten on his last run that was over 2 miles and the extra 5 furlongs here will suit him. He would be one that would not want the ground to dry up too much.
Idole First won the Coral Cup in 2005 and is currently rated below his hurdles mark over fences. With his stable in excellent form he is an interesting outsider. Another for the short list if the ground rides good or close to is Bold Bishop who has been improving with each run this season.
Tikram is another that interests me. He is now with in form trainer Alan King and he has winning Festival form having taken the Mildmay of Flete in 2004. He was 4th to Exotic Dancer here in December and most of his wins have come on good ground.
Opera Mundi and Tikram would be my front two here with Bold Bishop and Idole First the each way prospects.
4.40 William Hill NH Novices’ Chase
Gungadu is the hot favourite in this and clearly the one to beat. The drying ground will help him making the marathon trip less of a test and I expect he will win.
He does make the odd jumping error though so we should have a look at the alternatives.
Character Building is the obvious one. He won last time out at Market Rasen and although untried at this trip both his pedigree and style of racing suggest he will stay. He has won on both soft and good to firm and in Derek O’Connor he has a very good amateur jockey on board.
The other 3 on my short list would be Ballytrim, Blue Splash and Nine de Sivola. Ballytrim is the sort of relentless galloper that does well in this race. He was a winner last time at Navan beating a horse called kipper. His jockey’s name tomorrow is Codd!
Blue Splash has been running consistently all season with form figures that read 122141. Nine de Sivola was 2nd to Nil Desperandum in the Eider over 4 miles and a furlong so he definitely stays.
Gungadu will take all the beating but there are a few others for you to consider.
5.20 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle
I started off with the following rather lengthy shortlist. Monolith, Oscar Park, Rhinestone Cowboy, Jockser, Cloudy Bays, Material World, Hirvine, Refinement and Nirvana Du Bourg
Monolith won a competitive handicap here at the start of the season, has had a light campaign and will like the ground. He looks to have an excellent chance.
Cloudy Bay’s last 4 runs have been over fences which makes me think his trainer has been protecting the hurdles handicap mark.
Jockser was 2nd to Star de Mohaison here in November on unsuitable ground and deserves consideration.
With regards to Rhinestone Cowboy I can’t see why connections are persisting with his unless they think he can win something worthwhile.
Oscar Park may perhaps have been better with more ease in the ground while although Material World is very tough I just think on reflection that she may have too much weight, something that might also apply to Hirvine.
Nirvana Du Bourg stays well and shaped well I thought in his qualifier at Warwick. Refinement could be better than her recent form figures suggest and what I like about her is that she has winning form in big fields.
Monolith, Cloudy Bays and Rhinestone Cowboy would be my 3 against the field.
Good luck
ahorse 