After a hectic week previewing the Festival races I at last have a chance to catch my breath!
Staying on the Cheltenham theme I thought I would start this evening’s offering with a look back at the last 4 days and in particular the performances of the horses from our list to follow.
The top performance on day 1 was of course My Way de Solzen who I had fancied for the Arkle. He jumps so well and proved that he has plenty of speed for the 2 miles. The best of the rest of our runners in the Arkle was Don’t Push It who was travelling strongly when tipping up at the penultimate fence.
Granit Jack, a grey reminiscent of Neptune Collonges and from the same stable, ran a fine race in the Supreme Novices to finish 2nd. He suffered from stomach ulcers earlier in the season but had a reputation over fences in France and ran to a very high level of form here. Fences beckon next season but he will not qualify for novice events.
The stiff uphill finish brought out the best in Afsoun who stayed on well to take 3rd in the Champion Hurdle. It would seem to me that he has achieved as much as he can over hurdles and will presumably go novice chasing next season when he looks a very interesting prospect.
I thought we had a winner in the William Hill handicap chase when Distant Thunder hit the front but he was just swallowed up in the last few yards and finished 3rd beaten by a couple of short heads. He was left in the lead when Heltornic fell and that possibly went against him as he may have just been in front too long. Mon Mome ran with credit in 4th.
Our list horses finished 2nd (Tidal Bay), 3rd (Catch Me) and 4th (Silverburn) in the Ballymore Properties on day 2, before Denman stamped his authority on the Royal and SunAlliamce Chase. According to John ran his best race of the season at 66/1 in third for Nicky Richards and Aces Four was probably a bit unlucky in 4th as he stumbled on landing 3 out and that cost him a place or two. On the tipping front Denman was probably my biggest mistake of the week. Both trainer and jockey were very confident about his chance beforehand and I should have gone for him.
With Well Chief crashing out early in the Champion Chase, Voy Por Ustedes took full advantage and won in impressive style for Choc Thornton. Dempsey showed that he can be a potent force when he puts in a clear round and he ran a cracker in 2nd.
Cloudy Lane had a low weight in the Kim Muir and took advantage to give Donald McCain a Festival winner.
On Day 3 Rasharrow ran well for the list in 4th but better was expected of Monet’s Garden who occupied the same finishing position in the Ryanair Chase. This was won by another one of our “listers” Taranis who just held on from Our Vic and another from our list Billyvoddan who were closing him down at the finish.
Mighty Man ran a mighty race in the World Hurdle but could never quite get to the admirable Inglis Drever up the run in. He is probably better on a flat track so there was much credit in this performance.
Kauto Star showed his class in the Gold Cup and defied his critics in style. He has now won 6 times this season in top company on 6 different tracks. Turpin Green has plenty of ability when he puts his best foot forward and he ran on well in 3rd.
Our 7th and last list winner of the week came thanks to an assured performance from Andreas in the Grand Annual. He travelled really smoothly for Choc Thornton but a mistake 2 out seemed to have let in Hasty Price. Andreas does not have a reputation as a battler but he got back up bravely on this occasion.
All in all a very enjoyable week. I think my stamina is running out but I will have a quick look at the prospects of our list horses for the weekend.
Locksmith got off to a poor start this season but more recent runs have been more encouraging. He is not off a bad mark in the opener at Newcastle and could well make the frame. Villon, a decent horse of Lenny Lungo’s makes a return to the racecourse he after a lengthy lay off.
There are 4 runners from our list in the 2.40 at Uttoxeter and they all have question marks against them. Glasker Mill looked the real deal when winning his first effort over fences but he has fallen in both his starts since. Opera de Coeur has failed to live up to the promise he showed last season over hurdles and has not looked a natural over the larger obstacles. Leading Contender has been a beaten favourite 4 times this season and Brankley Boy has been pulled up on his last 2 starts. You will understand why I will not be tipping any of this quartet!
Prince of Slane goes in the 3.35 at Wetherby where he will take on a host of course specialists in the handicap chase. He is another that is yet to win thsi season but with the ground likley to favour him a return to form would not be out of the question if his jumpingt holds up.
On Sunday Bougoure represents our list in the Carlisle 2.00. He is yet to get of the mark this season but was in with every chance when falling at Haydock last time. Would have a live chance with a clear round of jumping.
Good performances at Cheltenham by According to John and Turpin Green may bode well for stable companion Great Approach in the 3.40.
The next update will be Sunday evening. I am going for a lay down!
ahorse 