There were 4 winners from our list to follow today with the best coming from the only one I didn’t tip, L’Antartique, in the Paddy Power.
The first two days of the Cheltenham Open Meeting have had more than their fair share of drama and day 3 promises more of the same.
The card kicks off with a Grade 2 novice chase at 1.10. After the awful blows suffered by the Nicholls team today it would be good to see them get some compensation here with Predateur. A winner over hurdles at Taunton last year he also ran well in good company behind the Triumph Hurdles first and second Katchit and Liberate. He is well thought of by connections who rate him an outstanding chasing prospect.
Vot Por Ustedes has won on both his previous visits to Cheltenham and I can see him successfully giving weight away all round to make it 3.
The 2.55 is a very competitive handicap and my short list is rather a lengthy one! I thought that Osana might be going over fences this season but the Pipe yard are keeping his to hurdles for the time being anyway. His second to Blythe Knight at Aintree reads well and he would not be the first top weight to win this. Sizing Europe comes over from Ireland. He won 3 times last season and was going well when falling at Punchestown recently. John Quinn saddles Pevensey who won a good handicap on the flat at Ascot and may have more to offer yet over hurdles. Altilhar is perhaps a bit high in the weights but has run very consistently in decent handicaps and cannot be ignored. The P Hobbs pair of Lead On and Manhattan Boy are also worthy a close look. Lead On has only had 5 runs and has plenty of scope for improvement. There was plenty to like about his second at the last Cheltenham meeting behind the well handicapped Don’t Push It and he should be in the shake up. Manhattan Boy won twice last season before bursting a blood vessel around Christmas time. He has had a recent run on the flat so should be fit. He is best on soft ground. Chivalry may have signalled a return to form with his recent second to King’s Quay and he would complete my “short” list.
If pushed for a selection I would just favour the Irish challenger Sizing Europe.
Elsewhere in the Fontwell 12.20 Super Nick should go well on his debut for a new stable while in the 12.30 at Carlisle Lucinda Russell saddles Quws Law who is a winning pointer and also has good form in bumpers. He looks a nice prospect.
The 1.00 at the Cumbrian track sees the second run over fences for the exciting Tidal Bay. He will not have things all his own way though as Mr Strachan opposes. His second to K’Antartique on his chase bow looks very good indeed in the light of today’s events. Ferdy Murphy’s Top Cloud should have a good season but might need the run, and a greater test of stamina.
Another Murphy runner, Marshall Hall could take advantage of a lenient hurdles mark in the 1.35.
Kealshore Boy cost Graham Wylie 290,000 Guineas after showing some hot form in bumpers and he will be expected to make a winning start to his hurdles career in the 2.45. P’tit Vouster could run well at a huge price.
At Punchetown Tailor’s Hall can make a winning start over fences in the 1.40 while the 2.15 sees the younger generation in the shape of Bob’s Pride and Clopf take on the established order in the shape of Macs Joy, Newmill and Harchibald.
Mick the Man is my selection in the 3.25.
Bye for now
ahorse 