Cheltenham Day 2
2.00 Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle (2m 5f)
Aigle D’Or represents Nicky Henderson in this. A winner on the flat in France he has won both his starts over hurdles in the UK. His form looks good as the horse he beat on his last run has won since. He has already won at Cheltenham, has speed being a listed winner on the flat and he gets the trip well. There are some negatives though. With only 2 runs over hurdles he does lack experience and his trainer has a poor record in the race.
The Irish challenger Forpadytheplasterer should be a major player. A Grade 1 winner at Leopardstown last time this step up in trip should be in his favour. He is a big dour galloper and has a really solid look about him for this race.
Group Captain is a danger. He was rated 102 on the flat and is unbeaten in 3 starts over hurdles. The stable are in fine form and he looks a major player. Those would be my 3 most likely winners.
Looking at the each way value Razor Royale was 4th behind Aigle D’Or at Cheltenham but he was a course and distance winner earlier in the season and seems to handle any ground. Majestic Concorde was a useful flat handicapper and won a couple of small hurdle races before finishing 4th in a Grade 2 at Punchestown. He probably needs good ground. Another Irish fancy is Venelmar whose trainer has to be respected at the Festival and he looks worth an each way bet.
So, there you have it really, 3 potential win bets and 3 each way selections. If pushed for a win selection I would narrowly go side with Forpadytheplasterer.
2.35 Royal & SunAlliance Chase (3m 110y)
This does not look a very strong renewal of this race and I am struggling to see past the first and second in the Reynoldstown Chase, Albertas Run and Air Force One. It is very hard to split them but I suppose that strictly on the book Albertas Run should finish in front of his rival again so I will go for him. Oscar Park won the Pertemps Hurdle final at last year’s festival and has won a couple of small races over fences this season. Silverburn is a horse I have always liked but I am not sure about his stamina at this trip.
In summary then, I find Alberta’s Run and Air Force One hard to split and Oscar Park is one that could go well at a price.
3.15 Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase (2m)
This seems to be between 4 horses, Voy Por Ustedes, Twist Magic, Master Minded and Tamarinbleu.
I think that many pundits have been writing Twist Magic off a little prematurely. His defeat at Ascot may well have been down to the testing ground and prior to that he had beaten Voy Por Ustedes at level weights in the Tingle Creek. Masterminded put in an awesome performance to win the Game Spirit Chase and he looks a horse on the up. It has been suggested that Voy Por Ustedes lacks his previous zest this season. He has a very consistent record however and has not been out of the first 2 in his last 13 completed starts. He also has a good record at Cheltenham.
Tamarinbleu is proven in the stamina department and will surely make this a real stamina test. It is not inconceivable that he could make all and he will certainly test any chinks in the armour of the Nicholls pair Twist Magic (stamina) and Master Minded (jumping). If the ground rides soft I would fancy Master Minded as he has the most scope among the 4 main players. Voy Por Ustedes is very consistent and will give you a run for your money as he jumps well and stays. If the ground rides on the soft side it would be a negative for him. Off the fence then; good ground Voy Por Ustedes, soft ground Master Minded.
4.00 Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (2m 5f)
28 runners and a bit of a nightmare! Let’s try and narrow it down a bit. I have actually backed Junior and Niaid Du Missalot. Junior was a decent staying handicapper on the flat winning twice from 3 starts. Since moving to Alan King’s yard he has improved as a hurdler and was only narrowly beaten last time out at Huntingdon. He is an unexposed type and should go well. Niaid Du Missalot won a competitive hurdle at Haydock back in December and looks to have been laid out for this. Leg Spinner has a great record at 2m2f or further on decent ground winning four times in five tries. He has not run since winning the Cesarewitch and they were even thinking about the Champion Hurdle for him. He can’t be out of the frame on decent ground. He does tend to struggle on soft ground though so keep that in mind.
Those would be my 3 main fancies.
Of the rest The Package looks to be David Pipe’s main contender and is another lightly raced horse. I was impressed with Kicks For Free when he won he won at Kempton last time out but he does have a lot of weight.
4.40 Peter O’Sullevan National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup (4m)
There are plenty with chances in this. I like Back On Line for Venetia Williams. The further she goes the better she is and she won for her current pilot last time out at Uttoxeter.
My main fancy is Over the Creek who has solid staying handicap chase form at the track and looks an ideal type for his race while I also like Old Benny each-way as he looks an out-and-out stayer in the making. Sherwoods Folly jumped well to win at Huntingdon on his last run and is clearly suited by cut in the ground.
Beantown looks the best Irish hope. He was 2nd in this race in 2006 only beaten a neck and won his last start at Navan. Strictly on form the Paul Nicholls trained Ornais is the one to beat. He has won twice this season and despite an odd head carriage he is basically a sound jumper. There is a suspicion that he may be best on a flat track though and he is rather a short price.
Over The Creek and Beantown would be my main fancies with Old Benny and Back on Line each way shots.
5.20 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (2m 110y)
My 3 against the field here are Apt Approach, Zaariti and Corkskeagh Royale in that order.
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