Day 4
Once again I will concentrate on the races actually scheduled for today. Those races being rerun as a result of Wednesday’s abandonment were previewed in the bulletin for day 2.
12.30 David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle (2m 4f 110y)
The 9 year olds Refinement and Sweet Kiln have solid credentials here. Refinement has quite a good record at Cheltenham and also seems to come to hand at around this time of year. She won a Grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown last April and has won once this season, in a decent mare’s only listed race at Kempton at the end of November. She gets on very well with AP McCoy and looks to have an outstanding chance. Sweet Kiln is a tough Irish mare who has not finished out of the front two in any of her last 10 races. She handles any ground and has to be one for the shortlist.
Of the younger brigade Theatre Girl makes most appeal. She will only be having her 4th start over timber and she is yet to finish out of the first two. She had previously run well in bumpers, finishing runner up to Turbo Lynn at Aintree and that horse went on to win the Group 2 Lancashire Oaks on the flat. Those would be the trio that I would concentrate on in this race. Of the rest Gaspara won at the Festival last season and I always like previous festival form. Also of course the Pipe yard are not in bad form.
2.15 JCB Triumph Hurdle (2m 1f)
Franchoek has done nothing wrong and sets the standard here. He hurdles well, stays and has a good attitude. In fact to some extent he seems too good to be true and I just wonder if he could be susceptible to something that does him for toe in the finish. Celestial Halo is the obvious danger. He was 7th in the St Leger and has shown enough in his two starts over hurdles to put him firmly in the picture. He should appreciate the track and is said to prefer some cut in the ground. These would be my two against the field and I am going to give a preference for Franchoek as he is a horse I have always liked from his days on the flat. I hope he wins.
If you are looking for something at a bigger price then the consistent Serabad could be for you. He has been beaten by Franchoek twice but has never run a bad race and comes here on the back of a win at Haydock. The other one I would give a mention to is Songe trained by Charlie Longsden. This one has won his last 2 races and had good form both on the flat and over hurdles in France before coming to the UK.
This could be between Franchoek and Celestial Hero with preference for the former. Franchoek had Ashkazar back in 4th when winning at Chepstow at Christmas and that form has been boosted since. Serabad would be my each way choice.
2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (3m)
The North has a good chance in this with the Nicky Richards trained Middleton Dene. He ran really well when a close-up fourth in the Sidney Banks on his first run since October when he blew up but was still only beaten 2l giving weight away to two of the three ahead of him. He will improve for the step up to 3miles, he won at the course earlier in the season and has been aimed at this race all season.
Sound Accord is a half brother to Wild Cane Ridge and stays well. He is an improving sort who was 2nd to Tazbar on his last start. He did have a hard race that day though and it could have left its mark. Lodge Lane is a talented if slightly quirky individual who has won both his novice hurdles this season. A dual bumper winner he will not lack for help from the saddle with Barry Geraghty in the plate. Paul Nicholls is represented by The Tother One who is unbeaten in 5 career starts ridden by Sam Thomas each time. Two bigger priced horses you could look at are Nenuphar Collonges and Siegemaster.
If the ground were to ride soft I would go with Lodge Lane and The Tother One with Middleton Dene preferred on firmer ground.
3.30 totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (3m 2f 110y)
So much has been said and written about the long awaited clash between Kauto Star and Denman that there is not much I can add. Kauto Star is rated as the equal 6th highest rated steeplechaser of all time and his rating would have won the last 40 Gold Cups. Clearly Denman would have to be a hell of a horse to beat him but of then perhaps Denman is a hell of a horse!
I know you can point to the fact that Kauto Star has earned his rating by beating doubtful stayers and it is possible that Denman will just blow them all away from the front in the way that Master Minded broke his opponents hearts in the Champion Chase today. Only a fool would be too dogmatic about the outcome of this clash but I will stay with Kauto Star who has the form in the book.
Of the rest Neptune Collonges should run well. He is only 7 and still improving. Halcon Generlardais stays well and he is another than could challenge for a place especially in soft testing conditions. I could also see Knowhere running on though beaten horses to grab 3rd.
4.05 Christie’s Foxhunter Chase (3m 2f 110y)
Drombeag won this last season and should be on the premises again. Paul Nicholls looks to have a good chance with Lou Du Moulin Mas who is ridden by the very capable Tom Greenall. Nicholls has trained the winner 2 out of the last 4 years.
Man from Highworth and Bon accord are the others that make most appeal. These 4 would be my “panel.”
4.35 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (2m 110y)
Tiger Cry on his best form has a great chance in the Grand Annual. His best two career runs have been on decent ground at Cheltenham and Arthur Moore knows more about handicapping horses than most people.
Nicky Henderson will be keen to win this race named after his father. I see that stable jockey Mick Fitzgerald has elected to ride My Petra and that could be a pointer. Another from the Henderson yard, Crozan is one for the shortlist. He goes well fresh and has had a 3 month break and a fast run 2 miles should be just his bag of oats. Barry Geraghty rides. Andreas won this last year but has gone up 11 lbs since then which will make his task more difficult.
My Petra sneaks in here with a light weight and ticks most of the right boxes. He gets my selection and would certainly be a popular winner.
5.45 Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle (2m 1f)
I would respect the Irish challenge in this with Wanango and Phycho while George Moore knows the time of day in handicap hurdles and he saddles Mon Michel. Paul Nicholls has a good record in this race and I see that Ruby Walsh rides I’msingingtheblues.
Good luck
ahorse 