Cheltenham Day 1
1.30 Supreme Novices Hurdle
Philip Hobbs saddles the consistent Copper Bleu and I think this one has a bit of an each way chance. He was beaten by Master of Arts last time out but time may tell that he was facing an impossible task that day. Before that he had beaten subsequent winner Riverside Theatre at Newbury. He seems to act on any ground and in a truly run race he should finish in the first 6. Another worth looking at among the outsiders is Kangaroo Court who is trained by Emma Lavelle. A winner at Doncaster in December he then ran second to the useful Karabak and is a horse capable of further improvement.
However the 4 I most fancy in this race are Cousin Vinny, Torpichen, Micheal Flips and Go Native. The latter travels strongly in his races and has the ideal pilot in Paul Carberry. An impressive winner at Naas on his last start he has won on ground ranging from good to heavy. Micheal Flips (pictued below) has won 2 of his 3 starts since coming over from Ireland. He goes well fresh and comes here after a nice break.
Cousin Vinny, the winner of last season’s Champion Bumper could be a bit special. He is a winner of 5 of his 7 career starts and would have won on his most recent outing at Leopardstown had he not come to grief at the last. Torpichen caught my eye on the flat last season when running Tarkheena Prince very close up at Ayr. He has won both his starts over hurdles beating subsequent winner Trenchant at Sandown last month. My top 6 for this, in order, would be; Cousin Vinny, Torpichen, Micheal Flips, Go Native, Copper Bleu and Kangaroo Court.
2.05 Arkle Chase
This does not look a vintage renewal but is not easy to solve despite that. Gauvain and Cornas were involved in a close finish at Sandown last month and certainly deserve to take their chance in this. I am not sure that the pair have quite the class in this sort of company though.
Tartak has had a good season and comes here on the back of a win at Kempton. He is prone to the odd jumping error though, which could prove costly given that they will be going hell for leather. Planet of Sound is a likeable sort who will handle any sort of ground but again may just be short of Championship quality.
I’msingingtheblues is a tough and consistent sort and jumps well. He has only been beaten once over fences and gets on well with his jockey Christian Williams. The track would be a concern for me though as I have a feeling he is better on a flat track. Kalahari King is another that has only been beaten once over fences and is a serious contender. He is a good jumper and should go well.
My 3 against the field though would be Tatenen, Calgary Bay and Forpadytheplaster. Calgary Bay has a good record going left handed, generally jumps well and is ridden by Tony McCoy. Tatenen was beaten in Ireland last time but may not have enjoyed the travel and is certainly one for the short list here, especially if we have sufficient rain. My selection though is the Irish challenger Forpadytheplasterer. He is consistent, jumps well, stays further than 2 miles and will be suited by a strongly run race.
2.40 William Hill Handicap Chase
Possol was 3rd in the Jewson last year and previous festival form is always nice to have on the CV. He was runner up in the Racing Post Chase on his last start which is excellent form and will be hard to keep out of the frame.
Wichita Lineman, Nenuphar Collonges and Lothian Falcon all have an each way chance although soft ground would not suit Lothian Falcon.
Nicky Henderson has a good record in the race and I quite like his Golden Flight. Although he hasn’t run since May 2007 he has won 11 races in France including a Grade 1.
Top Weight Star de Mohaison won the RSA Chase 3 years ago but has had his problems since. There have been signs of a return to form this season and as long as we don’t have too much rain he would be one of my leading fancies. Maljimar is probably not that well handicapped but he goes well fresh and seems to like Cheltenham. He could go well at a big price.
The wily French trainer Francois Doumen sends over Millenium Royal, a high class hurdler that is well treated over fences.
My 3 against the field would be Millenium Royal, Star de Mohaison and Maljimar.
3.20 Champion Hurdle
Binocular (pictured below) has looked top class this season and has won his races with considerable aplomb. He does look the most likely winner but in a field of 24 runners including the first and second from last season and 3 other previous winners he is not cast iron certainty. I am going to discount the old warriors Brave Inca and Hardy Eustace as surely vulnerable to the younger brigade while I think Harchibald has also had his chance.
Katchit wears first time blinkers which may make a difference but he is hard to fancy on this season’s form. Last year’s runner up, Osana could be interesting, especially now the Pipe stable are in such form. Snap Tie has a good record round Cheltenham and it would be no surprise if he ran a big arce, especially on good ground which is very important to him.
The lightly raced Jered hasn’t run since November but is not a forlorn hope particularly on decent ground. Another Irish challenger with a chance is Won in the Dark who was 3rd in the Triumph Hurdle last year and has the scope to improve past some of the older, more exposed sorts.
Ashkazar has a genuine each way chance. He has form at Cheltenham and a strongly run race will play to his strengths. He has won on soft but better ground would help his chance. The forgotten horse of the race is Sizing Europe who went off favourite last season. He has won at Cheltenham and handles any ground so if he could find his best form he could be a factor at a big price.
Celestiall Hero has been beaten twice by Binocular this season but did win last season’s Triumph so is sure to handle the demands of the track. Whiteoak could be a real dark horse. Connections have decided to run her here rather than the mares only race where she was favourite. On her seasonal reappearance she was an excellent second to Ashkazar in the Kingwell and has to be taken seriously.
I am going to be boring and give Binocular as the selection. Best each way value? Well you can take your pick from Osana, Jered, Celestial Hero, Sizing Europe, Ashkazar, Whiteoak and Won in the Dark! As that is far too long a short list I have whittled it down to Osana, Jered, Ashkazar and Whiteoak.
4.00 Cross Country Chase
These races are always best left to Enda Bolger and the winner may well come from his duo of L’Ami and Garde Champetre. Of the rest of the field Wonderkid makes most appeal if the ground does not get too soft.
4.40 David Nicholson Mares Hurdle
Nicky Henderson’s Chomba Womba has the form in the book here having beaten the likes of Crack Away Jack, Katchit and Lough Derg this season. Another Nicky Henderson runner, Carole’s Legacy has won twice over this trip over hurdles and looks capable of a bold show. United has won both her starts this season and two years ago was 4th behind Inglis Drever in the World Hurdle.
Best of the Irish looks to be Quevega who quickened well to win at Punchestown last month. Oscar Rebel is another interesting Irish contender. She came back from a three month absence to finish 2nd at Naval last month.
My 3 main fancies are United, Chomba Womba and Quevega with a slight preference for the latter. The only concern would be the ground as her best form has been with plenty of give.
My thanks to Kate Tann for the pictures used today.
ahorse 