1.30 National Hunt Chase
This looks a pretty trappy contest to open proceedings and my original short list was quite a lengthy one!
Coe has always looked a horse with plenty of promise and has now got the hang of things over fences. A win at Haydock in January was followed by a very creditable 2nd to the far more experienced Rambling Minster in the Blue Square Gold Cup. Charlie Mann’s Fair Point comes in to the reckoning on the basis of his win at Taunton on his last start. The form of the race has worked out well and both the second and third have won since. Niche Market won at Ascot before Christmas clearly stays well and has run well at Cheltenham before.
Drumconvis won a beginner’s chase at Down Royal in October. He is a hold up horse that needs plenty of cover so this big field should suit him. He is fit from a recent run over a shorter trip and this marathon distance may well play to his strengths.
Can’t Buy Time has won 4 of his 5 races this season and although untried at this distance he gives the impression that he may well get the trip. Kornati Kid is another progressive sort and comes here on the back of wins at Exeter and Wetherby. Noel Meade saddles Parson’s Pistol, a progressive 7 year old who stays well and seems to handle any ground. Nine de Sivola has finished runner up on 6 of his last 9 starts and is yet to win over fences. Two seasons ago though he finished second in the Scottish and Irish Nationals as well as the Eider. He has been desperately disappointing this season but if he could recapture his best form he would be an obvious contender.
Can’t Buy Time, Kornati Kid, Parson’s Piston and Nine de Sivola all make some appeal but for my selection I will side with Coe.
2.05 Ballymore Novices Hurdle
I have been following Diamond Harry all season and I will stick with him here to maintain his 100% record. My next best would be the giant Mad Max who has impressed every time I have seen him run.
2.40 RSA Chase
Carruthers would be a very popular winner of the RSA Chase and certainly has claims following his recent success at Ascot. If we ignore his last run Lodge Lane comes into the equation. A Useful hurdler he beat Wichita Lineman on his chase debut. What a Friend is another to consider while the northern challenger Killyglen has won both his starts over fences and could be a lively outsider.
Horner Woods won last time out at Limerick but he does make the odd mistake which could be costly here. My two against the field would be Coldine and Gone to Lunch. The former stays, is improving and comes here on the back of a win in a decent trial. Gone to Lunch is an accurate jumper, stays well and has the benefit of AP McCoy in the saddle.
3.20 Queen Mother Champion Chase
I can’t oppose Master Minded (pictured below) here. If in anything like his usual form only a fall will stop him.
Well Chief is a fascinating runner but it would be the training performance of all time if David Pipe could win this with him – it would be a nice story though wouldn’t it? If he does return anywhere near his best, and if anyone can get him there David Pipe is the man, he would be the main threat to the hot favourite. Twist Magic is capable of causing an upset on his best form but I am not convinced that Cheltenham is his course. Irish Challenger Big Zeb could be the one to chase home the Paul Nicholls star if Well Chief doesn’t fire.
4.00 Coral Cup
There are plenty of runners from my list to follow in this, Franchoek, Pierrot Lunaire(pictured below) , Serabad, The Polomoche, Pouvoir, Door Boy, Gee Dee Nen and Great Endeavour. I should stay loyal to one of them and I have decided to go with The Polomoche who looks as though he has been laid out for this. Pierrot Lunaire ran very well on his most recent start, Serabad comes here on the back of a win in a decent handicap, Great Endeavour has an unbeaten record and Gee Dee Nen has done well on both his starts over hurdles this season.
The Polomoche will do for me with the Irish raider Psycho, narrowly beaten in a valuable Leopardstown handicap on his last outing, a distinct danger.
4.40 Fred Winter Novices Handicap Hurdle
Ski Sunday comes here on the back of a couple of recent wins and looks to have a good chance. Balzaccio has impressed me this season and could well be the danger.
5.15 Champion Bumper
This is not a race I have a strong view on. My short list would consist of Sicilian Secret, Henry King, Meath All Star, Dunguib and Gagewell Flyer. Narrowing this down to 3 my main fancies are Henry King, Meath All Star and Dunguib.
My thanks to Kate Tann for the photographs today.
ahorse 