1.30 Jewson’s Novices Handicap Chase
Philip Hobbs has had a couple of placed horses this week at Cheltenham and has a fancied runner in this with Ring the Boss who has two wins under his belt this season, most recently at Warwick. I see though that Richard Johnson has elected to ride recent Kempton winner Pancake rather than Ring the Boss.
Nigel Twiston- Davies trains just down the road from Cheltenham and the local trainer had a winner in the opening race this afternoon. He saddles Crescent Island in this race. A winner at Stratford back in October he was disappointing after that when the stable were out of form but has the benefit of a recent run. Straw Bear has not rally taken to fences this season, not looking like a natural over the larger obstacles. He was a bit disappointing back over hurdles on his most recent start at Fontwell too.
The Irish are doing pretty well at Cheltenham this week and both Tranquil Sea and Northern Alliance come here with chances. The former could be well handicapped on his best form. Decent over hurdles, he was 8th in the Supreme Novices last season he was a winner over fences at Cork in November. There may have been excuses for a couple of subsequent defeats. Northern Alliance won twice over fences early in the season and then fell when in contention at Fairyhouse in a race won by Trafford Lad. He was 3rd at Navan last month so should not lack for fitness and he handles any sort of ground.
Heading the home challenge could be Naiad du Misselot who is trained by Ferdy Murphy. This one has sound festival form as he won the Coral Cup last season. He is yet to win over fences in 4 starts but has put in some fair efforts and has been aimed at this race. His jumping has not always been fluent but if he puts in a clear round he would be a big danger to all.
Tranquil Sea, Northern Alliance and Naiad du Misselot would be my 3 against the field and if pushed for a single selection I would just favour Tranquil Sea.
2.05 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle
I don’t have a particularly strong view on this race. You have to respect anything Tony Martin runs in a race like this and his Green Mile, lurking at the bottom of the weights and ridden by Ruby Walsh looks interesting. Northern challenger Middleton Dene has a bit of a chance for Rose Dobbin while another at a really big price is The Sliotar who has some potential now that the Pipe team are going well.
Ballydub, who is best on soft ground, and Ringaroses are others to consider.
2.40 Ryanair CFhase
This is a fascinating race. Vor Por Ustedes looks made for this race as the trip suits him ideally. His festival form is impressive having won both the Arkle and the Champion Chase. Tidal Bay would be a threat if at his best. Last year’s Arkle winner he was also runner up in the Ballymore Properties the year before. He has won over this trip at Cheltenham as a novice. Imperial Commander was an impressive winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup and boasts a good record at the track with 4 wins. I know Our Vic also has possibilities if at his best but he is an enigmatic character and I prefer the other 3.
Voy Por Ustedes (pictured below) has to be the most likely winner with Tidal Bay (only ever out of the first 2 once in his career) and Imperial Commander each way alternatives.
3.20 World Hurdle
Kasbah Bliss was only beaten a length by Inglis DRever in this race last season and has since won a Group 3 on the flat in France and run away with a Grade 2 hurdle at Haydock. He handles any ground and has to be the selection. Big Bucks and Punchestowns are closely matched on their recent run but both are essentially chasers and with the ground drying may not be able to match the French horse for gears. At a bigger price, Tazbar, always very highly rated by his astute trainer could be the each way value.
4.00 Freddie Williams Festival Plate
Three Mirrors, Clarified and Buck the Legend are the 3 I like in this. Clarified was only beaten half a length by Forpadytheplasterer at Punchestown in October and is an unexposed sort. Three Mirrors is a spring horse, was 5th in the Paddy Power and will appreciate good ground. Buck the Legend looks a progressive type with two wins under his belt this season and the stable are returning to form.
Of the rest I have finally given up on Denman’s brother Silverburn who has had too many chances (famous last words!). I have always thought there is a good race in Bible lord if he could sort his jumping out and he might be a fun each way bet. I would recommend concentrating on my “big 3” though.
4.40 Kim Muir Handicap Chase
Character Building and Butler’s Cabin both hold Grand National entries so it will be interesting to see how they go.
I quiet like Sherwood’s Folly for this. He was 5th in the Welsh National and will appreciate this drop back in distance. The ground could be a negative as he seems to prefer some cut. The Irish have not won this since 1983 which slightly puts me off Aggies Lad so for my selection I have decided to go with Poker De Sivola who will be suited by the track and has some good form in relation to Kornati Kid.
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