1.30 Triumph Hurdle
Walkon has been my main fancy for this for some time and I will stick with him; his trainer Alan King has a good record in the race and the form of the horse looks solid. Starluck has recorded 3 impressive wins over hurdles and he would be my next best while Reve de Sivola is the 3rd runner I would consider.
2.05 County Hurdle
Rippling Ring is clearly well handicapped but his form this season has been awful and there must be a problem with him. If he were to regain the form that saw him 5th in the Supreme Novices last year he would be a snip. I see that Ruby Walsh has elected to ride American Trilogy and this one has an each way chance.
Cockney Trucker is lightly raced and may be on a reasonable mark. He will like the ground and should go well. Dave’s Dream won the Imperial Cup at Sandown in fine style and goes for the bonus here. If he has recovered from that race he would be a major player.
2.40 Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle
I considered a few for this. Den of Iniquity may prefer soft ground but Chariot Charger and Diablo have possibilities. In the end I decided on Cape Tribulation who has impressed me in his last 2 races. Weapon’ Amnesty looks an interesting Irish challenger and he would be my next best.
3.20 Gold Cup
Paul Nicholls hathe first 3 last season but will one of his runners prevail this time?
Denman is being written off on the strength of one bad run and that could be a bit premature. If he turns up in anything like the form of last year he will take some stopping. Kauto Star looks sure to start favourite on the strength of his win in the King George. However, his Kempton record reads 111 while around Cheltenham the form figures are F12. He does make the odd blunder and at a short price I am tempted to take him on. Neptune Collonges(pictured below) will be hard to keep out of the frame again but the ground has probably gone against him.
The RSA Chase last season was won by Albertas Run with Roll Along second and I think this pair are interesting. Alberta’s Run will love the ground and the track may suit him better than Kempton where he was beaten 8 lengths by Kauto Star. Roll Along is a massive price at 50/1 and could easily grab a place.
Exotic Dancer has a good record at Cheltenham and comes into the race on the back of a win in Ireland. He looks overpriced at 10/1 which looks decent each way value.
4.00 Foxhunters
There are some old favourites in this race such as Royal Auclair (pictured below),Kingscliffe. These 3 have won or been placed in all sorts of big staying chases and all come into the race with a chance. For my selection though I am going for the younger Cappa Bleu who has impressed in his point to points.
4.40 Martin Piper Conditional Jockeys handicap Hurdle
Not surprisingly David Pipe is mob handed in this and will be very keen to win it. But which of his horses do we choose?
Gaspara has festival form but might want more give in the ground. Piraya has done little since coming over from France but has some impressive form in his native country. He is another that may find the going too quick. I think Mamlook and Big Eared Fran would be my main fancies. The former, a good stayer on the flat ran well when 4th at Ascot last time out while Big Eared Fran won at Sandown on Saturday and looks progressive.
5.15 Grand Annual Chase
Pasco has won his last 2 starts and I was all set to give him a positive write up until I saw that Ruby Walsh had chosen to ride Poquelin. It does look as though this horse has been aimed at the race so must be on any short list with trainer and jockey in great form.
Nicky Henderson would love to win this race and his My Petra looks his first choice. Second in the race last year she has since gone up considerably in the weights but will appreciate the ground and goes well fresh.
My Petra and Poquelin are worth careful consideration but my selection goes for last year’s winner Tiger Cry who looks as though this race has been his target all season.
Oh Crick, Perce Rock and Beggars Cap have each way chances at big prices.
My thanks to Kate Tann for allowing me to use her excellent photos this week.
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