The two handicaps on Thursday look to be difficult nuts to crack, and the Byrne Group Plate and the Kim Muir and usually races that are associated with the Pipe stable, and they have leading players in both races. Junior for won the Kim Muir for the stable last year, when punted off the boards to land a touch, and as such the stable has to be respected in these type of races.. His father Martin won this race four in five years, including three on the spin between 1999-2002, the last of which with the spectacular gelding Blowing Wind.
They have Dan Breen and the current favourite Salut Flo in the race, and Salut Flo has been backed no end in the last few weeks, to the point where he is the 9/2 ante post favourite. Much in a similar fashion to The Package who finished fourth in the JLT Handicap Chase, he returns from a lay off, and could be out of the grip of the handicapper. He returned from a near two year lay off in the December Gold Cup, and was well backed in doing so, going off 13/2, and was going well before blundering and being bumped three out. He has gone up 3lb for that run, and that could have him spot on for Thursday. The stable also have some lively outsiders, with once Arkle hope Notus De La Tour possibly taking up an entry here, rather than the novice chase route. He has been consistent for the yard, progressing from novice chases, into Grade 1 company, finishing second and third at Leopardstown in Grade 1’s, the latter behind Flemenstar, who franked the form winning next time out, beating Bog Warrior in the Grade 3 Directors Novice Chase at Naas last Sunday. The stable also have Matuhi and Great Endeavour entered, but are unlikely to take up the option.
Nigel Twiston-Davies could have a say in the outcome, and could turn the corner on what has been the stables lofty standards, a lean year. The trainer has Mad Moose, Pigeon Island, The Cockney Mackem and Ackertac all entered, but confirmations yet to be made over the participation of all four runners. Ackertac is likely to run however in the Grand Annual, and Pigeon Island could miss out, being at the bottom of the weights as does The Cockney Mackem, depending on how many horses come out before the final declarations. Mad Moose could be a lively outsider, and has come down 8lb since a good run behind Benny Be Good at Market Rasen last year.
Michael Flips put up a career best chase mark last time out finishing second behind For Non Stop last in the Scilly Isles Grade 1 Novices Chase for Andrew Turnell’s stable star, posting a figure of 145. Ironically, his best effort came in defeat, behind Zaynar at Ascot in December, with every runner down the field, winning and posting better figures in subsequent runs. He is relatively unexposed and could have further improvements. Similarly with Holmwood Legend for the Kieran Burke yard, who celebrated the win of Hunt Ball on Tuesday. Thrown in at the deep end, he was beaten by 62 lengths in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, but has gradually improved to finish well in Wincanton and Taunton Class 2 Handicaps over 19 and 21 furlongs. The form from both runs has worked out well, and is up 1lb for those efforts.
Crackaway Jack has the unique profile of being a previous festival winner, a victor in the Fred Winter in 2008, and followed that with a good fourth in the Champion Hurdle in 2009. He has been unlucky with injuries, having three spells of being out for roughly a year within the last four years. He returned from a 273 day absence with a good fifth behind Tanks for That at the Cheltenham Open Meeting. Switched to hurdles, he didn’t show the same enthusiasm or vigour when thirteenth of eighteen runners at Ascot, finishing 33 lengths behind winner Bourne. He has the advantage of course form over his rivals, and if he has retained his class, he is potentially well in.
That being said, I like the look of Divers for the Ferdy Murphy yard, and has the all important course and distance form around Cheltenham next to his name. Trainer Ferdy Murphy has a good record in festival handicaps, and with AP McCoy booked for the ride, connections clearly feel a good run is on the cards. He won the Centenary Novices Chase last year in grand fashion, under a very smart ride from Graham Lee, being held up, before taking it up in the run in, picking off Quantitativeeasing and Tullamore Dew in the process. Both have blazed themselves in further glory this season, the former winning the Spinal Research Gold Cup, with Tullamore Dew running well to place in several handicap chases. Further down the field, Shakalakaboomboom has won and placed in decent chases, as has Vino Griego. Divers has been steadily brought back by Ferdy Murphy this year, pulled up on his return at Carlisle, when the betting indicated he didn’t have a strong chance. He then ran a strong third behind Great Endeavour in the Paddy Power Gold Cup, before unseating in the Spinal Research Gold Cup. He had a tune up in a two mile handicap chase at Musselburgh, and should be spot on for the day.
Selections:
1. Divers
2. Crackaway Jack
3. Notus De La Tour
4. Salut Flo
The Yorkshireman – Jack Milner
No comments:
Post a Comment