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CAPTAIN CONAN is a horse I have had on my radar for a very long time. He was ear-marked for a crack at The 2013 Arkle as soon as he was purchased from France, and his novice hurdle career was merely getting him ready for fences. Anything he did last year was a bonus, so being able to beat Colour Squadron in The Tolworth Hurdle, and perhaps even better when chasing home Darlan at Aintree, was a massive credit to the scopey five year old. He looks an absolute beast, and the fact he is thrown into a Grade 2 on his chasing debut speaks volumes about the confidence the stable have in him. The ground may be against him, but he should possess enough class to get through it.
MALLER TREE immediately stands out as interesting entry, being a horse sent over by Jessica Harrington after an impressive seven lengths win at Naas. He beat a very good horse of Noel Meade’s in Texas Jack, who has since won a novice chase, with the third also running well since, and the form looks strong. Maller Tree should come on for his last run, and with the softening ground in his favour, his chances will only heighten with the expected weather and good form on heavy ground. Barry Geraghty rides and gave the horse a favourable write up on his At the Races blog.
Sprinter Sacre misses the Shloer Chase, which is a massive disappointment, because just seeing him glide over fences is an absolute treat in itself, but the fact he isn’t running means that it actually becomes a punting proposition. Wishfull Thinking gets 4lb from Doeslessthanme, and it looks something of a match, with the others being proverbial no hopers. Wishfull Thinking chased home For Non Stop at Aintree in the softening ground, and will be fit and sharp for this renewal and is of interest. However the more likely winner is Paul Nicholls’s progressive chaser DOESLESSTHANME in the famous colours of Graham Wyllie. He has form on soft, and is going in the right direction, something that can not be said of his counterpart here.
The newly renamed Racing Post Hurdle, formerly the Greatwood Hurdle looks set to be a gruelling renewal on the soddened ground, and you will have to stay further than the two miles suggest, them going hell for leather from the start. Vendor has a chance but his run at Aintree on similar conditions was surely too bad to be true. Darlan is obviously a big fancy, but there are strong rumours that he is set to be a non-runner, and I don’t like backing short priced favourite s in big handicaps. Olofi ran well in this last year, but looks exposed off a 6lb higher mark, and so the two I like are CAUSE OF CAUSES and BOTHY. Starting with Bothy; he ran a good second in soft ground at Wetherby last time out on his seasonable beau, and although a 5lb rise, he will be fitter and sharper for the run. He has an excellent record around Cheltenham, second here last year, and second in a Coral Cup, he looks to be a very big price. Similarly Cause of Causes has some very good form on soft ground, winning a good race at Fairyhouse last time out, and is 4lb well in at the weights.
The Hyde Novices' Hurdle over the extended two and a half miles is an excellent good renewal, headed by Fox Run for Paul Nicholls who hacked up in a decent maiden hurdle at Worcester, hacking up by fourteen lengths. I Shot The Sheriff, According To Trev and Bondage all run for respected connections but I was really take by the way VILLAGE VIC ran last time out at Cheltenham over course and distance, when chasing home Neptune ante post favourite The New One, just being outclassed in the latter stages. That was his first run of the season, and his first run over hurdles, and he should come on for that run in spades. He should have a lot more improvement to come further, and has a big career ahead of him; and eventually no doubt over fences.
The bumper looks to be another strong showing, with plenty of unexposed sorts, it really is so nice to have some quality national hunt racing back. It would be folly to have an overly strong opinion, with so many unexposed sorts, however THE LIQUIDATOR ran a good second in the Champion Bumper at Fairyhouse, and after being snapped up by David Pipe, will no doubt be primed to further enhance his excellent record at the meeting under Tom Scudamore. He looks to have the most obvious chance on paper, however if the market speaks, it would be wise to listen.
1.10 Cheltenham – Captain Conan (Nap)
1.45 Cheltenham – Maller Tree
2.20 Cheltenham – Doeslessthanme
2.50 Cheltenham – Bothy (Ew) & Cause of Causes (Ew)
3.25 Cheltenham – Village Vic
4.00 Cheltenham – The Liquidator
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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