The Triumph Hurdle looks, as always, the trickiest of puzzles however a chance can be taken on Royal Irish Hussar for Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty; the pair teaming up to win the race in both 2009 and 2010.
Royal Irish Hussar (1.30) beat subsequent Spring Juvenile Hurdle winner Guitar Pete fair and square over course and distance at the Open Meeting and despite the colt disappointing at Doncaster last time out, he can be excused having his third run inside a six weeks.
Cheltenian (2.05) can deliver Phillip Hobbs his third win of the festival in the County Hurdle, who should be able to build on his excellent run in the Betfair Hurdle. The Champion Bumper winner of 2011 was fourth but tired late on and more can be expected from a very lenient handicap mark of 137.
Briar Hill is going to be a prohibitively short favourite for the Albert Bartlett novices hurdle and at the prices he must be opposed. Willie Mullins’ Champion Bumper winner tore up the hill en route to victory and is unbeaten over hurdles but is a ludicrous price at 11/8 – do we remember what happened to Boston Bob?
The pair are closely related and Mullins’ other previously unbeaten hurdler was a well punted favourite before finding a game front-runner hard to pass and there’s another one lurking with Kings Palace (2.40) for the all-conquering team at Pond House.
He has two course and distance wins to his name and practically skipped over the hurdles last time out. The yard are clearly thriving and he looks the value at around 7/2 with BetVictor.
The best bet of the day is the reigning Gold Cup winner Bobs Worth (3.20) successfully defending his crown and defending his unbeaten record at both the festival and the track. Nicky Henderson’s 9-y-o bounced back from a poor return at Haydock to win the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown and quite frankly, he is bomb proof.
He is the best bet of the 2014 Cheltenham festival.
The Foxhunter Chase has attracted a bumper field of 24 amateurs and there is no unluckier runner than Oscar Delta (4.00), who had last year’s renewal sewn up before jinking at the last and unseating jockey Jane Mangan in the closing stages.
She can gain redemption at a track that the 11-y-o loves; third in the race in 2011 and 2012 before his unseating last year and he can seal something of a fairytale ending for both horse and jockey alike.
Horses have used the Martin Pipe Conditionals Handicap Hurdle as a springboard to greater things, with previous two winners Sir Des Champs and Salubrious going onto win honours at a much higher level and Full Shift has a very similar profile.
The 5-y-o beat subsequent Premier Hurdle winner Clever Cookie in a novice hurdle at Newcastle and that form looks strong with the latter now rated 144. Full Shift (4.40) won last month at Kempton and the well-backed third came out and hacked up at Chepstow at the weekend.
Despite a hike in the weights to 135, he still looks well in with the finish likely to be fought out between him and David Pipe’s exciting novice Vieux Lion Rouge – another exciting inmate at Pond House, likely to have a future over fences.
There are more plots than my late grandfather’s allotment in the Grand Annual. JP McManus had a 1-2 with Alderwood and Kid Cassidy and he could well have another with Mr Mole and Ned Buntline both respected novices.
The pair appeal most alongside Alan King’s Raya Star (5.15), who is the gamest of the game and has form around the track in novices’ chases earlier in the season. There must be a lovely combination forecast in there somewhere? We can but hope.
1.30 - Royal Irish Hussar
2.05 - Cheltenian
2.40 - Kings Palace (NB)
3.20 - Bobs Worth (Nap)
4.00 - Oscar Delta
4.40 - Full Shift
5.15 - Raya Star, Ned Buntline, Mr Mole
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
Thursday 13 March 2014
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Cheltenham Festival - Thursday; Day Three
A potential Gold Cup horse kicks-off Thursday of the Cheltenham Festival and here’s hoping Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Gold (1.30) can start the day with a double figure price.
The 7-y-o was always going to come into his own over fences and looked awesome on his debut at Navan and was even better when chasing home Foxrock over three miles, making ground at every fence but ultimately beat by the trip and the ground.
He should be much better suited on good ground over two and a half miles and here’s hoping he can jump the field into submission; Wonderful Charm and Oscar Whisky very much respected and appear the dangers.
Fingal Bay (2.05) is a neither flash, nor difficult selection in the Pertemps and should be a much better horse than his rating of 148 suggests. Phillip Hobbs’ 8-y-o had an unsuccessful time of things over fences last year but remains the only horse to beat Simonsig under rules and remains incredibly well handicapped.
In a race such as this there are plenty of plots afoot and it wouldn’t be surprising to see If In Doubt (second to Fingal Bay last time out) and Grand Vision out-run their respective prices.
Last year’s Jewson hero Benefficient (2.40) looks set to follow up in the Ryanair, kept fresh for the race since his win at Leopardstown over Christmas. He beat the pair of Arvika Ligeonniere and Hidden Cyclone last time out and that form looks strong and he should once again beat David Pipe’s Dynaste – as he did at the festival last year.
Annie Power and Big Bucks are the two superstars at the head of the World Hurdle betting but the more I looked at the race, the more I lean towards At Fishers Cross (3.20) for Rebecca Curtis and AP McCoy.
He was the most impressive winner of the G1 novice races over three miles at Cheltenham and Aintree last year and has steadily been brought along by Curtis and unfortunate to not win last time out in the Cleeve Hurdle.
The trainer has always insisted that her charge needs good ground and with the pair of Zarkander and Celestial Halo likely to make the running, the race could easily fall into his lap; fully wound up and guaranteed to stay.
Champion Court is a very interesting runner from top weight in the Byrne Group Plate; back to handicap company after game efforts in higher grade, however last year’s winner Carrickboy (4.00) looks the one to side with for Venetia Williams and Liam Treadwell.
He has been running on unsuitable slow ground all winter but showed signs of coming back to life when third last time out. Despite being at a 4lb higher mark he clearly thrives on spring ground and should be suited by the strong festival pace.
There are plenty of fancied horses at the top of the market in the Kim Muir with Indian Castle, Cause of Causes to name but two horses well supported in the ante post books however I like the look of Roberto Goldback (4.40) for Sam Waley Cohen and Nicky Henderson.
Despite taking plenty of stick Waley-Cohen is an amateur with a Gold Cup and two King George’s to his name and clearly the best in his field and can hopefully steer the top weight to victory. The key to the 12-y-o is dry ground, seen with his last win at Ascot from a mark of 150.
He has spent the early part of the season running in desperate ground however returns to a mark 6lb below that win 18 months ago and can pounce for a trainer that remains in good form, despite just the one winner on the opening two days of the festival.
1.30 - Sizing Gold (Nap)
2.05 - Fingal Bay
2.40 - Benefficient
3.20 - At Fishers Cross
4.00 - Carrickboy
4.40 - Roberto Goldback
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
The 7-y-o was always going to come into his own over fences and looked awesome on his debut at Navan and was even better when chasing home Foxrock over three miles, making ground at every fence but ultimately beat by the trip and the ground.
He should be much better suited on good ground over two and a half miles and here’s hoping he can jump the field into submission; Wonderful Charm and Oscar Whisky very much respected and appear the dangers.
Fingal Bay (2.05) is a neither flash, nor difficult selection in the Pertemps and should be a much better horse than his rating of 148 suggests. Phillip Hobbs’ 8-y-o had an unsuccessful time of things over fences last year but remains the only horse to beat Simonsig under rules and remains incredibly well handicapped.
In a race such as this there are plenty of plots afoot and it wouldn’t be surprising to see If In Doubt (second to Fingal Bay last time out) and Grand Vision out-run their respective prices.
Last year’s Jewson hero Benefficient (2.40) looks set to follow up in the Ryanair, kept fresh for the race since his win at Leopardstown over Christmas. He beat the pair of Arvika Ligeonniere and Hidden Cyclone last time out and that form looks strong and he should once again beat David Pipe’s Dynaste – as he did at the festival last year.
Annie Power and Big Bucks are the two superstars at the head of the World Hurdle betting but the more I looked at the race, the more I lean towards At Fishers Cross (3.20) for Rebecca Curtis and AP McCoy.
He was the most impressive winner of the G1 novice races over three miles at Cheltenham and Aintree last year and has steadily been brought along by Curtis and unfortunate to not win last time out in the Cleeve Hurdle.
The trainer has always insisted that her charge needs good ground and with the pair of Zarkander and Celestial Halo likely to make the running, the race could easily fall into his lap; fully wound up and guaranteed to stay.
Champion Court is a very interesting runner from top weight in the Byrne Group Plate; back to handicap company after game efforts in higher grade, however last year’s winner Carrickboy (4.00) looks the one to side with for Venetia Williams and Liam Treadwell.
He has been running on unsuitable slow ground all winter but showed signs of coming back to life when third last time out. Despite being at a 4lb higher mark he clearly thrives on spring ground and should be suited by the strong festival pace.
There are plenty of fancied horses at the top of the market in the Kim Muir with Indian Castle, Cause of Causes to name but two horses well supported in the ante post books however I like the look of Roberto Goldback (4.40) for Sam Waley Cohen and Nicky Henderson.
Despite taking plenty of stick Waley-Cohen is an amateur with a Gold Cup and two King George’s to his name and clearly the best in his field and can hopefully steer the top weight to victory. The key to the 12-y-o is dry ground, seen with his last win at Ascot from a mark of 150.
He has spent the early part of the season running in desperate ground however returns to a mark 6lb below that win 18 months ago and can pounce for a trainer that remains in good form, despite just the one winner on the opening two days of the festival.
1.30 - Sizing Gold (Nap)
2.05 - Fingal Bay
2.40 - Benefficient
3.20 - At Fishers Cross
4.00 - Carrickboy
4.40 - Roberto Goldback
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Cheltenham Festival - Wednesday; Day Two
Sixteen go to post for the opener for the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle and Willie Mullins yet again holds all the aces, Ruby Walsh opting to ride Faugheen over stable-mate Rathvinden. The former was touted as a monster since hacking up in a bumper in the spring and has taken to hurdles with aplomb, winning three from three starts.
He has yet to be asked a question however and the question remains about such horses that do things with the minimum of effort; does he come up the hill?
David Pipe’s Red Sherlock (1.30) has form around the track, having won the race that provided two Cheltenham Festival winners last year, when At Fishers Cross duelled with The New One up the hill, both landing novices’ hurdles at the festival.
The 5-y-o made a pleasing reappearance at the track landing a listed bumper at the track at the open meeting and has progressed steadily over hurdles; none more so than last time out and at the current price of 7/2 with BetVictor is a cracking each way bet to nothing.
I really like O’Faolains Boy (2.05) in the RSA Chase, fresh on the back of his comfortable success in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot. Trainer Rebecca Curtis says he will be even better on good ground and with the Irish form all inter-twined and the likes of Ballycasey, Morning Assembly, Don Cossack and Carlingford Lough all beating each other in some way or another, last year’s Albert Bartlett 4th can perform with even more credit on the biggest stage of all.
Mesiter Eckhart (2.40) looks to have solid each way claims in the Coral Cup, aiming to go better than his second in the race last year. Alan King had a 1-2 with Medinas landing the spoils in 2013 however Meister Eckhart impressed on his return from a break when chasing home Kayf Moss last time out and despite 6lb higher than last year, is primed for a big run.
Sire De Grugy heads a field of 11 for the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature on Wednesday, Day two of the Cheltenham Festival. The 8-y-o is bidding to put the seal on a magnificent season after wins at Chepstow, Sandown, Kempton and Ascot.
Second season chasers have a cracking record in the race with Moscow Flyer, Voy Por Ustedes, Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre all tasting glory and those look the ones to focus on, with Captain Conan preferred over the pair of Baily Green and Special Tiara.
Mouse Morris’ Baily Green chased home Simonsig in last year’s Arkle and should be better suited than most on the drying ground, presumably spot on for the race after a spin over hurdles last month at Leopardstown.
Special Tiara has similar credentials having won the G1 Novices’ Chase at Aintree however looked uneasy at Cheltenham when chasing home Sire De Grugy and Kid Cassidy in November and preference is with Captain Conan (3.20) for connections who have won the last two renewals of the race with Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre respectively.
Captain Conan beat Sire De Grugy on his first run over fences in November 2012 and looked the winner two fences from home in his other start at the track in last year’s Jewson. He tired late in the closing stages however Nicky Henderson’s 7-y-o is finally able to run over the trip that he was always likely to thrive over and is a more than able deputy for the ‘Equine Aeroplane’.
He ran a cracker on his seasonal return behind Sire De Grugy and Somersby in the BetVictor Tingle Creek and he should be even better to bring up a unique hat-trick for the team at Seven Barrows with further success in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Balthazar King heads the weights for the Cross-Country and although Big Shu is respected, a chance could be taken on Any Currency(4.00) – given the nod as trainer Martin Keighley’s best chance of the week.
Dawalan has been punted all week in the offices at BetVictor however Ivan Grozny (4.40) is a notable defection from the Triumph Hurdle and from a mark of 136 should be supported with Ruby Walsh choosing over stable-mate Noble Inn.
Ruby rides Shaneshill in the bumper for Willie Mullins and Graham Wylie, bidding to emulate last year’s victory on Briar Hill however they have it all to do with the Dermot Weld pair of Vigil and Silver Concorde.
Vigil is held in high regard with Pat Smullen in the plate however preference is for Silver Concorde (5.15) who was impressive last time out and will relish the forecasted better ground.
1.30 - Red Sherlock (Nap)
2.05 - O'Faolains Boy
2.40 - Meister Eckhart
3.20 - Captain Conan
4.00 - Any Currency
4.40 - Ivan Grozny
5.15 - Silver Concorde
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
He has yet to be asked a question however and the question remains about such horses that do things with the minimum of effort; does he come up the hill?
David Pipe’s Red Sherlock (1.30) has form around the track, having won the race that provided two Cheltenham Festival winners last year, when At Fishers Cross duelled with The New One up the hill, both landing novices’ hurdles at the festival.
The 5-y-o made a pleasing reappearance at the track landing a listed bumper at the track at the open meeting and has progressed steadily over hurdles; none more so than last time out and at the current price of 7/2 with BetVictor is a cracking each way bet to nothing.
I really like O’Faolains Boy (2.05) in the RSA Chase, fresh on the back of his comfortable success in the Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot. Trainer Rebecca Curtis says he will be even better on good ground and with the Irish form all inter-twined and the likes of Ballycasey, Morning Assembly, Don Cossack and Carlingford Lough all beating each other in some way or another, last year’s Albert Bartlett 4th can perform with even more credit on the biggest stage of all.
Mesiter Eckhart (2.40) looks to have solid each way claims in the Coral Cup, aiming to go better than his second in the race last year. Alan King had a 1-2 with Medinas landing the spoils in 2013 however Meister Eckhart impressed on his return from a break when chasing home Kayf Moss last time out and despite 6lb higher than last year, is primed for a big run.
Sire De Grugy heads a field of 11 for the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature on Wednesday, Day two of the Cheltenham Festival. The 8-y-o is bidding to put the seal on a magnificent season after wins at Chepstow, Sandown, Kempton and Ascot.
Second season chasers have a cracking record in the race with Moscow Flyer, Voy Por Ustedes, Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre all tasting glory and those look the ones to focus on, with Captain Conan preferred over the pair of Baily Green and Special Tiara.
Mouse Morris’ Baily Green chased home Simonsig in last year’s Arkle and should be better suited than most on the drying ground, presumably spot on for the race after a spin over hurdles last month at Leopardstown.
Special Tiara has similar credentials having won the G1 Novices’ Chase at Aintree however looked uneasy at Cheltenham when chasing home Sire De Grugy and Kid Cassidy in November and preference is with Captain Conan (3.20) for connections who have won the last two renewals of the race with Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre respectively.
Captain Conan beat Sire De Grugy on his first run over fences in November 2012 and looked the winner two fences from home in his other start at the track in last year’s Jewson. He tired late in the closing stages however Nicky Henderson’s 7-y-o is finally able to run over the trip that he was always likely to thrive over and is a more than able deputy for the ‘Equine Aeroplane’.
He ran a cracker on his seasonal return behind Sire De Grugy and Somersby in the BetVictor Tingle Creek and he should be even better to bring up a unique hat-trick for the team at Seven Barrows with further success in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Balthazar King heads the weights for the Cross-Country and although Big Shu is respected, a chance could be taken on Any Currency(4.00) – given the nod as trainer Martin Keighley’s best chance of the week.
Dawalan has been punted all week in the offices at BetVictor however Ivan Grozny (4.40) is a notable defection from the Triumph Hurdle and from a mark of 136 should be supported with Ruby Walsh choosing over stable-mate Noble Inn.
Ruby rides Shaneshill in the bumper for Willie Mullins and Graham Wylie, bidding to emulate last year’s victory on Briar Hill however they have it all to do with the Dermot Weld pair of Vigil and Silver Concorde.
Vigil is held in high regard with Pat Smullen in the plate however preference is for Silver Concorde (5.15) who was impressive last time out and will relish the forecasted better ground.
1.30 - Red Sherlock (Nap)
2.05 - O'Faolains Boy
2.40 - Meister Eckhart
3.20 - Captain Conan
4.00 - Any Currency
4.40 - Ivan Grozny
5.15 - Silver Concorde
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase 2014
Sire De Grugy heads a field of 11 for the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase, the feature on Wednesday, Day two of the Cheltenham Festival. The 8-y-o is bidding to put the seal on a magnificent season after wins at Chepstow, Sandown, Kempton and Ascot.
Success in the BetVictor Tingle Creek at Sandown gave the trainer Gary and jockey Jamie their first win at G1 level. That haul was soonly doubled with a rout in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, picking off the prominent Hidden Cyclone on the turn, and the rest was history.
The race that lives long in the memory of this writer however is his run at Cheltenham in November, when second behind Kid Cassidy in the Schloer Chase.
His jumping severely let him down that day and he looked to struggle with the infamous undulations of the Cheltenham camber. That combined with his best form coming at right-handed tracks on soft ground makes the favourite vulnerable on good, spring ground at this year’s festival.
Kid Cassidy re-opposes once more, having his first run since disappointing in Ireland behind the Ryanair bound pair of Benefficient and Hidden Cyclone. Arvika Ligeonniere was 4th that day and is another who looks unsuited by the up-and-down nature of the track, jumping markedly out to his right in last year’s Arkle and his race will likely be Punchestown’s Champion Chase; a track where Willie Mullins’ charge is unbeaten in four starts to date.
Sizing Europe chased home Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham and Punchestown and at 12-y-o it would be a monumental feat to feature in the frame and old father time could yet be a player at double figure prices; two wins and two seconds at the festival over timber.
Wishfull Thinking turned over the well backed pair of Double Ross and Tap Night in a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham in January and did so under the burden of top weight. Phillip Hobbs’s 11-y-o was 3rd in the race last year and won the Schloer Chase over course and distance 18 months ago - he could be worth a poke at around the 25/1 mark.
Another old boy is Somersby, who gave trainer Mick Channon success in the BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. He got the better of a fast-finishing Module but surely neither are good enough to cut the mustard at the top table of two milers?
Sizing Europe is a veteran of five appearances at the Cheltenham Festival, which is in stark contrast to Paul Nicholls’ Hinterland. The 6-y-o steps up out of novice company for the first time after beating a sub-par Grandouet twice at Sandown and had smart form last season chasing home Nicky Henderson’s pair of Captain Conan and Simonsig.
Second season chasers have a cracking record in the race with Moscow Flyer, Voy Por Ustedes, Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre all tasting glory and those look the ones to focus on, with Captain Conan preferred over the pair of Baily Green and Special Tiara.
Mouse Morris’ Baily Green chased home Simonsig in last year’s Arkle and should be better suited than most on the drying ground, presumably spot on for the race after a spin over hurdles last month at Leopardstown.
Special Tiara has similar credentials having won the G1 Novices’ Chase at Aintree however looked uneasy at Cheltenham when chasing home Sire De Grugy and Kid Cassidy in November and was soundly beaten by the pair that day, with little evidence to support the 7-y-o turning the form around anytime soon.
That almost leaves Captain Conan (3.20) as a winner by default, for connections who have won the last two renewals of the race with Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre respectively.
Captain Conan beat Sire De Grugy on his first run over fences in November 2012 and looked the winner two fences from home in his other start at the track in last year’s Jewson. He tired late in the closing stages however Nicky Henderson’s 7-y-o is finally able to run over the trip that he was always likely to thrive over and is a more than able deputy for the ‘Equine Aeroplane’.
He ran a cracker on his seasonal return behind Sire De Grugy and Somersby in the BetVictor Tingle Creek and he should be even better to bring up a unique hat-trick for the team at Seven Barrows with further success in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase.
BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.15 Wednesday) – Captain Conan
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
Success in the BetVictor Tingle Creek at Sandown gave the trainer Gary and jockey Jamie their first win at G1 level. That haul was soonly doubled with a rout in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, picking off the prominent Hidden Cyclone on the turn, and the rest was history.
The race that lives long in the memory of this writer however is his run at Cheltenham in November, when second behind Kid Cassidy in the Schloer Chase.
His jumping severely let him down that day and he looked to struggle with the infamous undulations of the Cheltenham camber. That combined with his best form coming at right-handed tracks on soft ground makes the favourite vulnerable on good, spring ground at this year’s festival.
Kid Cassidy re-opposes once more, having his first run since disappointing in Ireland behind the Ryanair bound pair of Benefficient and Hidden Cyclone. Arvika Ligeonniere was 4th that day and is another who looks unsuited by the up-and-down nature of the track, jumping markedly out to his right in last year’s Arkle and his race will likely be Punchestown’s Champion Chase; a track where Willie Mullins’ charge is unbeaten in four starts to date.
Sizing Europe chased home Sprinter Sacre at Cheltenham and Punchestown and at 12-y-o it would be a monumental feat to feature in the frame and old father time could yet be a player at double figure prices; two wins and two seconds at the festival over timber.
Wishfull Thinking turned over the well backed pair of Double Ross and Tap Night in a competitive handicap chase at Cheltenham in January and did so under the burden of top weight. Phillip Hobbs’s 11-y-o was 3rd in the race last year and won the Schloer Chase over course and distance 18 months ago - he could be worth a poke at around the 25/1 mark.
Another old boy is Somersby, who gave trainer Mick Channon success in the BetVictor Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter. He got the better of a fast-finishing Module but surely neither are good enough to cut the mustard at the top table of two milers?
Sizing Europe is a veteran of five appearances at the Cheltenham Festival, which is in stark contrast to Paul Nicholls’ Hinterland. The 6-y-o steps up out of novice company for the first time after beating a sub-par Grandouet twice at Sandown and had smart form last season chasing home Nicky Henderson’s pair of Captain Conan and Simonsig.
Second season chasers have a cracking record in the race with Moscow Flyer, Voy Por Ustedes, Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre all tasting glory and those look the ones to focus on, with Captain Conan preferred over the pair of Baily Green and Special Tiara.
Mouse Morris’ Baily Green chased home Simonsig in last year’s Arkle and should be better suited than most on the drying ground, presumably spot on for the race after a spin over hurdles last month at Leopardstown.
Special Tiara has similar credentials having won the G1 Novices’ Chase at Aintree however looked uneasy at Cheltenham when chasing home Sire De Grugy and Kid Cassidy in November and was soundly beaten by the pair that day, with little evidence to support the 7-y-o turning the form around anytime soon.
That almost leaves Captain Conan (3.20) as a winner by default, for connections who have won the last two renewals of the race with Finians Rainbow and Sprinter Sacre respectively.
Captain Conan beat Sire De Grugy on his first run over fences in November 2012 and looked the winner two fences from home in his other start at the track in last year’s Jewson. He tired late in the closing stages however Nicky Henderson’s 7-y-o is finally able to run over the trip that he was always likely to thrive over and is a more than able deputy for the ‘Equine Aeroplane’.
He ran a cracker on his seasonal return behind Sire De Grugy and Somersby in the BetVictor Tingle Creek and he should be even better to bring up a unique hat-trick for the team at Seven Barrows with further success in the BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase.
BetVictor Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.15 Wednesday) – Captain Conan
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
Monday 10 March 2014
Cheltenham Festival 2014 - Tuesday; Day One
Irving and Vautour head the betting for the Supreme Novices Hurdle but will punters be roaring a well backed jolly in the festival opener?
History suggests that they will not, and the value is with those at the bigger prices and with those at the head of the market the 'sexier types' that have yet to done the business when seriously asked to battle.
Irving is flat-bred and German-bred and would be a trends buster should Paul Nicholls’ 5-y-o were to get his head in front, but he’s not for me, yet to go left-handed over hurdles and far too short for a horse with all his form on what I would refer to as ‘speed tracks’.
Willie Mullins’ Vautour drifted markedly last week ahead of a reported setback at home, which led to stable-mate Wicklow Brave being well-punted in the aftermath. The fact that Mullins runs three suggests that there is no serious stand-out and all three, including Gigginstown runner Vaiseur Lido, are priced on reputation as opposed to actual form.
Nicky Henderson has a good record in the race, but his runners seem to place, rather than win, and it can be worth overlooking the pair of Jossies Hill and Vaniteux for the over-priced pair of Garde La Victoire (1.30) and The Liquidator (1.30).
The latter was 4th in the Champion Bumper before winning the big one in Ireland and similarly translating that form well over hurdles when winning over the Supreme course and distance in November. He, like Garde La Victoire, were both unsuited by the sharp, tight nature of Kempton and both were similarly tailed off.
The better ground and stiffer track should play to the strengths of both and it is always worth allowing a horse one bad run. We hope anyway!
Champagne Fever (2.05) has won at the last two festivals and can complete the hat-trick and ‘do a Bobs Worth’ by making all to win the Arkle. Ruby Walsh will control things from the front and make fools of them all in behind, to start the plunge on Hurricane Fly.
The Fly is 6/4 with BetVictor to go off favourite and I expect a plunge to go astray with The New One (3.20) taken to lower the colours of the Champ. His record around the track is exemplary, impressing with his turn of foot up the hill to win the Neptune last season and bounce back and beat Zarkander in the International.
With Captain Cee Bee employed as a pacemaker and Jezki likely in his slipstream, providing Sam Twiston-Davies gets the fractions right, I fancy him to out-battle My Tent or Yours in the finish and reverse placings from the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins can swiftly make amends in the Mares Hurdle with Quevega (4.00) bidding for her 6th consecutive race at the festival and it is difficult to see her beat.
The two handicaps and the National Hunt Chase look minefields but that further heightens the value in the races, with late support for Midnight Prayer (4.40) further enhancing his claims for the slowly bubbling Alan King stable.
He won the novices’ chase at Warwick that Godsmejudge won en-route to running well in the race before winning the Scottish National up at Ayr and he is taken at around the 10/1 mark to follow up the trainer’s last win in the race, back in 2008.
In the two handicap chases, Buywise (5.15) looks a cracking each way bet in the novices’ handicap that rounds off the card, for the team of Paul Moloney and Evan Williams. He has been a revelation since switched to handicap chasing and after getting the nod from the trainer on Saturday; that will do for me.
The Festival Handicap is a pin-job and claims can be made for around a dozen of the protagonists however it could be worth chancing on Green Flag (2.40) for Lucinda Russell. He is another who has been much better suited to a stiff three miles and is another potential Scottish National horse. He ran well in defeat behind Annacotty in the Feltham, despite being unsuited by the track and can improve for this stronger emphasis on stamina.
Claims can be made for the trio of Vintage Star, King Massini and Holywell; the latter very well handicapped on his form with Victor Hewgo. His mark over hurdles is 12lb less than his new mark over the larger obstacles and he has undoubtedly been plotted up for a handicap at the festival.
1.30 - The Liquidator & Garde La Victoire
2.05 - Champagne Fever (Nap)
2.40 - Green Flag
3.20 - The New One (Nb)
4.00 - Quevega
4.40 - Midnight Prayer
5.15 - Buywise
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
History suggests that they will not, and the value is with those at the bigger prices and with those at the head of the market the 'sexier types' that have yet to done the business when seriously asked to battle.
Irving is flat-bred and German-bred and would be a trends buster should Paul Nicholls’ 5-y-o were to get his head in front, but he’s not for me, yet to go left-handed over hurdles and far too short for a horse with all his form on what I would refer to as ‘speed tracks’.
Willie Mullins’ Vautour drifted markedly last week ahead of a reported setback at home, which led to stable-mate Wicklow Brave being well-punted in the aftermath. The fact that Mullins runs three suggests that there is no serious stand-out and all three, including Gigginstown runner Vaiseur Lido, are priced on reputation as opposed to actual form.
Nicky Henderson has a good record in the race, but his runners seem to place, rather than win, and it can be worth overlooking the pair of Jossies Hill and Vaniteux for the over-priced pair of Garde La Victoire (1.30) and The Liquidator (1.30).
The latter was 4th in the Champion Bumper before winning the big one in Ireland and similarly translating that form well over hurdles when winning over the Supreme course and distance in November. He, like Garde La Victoire, were both unsuited by the sharp, tight nature of Kempton and both were similarly tailed off.
The better ground and stiffer track should play to the strengths of both and it is always worth allowing a horse one bad run. We hope anyway!
Champagne Fever (2.05) has won at the last two festivals and can complete the hat-trick and ‘do a Bobs Worth’ by making all to win the Arkle. Ruby Walsh will control things from the front and make fools of them all in behind, to start the plunge on Hurricane Fly.
The Fly is 6/4 with BetVictor to go off favourite and I expect a plunge to go astray with The New One (3.20) taken to lower the colours of the Champ. His record around the track is exemplary, impressing with his turn of foot up the hill to win the Neptune last season and bounce back and beat Zarkander in the International.
With Captain Cee Bee employed as a pacemaker and Jezki likely in his slipstream, providing Sam Twiston-Davies gets the fractions right, I fancy him to out-battle My Tent or Yours in the finish and reverse placings from the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton.
Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins can swiftly make amends in the Mares Hurdle with Quevega (4.00) bidding for her 6th consecutive race at the festival and it is difficult to see her beat.
The two handicaps and the National Hunt Chase look minefields but that further heightens the value in the races, with late support for Midnight Prayer (4.40) further enhancing his claims for the slowly bubbling Alan King stable.
He won the novices’ chase at Warwick that Godsmejudge won en-route to running well in the race before winning the Scottish National up at Ayr and he is taken at around the 10/1 mark to follow up the trainer’s last win in the race, back in 2008.
In the two handicap chases, Buywise (5.15) looks a cracking each way bet in the novices’ handicap that rounds off the card, for the team of Paul Moloney and Evan Williams. He has been a revelation since switched to handicap chasing and after getting the nod from the trainer on Saturday; that will do for me.
The Festival Handicap is a pin-job and claims can be made for around a dozen of the protagonists however it could be worth chancing on Green Flag (2.40) for Lucinda Russell. He is another who has been much better suited to a stiff three miles and is another potential Scottish National horse. He ran well in defeat behind Annacotty in the Feltham, despite being unsuited by the track and can improve for this stronger emphasis on stamina.
Claims can be made for the trio of Vintage Star, King Massini and Holywell; the latter very well handicapped on his form with Victor Hewgo. His mark over hurdles is 12lb less than his new mark over the larger obstacles and he has undoubtedly been plotted up for a handicap at the festival.
1.30 - The Liquidator & Garde La Victoire
2.05 - Champagne Fever (Nap)
2.40 - Green Flag
3.20 - The New One (Nb)
4.00 - Quevega
4.40 - Midnight Prayer
5.15 - Buywise
For all the latest odds go to BetVictor.com
Follow me on Twitter - @JJMSports
Sunday 23 February 2014
Monday's Racing at Musselburgh, Plumpton and Wolverhampton
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Paul Nicholls’ Irving was an impressive winner of the Dovecote Hurdle at Kempton, a performance that has seen the 5-y-o jump to the head of the betting for the Supreme Novices Hurdle with BetVictor and now the 3/1 joint-favourite with Willie Mullins’ Vautour – Non Runner Free Bet.
The two mile handicap hurdle at Musselburgh looks a perfect opportunity for Philip Kirby’s Pass Munster (3.20) to get his head in front, in terrific heart since returning from a summer break and yet to finish out of the frame in his four subsequent starts.
The course and distance winner upset Nicky Henderson’s Dawalan in a jumpers bumper at Kempton ten days ago, getting up to collar the favourite on the line and win by a nostril. Prior to that the 7-y-o was second in decent handicaps here and at Exeter and he remains well treated, despite a 5lb rise at the weights.
Swingbridge (3.50) is a horse that was always going to make a three mile chaser in time and the stoutly bred son of Milan is fancied now stepped up over the larger obstacles after improving with every run over hurdles last season.
He remains with plenty of potential and looks open to plenty of further improvement, especially now handicap chasing from a mark of 106 and could well prove an ‘Aintree horse’ yet for owner Trevor Hemmings.
Donald McCain’s string are in less than stellar order at the minute, just two winners from the stables’ last 34 runners and as such his Katachenko is swerved in the opener for John Ferguson’s Shubaat (1.50).
The 7-y-o was classy on the flat for Michael Jarvis and was having his first run for 18 months when pulled up on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon. He will be better suited to Musselburgh with his best form going right-handed and was a game winner at the track on the flat. He is taken to break his hurdling duck at the second attempt.
Plumpton sees Baby Shine and She Ranks Me in a match for the two and a half miles Mares’ Novices’ Chase with preference for Lucy Wadham’s 8-y-o despite conceding 12lb to Donald McCain’s mare.
Baby Shine (2.35) was far from disgraced when tiring late on in the Reynoldstown behind O’Faolins Boy, Many Clouds et al but prior to that impressed when spanking Definite Memories and Miss Milbourne in a similar contest at Newbury.
Lawney Hills’ string have been in good order this term and the trainer had a welcome winner at Kempton last week, which should bode well for Torran Sound (4.10) in the extended three miles handicap hurdle.
He made a pleasing enough return last time out at Fakenham to suggest there was plenty left to work with, travelling well before folding tamely on his first start after an absence of over 100 days.
Jamie Spencer is a jockey enjoying plenty of success and he can return English Summer (4.00) to winning ways at Wolverhampton.
Spencer has teamed up with the 7-y-o twice and has yielded a first and a second and the previous course and distance scorer can take advantage of a tumbling mark in the mile and a half handicap.
Tom Queally will be seeking to make amends on Coillte Cailin (5.30) after giving the 4-y-o a less than stellar ride in a Wolverhampton maiden last week.
He returns over course and distance seeking to shed the maiden tag at the 6th attempt and should make amends although Mark Johnston’s Mount Glenn is respected, having just his third start and running well here last time out.
The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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