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
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