Cheltenham Day Four - Ante Post Thoughts

The Friday, the last day, and Gold Cup Day, and a day that has been historically a day of near misses for me, given the last couple of seasons. Boston Bob, Burton Port, Grumeti and Chapoturgeon were bad results last year, hopefully we can convert places into winners in the same manner that Jesus did with the loaves and the fishes.

The Triumph Hurdle

Nicky Henderson has an extremely strong record in the race, and is often the leading trainer to follow, usually excelling with his juvenile hurdling recruits from France. He has Rolling Star at the head of the market, which was impressive on UK debut, beating Irish Saint at Cheltenham. He has said however that he has better options at home, and the likes of Courtesy Call, Megalypos and Alexandre Six could be worth a look prior to their next potential runs. Willie Mullins has strong contenders in Diakali, Blood Cotil and Fatcatinthehat, but options are still open and don’t appeal as ante post propositions. John Quinn won the race last year with Countrywide Flame, and he has two live contenders Hidden Justice and Kashmir Peak, but the best option could be with a trainer that is yet to win the race; with Dessie Hughes. Our Conor looks a very smart recruit, and is 2/2 since hurdling, showing a very smart action and a powerful turn of foot. Connections are very hopeful of this well bred son of Jeremy, and the plan is to run in the Grade 1 Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown Sunday, weather permitting, then Cheltenham bound. He is still 16/1 in places.

The County Hurdle

A race historically that is a minefield. Three categories can usually separate contenders, those who continue winning, and raised in the handicap accordingly, those that are trickling down, and unexposed juveniles. It is hard to assess ante post, with the likes of Cause of Causes and Cash and Go being the leading performers in the two mile handicap hurdles this season, and are respected. There are usually leading pointers coming from Ireland in the weeks before, and that will be a better guide to the market. They have a cracking record in the race, winning five out of the last six renewals, Willie Mullins winning two of them. Trifolium could be one to keep on side of, despite flopping in The Fighting Fifth Hurdle, his Supreme form looks good. Abbey Lane won The Boylesports Hurdle, so will be fancied ahead of this, but Ted Veale, who finished fourth, should be suited to a stronger pace, that you will get in this.

The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

A race that has served me well, The Albert Bartlett, where there is generally a bit of each way value around. The market surrounds Irish horses that aren’t guaranteed to run, the likes of Ballycasey, Pont Alexandre, Our Vinnie, Rule the World and Champagne Fever. Similarly, Road to Riches, Shutthefrontdoor, Utopie Des Bordes, Gevrey Chambertin and Taquin De Seuil are likely to take up other options. The most obvious bet from an ante post perspective is Coneygree is a half-brother to the wonderful stayer Carruthers, so he should relish this trip, and was an emphatic course and distance winner at Prestbury Park in December. He ran a cracking race in defeat behind The New One and At Fishers Cross, when just done for a turn of foot. He is an all-out stayer and an absolute grinder. I expect he will lead from start to finish and not see another rival. At his current double figure price, he is ludicrous value. I’ve backed him at 12/1, 10/1 and 8/1 throughout the season.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup

For me, The Gold Cup has been a two horse race for the past nine months, and I can’t see it changing anytime soon. I piled into Bobs Worth at 8/1 and Sir Des Champs at 6/1 back last year, and look to be in a very healthy position, five weeks before it all kicks off. I’ll start with their rivals. Long Run makes too many jumping errors for my liking, and looks prone to fresher legs. Can not have Silviniaco Conti, a horse who finished behind Menorah and Cue Card in his only run at the track. He doesn’t strike me as a ‘Gold Cup horse’. First Lieutenant and Tidal Bay finished ahead of Flemenstar in The Lexus Chase, and both were behind Bobs Worth in The Hennessy, I see no reason why the form should be reversed. Unless it is with Sir Des Champs, who stayed really well up the hill, and providing the jumping mistakes are eradicated, can better them, it’s just a matter of whether he can better Bobs Worth.

The Foxhunters Chase

This was a disaster personally last year, as I backed Chapoturgeon, who absolutely cruised through the race, before being out-battled in the finish by The Irish horse Salsify. He was mightily impressive on his seasonal appearance however, and I would be tempted to get involved again, barring the way he ended the race last year. Cloudy Lane is a contender, but his target is likely to be Aintree equivalent. Salsify won the race last year, and has been brought along nicely, with two seconds in hunter chases in Ireland. He will get better as the season progresses, and has to be respected. Nothing in the portfolio at the moment, but if I had to have a bet, Chapoturgeon would be given another chance.

The Martin Pipe Conditionals Handicap Hurdle

Again, still scarred from Toner D’oudaries not seeing out the race last year, done prohibitively short in running, after sauntering up the hill, was nabbed by Attaglance of Malcolm Jefferson. Like most handicaps alluded to in here, David Pipe is the man to watch, he’ll want to win this, as it’s his Dad’s race – go figure. Katkeau was all the rage on British debut, but met trouble in running, not getting any breaks. He or a prototype such as him could be fancied over the trip. It’s over the extended two and a half miles, and Pipe could have recent winners such as Swing Bowler, Top Gamble, Heath Hunter, or Welsh Champion Hurdle third Tanerko Emery, who would be at the top of the shortlist.

The Jonny Henderson Grand Annual Chase

Much to the same tone of the previous comments, Nicky Henderson will assemble as much arsenal as he can to fire at this, named after his late father. He had five in the race last year, and completed a 1-2. This year, he’ll have a further hatful, with the likes of Kid Cassidy, Tanks for That, French Opera and Anquetta. Some handicap chasers to have on the radar, who have run well this season, and may come into contention, are Sire De Grugy, Kumbeshwar, Drumshambo, De Boitron, Dan Breen and Renard.


Best Bet – Coneygree
Next Best – Our Conor


The Yorkshireman - Jack Milner
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