Cheltenham Festival 2018
SAMCO (1.30) looks banker material in the opener on Day 2
and can not be opposed for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy in the newly-renamed
Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. The selection has been lauded as the second coming
by racing fans, much to the annoyance of owner Michael O’Leary, however there
is good reason for such praise with three flawless victories over hurdles this
term and odds-on to complete the four-timer this afternoon.
His main danger appears Next Destination, likewise a winner
of all three starts this term, for a Willie Mullins yard that kicked off with a
treble yesterday. He has looked sharp since being sent over timber but lacks
the turn of foot demonstrated by Samcro in last month’s Deloitte success at
Leopardstown, and expect the Closutton-inmate to improve further next term when
sent over fences.
The Irish have the two market principles for the opener and
likewise in the RSA where Presenting Percy and Monalee both bringing festival
form to the table in the RSA Chase, and the latter expected to thrive on the
drying ground.
Monalee (2.10) looked every inch a chaser when plying his
trade over timber last term, finishing a gallant runner-up to Penhill in the
2017 Albert Bartlett and, despite one hiccup when falling over Christmas, has
been foot perfect in his two chase successes for trainer Henry de Bromhead. I
expect him to have too much class for last season’s Pertemps Winner Presenting
Percy with Black Corton likely to come up a little short in producing a fairytale
winner for racing’s new golden girl Bryony Frost.
Le Breuil was my long-time hope for the Coral Cup but the
form of the Ben Pauling yard is worrying and the soft ground should suit Ruth
Jefferson’s Mount Mews (2.50) who reverts back over timber after an interrupted
campaign over fences. The selection was crying out for a step up in trip when
well-backed for a pair of handicap hurdles at the start of the season and the
handicapper has given him a chance from a revised mark of 142. As You Were is
2lb lower but, is unexposed and could likewise be overpriced at 33/1 and
BetVictor paying 5 places.
Altior (3.30) is the star attraction on Ladies Day and
should better the Willie Mullins pair of Min and Douvan in the Queen Mother Champion
Chase. Nicky Henderson’s gelding is the best horse in training on official
ratings and showed outstanding resilience to make a winning return after an
absence of over 300 days when beating Politologue in the Game Spirt Chase last
month at Newbury. Altior, a winner at the last two festivals, is another likely
to love the ground and is a confident selection to once again bring the Master
of Seven Barrows into the Cheltenham winners’ enclosure.
The three races to complete the card aren’t big punting
heats personally, but the ground has undeniably gone against Cause of Causes in
the Cross-Country. I’ve heard plenty of whispers in the press room for The Last
Samuri (4.10) who hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth in a strong renewal
of the Cotswold Chase here on Trials Day and he looks the class act in the race
for Kim Bailey and David Bass.
Eragan de Chanay (4.50) bolted-up on heavy ground at Sandown
and sneaks into the Fred Winter under a penalty, which therefore puts him plenty
ahead of the handicapper. He produced a telling turn of foot in the mud, producing
a good time to boot, and must go close for Gary and Jamie Moore.
The bumper looks a minefield but it appears telling that
Barry Geraghty has opted to partner Rhinestone (5.30) over Nick Gifford’s
Didtheyleaveuoutto in the bumper. Joseph O’Brien’s well-bred son of Montjeu
wasn’t disgraced when chasing home Blackbow last month at Leopardstown and with
the benefit of experience should improve from that effort.
I do have a soft
spot for JP’s other runner, with Didtheyleaveuoutto leaving a favourable
impression when bolting-up in a listed bumper at Ascot and looks a terrific
long-term prospect for connections.
Selections
1.30 Samcro
2.10 Monalee
2.50 Mount Mews
3.30 Altior (Nap)
4.10 The Last Samuri
4.50 Eragan de Chenay
5.30 Rhinestone/Didtheyleaveuoutto
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