In what has to be one of the most pompously named races of all time, the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (2:00) could well be another prize that heads to Ditcheat, courtesy of CAID DU BERLAIS. This looks a very average renewal of the race, there only looks to be one that can give him a worry- more on the other horse later. As for Paul Nicholls' contender, he seemed to strike a chord with Sam Twiston Davies last time out when he gave him an amazing ride to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last month. A five pound rise seems very fair and this is a far weaker race. The tongue tie that was applied for that recent win for the first time is on again and he really appears to have improved massively as a horse over the summer. A big chance. The only horse who, to me, could be the fly in the ointment is BARRAKILLA. He's well weighted against some of these; namely No Buts. Based on their recent Sandown race, I make Barrakilla 9 pounds better than No Buts but due to No Buts' impressive win recently, he is the one who carries more weight- 5 pounds more in fact. Niceonefrankie and Darna are two others that look up against it at the weights.
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| Caid Du Berlais with his jubilant team following his Paddy Power Gold Cup victory |
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| Barrakilla |
There's more graded action at 3:10 with the International Hurdle, which is a Grade 2 contest. It appears to be a two horse race between The New One and VANITEUX- the rest don't look good enough quite frankly. On bare form, The New One should win but at the prices, I will always go for the one which is better. However, Nigel Twiston-Davies' horse isn't entirely bombproof. He never wins his races with as much authority as you'd imagine a horse at the prices he is should do. He can be capable of putting in the odd sketchy jump, which may not matter too much here. But, he does have to give Vaniteux 8 pounds, which will not be straightforward. Nicky Henderson's horse would surely have been closer to Garde La Victoire in the Greatwood if he'd have taken a different route- admittedly that form wouldn't be enough to challenge The New One but Henderson has reported that he's improved a lot since his novice days and his Greatwood run was his first of the season, so he'll be entitled to come on for it. Some people think he's got a chance, others do not. I just think he'll give The New One something to think about and is worth backing at the prices.
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| Vaniteux |
N.B-Just for the record, I don't think The New One would have won this year's Champion Hurdle if he didn't suffer interference. It was too far before the finish to have made that much of a difference in my opinion.
The final Graded race of the day at Prestbury Park comes in the form of the Relkeel Hurdle (3:45). 2012's Champion Hurdle winner Rock On Ruby is the class animal in this but 13/8 is short enough about him. Volnay De Thaix could also prove to be a smart performer in time but he has got something to prove at this level. 15/8 seems short enough about him, especially bearing in mind that LAC FONTANA beat him in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices' Hurdle at Aintree. Volnay De Thaix was beaten just over six lengths into fifth that day and he might have to go some to reverse the form. Lac Fontana then went on to run a respectable race behind the almighty Vautour at Punchestown which was followed up by a seasonal reappearance behind the equally almighty Faugheen at Ascot. He'll come on for that and together with the application of first time cheekpieces, he could in fact be the one to beat today.
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| Lac Fontana following his County Hurdle victory |
The final Graded race at Cheltenham to be reviewed is the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2:35). Blaklion lost his unbeaten tag on his last outing when beaten here by Parlour Games. He's currently nearing evens which is way too short about him for my liking. The enigmatic Port Melon was further behind that day in third whilst Parish Business gave the highly touted Fletchers Flyer a good race last time out. However, BINGE DRINKER has already proven himself to be a strong stayer who seemingly won't shirk away from a battle. He's got quite a bit to find on ratings with Blaklion but he looks to be improving; he is chasing his fifth win in a row. AP McCoy looks a positive booking although Rebecca Curtis always seem to get top jockeys booked for her horses when it matters.
Even the opener, despite not being a graded race, is a quality affair. This juvenile hurdle (12:15) has some potentially exciting types in it. A recurring theme, but I think Hargam should not be peppering evens, mainly because he was beaten by Golden Doyen last time out whereas KAREZAK beat Golden Doyen on his hurdle debut. You could argue that Alan King's horse was a little disappointing when being narrowly beaten at odds on last time out but he was slightly hampered at the business end of the race and did stay on well, which suggests that he will appreciate the extra half furlong. A first time visor could eke out some improvement as well. Stars Over The Sea also has a chance but his jumping can be haphazard at times and he hasn't faced a proper challenge yet; he'll face one on Saturday and there has to be question marks as to whether he's a battler, If he is, he has to have a chance. At a slightly larger price, MR GALLIVANTER could go well. Similar to Stars Over The Sea, he's an ex-flat horse who's unbeaten in two starts over hurdles and hasn't yet faced any meaningful challenge. He should be double the price David Pipe's entrant is.
1:25- The front two in the market will take all the beating here but there'll be opposed with KARINGA DANCER who was in the process of running a decent race when unseating here recently. Although the trip may be a little on the sharp side today, he has a chance.
Doncaster hold a graded race of their own with the Grade 2 Summit Juvenile Hurdle (2:15). Despite his French form looking patchy to say the least, you'd think Paul Nicholls would have improved MARRACUDJA somewhat or else he wouldn't be pitching him in at the deep end on his British debut. Also, you have to bear in mind that French form can so often no get replicated over here so fellow Gallic import Peace And Co may not be worthy of his odds on status, especially giving Marracudja 7 pounds.
And a quick preview of the 8:15 at Wolverhampton...
It can be worth looking for unusual little attributes in races such as these because they are all quite similarly matched. Even the smallest thing can make a big difference. For instance, SAN QUENTIN is back up to twelve furlongs today, which could prove vital. He won over that distance 3 starts ago but has ran his last two races over 3 furlongs less. The step back up should suit him well. Another to keep an eye on is ETAAD. A former Hamdan Al Maktoum inmate, he didn't quite cut the mustard there and has since been transferred to Ireland. He has not really done much there really in three starts but you should always be wary of horses that run in Ireland that come over to England for low grade races, especially at the Dunstall Park venue. Gary Mahon's 7 pound claim means he carries 15 pounds less than his last run which was 185 days ago so he could have improved considerably since then. First time cheekpieces also add to his chances, albeit enigmatic chances but he cannot be discounted. I actually spotted him when he was 40/1 at bet365, he's now 5/1... Musikhani is another who cannot be overlooked, with first time blinkers and Adam Kirby booked. The all weather surface is an unknown though.
Enjoy your Saturday
Happy Punting!
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