Race 1- Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) 1:30
This year's renewal looks a classy race and because there are so many nice sorts in it, it's become very hard to call.
PETITE PARISIENNE- The last three winners of this ran in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown, which Willie Mullins' filly won this year. The record of fillies in this race is a slight concern but she's a Grade 1 winner so she should be up to it. Showed battling qualities when finding a fair bit of the bridle that day which could come in handy here.
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| Petite Parisienne (maroon) |
HARGAM- Beaten when fancied on British debut here but won over course and distance on his second run over hurdles. They were followed by a facile victory at Musselburgh, progressing with each run. He's a beautiful traveller who's never been tried on soft ground, so that would be a worry.
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| Hargam (left) |
BELTOR- The forecasted rain has ushered Robert Stephens' runner into my final three for this. Both of his hurdles starts have been on soft, which he's won with ease and being by Authorized, it's no surprise that he likes a bit of juice in the ground. Tanked to victory in the Adonis at Kempton, the race which really advertised his claims for this. Flat ground sires have excelled in this race in recent runnings too.
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| Beltor |
Top Notch and Pain Au Chocolat will also like the rain and have big chance whilst John Ferguson's Devilment cannot be ignored either.
Race 2- County Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) 2:05
Positive statistics for this include horses being aged 5 or 6 with an Official Rating less than 140.
MAX DYNAMITE (Aged 5, OR-137)- interesting that Ruby Walsh has chosen him over four other Mullins horses. Ran against some of the best flat horses in France although not cutting much ice admittedly, his runaway victory at Thurles on hurdles debut showed that class. His two runs since have been a little disappointing; a battering by the albeit useful Kitten Rock and a fourth place finish from five runners in a Naas Grade 2. He found very little on that occasion but you must thing connections expect better given that Ruby Walsh has chosen him.
SORT IT OUT (Aged 6, OR-134)- His last two runs have been by far his best, with handicap wins at Punchestown and Leopardstown. Clearly heading in the right direction and is worth a chance in this towards the bottom of the weights.
BALTIMORE ROCK (Aged 6, OR-138)- Last year's Imperial Cup winner hasn't been since finishing midfield on his seasonal reappearance in the Greatwood. Will relish the rain that's due to come and a first time tongue-tie makes him of further interest.
Princely Conn is not without a chance but his best form is on drier ground, Quick Jack has obvious chances but is a very short price for such a competitive race and Waxies Dargle is probably the pick of the remainder.
Race 3- Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) 2:40
Yet another tough race to call, a very high quality renewal of this.
CARACCI APACHE- Looked a disinterested horse in summer bumpers but whether it's the softer ground, the step up in trip or having an obstacle in front of him but he's a totally different entity now. Not without his quirks but he finds plenty under pressure. Improved with every run and is well worth his chance in this.
DEFINITLY RED- Another mudlark and another battler who ran away with a bumper here in November. Saw out the three miles well at Haydock last time out and it's promising to see Richard Johnson booked again.
VALUE AT RISK- Caused multiple jaws to drop with his twenty-two length annihilation of a Newbury novice field so it's understanding why many were disappointed when he was beat on Trials Day at 11/10. However, he's well worth another chance here, with the step up in trip almost certain to suit and the rain not being too much of a hindrance to him.
No More Heroes and Martello Tower are the best of the rest but there are so many decent looking sorts in this.
Race 4- CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP (GRADE 1) 3:20
The class horse in this is King George winner Silviniaco Conti and before the drift he's undergone, he was unbackable for me. However, he looks very appealing at 4/1 now but I'll be sticking to my final shortlist of three.
ROAD TO RICHES- Noel Meade's ultra-consistent eight year-old has done nothing but improve this season. Wins in the JN Wine Champion Chase at Down Royal and Lexus Chase at Leopardstown have seen him emerge as a real contender for this. He finds plenty under bold front running tactics and is definitely one to watch.
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| Road To Riches |
CARLINGFORD LOUGH- What a fairytale it would be if AP McCoy could win his final Gold Cup. His mount for this ran a nice race after a long absence in the Lexus and followed that up with a win in the Irish Hennessy under a typical, never say die, McCoy ride. One who will welcome any rain.
LORD WINDERMERE- Last year's winner cannot go unnoticed in this. Unbeaten here and he gets on well with jockey Davy Russell, as shown with his unbelievable ride to win this last year. The rain could well scupper his chances but it looks as though he's been trained for this once again by his very shrewd trainer in Jim Culloty.
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| Carlingford Lough (white cap) and Lord Windermere (purple) |
The one horse who I fear the most is Coneygree. He'll love the rain and has held all before him this season.
Race 5- Foxhunter Chase (Class 2) 4:00
Horses who have had a run under rules within the month (and a bit) are the ones to watch in this.
SALSIFY- The two time former winner of this ran a good race last time out in a Leopardstown Hunter Chase when fourth, bearing in mind that run was after a 409-day absence. Ran well with the leaders for a long way that day and he's therefore likely to be primed for this. The rain will be welcome for him but not for others, which is obviously good for him.
UNIVERSAL SOLIDER- Has course form and ran a decent reappearance after an absence at Ffos Las when a narrow second. 20/1 looks big for a horse that ticks quite a few boxes.
Paint The Clouds could well add another 1 to his form book but the rain will surely diminish his chances whilst On The Fringe never seems to bring his very best to this race and the distance always seems to find him out too.
Race 6- Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 4:40
KILLULTAGH VIC- looks exceedingly well handicapped based on his smart form. A second behind Tolworth winner L'Ami Serge at Ascot and a third behind Outlander and Albert Bartlett hopeful Martello Tower in a Grade 2 looks smashing form, so his Official Rating of 135 looks very lenient to me. Will appreciate rain too.
MCKINLEY- How many Grade 1 winners carry eight pounds less than top weight in a handicap? Although his Lawlor's Hotel Novice Hurdle win might have been a slight fluke, it would still give him a great chance in this. Star conditional Johnny Burke takes the ride and Ireland have won this twice. Both Gigginstown five year-olds, Sir Des Champs and Don Poli. Can McKinley make it a third?
NOBLE ENDEAVOR- Won a decent race at Punchestown last time out, winning decisively. 20/1 looks a little big.
Roi Des Francs has a chance too for Gigginstown but he's short enough at 4/1.
Race 7- Grand Annual Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 5:15
The Festival concludes with the Grand Annual, which is name in honour of the great AP McCoy this year.
BLOOD COTIL- Ran decent races against smart novice chasers such as Sizing Granite and RSA third Wounder Warrior and whilst he isn't quite in their company, he looks to have found a nice opportunity in this off a fair weight. Sluiced up last time out, big chance.
TURN OVER SIVOLA- A consistent sort who hasn't been disgraced this season. Looks like he could run a nice race off a decent weight. 28/1 big.
GRUMETI- Former Grade 1 winner who clearly didn't like the 2 mile 4 furlong trip at Sandown last time out. First time blinkers, back to 2 miles at a course he's got winning form at makes him a horse who could run a stormer, providing he can leave his no-show in the Scilly Isles behind him.
NAP- SALSIFY
NB- BLOOD COTIL
L15- MAX DYNAMITE
L15- KIlLLULTAGH VIC
Hope everybody has a great last day at Cheltenham
Happy Cheltenham Punting!
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