CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
DAY THREE
1.20 MARES NOVICES HURDLE
Hard to have a strong view with so many unknown quantities allied to a maximum field, but there’s a decent chance Sixandahalf might prove the answer on the basis she probably has the most speed.
Gavin Cromwell’s mare has only had the one start over hurdles, but her performance in scoring with any amount in hand at Fairyhouse back in January smacked of a horse who has been jumping all her life and her speed figure in victory was also very impressive.
Good enough to finish a creditable third in the Irish Cesarewitch on the Flat, a field of 30 that day suggests she will have no issue handling tomorrow’s unusually large line-up and with the ground likely to suit her more than most, the daughter of Snow Sky can maintain her handler’s excellent start to the meeting.
2.00 JACK RICHARDS NOVICES’ HANDICAP.
Based on the maximum field size, this competitive novices’ handicap is one of the new invitations at this year’s festival has clearly worked and with most set of connections seemingly trying their hardest to strike the balance of getting in the race without totally showing their hand, finding the winner is going to be tricky.
Whether this has been the masterplan all along for CALDWELL POTTER (best price 12-1) is open to debate but, having showed that he probably isn’t quite ready for Grade 1 races over fences just yet, this contest seems the logical resting place for Paul Nicholls’ grey.
Although disappointing at the time, his run behind Jango Baie here back in December is clearly much better than it seemed at the time (very fast speed figure) and his latest effort at Windsor was equally good on the numbers.
The fact he has course form won’t do him any harm and with the rain around over the last 24 hours easing conditions more into his favour, the seven-year-old has the class and ability to make his presence felt.
Under similar thinking, Springwell Bay must come into the equation based on his performance in the same race behind Jango Baie back in December, the only possible stumbling block with his claims stems from the possibility of his new assessment of 154 scuppering his chances.
The other who catches the eye as a potential winner of the race is ANSWER TO KAYF (best price 10-1) and some of his form over in Ireland bears up to the closest scrutiny.
Terence O’Brien’s inmate ran better than the bare result suggested against the likes of Impaire Et Passe, Lecky Watson (won Brown Advisory) and Slade Steel on his first two starts over fences and dropped in grade at Naas last time out, he duly took advantage.
Although he received a shot across the bows for his bloodless win, at least it meant he definitely got into his ultimate target and having run a blinder to finish a close-up fourth in the Martin Pipe last season, the experience he gained that day should stand him in good stead for today’s assignment.
CALDWELL POTTER – ½ point each-way@12-1 five places
ANSWER TO KAYF – ½ point each-way@10-1 five places
2.40 PERTEMPS FINAL
A race where skulduggery in the build up often gets taken to a new level but with the new rules of having to finish in the first four to qualify slightly shifting the goalposts, there’s probably not as many well handicapped horses of yesteryear.
That said, a 24-maximum field with no quarter asked will still take some finding and there are plenty who make the shortlist.
Of those, D ART D ART (best price 10-1) and FEET OF A DANCER (best price 9-1) makes the most appeal to this writer and they deserve to be played against the field accordingly.
The former qualified for the final way back in December and it was probably a blessing in disguise he didn’t win, even though he can be judged the best horse in the race. The way he travelled at Carlisle pointed towards a horse who could easily turn out to be well handicapped going forward and it was a performance that also indicated he stays a strongly run three miles on a stiff track.
Prior to that commendable effort, Thomas Cooper’s inmate ran a herculean race from the back of a competitive field at Navan and with one of the conditionals of the moment booked to do the steering, the talented six-year-old is easily good enough to throw his hat in the ring.
The latter has a lot of similar traits to former stable mate Mrs Milner before she came here and won and it would as no surprise if Paul Nolan’s inmate followed suit.
Booking her place for the final in one of the best guides to this race in recent times at Leopardstown over Christmas, the daughter of Authorized impressed with the way she travelled that day and having cut her teeth against many top-class mares over in Ireland previously, the combination of her quality and ability to handle a big field handicap run at pace makes her too irresistible to miss.
D ART D ART – ½ point each-way@10-1 – six places
FEET OF A DANCER – ½ point each-way@9-1 six places
3.20 RYANAIR CHASE
Having took a punt that connections of Fact To File would see sense and come her rather than take on Galopin Des Champs again in the Gold Cup, it’s good to see Willie Mullins’ inmate make the gig at the very least and on all known form, the decision looks build on solid foundations
His performance when winning the John Durkan at Fairyhouse earlier in the season is arguably the most preeminent guide to the outcome of this race and the form reads well in light of what he faces tomorrow.
The fact he does stay beyond 2m4f is seen as a plus and with French raider Il Est Francais likely to make it a proper test, he shouldn’t have too many excuses.
4.00 STAYERS HURDLE
Teahopoo has divided opinion like no other horse in the build up to the festival and if you are one of many willing to take him on, you certainly have plenty running for you.
Home By The Lee has looked a different horse for some reason to the one we’ve seen over here for the past four seasons and his yard couldn’t be in better shape, while Lucky Place is unexposed over the trip and has plenty of quality course form to call on.
So too have the likes of Gowel Road and Bob Olinger and then there’s dangerous floaters, Rocky’s Diamond and Nemean Lion.
Ironically, his main threat, however, could come from his companion a few doors down from his own stable in the shape of THE WALLPARK (best price 13-2), whose decision by connections to come here rather than tackle the Pertemps Final looks well founded.
Gordon Elliott’s inmate first sprung to prominence when landing a competitive handicap over tomorrow’s course in November and since then, his performance when fourth in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot suggests he is well worth his place in this line-up.
The way he stayed on in the final half a mile having looked all at sea going down into Swinley Bottom was eye-catching to say the least and there’s a good chance his big-race pilot Mark Walsh will on more about him this time around.
Seemingly a strong stayer at the trip, a decent gallop will clearly help but even so, nothing will be finishing stronger from the top of the hill and he’s certainly no shrinking violet when it comes to cutting down his prey in the backend of a race.
THE WALLPARK – 1-point each-way@13-2 four places
4.40 TRUSTATRADER PLATE
Jagwar has, deservedly, attracted much attention following his excellent victory over today’s C&D on trials day and it would come as no surprise if, one of the most unexposed members of the field, followed in the footprints of the likes of similar novices, Simply The Bets, Siruh Du Lac, The Shunter and The Storyteller in recent times.
Whether he quite deserves to be chalked around the 4-1 mark, however, is up for debate and at slightly bigger odds, JORDANS (best price 9-1), a similar lightly-raced chaser makes more appeal.
Only rated 137 prior to his latest exploits in Grade 1 company, Joseph O’Brien’s ended exceeding all expectations by chasing home the top-class Impaire Et Passe and since then connections have been keen to keep his powder dry in a bid to protect what they have.
Based on the evidence of his run at the Greenmount Park venue, he seems likely to be suited by a well-run affair over a stiff 2m4f and up against quite a few exposed types for whom father time has come close to calling, one of the three younger pups in the field can announce himself on the big stage.
JORDANS – 1-point each-way@9-1 five places
5.20 KIM MUIR
Johnnywho could easily turn out to be the Inothewayurthinkin reincarnated but at the same time, he will need to jump better than he has done on several occasions so far this season.
One who doesn’t lack proficiently in that department is MIDNIGHT OUR FRED (best price 17-2) and Johnny Flavin’s inmate is strongly fancied to go well again at a track that clearly suits his eye.
On the three previous occasions he has faced the starter at the Prestbury Park, he has finish runner-up each time and with the latest of those efforts coming over 3m4f, the demands of this race should be well with his compass.
Furthermore, his display when a highly creditable runner-up in the Paddy Power Chase works out really well on all data – both jumping and on times – and unsurprisingly, the form has work out well accordingly.
A bold jumper who likes to race prominently, being out of trouble – advertised by the likes of Haiti Couleurs and Myretown here yesterday – can pay dividends in a race of this nature and with the ground also coming in his favour, all his ducks seem to be in a row.
MIDNIGHT OUR FRED – 1-point each-way@17-2