DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY MARCH 12
A big field for the opening Mares Novices’ Hurdle (1.20) but Bambino Fever could turn out to be a cut above her rivals if she continues to climb on her upward trajectory.
Although beaten by Oldschool Outlaw on her hurdling debut, Willie Mullins’ inmate ran in a time when her stable’s horses weren’t fully wound up and her subsequent victory at Fairyhouse suggested she had taken the expected step forward.
The only issue surrounds her price and for those seeking solace in a better value option, CARRIGMORNASPRUCE could easily provide the perfect alternative in the ‘without the favourite’ market.
Declan Queally’s inmate wasn’t a million miles off the best of her generation in bumpers last season, including Bambino Fever, and her performances over hurdles so far to date are hard to fault.
A creditable runner-up to Skylight Hustle in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas, the form of that race doesn’t look too shabby in context to today’s race and arriving here fresh off a break, the daughter of Diamond Boy can pay the faith of Victorious Racing, who have made an audacious bid to have her run in their famous red and white colours.
CARRIGMORNASPRUCE -1-point each-way@6-1 (without favourite with bet365)
Koktail Divin (who ran a blinder in the Brown Advisory) not coming here in favour of the Brown Advisory will be music to the ears of several connections fearing a potential Grade 1 horse was going to come and upset the party, but SLADE STEEL is more than an able substitute from the same stable in the Jack Richards Handicap (2.00) and he deserves to be played accordingly.
Winner of the Supreme back in 2024, Henry De Bromhead’s inmate has had his sights set on the larger obstacles this season and although he has yet to register a victory, his efforts in defeat have been of a useful standard.
There is certainly no shame in getting beaten by the likes of Better Days Ahead, Lecky Watson and Predator’s Gold and last time out was simply a question of not seeing out the three-mile trip on heavy ground against a dour stayer in the shape of Joystick.
A proper class act who has yet to finish out of the frame in all completed starts (brought down when going well at Punchestown), the son of Telescope appeals as a solid each-way option.
Another who brings a touch of quality to the table is SIXMILEBRIDGE, and he has a decent chance of providing his handler his first winner at the Cheltenham festival.
Fergal O’Brien’s gelding is the only Grade 1 winner over fences courtesy of his victory at Sandown last time out and he also gave the useful Califet En Fol a good spanking over the C&D previously.
Likely to be prominently ridden, which are never bad tactics to employ over the New Course, the seven-year-old doesn’t look a bad price all considering.
SLADE STEEL – 1-point each-way@9-1 (five places)
SIXMILEBRIDGE – 1-point each-way@13-2 (five places)
The defection of Lossiemouth looks to have left the door wide open for Wodhooh in The Mares Hurdle (2.40) and it is hard to see Gordon Elliott’s mare not walking straight through. The only issue would be the general form of the stable so far this week.
However, similar to the opening contest, there appears to be a better value option in the ‘without the favourite’ market in the shape of FEET OF A DANCER.
Connections have been mulling which race to run her in for weeks, but on the basis that The Old Course over 2m5f in the BetMGM Cup might be too sharp for her and three miles against the boys in the Stayers Hurdle is stiff ask, this contest against her own sex under her optimum conditions looks to be the percentage call.
FEET OF A DANCER – 1-point win@4-1 (without Bambino Fever with bet365)
The Stayers Hurdle (3.20) has been the poor relation of the big Grade 1’s in recent times but that can’t be said about this season’s renewal with a whole host of quality, proven performers in the field, clashing with several on the upgrade.
Teahupoo is a horse who divides the crowd and, for those looking to take him on again after last year’s defeat, they have the perfect excuse to do so if the ground stays on the quick side.
Of the chief threats, Kabral Du Mathan looks bound to be popular after the horse he trounced in the Cleeve, Jingko Blue, dotted up in the BetMGM Cup here today and the drying conditions will suit him more than most.
Ma Shantou is another to come into the mix on genuine good ground and the way he flew up the hill on trials did have a touch of Paisley Park about it.
Add in the likes of Honesty Policy, who shaped well in the Long Walk and good old Bob Olinger, who probably booked his own flight and accommodation, the race has a bit of everything.
The Ryanair (4.00) looks at the mercy of Fact To File, but as we saw here today with Majborough, anything can happen in a horse race. To be fair to Willie Mullins’ inmate, he doesn’t jump some of his fences like he is blindfolded and there will be plenty be prepared to stay loyal to him to repair some of the Majborough damage.
Having advised HEART WOOD at a big price some months ago, it has been good to see Henry De Bromhead’s horses run well so far this week and for those not involved, he still makes plenty of appeal in the ‘without the favourite’ markets.
Another wide-open version of the Pertemps Final (4.40) and all the vibes suggest the Skelton’s could pull off another masterstroke with Supremely West.
However, odds around 7-2 makes little appeal unless you have hoovered up all the fancy prices weeks ago and ELETRIC MASON and KIKIJO are more than viable each-way alternatives.
The former has been kept back especially for this prize since landing a valuable contest at Haydock back in November and it is worth pointing out the likes of Phantomofthepoints, Nab Wood, Ma Shantou, Ace Of Spades, Titan Discovery, Jingko Blue and Red Risk have all gone on to boost the form since.
Runner-up to the aforementioned Ma Shantou in the qualifier over the course back in October, the ground will suit and a mark of 139 probably still underestimates his claims.
The latter won the controversial race involving Supremely West at the track earlier in the season but despite the antics of the Skelton horse, he did win quite well on the day.
Again, saved for the race ever since following up at Sandown next time out, Philip Hobbs & Johnson White’s inmate has a sporting chance of making up for the stable’s agonising defeat in the Supreme.
ELECTRIC MASON – ½ point each-way@10-1 (six places)
KIKIJO – ½ point each-way@16-1 (six places)
The concluding Kim Muir wouldn’t be a race for everyone but it certainly is as far as JP McManus is concerned and both Jeriko Du Reponet and Waterford Whisper make up a powerful string to attack the amateur rider’s Gold Cup.
Taking 5-4 about one of the pair winning, however, wouldn’t be most punters’ idea of value and for those looking outside the box, HERAKLES WESTWOOD and WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT.
The former has a terrific record at Cheltenham and his victory here over the New Course when last seen proved he can handle decent ground.
Having undergone a wind op since, Warren Greatrex’s inmate has the profile to suggest he has plenty to offer.
The latter finished a creditable fourth in this race last season despite rooting the last and his effort when runner-up in the Munster National earlier in the campaign suggests he remains in decent form.
Often a lazy character during his races, he has, however, responded well for headgear before and the first-time pieces could well spark him back to life after a lacklustre display in the Paddy Power last time out.
HERAKLES WESTWOOD – ½ point each-way@9-1 (five places)
WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT – ½ point each-way@18-1 (five places)