2012 Cheltenham Festival Highlights

March 19, 2012 Leave a comment

It was Idarah, the final finisher in the final race that effectively brought down the final curtain of the four day 2012 Cheltenham Festival and in so doing closed another chapter in the meeting’s history books but this year’s Festival has to go down one of the most exciting for years.

Searching for talking points and highlights at the Festival any year is easy but 2012 had so many it is difficult to know where to start and for that matter how to prioritise them.

Certainly one highlight that should stick in the mind of all National Hunt racing fans was the huge round of applause handed out so spontaneously by the 60,000 crowd after the Kauto Star was pulled up in the Gold Cup by jockey Ruby Walsh. Their reaction probably was suitable acknowledgement that the dual Gold Cup and five times King George VI Chase Champion will not be seen competitively on a racecourse again and that he will now be retired to the luxurious pasture he so richly deserves given that he arguable rates as one of the best Steeplechasers the world has ever seen!

Kauto Star’s Stablemate, Big Bucks, however, did not disappoint, once again proving too good for his rivals in the World Hurdle, winning the race for a record breaking fourth consecutive year and in the process winning his 16th consecutive race. His confirmation as the greatest staying hurdler of all time came two days after the Willie Mullins trained Quevega had won the three mile Mares Hurdle also for the fourth consecutive year. Her win confirmed her as the greatest staying mare of all time and possibly the only horse capable of taking Big Bucks on.

A second act of unadulterated spontaneity was witnessed when Hunt Ball won the Pulteney Land Investments Novices Handicap Chase over 2m4f, the final race on the first day. Owner, Anthony Knott, who had accused the Official Handicapper of getting it all wrong with his horse all season, became almost uncontainable when the seven year old romped home by eight lengths carrying 12 stone on his back. His win yet again defied the handicapper and had his owner making that point to everybody on the boisterous but jovial walk back to the winners enclosure. The win was greeted with so much enthusiasm by the crowd, many of which had taken Knott’s advice and backed the 13/2 favourite that it prompted the official handicapper himself to make his way to the winners enclosure to acknowledge that he had got it wrong by shaking Knott’s hand. It was a great and magnanimous and one of those episodes that that go a long way towards making the Festival what it is today. Hunt Ball in fact has earned himself a 50/1 shout for the Gold Cup at the 2013 Cheltenham Festival.

With the exit one Festival superstar in the form of Kauto Star a potential replacement announced his arrival on the chasing scene in the form of Sprinter Sacre. The six year old became the first of trainer Nicky Henderson’s magnificent seven winners at this year’s Festival after his seven length victory in Arkle Challenge Trophy. It was a run of such awesome quality, that had jockey Barry Geraghty confirming that he is the best he has ridden and had bookmakers installing him as the 2/1 favourite to win the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Hendersoncould not have had a betterCheltenham; Sprinter Sacre became his 40th Festival career winner to equal that of Fulke Walwyn, which he was then to shatter with six more, taking him to a new record of 46. His other winners:

Simonsig – Hugely impressive winner of the Grade 1 Neptune Investment Management Novice Hurdle over 2m5f.

Bobs Worth – First home in the Grade 1 RSA Chase and now an 8/1 quote for the 2013 Gold Cup.

Finian’s Rainbow – New Queen Mother Chase Champion after coming on top in a controversial but epic battle up the hill with defending champion, Sizing Europe who went off the 4/5 favourite.

Une Artiste – 40/1 winner of the Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. His win completed a 3,382 four timer on the day for the Seven Barrows trainer. It was the first time in the history of the Festival that a trainer had saddled four winners on a single day.

Riverside Theatre – Held on to win a terrific battle in the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase over 2m5f with Albertas Run, winner of this race for the previous two seasons.

Belvano – The 20/1 winner of the Johnny Henderson Grand annual Chase and the race named to honour Nicky’s father. There could have been a no more fitting end to the Festival and was made even better when his Tanks For That finished second and Anquetta fourth.

The one surprise defeat of the Nicky Henderson cam was that of Long Run in the Gold Cup who could only finish third, behind winner, Synchronised and the 50/1 outsider, The Giant Bolster. Although this race is not considered a highlight this year due the fact that it was a worryingly low class renewal with only Kauto Star and Long Run being rated more than 180 in the field. Synchronised, in fairness has won at Grade One level and did run a stormer under Tony McCoy to win. However, how the 160 rated runner up The Giant Bolster got so close is something that should not really happen in the country’s most prestigious steeplechase.

Other surprise defeats came in the Champion Hurdle where Hurricane Fly could not justify his 4/6 price, finishing third behind the Paul Nicholls trained Rock on Ruby.

Filed under Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle, Arkle, Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Gold Cup, Latest Racing News, Neptune Novices Hurdle, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Willie Mullins, World Hurdle Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Festival Talking Point: Henderson Stable lad wins £1 million

March 19, 2012 Leave a comment

Whilst Nicky Henderson and connections stole the show as far as success was concerned at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival it was one of his stable hands who stole the show off the course.

Conor Murphy, an unassuming Irishman who lives in Lambourn and looks after the interests of new Queen Mother Champion Chaser, Finian’s Rainbow, at the Seven Barrows stable won himself over £1m after placing a £50 accumulator on five ofHenderson’s runners at the Cheltenham Festival. All five won!

It is true that he had to use a little bit of guesswork but if he had any inside information as to which race Simonsig would run in, he should be forgiven, as he backed him to win the Neptune Novice Hurdle, when most thought that he would run in the ‘Supreme Novice’.

His wins came with Sprinter Sacre in the Arkle Chase who was around the 7/1 mark when backed by Murphy but went off as the 8/11 odds on favourite. Next came Simonsig, who was a 20/1 shot when backed but had shortened into 2/1 favouritism by the time of the off. RSA Chase winner, Bobs Worth was backed at 6/1 and went in at 4’s. Murphy’s own yard horse Finian’s Rainbow won the Queen Mother Champion Chase at 12/1, a win which must have had Murphy gutted as it looked like he was going to get beat by defending champion, Sizing Europe. The bet and the million pound win however was secure once Riverside Theatre managed to hold another defending champion, Albertas Run in the Ryanair Chase at odds of 16/1 antepost but went off as the 7/2 favourite.

Of course having stable knowledge does help, otherwise surely he would have backed Long Run to win the Gold Cup but perhaps the canny lad’s instincts knew best and forced him to resist the temptation of a six horse accumulator.

Quite understandably, Conor is not seeking further publicity and latest reports has suggested that he has gone into hiding but those who know him believe  that he will be back at work this morning looking after Finian’s Rainbow and mucking and riding out with the rest of the team.

Great credit must be extended to the Bet365 Bookmakers who took and laid the bet, they did not seek to capitalise on the PR front preferring to respect the fact that account holder’s details should be respected and that the client should remain officially unexposed.

Overall, the ‘Festival’ was a reasonable betting encounter between punters and Bookmakers although the latter benefited hugely with the defeats of a number of hot favourites, some which were defending their crowns. Long Run went down at 7/4, Boston Bob failed to land the Albert Bartlett with odds of 6/5, Peddlers Cross failed again this time in the Jewson with odds of 5/2, while 6/5 Grands Crus could only manage fourth place in the RSA Chase. Sizing Europe was unlucky but only came second when 4/5 odds on, while Hurricane Fly, perhaps the best backed favourite of them all at 4/6 failed to fire in the Champion Hurdle, beaten by Rock On Ruby and Overturn.

Of those defending their crown sonly Quevega in the Mares Hurdle and Big Bucks in the World Hurdle were successful.

Filed under Arkle, Cheltenham, Latest Racing News, Neptune Novices Hurdle, Nicky Henderson, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Europe Cuts Big Zeb Down to Size

February 7, 2012 Leave a comment

Sizing Europe sent out a chilling warning to his Queen Mother Champion Chase rivals on Sunday with an emphatic 15 length victory over Big Zeb in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase over two miles in heavy ground. It has to be pointed out that Big Zeb’s jockey Robbie Power did ease his horse up once he had realised that he was beaten, but that should take nothing away from the emphatic nature of Sizing Europe’s victory.

The win marked a continuation of the excellent form the Champion Chaser showed when winning the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase also over two miles at Sandown back in December where he had a number of ‘Queen Mother’ rivals well beaten.

Big Zeb of course is a major scalp but the nature of his defeat was the biggest concern for his trainer, Colm Murphy who made no excuses, clearly accepting that he was beaten by a better horse on the day. Big Zeb as we all know won the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in 2010 and was runner up to Sizing Europe last year. He bounced back from that defeat just a few weeks later in the Boylesports Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival where he gained revenge by finishing ¾ length in front of Sizing Europe and at the same time putting doubts into the minds of racegoers as to which one of the two is the better horse.

However, Sizing Europe laid down the gauntlet on Sunday making it absolutely clear that he is the one to beat at Cheltenham on March 14th which is why Bookmakers across the board have cut his price into 6/4 from 5/2 to win back to back, while Big Zeb has been eased out to 7/1 with Nicky Henderson’s Finian’s Rainbow just ahead of him in the antepost market for the Queen Mother with odds of 6/1.

Certainly looking at the likely runners in this year’s Queen Mother it is hard to look beyond the three principles. Those in behind them in the current antepost market all look set for alternative races, horses such as Somersby, who will head for the Ryanair, while Al Ferof will probably line up in the Arkle Challenge Trophy. Trainer, Donald McCain is undecided about his Peddlers Cross, while Gauvain from the Nick Williams stable looks a better jumper over a longer distance. Should there be a host of defections then the case for backing Sizing Europe now is a very strong one!

Sizing Europe’s win has increased the belief that there could be as many as four current Cheltenham Champions heading for further Cheltenham glory this season. To that end Bookmakers have created an interesting market with odds of 20/1 for Sizing Europe, Big Bucks in the World Hurdle, Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle and Long Run in the Gold Cup all to retain their crowns. Of course Quevega, who also looks unstoppable in the mares hurdle, could also be added to that list making the bet even more interesting provided a Bookmaker could be found to lay it.

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Latest Racing News, Leopardstown, National Hunt Races, Queen Mother Champion Chase Tagged with , , , , , ,

Sizing Europe and Big Zeb Bid To Join Elite Champion Chase Club

January 19, 2012 Leave a comment

When last year’s winner Sizing Europe lines up for this season’s Queen Mother Champion Chase, trainer, Henry De Bromhead and connections will be will hoping that he can join a highly illustrious group of just ten horses that have won this very prestigious race twice. That same wish of course will also be made by trainer Colm Murphy and the connections of Big Zeb who won the race back in 2010.

The two head the antepost market for the race that decides who will be the season’s champion two mile chaser; but even the best of racing tipsters would not necessarily be able to split them at this stage in the build up.

Both have been out this season, with Sizing Europe having his first spin in the Grade 2 PricewaterhouseCoopers Champion Chase over 2½ miles at Gowran Park back in October. He won that race by just under two lengths from Coolcashin but he had to be grateful to the final fence fall of subsequent Grade 1 John Durkan Chase winner, Rubi Light. The 10 year old followed that up with a second place behind Quito De La Roque in the Grade One, JN Wine Chase at Down Royal, but that was over three miles which is not his favoured distance. However he made amends for that defeat when returning to the two mile trip in the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park which he won in great style by 8 lengths. The win encouraged the Bookmakers to clip his odds into 9/4 favouritism to retain his crown.

Big Zeb meanwhile has been seen out twice this season, winning firstly the Grade 2 Fortria Chase over 2 miles at Navan, beating last season’s Arkle Trophy Chase winner, Noble Prince by a couple of lengths. That win was followed up by victory in the Grade One Paddy Power Dial A Bet Chase over 2m1f at Leopardstown towards the end of December, where once again the now 11 year old proved too good for Noble Prince, winning this time by 1¼ lengths.

These two wins by Big Zeb if nothing else has showed that he retains the zest that was very apparent in his final race last season when he made some amends for his Cheltenham reverse by defeating Sizing Europe in Boylesports.com Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival. A race considered by the sport as the Irish National Hunt’s equivalent of the ‘Queen Mother Chase’. He is considered a best price of 9/2 to regain his champion chaser crown.

In the past it has proven much easier to win the race back to back rather than miss out a year, a feat which has been achieved by only Royal Relief in 1972 & 1974 and the great Moscow Flyer who won in 2003 and 2005. The other eight dual winners all did so in consecutive years, the most recent being Master Minded, winner in 2008 & 2009. This might count against Big Zeb of course who also could be making his attempt without his first choice jockey, Barry Geraghty on board. Geraghty has not ridden him this season so far due to his commitments as retained jockey to Nicky Henderson who at present is undecided whether or not his Finians Rainbow runs in the ‘Queen Mother’. Effectively if Finians Rainbow runs, then it will be Geraghty on board, if not the ride will once again go to substitute jockey, Robbie Power.

Should 6/1 shot Finians Rainbow run then he would have to be considered a decent enough threat to the big two, particularly as he appears to have progressed significantly this season. However he did finish second at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival behind Noble Prince, who, as pointed out above, is held by Big Zeb, a fact which would mean that Finians Rainbow would have to improve even more to become the champion chaser this season.

Others which might yet influence the market once final declarations are made could be the Paul Nicholls pair of Al Ferof, winner of two chases over two miles this season and Kauto Stone, although the latter is likely to go for the Ryanair Chase.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News, Queen Mother Champion Chase Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Sizing Europe Impresses On Seasonal Debut By Landing Tingle Creek

December 5, 2011 Leave a comment

How great it was to see Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Europe hose up in the two mile, Grade One Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown at the weekend. The current Queen Mother Champion Chase winner looked absolutely supreme and quite understandably has been clipped into 3/1 to repeat his Queen Mother Chase success at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Sizing Europe has always been regarded as a horse with huge amounts of class; he was once upon a time the favourite to win the Champion Hurdle. Although he failed ultimately to claim that crown, he was good enough 12 months later to win the Arkle Challenge Trophy which made him effectively the champion novice chaser over two miles on both sides of the Irish Sea. Then, as we all witnessed last season he proved too good for the likes of Big Zeb and Master Minded to become the two mile chasing king and based on his form of the other day, he will be hard to oppose to win again this season.

What was particularly pleasing with Saturday’s performance was that despite the soft ground, it was run a breakneck pace, with the Phillip Hobbs trained, Wishfull Thinking leading the way from the off. At one stage he looked like he had them all at it but similar to his performance in the Paddy Power Gold Cup last month, he faded badly which left the race between Sizing Europe and the young Paul Nicholls trained upstart, Kauto Stone.

These two engaged in a ‘battle royal’ for the next half a mile or so, but it was the champion, who had the better two mile speed to run away with the race, finishing 8 lengths in front of the youngster come the finish. De Bromhead will give his charge one more run before Cheltenham, probably in the Grade 2 Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown at the end of January.

Nichols was absolutely delighted with Kauto Stone. The half brother of dual Gold Cup winner, Kauto Star, certainly stamped his class in this race which was clearly a little too short in trip for him. Bearing in mind that he left the field for dead in his UK debut in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes.com Chase over 2m4f on 5th November, winning that by over 6 lengths, this five year old has enormous potential in the mid-distance and longer chases and is already worth backing, with odds of 12/1 to win the Ryanair Chase at the Festival in March.

Kauto Stone in fact has an entry to run in the Grade 2 Peterborough Chase over 2m4f at Huntingdon on Thursday, but whether that race or indeed the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown on Saturday, for which he also holds an entry is too soon for him remains to be seen. Nicholls, clearly no supporter of brotherly love is also considering running him against his half brother and champion Long Run in the King George Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. These entries in fact confirm how highly this five year old youngster is regarded at Ditcheat and without wanting to get too carried away too early, we think Nicholls has a point.

As far as Wishfull Thinking is concerned, it may be a time to give him a break from racing with more concentration on tuition. He is clearly a very good horse, he is a great jumper, but he runs far too freely and far too quickly in the early stages and must learn to enjoy being held up. Hobbs had hoped to run him in the King George on Boxing Day but he may have to reconsider his options before then.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Paul Nicholls, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Racecourse, Ruby Walsh, Sandown Tagged with ,

The Biggest Stars Of The National Hunt In 2011

May 11, 2011 Leave a comment

With the Punchestown Festival now concluded, it is as good a time as any to select the best National Hunt runners seen in Ireland and the UK over the course of the past season. There has been many highlights, not least of which was the victory of Ballabriggs in the Grand National, then there was the victory of Nina Carberry on Organisedconfusion in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last month. Zarkandar from the Paul Nicholls yard looks set for a big future after winning the Triumph Hurdle and the 4YO Hurdle at Aintree, while, Quevega proved herself the best staying mare in the world after winning the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham for a third time. She followed that up by victory in the Punchestown equivalent last week.

There were disappointments along the way too, the dominance of Kauto Star and Denman now looks to be a thing of the past, Master Minded’s best two mile days are probably over, with Sizing Europe and Big Zeb set to battle out the Champion Chase title next season.

Probably eclipsing all however were the fantastic performances of three horse in particular who captured the imagination of all NH fans and who between them set the standards that are going to be incredibly hard to surpass for any of their rivals next season. Those three legends to be are: Long Run, Hurricane Fly and Big Bucks. Fittingly all three have trainers who are the very best in the sport, Nicky Henderson, Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls.

Long Run – Nicky Henderson

Despite only a modest run in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham last November, Long Run shot to prominence by winning the King George Chase at Kempton Park in January. In winning he dethroned the great Kauto Star of the Cup that he had held for the last four years, confirming in the process the promise that he had shown when a juvenile in France.  Of course his story did not stop there, in March he went to the Cheltenham Festival where he defeated Kauto Star again and his stablemate, Denman in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the ‘Blue Riband’ of all National Hunt races. At only six years of age, Long Run now has the world at his highly talented hooves which is why he a red hot favourite to claim both big prizes again next season.

A mention should also be made regarding the outstanding efforts made by jockey, Sam Waley-Cohen, who became the first amateur rider for 30 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He also finished second on Oscar Time.

Hurricane Fly – Willie Mullins

Having had a setback or two in 2009/10, Hurricane Fly, bounced back to top class form by winning the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at the 2010 Punchestown Festival. He continued his winning ways, with three Grade One wins at the beginning of last season, including victory in the Irish Champion Hurdle in January at Leopardstown. He was then all set to take on the likes of defending champion, Binocular, the 2010 Supreme Novice hurdler, Menorah and the hugely talented Peddlers Cross in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival a race which saw favouritism change on several occasions.

However, despite many reservations by some of the leading pundits, and the absence in the end of Binocular, Hurricane Fly romped to victory at Cheltenham, easily defeating Peddlers Cross with Menorah back in fifth place. The win confirmed him as the best two mile hurdler anywhere for which he confirmed last week by winning the Rabobank Champion Hurdle for a second season running. This time the field did include Binocular, but he could only manage third place, nine lengths adrift, while Menorah could do no better than 4th.

Big Bucks – Paul Nicholls

This fantastic staying hurdler equalled the record of three wins by Inglis Drever, by winning the World Hurdle for a third consecutive year at the Cheltenham Festival. The win which was his 11th straight victory which he has since increased to 12 by winning the Liverpool Hurdle a month later at Aintree.

This eight year old is simply unbeatable over three miles with the plan now to go for a record breaking fourth World Hurdle in 2012. There were many who thought Big Bucks would be found out this season, with plenty of support coming in for the David Pipe trained, Grands Crus, but although the ‘grey’ ran well, he was simply no match for the champion and had to settle for second place just under two lengths behind. Big Bucks confirmed that form at Liverpool of course where this time Grands Crus was five lengths adrift.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, National Hunt Races, Queen Mother Champion Chase

2011 Cheltenham Festival ranks as one of the best in recent memory

March 22, 2011 Leave a comment

Wow! It is now time to catch our breath and reflect after four days of top class National Hunt racing at the Cheltenham Festival, which last week hosted some of the most spectacular horse races ever seen.

The Festival which is by far the most avidly followed NH meeting of the year saw a record number of Irish winners and crowned a new Gold Cup hero in the form of the Nicky Henderson trained, Long Run, who ended the dreams of those old war horses, Denman and Kauto Star. The win by Long Run was the first for a six year old since the great Mill House in 1963 and could easily be the first of many. Ridden by amateur, Sam Waley-Cohen, the first amateur to win the race for thirty years, Long Run confirmed himself the best chaser around by following up his victory in the King George Chase at Kempton in January!

The Festival also witnessed a magnificent performance put up by Hurricane Fly who destroyed a highly impressive field of runners in the Champion Hurdle. The seven year old, trained by Willie Mullins put to bed any fears that he could not perform outside of Ireland by winning the race comfortably, despite the best efforts of the plucky Peddlers Cross.

Ireland also won the Champion Chase after Sizing Europe, himself a one- time antepost favourite to win the Champion Hurdle, romped home on Day Two. He put up a brutal front running performance when claiming the two miler; leaving past champions, Big Zeb and Master Minded in his wake, proving in the process that he will be the one to beat next year too!

Perhaps the highest praise should be heaped on the Paul Nicholls trained, Big Bucks who became the first horse to win three straight World Hurdles proving that there is no match for him no matter what is thrown in his direction, Grands Crus certainly ran well and no doubt will be around to try again, but he was beaten fair and square by potentially the greatest staying hurdler of all time, who by winning was recording his eleventh straight victory.

Other notable performances were put up by Albertas Run who won his second straight Ryanair Chase over two miles and five furlongs. Ridden supremely well by Champion jockey, Tony McCoy, the ten year old was far too strong for the rest and won with something in hand. Al Ferof another from the Paul Nicholls stable looked a very good winner of the Supreme Novice Hurdle and will undoubtedly feature in the 2012 Cheltenham Festival with the Champion Hurdle the likely target where he could be his trainer’s first winner in that coveted race. In winning he put to bed the dreams of trainer Colin and jokey Joe Tizzard who had gone off as the favourites to win the race on Cue Card. The Supreme Novice Hurdle seemingly is fast becoming the race that favourites cannot win!

After a string of second places, Captain Chris confirmed once and for all that he knows how to win when claiming the Arkle Trophy for trainer, Phillip Hobbs and jockey, Richard Johnson. The seven year old won the Grade Two Pendil Chase over course and distance last month after finishing second four times before that, a run which seemed to put him spot on for Cheltenham. He looked a very worthy winner of the ‘Arkle’ and a potential Champion chaser next season – watch out Sizing Europe!

It was of course a great Festival for the Irish who saw their previous record of ten winners, smashed by appearing in the winners enclosure a staggering 13 times, with trainer, Willie Mullins celebrating with four of them, which made him the top trainer at the Festival. Amongst his winners of course was the great Quevega who won her third consecutive mares Hurdle in formidable style on the first day.

Ruby Walsh finished on top of the jockey’s table with five wins, three for Mullins and two for his UK stable of Paul Nicholls.

Filed under Arkle, Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Gold Cup, Jockey, Paul Nicholls, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ruby Walsh Tagged with

What did we learn from Cheltenham Trials Day?

January 31, 2011 Leave a comment

Cheltenham as always put on a fantastic day of National Hunt racing last Saturday, with several big fancies for the Cheltenham Festival running very well in the Trials. Probably the most impressive of them was the David Pipe trained Grand Crus, who hosed up in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle and looks a very obvious threat to the attempt of Big Bucks of achieving a third straight win in the World Hurdle.

12.55 Triumph Hurdle Trial – Grade 2
Won by the Steve Gollings trained, Local Hero, who made it three from three over Hurdles where in the process staked a further claim to win the Triumph Hurdle at the Festival. It was not the greatest of performances and much of the credit must go to jockey, Tony McCoy who coaxed the four year old through a difficult race. In the event he won by 2 lengths from the well backed second favourite Third Intention, trained by Colin Tizzard and has earned a quote of 20/1 for the Triumph Hurdle.

1.30 Timeform Novices Handicap Chase
The Giant Bolster, trained by David Bridgewater looked a useful novice in the making when winning this Novice Chase when coming from behind. He looked to have plenty in the tank at the end, but did jump fluently or run too smoothly. It was a workmanlike victory as opposed to spectacular but was a big improvement from his last performance at Cheltenham when falling at the 12th fence when in contention in the Steel Plate and Sections Novice Chase, won by RSA Chase favourite, Time For Rupert. The Giant Bolster looks a good each way prospect at 25/1 for the RSA Chase.

2.00 Murphy Group Chase (Handicap) – Grade 3
It would appear that Phillip Hobbs has a genuine contender for the inaugural Jewson Novice Chase at the Festival in Wishfull Thinking who was the fully deserving 3½ length winner of this very competitive Handicap Chase. He jumped really well, was never far off the lead and took control three fences from home and stayed on strongly to beat a very good staying prospect in Calgary Bay. Wishfull Thinking is now 10/1 Co favourite with Nobel Prince to win the Jewson and is 14/1 to win the Centenary Novice Chase and 16/1 for the RSA Chase. Calgary bay may be one to consider for the Grand National in April!

2.30 Argento Chase – Grade 2
Trainer Paul Nicholls was put into somewhat of a dilemma after his Neptune Collonges, under Tony McCoy put on a brilliant performance to win this competitive Chase from a high quality field. It is true that Tidal Bay did put in yet another strong finish at the end (he seems to do this all the time!), but Neptune Collonges, who led from the start had the race won a long way out and looked to be back to his best. Nicholls is now unsure to pitch him in for another Gold Cup challenge or make a bid for the Grand National, either way he would have chances in both based on this run. He is as short as 20/1 for the Gold Cup and 25/1 for the ‘National’.

The race surely ended the Gold Cup hopes of the Nicky Henderson trained, Punchestowns, who disappointed connections again with his third place, however the enigmatic Tidal Bay is certainly one horse who could upset the odds in the Gold Cup; if he is there or thereabouts with one fence to go Watch Out!

3.05 Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle – Grade 2
After taking up the running from just after two out from Backspin, the hot 11/8 favourite, Bobs Worth ran on powerfully to win this important trial by 2½ lengths from Rock On Ruby. The win immediately saw him made favourite for the Neptune Hurdle itself at the Festival with odds of 5/1. While Rock On Ruby, trained by Paul Nicholls is second favourite at 10/1.

3.35 Cleeve Hurdle – Grade 2
As mentioned in the introduction, Grand Crus produced the performance of the day when taking the Cleeve Hurdle by 10 lengths and looking every bit the major contender he now is for the World Hurdle. It was his second successive win over 3 miles but he has improved enormously since he won the first of those, the Listed Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock back in November. His trainer David Pipe was in positive mood after the win but will now rest the six year old until the big race.
Bookmakers typically were quick to respond and have made Grand Crus second favourite behind Big Bucks to win the World Hurdle with odds of 11/4.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Gold Cup, Queen Mother Champion Chase, World Hurdle

Cheltenham International Meeting Review

December 14, 2010 Leave a comment

The big question following the conclusion of the Cheltenham International meeting was did punters see the winners of the 2011 Champion Hurdle and 2011 Champion Chase in Menorah and Master Minded respectively?

There is little doubt that it was these two outstanding horses who the stars of the two day meeting, with both were pushing their claims for further Cheltenham Festival honours in March. Menorah, the 2010 Supreme Novice Hurdle champion proved what a tough fighter he really is when he fought off the attention of his two highly regarded juvenile rivals in the Grade 2 International Hurdle, winning by 4½ lengths from the unbeaten 4 year old Cue Card, with the also unbeaten, Silviniaco Conti, also a 4 year old, a further half length back in third place. It was a win that delighted trainer, Phillip Hobbs who will probably get one more run into before March.

It as a win that has earned him favouritism for the Champion Hurdle with odds of 4/1 with Victor Chandler, with 2010 Champion, Binocular next best at 5/1 and Peddlers Cross, conqueror of Binocular in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle last month, third in the betting at 6/1.

Master Minded, trained by Paul Nicholls, meanwhile proved that the breathing operation carried out on him in the summer has really got him back to his absolute best, winning the rearranged Grade 1Tingle Creek Chase by 8 lengths from Petit Robin, with Somersby a further ½ length back in third. This win followed up his 16 length success in the Grade 2 Amlin Chase at Ascot last month and confirmed him as a hot 2/1 (best price with bet 365)  favourite to claim his third Champion Chase in March.

As far as Cue Card and Silviniaco Conti are concerned, it is not fully confirmed if they will face off against each other again before or even at the Festival, but certainly Cue Card, who won the 2010 Champion Bumper has now been installed as the clear favourite to win the Supreme Novices, while Silviniaco Conti is still a 16/1 shot to win the Champion Hurdle.

Another highly impressive performances at the meeting was put up by the Paul Webber trained, Time For Rupert, who won his second novice chase from his two chase starts and looking like the transition to the bigger obstacles will suit him down to the ground. On Saturday he won the DRS Contracts Novice Chase by 8 lengths from the very useful Chicago Grey and will now be aimed almost certainly at the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, although that said, Webber has not entirely dismissed the possibility that he could go for the Gold Cup itself. He also holds an entry for the World Hurdle, a race in which he chased Big Bucks home last year when finishing second.

Paul Nicholls in fact had four winners on the second day at the International meeting, which included Sam Winner, who won the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial in very impressive style, winning by 6 lengths from Pullyourfingerout. This was his second Triumph Hurdle Trial win this season and hardly surprisingly he has been made the 9/2 favourite to win the Triumph Hurdle itself in March.

It was not all good fortune however for the Nicholls team, Celestial Halo, who returned to the smaller obstacles after failing in his chase debut last month, could do no better than third in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle, finishing 6 lengths behind winner, Karabak, trained by Alan King. There was disappointment too for Nicky Henderson, who’s Zaynar, winner of the 2009 Triumph Hurdle and the 4/1 favourite for the Relkeel, failed to get the trip, finishing well back in fourth place. Karabak’s win has earned him a 14/1 quote for the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The Vote AP Gold Cup, turned out to be a great triumph for top weight and last year’s winner, Poquelin, who ran an extremely bravely to win by a length from Great Endeavour, who was receiving well over a stone. It was another big prize for the Nicholls yard, which with the Poquelin win completed a 250/1 four timer. The seven year old will now be aimed at the Ryanair Chase.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Racecourse Tagged with , , ,

Will Master Minded Claim a Third Champion Chase?

December 13, 2010 Leave a comment

The Paul Nicholls trained Master Minded has been made the 2/1 favourite to join Badsworth Boy and become only the second horse to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase three times at the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival in March.

The Champion Chase is raced over the old course at Cheltenham, it is run over two miles with 12 fences, it is the highest rated minimum distance chase in the UK National Hunt season.

The dual champion, who won the Queen Mother in both 2008 and 2009, has looked back to his absolute best this season so far, winning both starts, firstly by 16 lengths in the Grade 2 Amlin Chase at Ascot last month and then by 8 lengths in the rearranged Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Cheltenham on 10th December.

In both races he has jumped superbly well, and ran with obvious exuberance from start to finish, looking every bit as good as he did when winning the Champion Chase by a record 19 lengths in 2008.

Of course last year was a poor year for the now 7 year old; injured early season  in the Connaught Chase, he never looked comfortable after that and could only finish 4th in the Champion Chase behind Big Zeb last year. A breathing operation was conducted on him in the summer and trainer, Nicholls has said he has not looked back since and is now extremely confident that he will be spot on for Cheltenham. Before going to the Festival however, Nicholls confirmed that he would go to the Grade 1, Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot next month.

Big Zeb, trained in Ireland by Colm Murphy, will be a huge danger to Master Minded, he looked very impressive when winning the Grade 2 Fortria Chase on his seasonal reappearance last month at Navan, where he had Golden Silver in behind in second place. Big Zeb will be looking to emulate Master Minded in fact by winning the race for a second successive year, a feat that would put him right up there with some of the legends who have won this great race over the years. His jockey, Barry Geraghty has already sent out a few warnings to punters, stating that “Big Zeb will be a very hard horse to beat in big races this year”.

Those legends include the incredible Tom Dreaper trained, Flyingbolt who is the second highest rated Chaser in history behind his stablemate, Arkle. Flyingbolt won the Champion Chase way back in 1966 and amazingly reappeared the following day to race in the Champion Hurdle where he finished second.  Taafe in fact holds the record of 6 wins and is the leading trainer, while Flingbolt’s jockey, Pat Taafe is the leading jockey with five. Crisp was another great winner of this race, although he will be remembered more as the top weighted horse that Red Rum got up to beat in the last few strides in the 1973 Grand National, after leading by ‘a street’ for much of the race. Dual winners have been Royal Relief (1972 & 1974), Skymas in 1976 & 1977 Hilly Way in 1978 & 1979 before Badsworth Boy became the first ‘three timer’ in 1983-85. Others have been Barnbrook Again, Viking Flagship and Moscow Flyer.

The 2011 renewal should also see strong challenges from two other Irish contenders, Captain Cee Bee, who was the Supreme Novice in 2008 and Sizing Europe, winner of the Arkle Challenge Trophy last season

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Paul Nicholls, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Racecourse Tagged with

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