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 , , , , , , ,

2012 Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer Preview

March 7, 2012 Leave a comment

Nicky Henderson

Nicky Henderson the pick to be the top trainer at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival

The betting is extremely close for the 2012 Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer Award, with Willie Mullins, the 5/4 favourite to retain his crown that he won for the first time 12 months ago after saddling four winners, including the magnificent Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle and will be hoping that the eight year old can repeat that success once again next week and get him off to a winning start on day one.

Others from his 30 strong contingent that is coming over from the Mullins County Carlow based stables in Ireland that have big chances include the mighty Quevega, bidding for a fourth straight win the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle. Although she has not raced this season, the eight year old is reported to be in good order and with so little opposition in the race, she would be appear to be one of the Festival’s “bankers”. Boston Bob should also provide the Irish maestro with a great chance of landing the Neptune Novice Hurdle and the stable also seem very keen on the chances of Sir Deschamps in the RSA Chase whilst Champagne Fever in the pick of his Champion Bumper entries, a race that he has won six times in the past 15 years!

Next in the betting to win the top trainer award is Nicky Henderson at odds of 2/1 which looks reasonable value when one considers the depth and quality of his entries. Of course he has the favourite for the Cheltenham Gold Cup in Long Run, who will be looking to repeat his exhilarating win of last year and the yard are reportedly very pleased by the good form shown by 2010 Champion Hurdler, Binocular, who will be bidding to regain his title after missing the race 12 months ago.

Henderson’s stable jockey, Barry Geraghty, has gone on the record to say that his mount in the Arkle Trophy, Sprinter Sacre, is the best horse he has ever sat on which speaks volumes for his chances of winning the race and the horse has been one of the big “talking horses” ahead of this year’s Festival. Darlan looks a very good prospect in the Supreme Novice Hurdle while Simonsig is the 5/2 joint favourite to win the Neptune Novice Hurdle for the Seven Barrows operation. Bobs Worth has a great chance to win the RSA Chase, particularly if Grands Crus defects from this race to contest the Gold Cup, while Riverside Theatre will take all the beating in the Ryanair Chase. Despite the dominance of Big Bucks in the World Hurdle, Henderson has been quietly pleased with his Oscars Whisky who he believes will run a big race and prove himself capable of becoming a worthy successor to the three time champion.

Paul Nicholls of course trains Big Bucks, who for many, he is the “banker” of the meeting. Nicholls also has big chances in the Gold Cup of course with Kauto Star attempting to become the first horse to regain the Cup for a second time. As has been well reported, Kauto Star has had a minor setback at home after tumbling at a fence when schooling. Whether this has any lasting negative effect on the 12 year old remains to be seen and his absence would be a major blow for the Festival and the sport but the horse’s welfare must remain he paramount priority.

Nicholls is sweet on the chances of a number of his entries including Al Ferof in the Arkle Trophy, Zarkandar in the Champion Hurdle (despite Ruby Walsh electing to ride Hurricane Fly), Ted Spread in the County Hurdle as well as Kauto Star who, should he win the race for a third time will make the 2012 Cheltenham Festival the most memorable ever.

Other trainers who are likely to be seen in the winner’s enclosure are David Pipe, who amongst others will have the exciting Grands Crus representing his stable. Philip Hobbs too should be there or thereabouts with at least a couple of winners, while Alan King comes to the Festival with a stable bang in form and confidence sky high. Donald McCain has also been hitting the net regularly of late and although he had been reluctant to reveal the target for Peddlers Cross, the fact that he has now named the Jewson Novice Chase, should give him a great chance of coming away from the Festival with at least one winner, if not two. Jonjo O’Neill usually has his stable firing at Festival time and this year will be no exception, while Gordon Elliott, who saddled two winners at the 2011 Festival, will be looking for a similar score this time.

For this writer’s money however, it will be Nicky Henderson and his Seven Barrows team that will be lifting the top trainer prize in 2012. It would also be no surprise at all to see him saddle six winners!

Filed under Barry Geraghty, Champion Bumper, Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham, Donald McCain, Gold Cup, Jockey, Latest Racing News, National Hunt Races, Neptune Novices Hurdle, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Royal & Sun Alliance Chase, Ruby Walsh, Trainer, Willie Mullins, World Hurdle Tagged with , , , , , ,

Blazing Tempo Lands Galway Plate For Willie Mullins

July 29, 2011 Leave a comment

After several attempts, Ireland’s champion National Hunt trainer, Willie Mullins finally saddled the winner of the prestigious Galway Plate when Blazing Tempo, ridden by Paul Townend out-fought Wise Old Owl up the straight.

The mare had been very heavily backed all day reported Bookmakers; starting in the morning at 8/1 she shot to the top of the market and went off as the 5/1 favourite.

Townend rode a very patient race on the seven year old, keeping her relatively quiet in the early stages and coaxing her into a midfield position by halfway. From then he just asked her to quicken gradually and spent the next mile or so picking off those in front of her one by one. She was in full flight by the last fence and took up the running in the final furlong going to win by 1½ lengths from Wise Old Owl who had also been very well backed during the course of the day.

The win should not have been too much of a surprise for punters as the mare has plenty of class about her having won twice in Group Three Beginners Chases. She ran with great credit in the Jewsons Novices Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, when fifth behind the Paul Nolan trained, Noble Prince. That performance was followed up by finishing second behind Wishfull Thinking in the valuable Mick the Plate Memorial Novice Handicap Chase at the Punchestown Festival.

Mullins in fact had been very disappointed at the time with her defeat at Punchestown, but in the ‘cold light of day’ he realised what a good run it was and it left her on an excellent weight for the ‘Plate’. She was kept purposely fresh for Galway, with Mullins deciding to ignore the Trials and just working her at home. That policy clearly paid dividends for the trainer who has had horses placed in the race before but never the winner. In fact the Mullins yard did extremely well this year as in addition to winning they also saddled the fourth home, Hampshire Express and the fifth, Scotsirish.

No decision has been made as to her next appearance, but she will be kept off course for a while, with the possibility of a run before the Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury in November.

The principle Dermot Weld trained entry, Majestic Concorde was pulled up after jockey, Paul Carberry lost his irons seven fences from home. Weld, whose record of saddling winners at the Festival is astonishing, had declared beforehand that this year his policy was to go for quality rather than quantity, however after already saddling seven winners over the first three days, it looks like the incredible trainer is up to his usual Galway Festival tricks.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, World Hurdle 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

The Festive Season Racing Review – Plenty of Cheltenham Festival Pointers

January 5, 2011 Leave a comment

With the weather causing all sorts of problems over the Christmas and New Year period, us poor National Hunt racing fans will have to wait even longer to see if the great Kauto Star can make history in the King George VI Chase. The race has been rearranged from its traditional Boxing Day slot to that of January 15th where it, along with the Christmas Hurdle will be added to the Kempton Park card.

These two fantastic races were not the only victims of the weather, the Welsh National was also lost but happily that too has been rearranged and included in a cracking looking seven race card at Chepstow this weekend.

It was not all doom and gloom however, over in Ireland the traditional Leopardstown meeting managed to conclude successfully giving punters plenty to cheer about. The meeting threw up several potential winners for the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival, none more so than Hurricane Fly, who was a mighty impressive winner of the Festival Hurdle, where he defeated his arch rival, Solwhit for the third time in four races.

So good was his performance that Bookmakers immediately made the Willie Mullins trained five year old the favourite for the Champion Hurdle, but there are so many potential winners of the Festival’s first day feature, that there will be much more movement before the runners go to post. The betting in fact is so close at the top of the Champion Hurdle market, that there is little to choose between the top three, Hurricane Fly is around 4/1 generally; Menorah is next best at 9/2 with reigning Champion Hurdler, Binocular at 5/1.

Champion Chaser, Big Zeb also put in a solid and impressive performance when winning the Grade 1 Dial-A-Bet Chase. He had only three in opposition which included the Willie Mullins trained duo of Golden Silver and Scotsirish who had to settle for second and third place respectively, while a disappointing Captain Cee Bee brought up the rear. Big Zeb’s trainer, Colm Murphy was well pleased with the performance and confirmed that he will probably have one more run before Cheltenham.

Noel Meade’s Pandorama, who was pulled up when well backed in the Hennessey Gold Cup at Newbury in November, bounced back in good style to take the Grade 1 Lexus Chase. He won the race by a very impressive 6 lengths from the Nicky Richards trained, Money Trix, with Paul Nolan’s Joncol ¾ of a length further back in third. The win has probably earned the seven year a tilt at the Cheltenham Gold Cup, where he is likely to be the major threat from across the water.

Probably the biggest shock at the Leopardstown meeting was the defeat of Zaidpour in the Grade 1Future Champions Novice Hurdle, by the Mouse Morris trained, First Lieutenant. Despite going off as the 1/4 odds on favourite the previously unbeaten Zaidpour did not run smoothly at any time, he still had had every chance in fact after the last flight but failed to get his head in front on the run in. It is possible that the race had come a little too quickly for him after he won the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle just a fortnight previously at Fairyhouse.

Morris was delighted with his horse and will now keep him off track until he lines up in the Supreme Novices Hurdle, for which he looks more than reasonable each way value at 20/1. Zaidpour is the 10/1 second favourite for the Festival opener, behind Cue Card at 5/1.

Fortunately Newbury also got the go ahead to run its card on 29th December however the fog bound course did not provide fans with much of a spectacle. Nonetheless the Long Walk Hurdle certainly provided a look at a horse which must be regarded as the only Cheltenham Festival banker in Big Bucks, who romped away with the race winning by 6 lengths on the bridle. It was the Paul Nicholls trained superstar’s second win in the race and forced Bookmakers to shorten him once again for the World Hurdle for which he is now the 4/7 odds on favourite in the Cheltenham Betting for the race.

The other Grade 1 winner at the Newbury meeting was the Jonjo O’Neill trained Backspin, who looked a very good prospect indeed when taking the Challow Novices Hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs. The five year old was only making his second appearance over hurdles, having won on his debut only two weeks previously at Bangor on Dee, but to win by a massive eight lengths against a good quality field speaks volumes regarding his ability.

The win has earned the 6 year old a 14/1 quote for the Supreme Novices Hurdle but he has been made co-favourite at 10/1 for the Neptune Novice Hurdle for which will be his more likely target.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Leopardstown, Racecourse, World Hurdle Tagged with , , ,

2011 Cheltenham Festival Antepost preview

December 22, 2010 Leave a comment

As punters all know, there is no such thing as a ‘nailed on certainty’, particularly not in horse racing and certainly not at the Cheltenham Festival. After all, no-one with the exception of the Nigel Twiston-Davies team expected Imperial Commander to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup because as will be remembered, the Gold Cup in 2010 was a two horse race between Kauto Star and Denman. Go Native of course was a certainty to win the Champion Hurdle in 2010 and Binocular had absolutely no chance at 9/1 on the day, after touching 999/1 on the exchanges after doubts about whether he’d even run. The same argument was applied to Poquelin in the Ryanair Chase, but we all forgot about Albertas Run, who won with champion jockey, AP McCoy on board at 14/1.

The biggest upset however came in the 2010 Supreme Novices when the hot odds on favourite, Dunguib failed his supporters by only managing third place behind 14/1 shot Menorah, who of course is now the favourite to win this season’s Champion Hurdle. There is a ‘Golden Rule’ regarding the Supreme Novice Hurdle and that is never to back the favourite as only three have won in the past 25 years or so. Which makes something of a mockery of my following Cheltenham 2011 antepost Yankee selections as they tip Cue Card, who is the favourite to win the race this season.

Yankee’s are of course accumulator bets which should they come off usually provide fantastic returns dependent of course on what has been staked and if it was a win or each way ‘yankee’. The advice generally however is to treat these bets as a bit of fun more than anything else, never stake too much and have a fair mix of odds as it is rare that four favourites will all win and even more rare if four outsiders do. At the end of each year, I like to turn my attention to placing couple of antepost Yankees on March’s festival, call it a Christmas present to myself. The reasons for this is in view of getting a little extra value on what I have seen from the form book so far in the National Hunt season.

Below is eight selections with current best price odds for consideration, they are selected without confirmation that they will take part and in some cases they might not line up in the races expected but that is the risk you take with antepost wagering. Mikael D’Haguenet for instance is down to run in two races, the Arkle Trophy and the RSA Chase and Master Minded could either go for a third Champion Chase victory or a first Ryanair Chase. Nonetheless they have been separated into two groups of four each representing two separate yankee that will give punters excellent accumulative value as well as offering horses who have genuine chances in their respective races.

Yankee #1

Supreme Novice – Cue Card 3/1

David Nicholson mares Hurdle – Quevega 5/4

Ryanair – Forpadydeplasterer 12/1

World Hurdle – Big Bucks 5/6

Yankee #2

Arkle – Mikael D’Haguenet 16/1

Champion Hurdle – Hurricane Fly 11/2

Champion Chase – Master Minded 7/4

Triumph Hurdle – Sam Winner 9/2

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Supreme Novices Hurdle, World Hurdle

The Lismullen Hurdle: Oscar Dan Dan Wins but makes no Impression on World Hurdle

November 9, 2010 Leave a comment

The Grade 2 Lismullen Hurdle ran last weekend at Navan saw a good race take place, but the outcome gave very few clues as to likely success stories for the Cheltenham Festival. The race was won by the Thomas Mullins trained, Oscar Dan Dan, but the manner of victory left a little to be desired, particularly as he had looked like losing until the 7/4 race favourite, Aitmatov fell at the last.

Oscar Dan Dan always seems to run well at this time of the year but it is not sure whether he will be challenging yet for honours at Cheltenham although he does hold an entry for the Grade 1, World Hurdle, a race where he finished in 6th place in 2009, 18 lengths behind winner, Big Bucks. To date that run was his only attempt for Cheltenham glory.

His next race will almost certainly be the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse in early December, a race he won last year by a neck from Ninetieth Minute after finishing extremely strongly and a race that has proven a good guide for Cheltenham in the past, boasting such outstanding winners as Brave Inca and Istabraq.

Aitmatov, who won this race in 2009 has never really fulfilled his promise becoming more synonymous with inconsistency more than winning races. He has had plenty of chances over the years but like Oscar Dan Dan his one attempt at the Cheltenham Festival, finishing sixth behind the formidable Inglis Drever in the 2008 World Hurdle. His biggest success to date in a long career was his win in the 2007 Hatton’s Grace.

Second home on Sunday was the Edward O’Grady trained, Jumbo Rio, who ran with some promise, but seemed to find the 2 mile four furlong trip on the difficult side. However he is only a 5 year old and will improve as the season progresses. He was aimed at the Champion Hurdle last year at Cheltenham, but was outclassed, finishing down the field, 23 lengths adrift of the winner, Binocular.

Binocular and Big Bucks are still to make their seasonal reappearances but both are antepost favourites for their Cheltenham targets, the Champion Hurdle and World Hurdle respectively. Binocular is likely to be first seen this season in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle at the end of November, while Big Bucks is likely to follow the same pattern as last season and be aimed at the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury, also at the end of November.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Navan, Racecourse, World Hurdle Tagged with , , ,

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