Irish Saint Heads For Triumph Hurdle After Adonis Victory

February 25, 2013 Leave a comment

Trial races can often be overhyped but the Adonis Juvenile Hurdle has provided a fountain of clues in recent years for the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and Saturday’s renewal of the Kempton Park Grade Two may have helped paint a clearer picture of the four-year-old title, which takes place on the final day of this year’s meeting on Friday, March 15th.

Since the turn of the century, four winners have managed to use victory in the Adonis as a springboard to Triumph glory at Prestbury Park, with Snow Drop (2000), Penzance (2005), Soldatino (2010) and Zarkandar (2011) all etching their names in both crowns, but can Saturday’s winner Irish Saint emulate that quartet and progress to Cheltenham glory?

Sent off a 5/4 favourite for the Adonis, the Paul Nicholls trained Irish Saint appeared to have it all to do turning into the straight as Ruby Walsh became more and more active in the saddle, but the Ditcheat inmate gradually got rocking and rolling in the closing stages and eventually came upsides Vasco Du Ronceray.

Driven out after a good leap at the last flight, Walsh managed to cajole him past Nicky Henderson’s raider and he won by half-a-length which forced Bet365 to cut him to 12/1 for next month’s Triumph Hurdle, but with a strong bunch of four-year-olds set to line up at Cheltenham, he will need to produce a slicker effort than Saturday’s performance.

Outpaced in the middle of the race, Walsh had looked to be fighting a losing battle, but he showed he could well be a future stayer in the making as he was producing his finest work in the latter stages, as he reeled in Vasco Du Ronceray, who is 14/1 with Bet365 for the Triumph, and asserting late on.

A strong pace from the flag fall, the Triumph could well suit Irish Saint, but it’s debatable as to whether he possesses the required speed to be victorious in the race and there could well be a whole host of more attractive betting propositions in the current ante-post market for the 2m Grade One prize.

Irish Saint’s victory at the weekend saw Bet365 slightly trim Rolling Star’s price to 9/2 as he comfortably beat him in the Triumph Hurdle Trial on Cheltenham’s Festival Trials Day and Henderson’s premier challenger for the crown could well be one of the leading contenders for the race and along with Far West (4/1) and Our Conor (9/2) is one of a trio of horses who spearhead the market with just over two weeks to go.

Vasco Du Ronceray may have finished a close second, but Henderson may opt to send him down the Fred Winter route, whilst Alan King’s mare L’unique (33/1 for Triumph) lost her unbeaten tag and looks to face a difficult task in reversing the form.

A potential improver from the race is Courtesy Call, who was making her hurdling debut for Henderson after a decent career on the Flat for Mark Johnston and having travelled well until the second last flight was just outclassed by the front two, but he is sure to improve and at 25/1 in the latest betting with Bet365 could be scribed into a few notebooks.

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Kempton, Latest Racing News, Opinion, Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh, Triumph Hurdle Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Neptune Collonges Grand National Success Marred By More Aintree Tragedy

April 17, 2012 Leave a comment

In the wake of a second successive Aintree Grand National in which two fatalities were suffered, it is quite understandable that the public outcry would be at its loudest. The tragic deaths of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Synchronised and According To Pete could now spark profound changes to the race that could even result in the removal of its most notorious fence, Bechers Brook ahead of the 2013 Grand National.

Aintree Racecourse spent £250,000 on safety improvements after receiving thousands of complaints following the deaths of Ornais and Dooney’s Gate last year. It is clear however, that the improvements have failed, particularly those made to “Bechers” as it was at this fence that Synchronised (on the first circuit) and According To Pete (on the second circuit), both fell as had Dooney’s Gate 12 months before them. In fairness to the fence, Synchronised actually got to his feet after depositing jockey, Tony McCoy and ran on until falling rider-less at the 11th where he then broke his leg.

The deaths sadly marred the outcome of the race, where grey, Neptune Collonges and jockey, Daryl Jacob, not only defied the 33/1 odds against him, he defied the trends and stats of the race proving in the process that there is no substitute for sheer class to get up by a nose to finish ahead of Sunnyhillboy. At his peak in 2009, the 11 year old was rated at 174, making him easily the best horse in the race. He had won two Grade One races inIrelandand would have won more in theUKhad it not been for the presence of his two superior stablemates, Kauto Star and Denman. In winning, he became the first grey horse since Nicholas Silver in 1961 to win the race and the first since Red Rum in 1977 to carry 11-06 or more to victory. Neptune Collonges win also meant a first ever “National” success for champion trainer, Paul Nicholls.

Whatever the outcome it was certainly not to be a day for the JP McManus the Jonjo O’Neill team, who not only lost their prized Gold Cup winner Synchronised but also had to suffer the agony of watching O’Neill’s second entry, Sunnyhillboy lose the race in the run-in. Ridden with great gusto by Richard McLernon, the nine year old was overhauled in a thrilling battle with Neptune Collonges before being beaten on the line by the shortest possible margin. It was the closest ever finish to a Grand National and one that will live very long in the memory.

As usual, thebookmakers had a superb day after sending off Seabass and Shakalakaboomboom as 8/1 joint favourites. Despite brother Ruby Walsh turning down the ride on him, a huge gamble on Katy Walsh and Seabass was witnessed beforehand with the general buzz indicating that she was about to become the first ever female to ride the winner of the race. In the event, having ridden the horse superbly throughout, where he remained prominent, he just did not have enough stamina to take on the first two on the run in. Nonetheless, his third place earned Katy the accolade of finishing the race in a higher position than any other female before her. Shakalakaboomboom, who also rode with great prominence faded at the last finishing in 9th place.

Fourth place went to the Evan Williams trained Cappa Bleu giving the trainer a fourth consecutive place finish in the race, while fifth home was 100/1 rank outsider In Compliance who was just over two lengths clear of last year’s winner, Ballabriggs. Only fifteen of the forty runners finished the race.

Filed under Aintree, Grand National, Jockey, Latest Racing News, Ruby Walsh, Tony McCoy Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

Synchronised Remains On Course To Re-Write History After Latest Grand National Forfeit Stage

March 23, 2012 Leave a comment

Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Synchronised heads both the market and the weights at the latest forfeit stage for the 2012 Grand National. A total of 59 runners have stood their ground, with last year’s winner Ballabriggs next in the weights on 11-09. Midnight Chase, who finished 31 lengths behind Synchronised in the Gold Cup is on 11-08 the same as Weird Al who pulled up in Cheltenham feature with a broken blood vessel whilst a pound further back is Gold Cup fourth BurtonPort who’ll have just three pounds to reverse the eight lengths he finished behind Synchronised in the Gold Cup.

The simple fact that there are so many Gold Cup runners in this year’s Grand National tells us that we are likely to witness one of the highest quality renewals for many years. Add to the mix last year’s winner, Ballabriggs, Prince De Beauchene, winner of the Bobbyjo Chase inIrelandlast time out, together with Irish Hennessy Gold Cup winner, Quel Esprit and Sky Bet Chase winnerCalgaryBay.

Should Synchronised pull off the almost impossible Gold Cup and Grand National double in the same season then he would be the first horse to do so since Golden Miller in 1934 and the first horse since L’Escargot in 1975 to win both races. Another first is that he would also be the first horse since Freebooter in 1950 to carry top weight to victory. It all adds up to a very difficult task indeed for the Jonjo O’Neil trained and JP McManus owned runner but he could be the once in a lifetime horse that defies the history books.

It is fair to say that he will not go down as one of the all time great Gold Cup winners but it should be remembered that he won the Grade 1 Lexus Chase inIrelandin his preparation race forCheltenhamback in December. He also won the rearranged Welsh National over 3m7f in January 2011 and the Midland National over 4m1f a year before that, wins that confirm his staying ability to handle the marathon Grand National trip and it’s just whether he can overcome the burden of top weight.

Meanwhile Bookmakers generally have confirmed that support continues to come for the Willie Mullins trained Prince De Beauchene. The nine year old was last seen winning the Grade 2 Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse last month will be racing off only 10-06 making him a very decent proposition and with Ruby Walsh likely to take the ride, his price is only going to go in one direction.

Support it appears has waned for Donald McCain’s Weird Al following his broken blood vessel sustained in the Gold Cup where he had to be pulled up. He was still confirmed for the race however as is stablemate and 2011 winner, Ballabriggs, who is currently third favourite with odds of around 12/1. Ballabriggs of course will be trying to emulate the feat of the legendary three time winner, Red Rum, trained by McCain’s father, Donald and who was the last horse to win the Grand National back-to-back.

Others reported to be being well supported with just three weeks to go before the race include Junior from the David Pipe stable, Burton Port who is now into 12/1 in places, Alan King’s West End Rocker a 16/1 shot the same price as Cappa Bleu, Cheltenham Festival winner, Sunnyhillboy and the highly regarded Seabass from the Ted Walsh stable in Ireland. All will come to Aintree on April 14th with high expectations.

Filed under Aintree, David Pipe, Gold Cup, Grand National, Hennessy Gold Cup, Jonjo O'Neil, Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Boston Bob Backed For Cheltenham Glory: 2012 Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle Preview

March 7, 2012 Leave a comment

It is always a curiosity why sometimes “out of the blue”, a horse is singled out by Bookmakers and with no real evidence available, the odds of that horse are slashed for a particular race.

This has happened over the past few days with the Willie Mullins trained, Boston Bob, halving in price from 5/1 to 5/2 favourite to win the Grade One, Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, over 3 miles at next week’s Cheltenham Festival. His price was cut despite Mullins making it absolutely clear to the media and punters alike that he has not decided if the horse will run in the Albert Bartlett or the Neptune Novices Hurdle over 2m5f on Wednesday.

Notwithstanding, the Albert Bartlett now has a far more competitive feel to it and should Boston Bob participate, he will renew rivalry with the Gordon Elliott trained,MountBenbulben. The two met in the Grade One, Navan Novice Hurdle, on soft to heavy ground over 2½ miles back in December where Boston Bob proved to be far superior, winning by over four lengths after Mount Benbulben, who went off as the 5/6 odds on favourite, failed in his attempt to make all. By winning that race, Boston Bob was completing a third straight win from three starts over hurdles.

Elliott believes his charge will benefit hugely from that run and will also be suited by the extra half mile atCheltenham, although question marks have to be raised about his ability to cope with the better ground he is likely to find at the Festival. There are no such question marks needed raised as far as Boston Bob is concerned, he too has the pedigree to get the three mile trip and has won a Bumper on good to soft ground in the recent past.

Champion trainer, Paul Nicholls, also has a very good looking prospect in this race this year with Rocky Creek, winner of the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle Trial over 3m1f on good to soft ground at the end of January. He won that race by over 3 lengths from the Emma Lavelle trained and highly regarded three time hurdle winner, Gullinbursti. Ruby Walsh should be able to provide a decent clue as to who he thinks will win as has he will have the choice of Boston Bob and Rocky Creek but the price of his mount will sure contract once the announcement is made.

Others that have been backed include the Charles Byrnes trained Sea Of Thunder, but on his form shown against Boston Bob back in January he would have an awful lot to find. Brindisi Breeze from the Lucinda Russell stable has also been supported after a very impressive 12 length win in the Grade 2 Haydock Park Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle Trial over 3 miles on heavy ground last month. That win was his fourth from five starts this season and has given rise to hopes that a horse trained north of the border can snatch a rare Cheltenham Festival win. Brindisi Breeze can be backed at a best price of  10/1 currently. As it stands though, everything will have their work cut out to finish ahead of Boston Bob if the money talks…

Filed under Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Latest Racing News, Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

2012 Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer Preview

March 7, 2012 Leave a comment

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 , , , , , ,

Hurricane Fly Picks Up Where He Left Off In Leopardstown Seasonal Debut

January 30, 2012 Leave a comment

Following his hugely emphatic win on his much delayed seasonal reappearance in the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday, Hurricane Fly has been shortened to around the 4/5 odds on mark to retain his Champion Hurdle title at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The Willie Mullins eight year old looked as impressive as ever defeating his four rivals with consummate ease and chalking up a seventh success win in the process.

Mullins had earlier in the season expressed concerns with the ‘champion’s’ progress at home which prompted him to withdraw him from his two intended earlier season starts. However, whatever was troubling him then certainly isn’t now and he looks a sure fire banker for the Festival. Should he win at the Festival he will emulate the back to back wins of Hardy Eustace in 2004 & 2005 and will have a chance next season to equal the three straight wins of the great Istabraq from 1998-2000.

Bookmakers have reported some support for the likes of the Nicky Henderson pair, Grandouet and 2010 Champion Hurdle winner, Binocular as well as Paul Nicholls, 2011 Triumph Hurdle winner, Zarkandar. However, they are well behind the favourite in the market and based on Hurricane Fly’s latest run they will be well behind him too at Cheltenham.

Zarkandar, the half brother of course to the great ‘Arc de Triomphe’ winner, Zarkava, has yet to be seen this season, but he is the lime up for his reappearance at Newbury in a fortnight’s time in the Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle over two miles. The five year old in fact is the 8/1 favourite to win at Newbury but he will need to run well and get close to a mark of 151 if he is to have any chance against Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham for which he is also an 8/1 chance.

Unaccompanied, who was second behind Zarkandar in the 2011 ‘Triumph’ has progressed nicely so far this season. The Dermot Weld five year old won a Listed event back in November over two miles and followed that up with a decent win in the Grade 1 Istabraq Hurdle on 29th December. In that race he had the Willie Mullins trained second string for the Champion Hurdle, Thousand Stars nearly two lengths behind, although he was in receipt of 10lbs. Unaccompanied can be backed at anything between 16-25/1 for the Champion Hurdle.

Binocular of course having missed the Cheltenham Festival last year has been struggling of late but returned to winning ways with a workmanlike performance to win a second successive Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton Park last month. In that race he proved just too strong for the improving Paul Nicholls trained Rock On Ruby, although he too would appear to have the Champion Hurdle as his Cheltenham target.

Grandouet, who is the 11/2 second favourite for the Champion Hurdle, bounced back from his fall at Wincanton in November to win the first Betfair Hurdle at Haydock, defeating Marsh Warbler by eight lengths in the process. He then followed that up by taking the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham, this time by four lengths from the very ebullient Overturn from the Donald McCain stable.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Latest Racing News, Leopardstown, Ruby Walsh, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Pearl Swan & Grumeti Confirm Triumph Hurdle Credentials After Event Cheltenham Battle

January 30, 2012 Leave a comment

In terms of tactics Ruby Walsh rode a master class of a ride on Pearl Swan in the Triumph Hurdle Trail at Cheltenham on Saturday which sadly for him, was marred by the horse hanging to the right and bumping into the leader Grumeti coming up the hill. Although Walsh still managed to get his horse in front at the line by a short head he was later demoted into second place after the Stewards Enquiry confirmed the contact affected the result.

Nonetheless it was a very revealing trial for the Triumph Hurdle itself in March, for which neither of them have been made the favourite. Indeed the Bookmakers found it difficult to split them in the market quoting the pair at around the 8/1, with Sadler’s Risk from the Phillip Hobbs stable holding sway at the top of the Triumph Hurdle market with odds of 7/1.

Walsh held the Pearl Swan up at the rear of the field until unleashing a furious attack two from home managing to pick off the leader Grumeti on the line, crossing a short head in front. It was not a great way to lose a race of course, and it also led to a 3 day ban for Walsh, but despite his hanging, the manner in which he completed the last half mile of the race was extremely impressive. Moreover, trainer Paul Nicholls believes he will improve hugely for the run and believes he is a very real contender to win the ‘Triumph’.

Grumeti had gone off in the Trial as the 7/4 joint favourite and while he justified the betting, Baby Mix, who he had shared favouritism ran poorly, finishing last of the six runners. Baby Mix had previously ran over course and distance back in December and won in cracking style by 7 lengths and had many pundits believing that he was the Triumph Hurdle winner designate. However, Tom George’s charge failed to maintain the pace and faded rapidly from two out and finished like a horse way out of his depth. Notwithstanding, the plan is still to run him in the ‘Triumph’ at Cheltenham for which he now has odds of 20/1.

Sadler’s Risk rose to prominence with an outstanding performance in a competitive Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton Park a fortnight ago winning as he pleased by 17 lengths. He will of course need to confirm his potential by stepping up to graded company but on the evidence of his Kempton Park run, then he should be able to take that step comfortably.

Surprisingly bookmakers are reporting plenty of support for the Dessie Hughes trained Minsk, who has yet to race over hurdles, but who has been a good winner on the flat taking the honours by over five lengths in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh back in October. Hughes intends to debut him over hurdles in the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown in 12th February, a race won in 2011 by the Dermot Weld trained, Unaccompanied, who went on to finish second in the Triumph Hurdle behind Zarkandar. Currently Minsk is a 10/1 shot to win the 2012 Triumph Hurdle.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Phillip Hobbs, Ruby Walsh, Trainer, Triumph Hurdle Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Kauto Star Still Has A Long Run to the Gold Cup

January 3, 2012 Leave a comment

Only Silver Flame in 1951 and What A Myth in 1969 have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup as 12 year olds, but the outstanding Kauto Star looks well on course to join them in 2012. The Paul Nicholls trained two times Gold Cup winner put in an unforgettable run to land a record breaking fifth King George Vl Chase on Boxing Day and now heads to Cheltenham in March looking to sign off what will more than likely be his final run in style.

Kauto Star confirmed that his victory over reigning Gold Cup champion, Long Run in the Grade One Betfair Chase in November was not a one off as he beat him for a second time this season. It is true that this latest run was a lot closer and it could be argued that Long Run was getting to him on the run in but the manner in which Kauto Star won the race suggested very strongly that he was back to his most imperious form. He was also ridden superbly by Ruby Walsh who clearly gets a different tune out of him when compared to others who have been in his saddle.

The Bookmakers still have Long Run as the 5/2 favourite in the Gold Cup betting, with Kauto Star rated a general 4/1 chance with Boylesports a stand out 9/2. However, it has to be thought that such will be the popularity of Kauto Star come March 16th that he could well start favourite on the day.

With the great Denman now out of the picture, Long Run is now the nearest thing Kauto Star has to a rival and racing fans can expect a media frenzy as the ‘race of the champions’ draws near.

Kauto of course first won the ‘Gold Cup’ back in 2007 and became the first horse to regain the trophy when winning again two years later. He was second in the intervening year to stablemate, Denman, he fell after running badly in 2010 and could no better than third last season when Long Run became the first horse since Mill House in 1963 to win the race as a 6 year old.

The scene is set therefore to one of those races that have fans frothing at the mouth’s and quivering at the knees all knowing that racing a racing feat that could never be equalled, should ‘Kauto’ get home first and the much younger pretender put in his place.

They are clearly the two major protagonists, but others who have earned the right to be mentioned as potential dangers are newly crowned Lexus Chase champion, Synchronised and possibly the David Pipe potential superstar, Grands Crus, brilliant winner of the Grade 1 Feltham Novice Chase also at Kempton on Boxing Day.

Synchronised certainly confirmed himself as a Gold Cup prospect after justifying the connections decision to forego the opportunity to defend his Welsh National crown by going over to Ireland. His win against a number of the best Irish Gold Cup candidates was emphatic, defeating John Durkan winner, Rubi light and JN Wine Champion, Quito De La Roque by over 8 lengths in the 3 mile Lexus Chase on 28th December.

Grands Crus although still in his novice season, has now become a live ‘Gold Cup’ after his superb ‘Feltham’ victory, where he had the well backed, Silviniaco Conti comfortably held with the highly regarded Bobs Worth back in third. The win maintained Grands Crus unbeaten record over fences leaving trainer, David Pipe only to mull over whether or not he goes for the Gold Cup or the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Filed under Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Gold Cup, Kempton, Latest Racing News, Leopardstown, Ruby Walsh 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 ,

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

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