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 , , , , , , , ,

Sprinter Sacre The Highlight of Trials Day As He Continues His March To the Queen Mother

January 28, 2013 Leave a comment

Seldom do superstars come along in horse racing, but in Sprinter Sacre the Sport of Kings appears to have another infallible talent that can take over Frankel’s mantle as the darling of the sport and his breathless performance in the Victor Chandler Chase was by far the highlight of a superb Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham.

For fans of the Nicky Henderson-trained hotpot there was only one anxious moment as he pecked on landing when jumping the second last, but Barry Geraghty merely pulled his head up and the 1/5 favourite propelled clear of his Grade One rivals to win by 14 lengths and cement his place as a short odds-on jolly for the 2013 Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Paddy Power have dangled a carrot for punters and are best-priced 2/5 for the seven-year-old to land the Queen Mother on the 13th March and it already appears a foregone conclusion provided Henderson can get him there on the second day of the Cheltenham Festival, with the appearance of Flemenstar the only potential fly in the ointment, but the Irish Hennessy will determine where he heads in March.

Bobs Worth’s withdrawal from the Argento Chase may have starved punters of a final chance to see the Hennessy Gold Cup winner in action before the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but there was an old stager that was shining bright, as Imperial Commander ran an absolute corker in defeat and could well now be a lively outsider for the Blue Riband event on the final day of the four-day extravaganza.

Off the racecourse for nearly two years, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ veteran showed he still oozes the class that saw him win the 2010 Gold Cup and he was slashed to a 16/1 shot for the Festival highlight and he is sure to improve for the outing.

Denis O’Regan may have nailed Imperial Commander in the shadow of the post on board the Malcolm Jefferson-trained Cape Tribulation to earn himself a 25/1 quote for the Gold Cup, but it was the runner-up on everyone’s lips following his scintillating performance and he could well be in the firing line to try and retain the coveted crown on March 15.

Nicky Henderson added to his Festival artillery as Rolling Star got the better of Irish Saint in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial and he is now a 6/1 market leader for the four-year-old crown, whilst the progressive Katenko eased to a 12-length success in the Murphy Group Chase and could be Grand National-bound in April.

On a card that could’ve graced the Festival itself, Henderson had to settle for the runner-up position in the Cleeve Hurdle as Oscar Whisky failed to reel in Reve De Sivola in a pulsating finish to the 3m event and that pair could well meet again in the World Hurdle.

Along with Imperial Commander, Twiston-Davies had another near-miss as his previously unbeaten novice hurdler The New One was just touched off by a battling At Fishers Cross and the latter could well be a major player in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, whilst Twiston-Davies will send The New One to the Neptune. You can watch all Saturday’s races again on Channel 4′s On Demand service, worth checking out for Sprinter Sacre alone!

Filed under Argento Chase, Barry Geraghty, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Trials, National Hunt Races, Nicky Henderson, Queen Mother Champion Chase Tagged with , , , , , ,

Who’s Up For The National Hunt Season?

October 23, 2012 Leave a comment

With the opening meeting of the season at Cheltenham already been and gone, we can now firmly say that the new National Hunt season is well underway and we look forward to the feast of ‘jumps’ racing that is coming our way over the next few months.

Of course, Cheltenham use their first meeting of the season in October as a dress rehearsal for the bigger meetings that they will be hosting during the season, the major one being the Cheltenham Festival in March but the Open meeting in November and International meeting in December have both become increasingly popular in recent years.

However, Cheltenham is not the only course hosting big early season events and this weekend, Aintree opens its gates with the first important chase of the season, the Grade Two Old Roan Chase taking centre stage on Saturday. The two-day meeting hosts a total of 14 but the Old Roan, which was first run only in 2004. Since then, Kauto Star won in 2006 and Monet’s Garden made the race his own, winning three times between 2007 and 2010. Last year’s winner, Alberta’s Run, has won the Grade 1 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival twice and this year’s race will be sure to provide some early season pointers.

The following weekend will see the first Grade One Chase take place at Down Royal in Northern Ireland, the JN Wine Chase; won twice by Kauto Star in recent years whilst other well-known winners include, Beef Or Salmon (twice), The Listener and Florida Pearl. Whilst a quality field will be assembled for that race, another quality field will line up at Wetherby to contest the Grade Two Charlie Hall Chase over 3m1f.

Like the JN Wine Chase, the Charlie Hall  is a genuine early season trial for the King George and the Cheltenham Gold Cup and has had a number of past winners who has won one or the other. Horses of the calibre of See More Business, won the Gold Cup, whilst One Man, Barton Bank, Wayward Lad, who all won the Charlie Hall twice also went on to win the King George at KemptonPark at Christmas.

The main supporting race on Saturday for the ‘Charlie Hall’ is the Grade Two John Smith Hurdle over 3m1f a race won in 2005 by the great Inglis Drever, three-time winner of the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

National Hunt meetings will also be held at Ascot the first weekend in November, with the Berkshire track hosting a Grade Three Chase and a Listed Hurdle event.

The following weekend on November 10th at Wincanton, the Grade Two Elite Hurdle over two miles shares top billing with the Rising Stars Novices Chase over 2m5f. The Elite Hurdle is a race that has yet to produce its first Champion Hurdler, but it has seen dual winner, Celestial Halo twice placed in the Champion Hurdle. It also saw Azertyuiop win in 2001 and who in 2004 went on to become the two-mile Champion Chaser at the Cheltenham Festival.

It is back to Cheltenham of course on 16th November for the hugely popular 3 day Paddy Power Open meeting, with the feature being the prestigious Paddy Power Gold Cup on the Saturday.

The first day feature is the Sharp Novices Hurdle over two miles which has seen the likes of Cue Card, Golan Way and Moon Over Miami in its winners enclosure in recent years. Top of the supporting cast on the opening day is the first Glenfarclas Cross Country Chases over 3m7f of the season.

The Paddy Power Gold Cup which is a Grade Three handicap over 2m4f, which carries a purse of £150,000. Although usually attracting the top handicappers, the race has been won by Imperial Commander who went on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. It was also won by Exotic Dancer, runner-up in both the Gold Cup and King George but a multiple Grade One winner in his own right. One of the early winners of the race was Gay Trip who won twice in 1969 and 1971, where in between those years he won the Grand National at Aintree. The first ever winner of the race in 1960 was Fortria, who won again in 1962. He also won the Queen Mother Two Mile Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in back to back years of 1960 and 1961 and became one of the most popular chasers in the country and as such, the form of the race will be one to keep an eye on as the 2012/2013 season unfolds.

The third day of the Open meeting at PrestburyPark opens with the Grade Two November Novices Chase and the card includes the season’s first Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle Trial over 2m5f. It also includes the Grade 3 Open Handicap Hurdle, making the meeting pretty much unmissable for NH fans.

As always at this time of year, I’m really excited by the return of Jumps Racing and I fully intend to keep the site bang up to date with just about anything there is to discuss in the world of National Hunt.

Filed under Ascot, Charlie Hall Chase, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Down Royal, JNWine Chase, Latest Racing News, National Hunt Races, Paddy Power Gold Cup, Wetherby Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Hurricane Fly’s Return To Winning Ways At Punchestown Should Not Go Unnoticed

April 30, 2012 Leave a comment

Not since Comedy Of Errors in 1975 has a horse come back to regain the Champion Hurdle but Hurricane Fly is already the favourite to win the 2013 Champion Hurdle and claim the throne he won in 2011 and then lost to Rock On Ruby this year.

Hurricane Fly’s defeat was his first after notching up seven straight Grade 1 wins, although only one of those came this season after he had early season difficulties which delayed his re-appearance. It was potentially the lack of another run that stifled his effort this year, but that said he looked imperious when he did make his return to the track at Leopardstown at the end of January where he retained his Irish Champion Hurdler crown in great style.

It has to be said he looked unbeatable that day which is just one of the reasons why he went off in this year’s Champion Hurdle as the 4/6 odds on favourite. Trainer, Willie Mullins nor jockey Ruby Walsh offered any excuses, believing that he simply had a flat day.

Hurricane Fly bounced back from that Cheltenham disappointment at the Punchestown Festival last week where he landed the Rabobank Champion Hurdle for a third successive year by 2 1/2 lengths to Zaidpour.

Rock On Ruby of course gave trainer, Paul Nicholls a first ever Champion Hurdle win but he failed to build on that effort at the Grand National meeting where he could only manage third by tried over 2m 4f in the Aintree Hurdle and what his plans are for 2013 remain to be seen.

Simonsig, the stylish winner of the Grade 1 Neptune Novices Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival has been given a quote of 10/1 to win the Champion Hurdle in 2013 following yet another exciting performance in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle but he looks destined to go chasing at some stage in the future and that could be as early as next season which means he may not be the number one challenger to Hurricane Fly.

The Donald McCain trained winner of the Supreme Novices, Cinders And Ashes is another to consider, he looked a hugely progressive sort when winning t the Festival and looks destined for a big future but the record of “Supreme” winners who have gone on to win the Champion Hurdle is atrocious and caution should be exercised as such.

The Nicky Henderson pair of Grandouet and Spirit Son, both of which missed the Festival this year through injury are also worthy of consideration but as it stands, Hurricane Fly looks the long term value in this race and providing he can defy the history books to become the first horse in over 36 years to regain a Champion Hurdle after losing it, the current quote of 6/1 after his Punchestown success looks like cracking value given his performance in Ireland last week would suggest his effort to win the race this year was nothing more than a blip.

Filed under Champion Hurdle, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Races, Latest Racing News, Punchestown Tagged with , , , , , , ,

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 , , , , , , ,

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 , , , , , ,

Bobs Worth In Reynoldstown Bid En Route To Cheltenham

February 16, 2012 Leave a comment

The Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase that takes place at Ascot on Saturday looks the type of race that might reveal a few answers to the outcome of a couple of the championship races at next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

The race which has traditionally been a good one for favourites, which should bode well for the Nicky Henderson trained, Bobs Worth, who is sure to be a major market fancy. Henderson in fact has saddled the winner of this race for the last two years, Burton Port in 2010 and Master Of The Hall 12 months ago and believes that it is the perfect warm up race before Bobs Worth goes to Cheltenham for the RSA Chase.

Last seen out when third behind Grands Crus and Silviniaco Conti on Boxing Day in the Grade 2 Feltham Novice Chase at Kempton Park, Bobs Worth will improve for that experience. However he will have Silviniaco Conti against him again on Saturday who is one of two highly rated young chasers from Ditcheat in the race. The other Join Together is a dual winner of two novice staying chases this season and who should take the step up in class with comfort. Stable jockey Ruby Walsh has elected to ride Silviniaco Conti in preference to Join Together, which should inform punters which of the two to be backing.

The Alam King trained, Walkon is an interesting entry whose blunders last time out in a Novice Chase over 2m2f at Newbury in December cost him what would have been a decent victory. That race in fact was won by Cue Card who had been an original entry in this but will now go straight to Cheltenham. Before that Walkon had made a successful debut over fences by winning a decent looking Novice Chase at Exeter where he had the once highly regarded, Zaynar 6 lengths behind. King also intends to run his 6 year old Invictus in the race.

Others worthy of consideration is the Pam Sly owned and trained, Helpston, as well as Emma Lavelle’s Penny Max. Helpston has shown great consistency in a range of Novice Chases, winning twice so far this season before finishing a creditable second behind According To Pete in the Grade 3 Meyrick Handicap Chase at Wetherby on Boxing Day. Meanwhile Penny Max has won twice this season , firstly in a Novices Limited Handicap Chase and secondly in the Plymouth Novice Chase at Exeter last month. Both will be stepping up in class, but both come to Ascot in good form and well prepared for big runs.

Another runner who has won his last two starts is the Ian Williams entry, Baile Anrai, which came in Novice Chases at Towcester at Christmas and at Leicester last month. Before that the 8 year old took on Silviniaco Conti in a Grade 2 Novice Chase at Wincanton and was in with chances before he fell three from home. He clearly did not suffer for the experience coming out to win twice and would have a squeak of a chance in this with a clear round.

Filed under Ascot, Cheltenham, Royal & Sun Alliance Chase Tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

Indecision Over Grands Crus Festival Target Leaves RSA Chase Picture Wide Open

February 13, 2012 Leave a comment

With still no clear indication from the David Pipe stable as to where Grands Crus will be aimed at the Cheltenham Festival, the betting remains somewhat confusing for anybody looking to untangle the RSA Chase in hope of finding some antepost value.

Grands Crus was due to run in the Reynoldstown Chase at Newbury last weekend but with that race being cancelled and excluded from the rearranged card for this coming Friday, it is unlikely that the seven year old will have another run before the Festival and as it stands, connections are non-committal as to their preference as to which race, the RSA Chase or the Cheltenham Gold Cup they wish him to enter, leaving punters to hold their bets for either race.

Currently Grands Crus is the 2/1 favourite for the RSA Chase, with Bobs Worth from the Nicky Henderson yard next best at 4/1, while Sunday’s PJ Moriarty Novice Chase winner, Last Instalment, is rated an 8/1 chance alongside First Lieutenant. In the Gold Cup market, Grands Crus is the 7/1 third favourite, behind Long Run and Kauto Star.

Whether Grands Crus runs in or not, the RSA Chase remains an eye-caching race, particularly now that Last Instalment, confirmed his likely presence in the field following his very impressive front running victory in the ‘PJ Moriarty’ over 2m5f at Leopardstown at the weekend. Trainer, Phillip Fenton, confirmed that the seven year old, who is now unbeaten in four starts over fences this season, will head for the RSA and represents one or Ireland’s best hopes for Festival success.

In winning at Leopardstown, he held off the challenge of the Willie Mullins pair of Lambro and Call The Police, seeming to have improved from his last run when winning the Grade 1 Fort Leney Novice Chase over 3 miles also at Leopardstown in December. In that race he had First Lieutenant, also a major RSA player well beaten six lengths behind and he looked every bit a Cheltenham Festival good thing.

Tony Martin’s Bog Warrior also attracted attention of punters as a potential Cheltenham Festival winner at the weekend, with his bloodless 11 length victory in the Opera Hat Novice Chase at Naas over two miles. This win put the eight year old back on course for Cheltenham after falling in his previous start in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase over 2m at Leopardstown at Christmas. Before that of course he spectacularly won the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase over 2m4f by 31 lengths a race where First Lieutenant was pulled up. The win has earned Bog Warrior a 12/1 quote from Ladbrokes for the RSA Chase and a 16/1 quote from the same Bookmaker for the Arkle Challenge Trophy but much like Grands Crus, a decision to which he will run in has yet to be made.

Filed under Arkle, Cheltenham, David Pipe, Gold Cup, Latest Racing News, Leopardstown, Nicky Henderson, Royal & Sun Alliance Chase, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

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