Bobs Worth Remains Favourite In Competitive Looking Gold Cup

January 16, 2013 Leave a comment

Nicky Henderson’s artillery for the Cheltenham Festival is staggering, as the Seven Barrows Maestro has arguably his finest battalion of stars for the four-day jamboree in his training career, and come the final day of the fixture, he could well be celebrating his second Cheltenham Gold Cup crown with Bobs Worth, who currently heads the ante-post markets for the Blue Riband event on March 15.

Winner of the Albert Bartlett in 2011 and last year’s RSA Chase, Bobs Worth was sublime in landing the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury earlier in the season, the dual Festival winner was instantly slashed into the 3/1 market leader with Paddy Power and if he can reproduce the heroics shown at the Berkshire track then he will set a very high standard, but this year’s renewal has a plethora of up-and-coming talent within the three mile chase division looking to cement their place alongside some of racing’s jumping elite.

Sir Des Champs is another who has a brace of Festival wins on his CV (Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap in 2011 and the Jewson Novices Chase in 2012), but Willie Mullins’ star lost his unblemished record when losing to Flemenstar in the John Durkan Memorial at Punchestown in December, before suffering back-to-back defeats when going down in a memorable Lexus Chase at Leopardstown.  However, many still believe he will excel over the Gold Cup distance and given his love for the Prestbury Park course, it’s not surprising that he is 5/1 second favourite for the Grade One crown.

Flemenstar (11/1) had been all the rage heading into the aforementioned Lexus, but the way he wilted in the closing stages of the 3m contest left question marks surrounding his concerning potential stamina doubts and his enigmatic trainer Peter Casey will make a decision whether to hand him the Gold Cup task following his run in the Irish Hennessy.

Henderson won’t be firing a solitary shot at the Gold Cup crown as 2011 victor Long Run will also be attempting to emulate Kauto Star by regaining the coveted silverware and he was cut to a 7/1 shot in the latest betting with after his battling success in the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

After clattering the final fence, defeat was almost a certainty, but Sam Waley-Cohen managed to cajole his pride and joy back into contention and nail Captain Chris (20/1) in the dying strides, to highlight his superb stamina and with a fierce gallop likely to be set from the outset in the Gold Cup, he could well come into calculations coming up the energy-sapping Cheltenham hill, which he has shown to relish in the past.

Paul Nicholls will be aiming to etch his name back into the trophy for the first time since Kauto Star won in 2009 and he will saddle Silviniaco Conti (7/1), who has progressed immeasurably this season and his demolition of Long Run in the Betfair Chase means he has to come into the reckoning, whilst the Mouse Morris trained First Lieutenant (10/1) is another of the new brigade and adds more depth to a wide open ante-post betting list.

The Giant Bolster (20/1) ran a cracker in defeat to Synchronished in last year’s renewal and David Bridgwater has always been ebullient about his Gold Cup chances, whilst the evergreen Tidal Bay (12/1) could be a potential challenger if Nicholls opts for this assignment rather than the World Hurdle.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Gold Cup, Paul Nicholls, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

Don’t Forget About Galway Amidst The Olympics…

July 30, 2012 Leave a comment

 

The Olympic Games might well be underway but that will be nowhere near enough to stop the best part of 250,000 racing fans from both sides of the Irish Sea heading Galway Races this week for the annual seven day Summer Festival at the Ballybrit Racecourse.

The Streets of Galway after Racing…

Situated on the outskirts of GalwayCity, the Racecourse has been hosting the Summer Festival since it first began in 1869 and has seen it convert into a pilgrimage for many. They go each year to witness the best of both the Irish National Hunt and Irish Flat Racing and do so with the word “Party” very much in mind. They love the racing, of course they do, but the atmosphere engendered during the festival is every bit as important. I was lucky enough to go in 2010 and the scenes on Quay Street in the evenings after the racing was often more akin to Magaluf than those you’d expect from a crowd of racegoers!

Race after race ensues, from the first day, Monday 30th July (this year) until the final day on Sunday 5th August. Some days the racing takes place during the day while on others, evening meetings are the order. This allows for a little breathing space during the week.

Whilst the horses are doing their utmost on the course, the army of entertainers are doing the same off it. Horse racing to a backdrop of traditional music and dance is guaranteed to create the party atmosphere the festival is famed for. Laughter, cheer, song, and dance are common practices of all at the Festival, as is the optimism of punters who rarely show fear when backing their selections. Fashion these days also plays a very important role at the Festival and this year, Ladies Day is on Thursday 2nd August.

In all, there are 51 races spread over the seven days, with a feature race being held each day. However, the Festival of course first came into prominence with the emergence of the ‘Galway Plate’ one of the most famous handicap National Hunt races in Ireland. This is the feature race of the entire week and it takes place on Wednesday, August 1st (Day 3).

The ‘Plate’ was won in 2011 by Blazing Tempo, trained by Willie Mullins, and he could be in the field once again this time around. That said, Mullins has the more fancied Blackstairmountain as his main representative and could run Blazing Tempo in the Galway Hurdle the following day. There was only one entry from the UK, which is a pity as the race has been won by both Phillip Hobbs and Paul Nicholls in the recent past. This time, the UK National Hunt interest will be represented by Made In Time, trained in South Wales by Rebecca Curtis.

Top of the support bill on the racecards is the Galway Hurdle, which takes place on Ladies Day. This race is almost certain to be one of the most competitive of the week, with virtually the entire field in with chances of some description. Amongst the favourites will be the Donald McCain trained, Lexi’s Boy, who will be looking to emulate stablemate Overturn who won this great race in 2010.

It is impossible to close an article on the Galway Festival without mentioning the great Dermot Weld, his training success’s at the Summer Festival are beyond legendary they are beyond belief. Last year the County Kildare trainer his the target 17 times bettering his previous best of 11 by 6. 17 winners of course represents one third of all the entire racecard and whilst he might struggle to get too close to that this year, he is certain to finish top trainer and is the man as always, to follow.

Filed under Dermont Weld, Galway, Latest Racing News, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

10 Chasers To Follow In 2013

April 30, 2012 Leave a comment

With the traditional National Hunt season now at end, I’ve decided to take a look at those Chasers or Chasers to be (i.e. expected to step up from hurdling to the Novice Chasing division) that hugely impressed in 2011/2012 and who are tipped to impress again next season.

Kauto Star (Paul Nicholls):- We cannot leave out the legendary Kauto Star even though there is no certainty that he will come out for another season. Nonetheless, ignoring his Cheltenham Gold Cup run, the 12 year old was still good enough to claim a record breaking fifth King George Vl Chase and he also took the coveted Grade 1 Betfair Chase

Simonsig (Nicky Henderson):- Hugely impressive winner of both the Grade 1 Neptune Investment Novice Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and the Grade 2 Mersey Novice Hurdle at Aintree. He will likely be aimed over the fences next season with the Festival’s Arkle Trophy being his most obvious target.

Boston Bob (Willie Mullins):- This 7 year old ran below at Cheltenham when only second behind Brindisi Breeze in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle over 3 miles. This came after two scintillating victories wins in Graded company over 2½ miles over in Ireland and he too will now be taking on the bigger obstacles next term. In all likelihood he will be aimed at the RSA Chase

Brindisi Breeze (Lucinda Russell):- Unbeaten over hurdles which include a two length victory over Boston Bob in the 3 mile Albert Bartlett at the Festival. He is expected to be aimed over fences next season and should resume his rivalry with Boston Bob as he too will be aimed at the RSA Novice Chase.

Finians Rainbow (Nicky Henderson):- Winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase after a terrific battle with Sizing Europe up the hill at Cheltenham. His target next season will be for a repeat success but he will have stablemate Sprinter Sacre and Sizing Europe to overcome if he is to be successful.

Sprinter Sacre (Nicky Henderson):- Probably the most impressive of all chasers, novice or otherwise last season after incredible large margin wins in the Arkle at Cheltenham and the Maghull at Aintree. This six year old would now seem to have th chasing world at his feet and is already the short priced favourite to win the Champion Chase.

Sizing Europe (Henry de Bromhead):- Despite being beaten by Finian’s Rainbow at Cheltenham, he bounced back in great style to win the Irish equivalent at Punchestown last week. He clearly is still full of enthusiasm and although he will be 12 by next year’s Festival he will be a force to be reckoned with.

Sir Des Champs (Willie Mullins):- Unbeaten in seven runs under Mullins, Sir Des Champs concluded a magnificent season with impressive wins in the Grade 2 Jewson’s Novice Chase over 2m4f at Cheltenham and the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase over 3m1f at Punchestown. These performances have earned him antepost favouritism for the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Bobs Worth (Nicky Henderson):- Winner of the RSA Chase over 3m1f at the ‘Festival’ this 7 year old will be aimed at the King George and Gold Cup next season. He could be seen first however in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November, where he is likely to take on stablemate Long Run.

Long Run (Nicky Henderson):- Despite a disappointing season, this horse who was the talking horse at the outset of last season after winning both the King George and the Gold Cup. Second and third in both races this season provoked plenty of negatives about his desire, but Henderson is adamant that the best is still to come form and why not, after he is only a seven year old!

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, Willie Mullins

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 , , , , , , ,

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 , , , , , , ,

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 , , , , , ,

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 , , , , , , ,

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 , , , , , , ,

Fingal Bay Looks The One To Beat In Early Neptune Picture

January 11, 2012 Leave a comment

The Grade 1 Neptune Investment Management Novice Hurdle at this year’s Cheltenham Festival looks set to be one of the more competitive races of the meeting.

Raced over 2m5f on the Old Course, the antepost betting currently has the Phillip Hobbs trained, Fingal Bay installed as the 5/1 antepost favourite, with a host of others queuing up behind him. Hobbs has good reason to be sweet on the chances of Fingal Bay who is unbeaten after five starts, which includes a bumper, three Grade 2 races and most recently the Grade 1 Challows Novice Hurdle over 2m5f at Newbury. He would appear to go on all ground and the 2m5f would seem his ideal trip.

In the Challows Novices Hurdle he had to battle quite hard on the run in with the Tim Vaughan trained 25/1 outsider, Ballyrock, but he never really looked like losing and proved that in the heat of battle he can rise to the occasion. Ballyrock in fact has been quoted at 20/1 to win the race which might be a price that would attract each way backers!

Next best in the betting, with odds of 12/1 is the Willie Mullins trained Make Your Mark also unbeaten after three starts, but has so far only had one spin over hurdles. That came at the end of last year in the Madigans Maiden Hurdle over 2½ miles at Leopardstown, which he won in hugely impressive style by ten lengths. He clearly took to jumping extremely well and although the ‘Neptunes’ will be a big step up in class there is little doubt that he has the ability to race at the top level. Mullins of course knows what it takes to win this race having saddled the winners in both 2008 with Fiveforthree and 2009 with Mikael d’Haguenet.

Mullins in fact also intends to saddle Boston Bob, the winner of the recent Grade 1 Navan Novices Hurdle on soft ground over 2½ miles at Navan. In that race he gave a 4½ length beating to previous Grade 2 Hurdle winner, Mount Benbulben, trained by Gordon Elliott, who had gone off as the 5/6 odds on favourite. The win earned Boston Bob a quote of 14/1 to win the ‘Neptunes’.

Also at 14/1 is the Nicky Henderson trained, Simonsig but he would have to find almost three lengths and possibly better ground than good to soft if he is to reverse the form with Fingal Bay, who beat him in the Grade 2 Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle Trial at Sandown at the beginning of December. Henderson however does believe that he will come on for the run and he is likely to have one more run before Cheltenham.

Monksland trained by Noel Meade also jumped into contention the other day when he won the Grade 2 Slaney Novice Hurdle over 2½ miles on soft to heavy ground at Naas the other day. He had won his maiden back in December and looks a very lively prospect although he might not get the soft ground which he would prefer at Cheltenham. Nonetheless the Bookmakers have deemed it prudent to include him in their markets with odds of around the 16/1 mark.

Filed under Cheltenham Festival Races, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Latest Racing News, Neptune Novices Hurdle, Phillip Hobbs, Willie Mullins Tagged with , , , , , , ,

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