2012 Cheltenham Festival Top Trainer Preview

March 7, 2012 Leave a comment

Nicky Henderson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheltenham Tips: Five Antepost Picks To Consider

February 27, 2012 Leave a comment

With Cheltenham fast approaching, it’s time to take another look at some of the horses being “talked up” to win at the Festival. Depending on what you read or who you speak to, there are a number of alternatives being touted for many of the races at the four day meeting but listed below are my five current best bets with just two weeks to go, some are more obvious than others but I’m confident that the current prices will all represent value come the days of the respective races.

Supreme Novice Hurdle – Midnight Game @ 10/1 (general)

Trained by Willie Mullins, the five year old Midnight Game has done nothing but improve all season at the yard, evidenced backed up by his two wins in decent company in his last two starts. Owned by Gigginstown Stud Midnight Game has been placed in Listed races on the flat in France and has taken to hurdling with a great deal of enthusiasm and provides Mullins with a great chance of kicking off the 2012 Festival with a winning start for Mullins in the “curtain raiser”.

Arkle Challenge Trophy – Sprinter Sacre @ Even Money

It does not take a genius to realise that this Nicky Henderson trained six year old has everything a young chaser needs. He has proven that over fences at least he has few peers over 2 miles and the excitement expressed at the Seven Barrows Yard is absolutely genuine. Based on what he has shown over the bigger obstacles this season, it is hard to see anything other than Sprinter Sacre landing the Arkle on day one.

Menorah from the Phillip Hobbs stable delighted connections with his 13 length win at Taunton at the end of the year which he followed up by winning again next time. His fall last time should be forgotten as he is can be expected to repay anyone who backs him each way in the Arkle as a bigger priced alternative to Sprinter Sacre.

RSA Chase – First Lieutenant @ 7/1 (general)

All the hype of course as to the likely winner of this race is centered on David Pipe’s Grands Crus but over in Ireland there is a strong body of support for the Mouse Morris trained, First Lieutenant. Second last time out in the Grade 1 Fort Leney Chase over 3 miles at Leopardstown behind the brilliant Last Instalment, this 7 year old is primed to take full advantage of Last Instalment’s absence for the rest of the season. He has been specifically laid out for the RSA and will come to Cheltenham with the stable expecting to win and it’s worthwhile risking that the Grands Crus camp opt to go for the Gold Cup as if that is the case, then the current 7/1 will look massive about this genuine Irish Raider.

Champion Chase – Wishfull Thinking Each Way @ 16/1

Having been disappointing all season, trainer Phillip Hobbs remains confident that the best is yet to come from last year’s Jewson Novice Chase second. He is reportedly working extremely well at home and should he bring that form to the track then he should enter the reckoning in this race. One for the shortlist and a definite each way bet at 16s.

Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle – Vulcanite

This four time winner on the Flat has trainer Charlie Longsdon and connections highly excited and they believe that the five year old is perfectly suited to win this Grade 3. He has taken to hurdling with great aplomb and although seven lengths back when second last week in a Newbury Novice Hurdle, Longsdon believes that the run will have him spot on for the County Hurdle.

Filed under Arkle, Cheltenham Festival Trials, Latest Racing News, Royal & Sun Alliance Chase 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 , , , , , , , , ,

Grand National Trial At Haydock Should Provide Some Useful Aintree Pointers

February 15, 2012 Leave a comment

Le Beau Bai will be hoping to repeat his Welsh National success in Haydoock's Grand National Trial.

With the weights having being revealed for the 2012 Aintree Grand National, particular attention will be paid to the Betfred Grand National Trial over 3m4f which takes place this Saturday at Haydock Park.

After the five day declaration stage made on Monday, 23 runners stood their ground with Neptune Collonges from the Paul Nicholls stable topping the weights with 11-12 with Grand National favourite, Junior, from the David Pipe stable set to carry 11-6 in the race.

This will be the first run of the season for Junior, who demolished his rivals in the Kim Muir Fulke Walwyn Challenge Cup over 3m2f at the Cheltenham Festival last March and then subsequently ran at Royal Ascot where he failed in his attempt to win back to back Ascot Stakes on the flat. The style of his Cheltenham Festival win however, is the principle reason why he is the antepost favourite for the Aintree Grand National in which he will carry 11-2. He won the ‘Kim Muir’ by a staggering 24 lengths looking a very commanding horse in the process and clearly one who has a lot more to come and the handicapper looks to have given Junior a huge chance ahead of the Aintree feature.

Up against him on Saturday is Welsh National winner, Le Beau Bai from the Richard Lee stable who is likely in fact to go off as the favourite should the going remain heavy. He finished third in this race 12 months ago behind Silver By Nature but never went on to run at Aintree. After a mediocre start to the season, this 9 year old has come on leaps and bounds with the Welsh National victory his biggest success to date. He is an absolute mud lark and the worse conditions the ground is in the better and if they turns in to an extreme test of stamina, you can be assured that Le Beau Bai will be in the shake up at the end.

Topping the Irish challenge is the Charlie Swan trained, Start Me Up, who comes to the race with only one win in a Beginners Chase but the form of that run has worked out well and stable optimism for a big run is high.

Cappa Bleu third behind Le Beau Bai in the Welsh National will be representing the Evan Williams yard who will expect him to improve considerably for his Chepstow run. A former winner of the Foxhunters Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, the ten year old is an excellent jumper and a very thorough stayer.

Neptune Collonges is still looking for his first win since taking the 2011 Argento Chase and will have the burden of top weight, although that did not hamper him too much last time out when he was a very creditable second place behind Hold On Julio in the 32Red Handicap Chase at Sandown in January but the weight may way hold him back from winning this.

Giles Cross, second in the Welsh National is slightly better weighted to reverse form with le Beau Bai and trainer, Victor Dartnell, was a little frustrated by a second successive second in the Welsh National but is sure to be confident that his 10 year can make the frame at the Lancashire track on Saturday.

All in all, this is a very open Grand National trial with a host in with chances. One to possibly watch out for who is well handicapped is Evan Williams second entry, Deep Purple. This 11 year old looked a very decent Gold Cup prospect a couple of years ago after winning both the Grade 2 Charlie Hall and Peterborough Chases. However his form evaporated after efforts in the 2009 King George Vl Chase and the 2010 Ryanair Chase failed. However, he returned to winning ways in December, when taking the London National over 3m6f at Sandown, when carrying top weight. This race is altogether a higher quality but with only 11-7 to carry this time, the odds 16/1 look decent each way value for a horse with proven quality.

Whatever the outcome, this Grand National Trial should provide a number of useful pointers ahead of the big race on 14th April.

Filed under Aintree, Alan King, David Pipe, Grand National, Haydock, Paul Nicholls, Racecourse Tagged with , , , , ,

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

February 13, 2012 Leave a comment

Last Instalment has emerged as a leading RSA Chase hope following Leopardstown win

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 , , , , , , ,

Europe Cuts Big Zeb Down to Size

February 7, 2012 Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 , , , , , , ,

Argento Chase Can Provide Useful Gold Cup Pointers

January 25, 2012 1 Comment

Grands Crus can confirm he's a serious Gold Cup contender in the Argento Chase

It looks like it will be a cracking renewal of the Grade 2 Argento Chase at Cheltenham this coming Saturday with the David Pipe Cheltenham Gold Cup hope, Grands Crus, heading the betting market at odds of 2/1.

The race formerly known as the Cotswold Chase is run over an extended 3m1f on the New Course and has had a host of decent past winners, including the late Exotic Dancer in 2007, See More Business in 2001 and 1998, and One Man in 1997. It is a well known trial for the Gold Cup and there will be a number, in addition to Grands Crus, in the race this year that harbour Gold Cup hopes.

However, it is Grands Crus who has continued to look like a top class horse of the future certainly looks the one to beat and although a novice his jumping prowess already looks superior to most of these rivals on Saturday. He has been out three times already this season, winning them all, including a very impressive 2¼ length victory in the Grade 2 Feltham Chase over 3 miles at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. In that race he had the highly regarded Bobs Worth from the Nicky Henderson stable over 5 lengths in arrears in third place, which prompted trainer David Pipe to suggest that he may now take his chance in the Gold Cup against Long Run and Kauto Star. Interestingly, he is already the favourite to win the 2013 Cheltenham Gold Cup.

To win on Saturday he will have to overcome some very useful opposition, which includes 2010 Hennessy Gold Cup winner, Diamond Harry. The 9 year old has had only one run since that victory which came in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November where he finished fourth behind Kauto Star and Long Run. There is no doubt that he needed the run that day but he should be a much stronger candidate in this which explains why his trainer, Nick Williams is very keen on his chances and also why the Bookmakers have him disputing second favouritism with odds of 11/2.

Also at 11/2 is Paul Webbers Time For Rupert last seen also being beaten by Kauto Star and Long Run but this time in the King George Vl Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day. He was no match for the big guns at Kempton, but Webber has been finding it hard to hide his confidence in him currently. He claims that ‘Rupert’ has been working better than ever at home and is now ready, having learned some valuable lessons to live up to the hype he received after his second place behind Big Bucks in the 2010 World Hurdle.

Captain Chris from the Phillip Hobbs stable is also currently at 11/2 and he is another who needs to confirm the potential he showed when winning the Arkle Challenge Trophy at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival. He followed that win up of course with a great win in the Ryanair Chase over two miles at the Punchestown Festival to end what was a fantastic season for him. However this season he has done nothing but disappoint, unseating on his reappearance at Exeter in the Grade 3 Haldon Gold Cup, won by Medermit and then he finished third but over 18 lengths behind Kauto Star when trying three miles for the first time in the ‘King George’. It is clear that Hobbs will use Saturday’s race as a yardstick as to which of the Cheltenham races he will target. Currently the 8 year old has entries in both the Ryanair over 2m5f and the Gold Cup.

Now trained by Champion Trainer, Paul Nicholls, Tidal Bay will be running for the second time this season after being given a spin in a three mile hurdle race earlier this month in which he finished a creditable third. It was his first run since his doomed Grand National attempt last season, but it is worthwhile noting that he finished second in this race last season and possibly would have won had he made his challenge earlier. It will be very interesting to see how he performs for his new handler in the Argento.

Filed under Argento Chase, Cheltenham, Cheltenham Festival Trials, David Pipe, Latest Racing News, Paul Nicholls, Phillip Hobbs, Racecourse Tagged with , , , ,

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

January 19, 2012 Leave a comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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