Sunday 26th January 2014 - Cheltenham Trials Day Review

Cheltenham Trials Day Review

Saturday belonged to Cheltenham. Admittedly it lacked the established stars of yesteryear, ignoring Big Buck’s, yet it for me personally it was brilliant. It was my first trip to Prestbury Park and I would greatly recommend it to any racing fan, or anyone looking for a good day out. I have decided to review all of the races in a concise fashion and highlight any key points that arose throughout a magnificent day of sport. All roads lead back there in March.

JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (A Juvenile Hurdle) (Registered as The Finesse Juvenile Hurdle) (Grade 2)

The first race of the day saw Nicholls and Jacob team up with Vicenzo Mio, the horse looked very well in the paddock, and as is not rare with these types, looks every inch a chaser for the future. He went off the 11/10 favourite. However, it was the diminutive Nick Williams trained Le Rocher who won, notching up a first win on the day for Richard Johnson. He jumped well overall and was highly encouraging, drawing away convincingly in the closing stages. Nicky Henderson’s Kentucky Hyden split the pair- the Kentucky Dynamite chestnut came off second best to Le Rocher for the second time, he looks to have improved and could continue to do so before March. Le Rocher boasts 2 wins at Cheltenham since arriving from France and looks a precocious, enthusiastic sort, although small, he clearly has a lot of ability and until the other two fill out, looks to have the upper hand. He is now 10-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, with the other two 33-1.

Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase

The second race of the day was a handicap chase, a race in which Kauto Star Novices Chase winner Annacott took the bull by the horns in a bid to double up. It was an impressive effort by the Martin Keighley trained gelding, who led the field a merry dance, only to be mowed down by the Donald McCain trained Indian Castle. The latter idled in the closing stages and Annacotty dug deep again to challenge, but due to his front running exerts, it wasn’t enough. The second is the horse to take out of the race, his brave effort under 11-12 surely gives him a chance in one of the handicaps at the festival. Renard D’Irlande stayed on at the one pace to snatch third for the in-form combination of Venetia Williams and Aidan Coleman. The winner deserves credit as he is consistent and tough yet the eye catcher was clearly Annacotty. The horse is now 25-1 for the RSA chase and also entered in the JLT Novices.

freebets.com Trophy Chase (A Handicap) (Grade 3)

The 1:50 race saw Double Ross reappear and attempt to win another Cheltenham handicap. On this occasion the additional weight clearly took its toll yet he ran a brilliant race in defeat and was only beaten 1 ¾ lenths. Wishful Thinking has been around for what seems like a long time, and unaided by his well documented breathing problems, doesn’t seem to win all that often. This however was the exception. He travelled up strongly and his wind evidently failed to inconvenience him today as he responded in a gutsy fashion to both Double Ross’s renewed challenge and Richard Johnson’s urgings. Tap Night stayed on well whilst hanging up the run in for the Champion Jockey, but didn’t pose a threat to the first two. They are a class above from the rest and showed that here. Unpredictable yet genuine, it wouldn’t be wise to bank on Wishful Thinking come March, yet take nothing away from him here as he put his best foot forward and gained a deserved victory in merciless conditions. He stands at 40-1 for the Queen Mother and 33-1 for the Ryanair. Double Ross is 33-1 for the RSA and 16-1 for the JLT Novices.

Argento Chase (Registered as The Cotswold Steeple Chase) (Grade 2)

The fourth race on the card, the Argento Chase, is often regarded as a Gold Cup trial. It remains to be seen whether any of the line up on this day will have the ability to win the big one. However, it was a heart-warming success for The Giant Bolster, equipped for the first time with blinkers; the application of headgear granted him his seemingly lost enthusiasm and he resolutely ground out a 7 length win. Rocky Creek ran a sound race in second, according to trainer Paul Nicholls, his aim is now the Grand National. This seems sensible as surely on Saturdays’ evidence he lacks the speed to do himself justice in what looks to be a vintage renewal this term. Harry Topper’s performance was again scattered with jumping errors yet he stayed on and just missed out on second place. Under the guidance of Kim Bailey surely he will head to Aintree as well and take on Rocky Creek once more. It was a good performance by the winner yet it has to be questioned whether it was solely the blinkers that prompted such a display. I would be surprised if any of these were good enough to come close in a Gold Cup, yet I wouldn’t blame connections for trying. There are quotes of 25-1 for The Giant Bolster for the Gold Cup.

Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle (Reg' as The Classic Novices' Hurdle Race) (Grade 2)

The unbeaten Red Sherlock opposed Irish Raider Rathvinden in the next. The former looked to be travelling strongly when falling at Warwick in the race won by Deputy Dan. The race soon took shape and it turned into a match between these two. Red Sherlock had enough in reserves and stretched away to win from the final flight. His unbeaten record remains intact yet credit goes to Rathvinden, who can only improve from here. The winner is 10-1 for the Neptune at the festival (Rathvinden is double that) and 20-1 for the Supreme.

galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)

Spectators eagerly gathered ahead of the 3m hurdle which promised so much. The return of the mighty Big Buck’s was near and anticipation heightened as the race day neared its climax. Big Buck’s was sent on at the third last by Sam Twiston Davies, a move which has been criticised by many, yet it is a tactic that has been deployed by Walsh in previous times. He battled bravely, having a slender lead at the final flight, and went down fighting by approximately a length at the line. Knockara Beau set the pace in the early stages, retreated to the tail end of the field and stayed on to fend off the late challenge of revitalised At Fishers Cross. (The Curtis trained gelding again lacked fluidity at his hurdles yet stayed on as we know he can in ground he enjoys). Overall I think the ride Sam gave was perfectly acceptable and it was down to fitness. Paul Nicholls has made it no secret that Big Buck’s is a nightmare to get fit as he is such a gross horse and this will have put him spot on for another crack at the World Hurdle. Jan Faltejsek and Knockara Beau perhaps deserve more recognition, but in National Hunt racing fans latch on to the big names and here we saw Big Buck’s show he retains his enthusiasm, ability and guts, which has served him so well in the past. He is currently 5-2 to win a fifth World Hurdle.

Steel Plate And Sections Handicap Hurdle

Many members of the crowd had left by the last race; this highlights how racing needs its big stars to excite the public. After a pretty appalling day betting wise, we decided to have Lac Fontana and Totalize e/w in the last. It turned out to be a pretty lucky last as we got the 1-2 and Paul Nicholls and Daryl Jacob gained compensation from their not-to-be fairytale with Big Bucks. Lac Fontana travelled much the best and stayed on stoutly up the hill. Totalize lacked the gears to go with the winner and was outclassed yet ran a gallant race for Brian Ellison. The winner could indeed return to Cheltenham for the Conditionals hurdle. Although Lac Fontana won decisively, it will be doubtful whether he can rise to the step up in class, and the others surely have a lot to find in order to becoming Cheltenham Festival winners.

After the racing, a Brightwells Bloodstock auction took place which I found really intriguing. The well known David Pipe trained Notus De La Tour sold for £18,000 and classy Irish hunter Mossey Joe for £160,000. Donald McCain purchased 4 horses, Jonjo O’Neil also bought 2, one of which was Young Mr Gorsky, a point to point winner by High Chaparral, for £190,000- the most spent at the sale. With my little knowledge, I liked the look of Shantou Bob, sold for £28,000 to Tessa Greatrex, Golan’s Choice sold for £20,000 to Rose Dobbin and an eye catching filly, again by High Chaparral, that sold for £170,000 to Roger Brookehouse. Previous horses that have been bought at the sale include Beneficent and earlier placed Annacotty. I have attached some (admittedly bad) photos I took of my experience. I can't wait to return.

 

Saturday 4th January 2014 - Review of Cheltenham's New Years Day Fixture

Fittingly, the arrival of 2014 brought us Cheltenham’s annual New Years Day meeting, which served up a whole host of intriguing performances. Maddy Playle reflects on a day brimming with anticipation and classy equines distributed throughout the card. Victorious were Cheltenham specialist and two time winner over fences Oscar Whisky, Twiston-Davies hardy handicapper Double Ross doubled up with a bloodless display and unbeaten Ricci owned mare Annie Power sauntered over the sodden turf to boast an impressive first effort at the home of jumps racing. Also amongst the winners were the in-form Nick Williams trained Aubussion, promising staying chaser and Fry recruit Mendip Express and the versatile and brave Return Spring was another to repeat his resilient course success (from Novembers Open Meeting). The final race closed proceedings with Modus notching up a 13 length success for jockey Tom O’Brien and Newport trainer Robert Stephens in the bumper. 

 

 

5 minutes shy of two o’clock saw the start of the 3 mile hurdling test, made more so by desperately extreme conditions. 9 runners went to post, notably including The Giant Bolster, whom had been on a recovery mission in his revert to the smaller obstacles. His profile possessed a high class record at Cheltenham and 7lb claimer Jake Hodson aspired to get his career back on track- lots was to like about his chances. Paul Nicholls solely saddled tricky customer and another previous chaser Poungach, with seemingly similar intentions. 2011 Albert Bartlett 3^rd Grand Vision returned from absence in pursuit to give Terry Warner another win on the course that has served him so well in past seasons. However it was left for Quartz De Thaix to cut out the running in untypically exuberant fashion, perhaps due to the application of headgear for the first time. Rounding the final bend, splashing through standing water and mud almost covering the remaining contenders beyond recognition, the front running Venitia Williams trained gelding strode on with just the one challenger. Return Spring had travelled best through the race well under Johnson and after leading well before the last looked sure to pick up another prize. Return Spring wasted time over the last hurdle by putting in an extra stride which handed Quartz De Thaix another crack, the frontrunner responded well to Treadwell’s urgings considering the quick early pace and his keen attitude yet Return Spring had more than enough to dominate him. Again Return Spring showed his trademark tiger-like qualities up the hill, battling to a 3 ¼ length win. The previously mentioned Grand Vision and Poungach were among the 4 to pull up (Burton Port and Astigos being the other two), as only five horses finished the race. 23 lengths adrift of Quartz De Thaix was the held-up mare Flora Fern who was rewarded £1,894 for her 3^rd placing efforts. Long intervals became a reoccurring trend as Whispering Gallery and The Giant Bolster trailed in filling the 4^th and 5^th places respectively without offering a hand in the finalities. I believe should the headgear work to similar effect next time out with Quartz De Thaix he is likely to be one to keep an eye on as he ran a stormer under a large weight (11-7) here. The blinkers obviously offered a lot of improvement and clearly sparked his enthusiasm, yet as is often the case, impetus may be lost following the 2^nd application. Sheikh Mohammed’s National Hunt operation Bloomfields continues to produce flashy flat-bred horses and Whispering Gallery may be one to note in future, he showed a good attitude and potential for more improvement over obstacles. Sadly, The Giant Bolster looks to be on a downward curve and it looks increasingly unlikely that he will regain the level of form that earned him 3^rd position in Synchronised’s Gold Cup any time soon. Personally I am a huge fan of the winner and hope he manages to qualify for the Pertemps Hurdle at the festival, it is a notoriously tricky handicap and he is gradually going up in the weights, yet he’d surely have a huge chance. Amongst those whom tipped him was in fact myself, therefore as he has delivered a rare success for me, I eagerly await for him to grace the stage once more. Fingers crossed that Return Spring brings us race goers additional delight in 2014.

 

 

Oscar Whisky turned the tables on Jonjo O’Neil’s highly regarded Taquin Du Seuil in the Grade 2 Dipper Novices Chase. The former, who produced a thoroughly professional performance and encouragingly jumped straighter than on his previous effort, should be one to watch when March arrives. Renowned as a Cheltenham specialist, his form at the track reads 41311512PU211. Geraghty seemingly caught McCoy sleeping here and was the first to stretch on in what was to be again a sprint to the line, although benefitting from a mistake from Taquin Du Seuil at the last, he rallied well under pressure. Overall these two appear closely matched and it will be intriguing to see them face each other once more. For two speedy novices to prove they can perform on such bottomless ground adds multiple strings to their already established bows. Close House and Timesawastin travelled well and failed to backpedal as soon as anticipated, yet eventually class told and they finished well behind the main two. I wouldn’t be surprised should Oscar Whisky and Taquin Du Seuil reverse the form if they meet again- both are improving, have confidence behind them and herald from two of the biggest yards in Britain.

 

 

Double Ross outpointed the quirky yet talented Cedre Bleu in the 2:30 Handicap Chase, who again came off 2^nd best after looking the winner and again finding nothing come crunch time. The victor made only the single significant error, over-jumping the first and almost unshipping Sam Twiston-Davies, yet admittedly Sam blamed himself. It is clear although connections were more than satisfied with his mud-loving display; trainer Nigel regards him as merely a handicapper. His resilient and gutsy attitude is sure to stand him in good stead yet will surely become vulnerable when facing better rivals in the latter stages of the season. Kumbeshwar was off the bridle for a long time and gave Alan King a respectable 3^rd place; this was his last runner for a week as he has decided to close the yard due to poor health among the equines. Pickamus was the only other finisher after being up there all the way under Robert Thornton, yet alike Kumbeshwar, lacked the gears to challenge the other two. Cedre Bleu looks as if he wants to do anything bar win a race. His quirks seem to have become ever more pronounced and apparent this term, but as Paul Nicholls has proved with his handling of enigmatic veteran Tidal Bay (who recently posted a superb effort under 11-12 in the Coral Welsh National) he has the resources at his disposal to harness his masked ability. The majority of those whom opposed Double Ross and indeed the winner himself, will more than likely be targeted at one of the handicaps at the festival, thus meaning emphasis is on their ratings subsequent to this result which would determine the weight they are allotted.

 

 

In the 2^nd last race of the meeting was another trial for the Champion Hurdle. Wille Mullins flew over Annie Power and again it looked to be between her and Zarkandar, as it was at Ascot previously. With 4lb less than he carried last time and a solid performance behind other Champion contender The New One to show, it looked to be a closer call than before. Empire Levant set a fair gallop and enjoyed himself out front with Nick Scholfield until the inevitable occurred and the duo sped past, awash with mud. As soon as push came to shove, Zarkandar dropped tamely away and Annie Power looked as if she had just joined in. Showing a mightily impressive change of gears, it looked as if she could go around again. Willie Mullins is now presented with a problem, with star mare Quevega having a similar profile, he now has to juggle the two mares and Hurricane Fly. Hurricane Fly will surely head to the Champion Hurdle in a bid to win his 3^rd, whereas the record books eagerly anticipate a 6 timer from Quevega in the Mares Hurdle. This seemingly leaves Annie Power to try her hand in the World Hurdle, on this evidence; the trip should be no issue and may even bring out more improvement. However, I believe Quevega deserves a challenge and should therefore be sent to the World Hurdle this year. Annie Power is younger and therefore the Mares race would surely be at her mercy. Obviously Hurricane Fly has just the one option, so I deem it unlikely that Annie Power would oppose him. The ante-post markets are really stepping up a gear now up and the stage is set for a vintage festival, whichever race the big guns are declared for.

 

 

To conclude, I’d like to add that Tony McCoy recently reportedly announced that the New Years’ Day meeting was hosted on such bad ground that the form will have little relevance in March. I believe the racing was fairly predictable considering, and the best horses won. Although I’d be incredibly naïve to doubt the champion jockeys opinion! Nevertheless it was scintillating to see Annie Power barely break sweat on her first outing to the course and equally as enjoyable watching Return Spring and Double Ross battle it out up the hill. For me, that is what racing is all about. Finally I’d like to wish everyone a prosperous and content 2014. Thank you for your unrelenting support in 2013.