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 3rd 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 3rd placing efforts. Long
intervals became a reoccurring trend as Whispering Gallery and The Giant
Bolster trailed in filling the 4th and 5th 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 2nd
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 3rd
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 2nd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 3rd, 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.
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