CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW at WARWICK RACECOURSE Sponsored by Sky Bet Friday, February 24th The panel was chaired by Chris Pitt who rattled through the races in double quick time to finish before racing commenced and featured up-and-coming trainer Charlie Longsdon (CL) who has a few horses with chances for the Festival (actually âarrivedâ probably a better term for him now), Andrew Tinkler (AT) who rides for Nicky Henderson and gave the low down of many of their chief hopes, Kevan Minter (KM) (aka The Colonel to some) who gave betting updates and Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide author, Paul Jones. As Paulâs views on the Grade 1 races were reported in the first of this series from Exeter, there is no need to repeat those but his views on all 27 races will be reported after the Knaresborough Preview on March 8th when all panellists for that evening run through all races. To view the latest prices for each race, please click on the Sky Bet banners. SUPREME NOVICESâ HURDLE CL: We will run Vulcanite and Hazy Tom. My horses are not right at the moment so you can see from both of their last runs. I was disappointed with Vulcanite at Newbury as he is 7lbs-14lbs better than that. He wants a strong pace and leading last time was hardly ideal. The owner wanted to take him to a valuable staying prize in Dubai instead but thankfully David Redvers has managed to change his mind which is good for me as he runs here. I hope you will see a far improved performance off a strong pace. I think we will reverse Kempton form with Tetlami. Hazy Tom wasnât right at Ascot so forget that. Dickie Johnson thinks a fast-run 2m will really suit him when he is right so we have taken him out of the Neptune. AT: Simonsig schooled very slicky this morning and has the pace to run in either the Supreme or Neptune. They go very, very quick in the Supreme so I would like to see him run here as it would really suit him. He is a real two-miler that would see it out very well. I schooled Darlan today and he went very well and showed no ill effects of his bad fall. Tetlami is by Daylami and has the traits of many offspring of his sire in that he only shows you half his hand as he does what you ask and no more. He has ten times more ability that he has shown. KM: I always find this a hard race to predict. I know some shrewd judges are on Steps To Freedom at 14s but it worries me that he will not have run since November. ARKLE TROPHY CL: Barry Geraghty rode Moscow Flyer and he seems to think that Sprinter Sacre is in a different league to him so I canât go against him. Flat tracks may suit him better and he has not done it yet at Cheltenham like four of his rivals but, even so. Peddlers Cross to chase him home. AT: Sptrinter Sacre needs very little introduction now. I made the running on French Opera at Newbury at what I thought was championship pace and he just breezed by me at half-way like I wasnât even there. He has to work on his own at home as nothing can live with him and we donât want to break the hearts of horses like Oscar Whisky by working with him. The intention was sit him in behind at Newbury so he can learn but that only lasted about five fences as he just took off past them without even trying. He was a shell of a horse last year which is why he didnât get up the hill but came back to us looking unrecognisable after the summer and has grown up now. KM: The stats are against Sprinter Sacre as favourites have a poor Arkle record but I still see it as a match between him and Peddlers Cross. CHAMPION HURDLE CL: Hurricane Fly is outstanding and I expect him to win. I hear Zarkandar didnât come out of his Newbury win brilliantly. AT: Binocular looked great at Wincanton and I will be really surprised if he is not in the first three. I preferred him to Grandouet as our main hope even before Grandouet had his setback. KM: I could win on Hurricane Fly. The Evens keeps getting wiped out every time someone offers it on the exchanges. NH CHASE CL: The plan is to run Universal Soldier. He has only had one run for us and, to be fair, although he won easily it was a mickey mouse race as Chartreux didnât get very far. He pulled a muscle on his last start for his previous trainer and is best fresh. He is as slow as a hearse and needs all of 4m so this race should suit him and there is a good chance that Jamie Codd will ride and he has won this race twice before. I would like it to be on the easy side of good ground for him. Strongbows Legend is entered but this might come a year too soon for him, weâll consider it as he wonât get another chance. AT: We donât really have anything for this. Loose Performer maybe but he is not a horse to back at the Festival. Teaforthree I like but just concentrate on the best amateur riders. KM: A hard race to play in. Teaforthree and Fists Of Fury have been the horses for money recently. NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICESâ HURDLE CL: Weâve got Cross Of Honour for this. Heâs rated 126. If he was 130 he would have gone for the Coral Cup which would have been ideal but I doubt he would get in off 126. We need to a 140+ horse for this. Dawn Commander will run either here or the Albert Bartlett. AT: This is Simonsigâs other option but I would personally like to see him in the Supreme as think he is a real two-miler. KM: Even if Fingal Bay does run I would be worried about the form of the Hobbs yard. Boston Bob will start favourite if he runs here or the Albert Bartlett. RSA CHASE CL: I really canât see past Grands Crus, he has too much class for these. AT: Iâve not had much to do with Bobs Worth until five days before Ascot when I was asked to school him beforehand. He has no wow factor about him and I would be a bit surprised if he can beat Grands Crus. It can often take a run to get over a wind operation as they think it might hurt them the next time they race. I think that might have happened at Ascot as he looked quite laboured but then when he realised it wasnât going to hurt he ran on. KM: Grands Crus is one of my bankers of the meeting. He has high-class hurdles form and travels really easily. Invictus would be my idea of the main danger. QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE CL: Sizing Europe should retain his crown. There is not much more to say really, he bolts up over 2m and doesnât stay 3m. If healthy, heâll win. AT: Finianâs Rainbow schooled well this morning. I canât see him beating Sizing Europe though. Whoever wins this year wonât win it again next year though as Sprinter Sacre will. JEWSON NOVICESâ CHASE AT: I schooled Solix this week. He jumped the first three beautiful but was bit flat at the fourth, or French as we like to call it at the yard. He has a good chance and he is better than his form says he is. RYANAIR CHASE CL: I donât think you can rule out Albertas Run again and Jonjo knows what it takes. Iâd love to this horse win it for a third time. If it comes up soft though I would switch to Rubi Light. AT: Riverside Theatre was very much tuned up for Ascot. He gets himself fit so there is not much to work on. He could be better on a flat track. I quite like the chances of Medermit to reverse form as Choc almost fell off during the race which we gave him stick for and he wasnât beaten far and 2m5f suits him really well. If you offered me the ride between Riverside Theatre and Medermit, I would pick Medermit. KM: The message was very strong for Riverside Theatre at Ascot and the money was right. For me he is an outstanding each-way bet. WORLD HURDLE CL: Big Buckâs, what more can I add? AT: Ruby says Big Buckâs is the biggest cert in racing. Oscar Whisky will be second or third. If there were a Ryanair Hurdle though he would win that. As for the Aintree Hurdle as some say he wonât stay as Thousand Stars nearly caught him that day, I thought Barry nicked the race at Aintree rather than committed too soon him. I thought it was a brilliant ride. KM: Big Buckâs is an awesome machine but why take 4/9 now when he will trade at around Evens in-running at some point?
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW EVENING at EXETER RACECOURSE Sponsored by Sky Bet Thursday, February 23rd The panel comprised of four top trainers Paul Nicholls (PN), David Pipe (DP), Philip Hobbs (PH), Nick Williams (NW) who basically only talked about their own horses, Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide author Paul Jones (PJ), Racing Post West Country Correspondent Andrew King (AK), Paddy Power representative Paul Binfield (PB) who mainly gave betting updates and Zoey Bird (ZB) as Master of Ceremonies. With such a big panel, a lot of races were rushed through in time of the excellent Toad In The Hole Supper so not all panellists were asked for their views on all races but here are the best bits. For the latest prices for each race please click on the Sky Bet banners. SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE PN: We’ve had coughing in the yard so had to cancel the media day as it wasn’t fair on the horses but also provided a good excuse not to have the media here! We will possibly run Prospect Wells. He has had a breathing op since his last run and is a big price at 33/1 on his best form. PH: Colour Squadron is fine after his fall but that was not the ideal prep. He has schooled well since so no reason why he shouldn’t perform on the day. He has not had the strongly run race he needs yet. PJ: Simonsig is the most likely winner if he runs here but I fear they will run him in the wrong race. Looks like he is crying out for a fast-run 2m given his cruising speed. In his possible absence then Midnight Game appeals most as he is coming right at the right time, is the Mullins number one and expected to improve again for better ground than he has faced in Ireland. AK: I think Darlan will run and has a major chance as long as his confidence has not been affected by his bad fall last time. I’ve also a sneaky feeling Cinders And Ashes will run very well. ARKLE TROPHY PN: Al Ferof got some good experience against established two-milers at Ascot. I’m hopeful we can outstay Sprinter Sacre who could be a speed horse on flat tracks who is very keen in his races. He got outstayed by Al Ferof in last year’s Supreme and it will be interesting to see if he gets up the hill this time. DP: Sprinter Sacre is a good thing. He can go long and short and will come up the hill okay and have too much pace for his rivals. PH: Menorah jumps well for the most part but the most part isn’t good enough and especially in a race like the Arkle. A strong pace will suit him better but I don’t think he can beat Sprinter Sacre but he has a good place chance. PJ: Stats point to Peddlers Cross but in my heart of hearts I think the only thing can stop Sprinter Sacre is him being too brave at a fence. The hill argument is a red herring as he has had a wind op since last year, he has physically improved since last year plus the Arkle is a shorter race than the Supreme and they jump five more obstacles so it’s not quite as all-out a gallop as the Supreme is which means that would be against Al Ferof. AK: Sprinter Sacre is my lay of the meeting. He can not win! He is not guaranteed to come up the hill and folded tamely last year in the Supreme. He is up against strong stayers here and four Cheltenham Festival winners and he has yet to win at the course. At around Evens he is too short. JLT SPECIALTY HANDICAP CHASE PN: Noland will be my only runner I suspect. DP: The Grand National is the main aim for The Package but he runs here first and was second two years ago off 141 and is now rated 139. He’s in great form but needs everything to go right. Massinis Maguire is also in the Grand National but he is sore after Ascot as he puts so much into his races. We’ll see if he goes here. Junior could go here as his Grand National prep or the Gold Cup or maybe the Grimthorpe at Doncaster. CHAMPION HURDLE PN: I was beginning to sweat regards Zarkandar before Newbury as the horses next to him were coughing. Since he won as he has snuffling and is on antibiotics but has cantered well since. The quicker they go the better for him. We’ve got improve enormously to beat Hurricane Fly but he is the one unexposed horse. Rock On Ruby will improve enormously for the return to Cheltenham and Noel Fehily rides. I don’t think Binocular enhanced his claims beating Celestial Halo last time. I would rather run Celestial Halo in the World Hurdle but the owner thinks he can finish second in the Champion Hurdle so he runs here. PJ: I will keep it short and sweet as I can’t see past Hurricane Fly. Oscars Well is my idea of the horse most likely to finish second. AK: The way Binocular beat Celestial Halo was impressive. If that Binocular turns up I think he will give Hurricane Fly a race. He’s an each-way good thing. CROSS COUNTRY CHASE NW: Maljimar will run again and has won two cross country races in France. He has twice been beaten at the Festival at 1-10 in running so hopefully it will be third time lucky. PH: Balthazar King will run. He hurt himself in the fracas here at the December Meeting but is okay now. OLBG MARES HURDLE NW: There is no strength in depth in the mares race whereas there will be 24 runners in the Coral Cup so we will run Swincombe Flame here. I want to take the easier option and I think she will be in the first three. NH CHASE PN: Harry The Viking will definitely stay and has not run as he want him fresh. He has been coughing but we are confident he will get over it. NW: Alfie Spinner will run after his good third in the Reynoldstown and we have booked Sam Waley-Cohen. He will definitely get the trip. NEPTUNE INVESTMENTS NEPTUNE HURDLE PN: I was discussing running plans for Prospect Wells with Graham Wylie and he told me Boston Bob is likely to run here. PH: He has pulled a hamstring and needs a few days easy. He is not out of the race but more than a week off and it’s a problem. It’s 50-50. PJ: I have a lot of respect for the Fingal Bay-Simonsig Sandown form but I rate Boston Bob even a notch up from that giving 10lbs in heavy ground to class horses last time and I hope they run here and think they might as Mullins and Wylie both like the race and it is more prestigious than the Albert Bartlett. I strongly fancy Boston Bob to win whichever race he runs in. RSA CHASE PN: We’ve purposely not run Join Together saving him for this. He jumps well and stays very well. Stamina is his forte so he would prefer the New Course (RSA run on Old Course). DP: If I could have £1 for every time I have been asked where Grands Crus will run. It’s a nice dilemma to have. It’s frightening looking at the media every day seeing who is missing the Festival so let’s see. We will decide five days before. PJ: Grands Crus wouldn’t be a stats horse as Feltham winners have a shocking record but we know he bounds up the hill. I strongly fancy Bobs Worth each-way. He was giving Invictus weight at Ascot when not beaten far having only had one gallop since a wind op and is much better racing left-handed being unbeaten at Cheltenham in three starts. He also only had five lengths to find with Grands Crus in the Feltham and has had a wind op since and will be happier away from Kempton. AK: Grands Crus has to be one of the better bets of the meeting of those at short prices. QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE PH: The problem with Wishfull Thinking has been his breathing. He has 2 wind ops already and it is still not sorted. He has one decent runs this season and three moderate runs. His best trip is somewhere between 2m-3m. I don’t know! It’s hard to tell when he can’t get the air. PJ: Sizing Europe for me is not just the best two-miler chaser in training but the best chaser in training full stop and is a bet at odds-against. AK: Wishfull Thinking has lost the plot. Finians Rainbow is very beatable. Sizing Europe should win but it’s not a race I want to get involved in. CORAL CUP DP: Our Father will go for this or the Pertemps Final. Battle Group’s owners want to run in the novice handicap chase instead. PH: Dare Me and Featherbed Lane are intended runners. Dare Me may be eight but he is still improving. Dunraven Storm was a possible but returned lame from Ascot so may not go anywhere at Cheltenham. FRED WINTER JUVENILE HANDCIAP HURDLE PN: Hinterland will probably run. Ruby told me he overdid the waiting tactics last time saying it wasn’t his best ride. He is still on the same mark. He’ll have a big weight but is built to carry it. He is not as well handicapped as when Sanctuaire won it but good enough to win off his mark. WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER PH: Village Vic will probably run but he wouldn’t be as good as Cheltenian who won it last year. He is going the right way. NW: Horatio Hornblower will be entered and if he is full of himself and looks well in his coast I would go for it. If he can improve a 3-4 lengths then we are in the mix but he would need good-to-soft or slower to run. PB: Sword Of Honour is interesting for pat Flynn who has had a winner and second in this race before. He is ex Aidan O’Brien and an interesting outsider if he runs.
Continued . . . . . JEWSON NOVICES’ CHASE PN: The plan is to run Cristal Bonus in the Pendil and then this race if good or softer. He is classy being rated 152 over hurdles. NW: For Non Stop needs everything to go right in his races. Quite a few of these are much of a muchness so he has a chance. PJ: If you split stakes on Sir Des Champs and Cristal Bonus I don’t think you will lose on the race. PERTEMPS FINAL PN: I will run Sonofvic who qualified courtesy of bad weather at Carlisle. DP: Buena Vista will be going for a third win. I was worried after his Kempton run but he showed a lot more spark last time and that run coincided with better ground. He has won this race off 133 and 138 and is 140 this year so it is not impossible and we will probably put a 10lbs claimer on. Whoever rides he will give them a fantastic spin. PH: Voladaor is a proper stayer with a squeak but nothing stronger than that. RYANAIR CHASE DP: Great Endeavour is the Plate but I imagine the owner will want to run here. Everything went wrong with him in the 3m Festival handicap last year and needs to improve to win. 2n5f at Cheltenham is ideal for him. NW: Gauvain is a 2m4f horse but he will go to the race where he has the best chance of picking up some prize money so the race with the smallest field (other option is Champion Chase). PJ: Having not been a great fan if they run Somersby here I am very much warming to his each-way chance as he has the class, is most consistent and cheekpieces could be the making of him. WORLD HURDLE PN: Big Buck’s is not coughing. He wasn’t at his best in the Cleeve and came back a bit quiet but has bloomed since. He worked with Kauto this morning and I am very happy with him. Oscar Whisky could be the hardest opponent he has faced as more pacey and has looked very good over 2m4f and is an unknown over 3m. He could be very good. He’s been hurdling too long now to ever go for the Gold Cup. DP: Big Buck’s is a cert but there is lots of good prize money for Dynaste to chase. Worrying to hear Big Buck’s not at his best last time given he gave us weight an easy beating. PJ: I’ll be betting without Big Buck’s and reckon if he runs Thousand Stars is the e/w value as he is more or the less than same horse as Oscar Whisky over 2m and 2m4f. TRIUMPH HURDLE PN: Ruby will school Dildar on Friday. He has worked and schooled well on Tuesday and there is plenty of improvement to come. He runs in the Adonis and Dodging Bullets runs in the Dovecote. Pearl Swan has the best form so far and I can get him better than last time. All are also in the Supreme so let’s see how Dildar gets on first. PH: Sadlers Risk is a good horse but let’s get over Saturday first. He has a lot to prove has the potential to be very good. He is my best chance of the week. NW: Urbain De Sivola is a jumps bred so our chances are helped a lot if it comes up soft to make this a real stamina test. PJ: Grumeti is so professional that he looks an each-way steal to me at 10/1. GOLD CUP PN: It just astounds me how Kauto Star looks. He did a strong 5f with Big Buck’s and for the first time in a long time he took a long time to pull up. His enthusiasm is unbelievable. He is in as good form now as before Haydock and Kempton. Ruby schools him on Friday. Not having Denman harrying him this year will be in his advantage and I also think there is more pressure on Sam (Waley-Cohen) this year. I don’t think Long Run has trained on. PH: Captain Chris has always jumped to the right but not like that before. Let’s see how we go in the next two weeks, he’s in the Ryanair as well but may not go to Cheltenham. If there was an obvious race on a right handed course he would go there but there isn’t now until Pucnhestown. He’s not looking great in his coat right now. NW: Diamond Harry has had a wind op. That’s the first time I’ve done it mid season and wouldn’t do it again, I’d wait until the summer. PJ: Weird Al e/w for me. Doesn’t have a lot to find with Kauto and Long Run on Haydock form which came too soon after winning the Charlie Hall and has a very good Cheltenham record. AK: I have a feeling that the big two could get beat but prefer Kauto to Long Run. What A Friend is a massive e/w price at 40/1. NAPS Paul Nicholls: Chapoturgeon David Pipe: Alfie Spinner Philip Hobbs: Sadlers Risk Nick Williams: Swincombe Flame e/w Paul Jones: On The Fringe Zoey Bird: Scotsirish
Fantastic news. My regular readers will recall that I made Alfie Spinner one of my best bets re last years Festival but sadly he disappointed in the old Pertemps Final. I haven’t lost faith in the horse though and his recent efforts have been most promising. Plus the step up to 4 miles, as his trainer says, should be just what he needs. As for the booking of SWC that’s first rate as there really is no finer ‘Corinthian’.
Zen - did they not cover the Albert Bartlett at the Exeter preview ? I'd be interested to hear Nicholls thoughts on Rocky Creek....
For those of you in London, there's a preview night at the Claddagh ring in Hendon next Wednesday. Alan King, Noel Chance, Mark johnson (the commentator not the trainer!)and special guest. It's usually pretty good but i can't go as I'm away in brussels for work
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW at Bangor-On-Dee Racecourse Sponsored by Sky Bet Thursday, March 1st After the success of the inaugural preview evening hosted by Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse last year, there was a good turnout again for its second airing with local trainer Donald McCain (DM) the star attraction on the panel which was chaired by Darren Owen. Commentator and broadcaster Stewart Machin (SM) and John Morris (JM), author of Jumping Prospects were also panellists as was Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide author Paul Jones. As the night primarily covered the Grade 1 races and Paul’s views on those were given after the Exeter preview, there is no need to repeat those but we will report on all his views again next week at the Knaresborough Preview where they run through all 27 races. For the latest prices for each race please click on the Sky Bet banners. SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE DM: Agent Archie is possibly more of an Aintree type but if I didn’t have Cinders And Ashes I would be very happy for him to represent me in this race on his own as he has shown enough to warrant running. His owners want to run. Some have questioned Cinders And Ashes’ form but that is the trainer’s fault and not the horse’s. He can only go where I have sent him. I am expecting massive improvement for decent ground, he is twice the specimen of last year, a different horse altogether. Darlan has a huge chance if he has recovered from that bad fall. I’ll be amazed if he has as it looked horrible but they say so and there is no reason to doubt them. SM: The heavy fall for Darlan would still concern me even if he has schooled well since. I spoke to Barry Geraghty for RacingUK and no definitive decision has been made yet on where Simonsig runs. Cinders And Ashes keeps winning despite desperate ground. He is my selection. JM: Galileo’s Choice is a class act from the Flat and there isn’t much jumping from the top of the hill so I seriously respect his chance. Tetlami is the each-way bet, he has a big chance on ratings. ARKLE TROPHY DM: We are getting there with Peddlers Cross but he is not 100% yet. Plan A remains the Arkle until something tells us otherwise. The Jewson is a back-up plan at the moment. We have a couple of schools planned soon. He’ll be coming out of the Queen Mother, I don’t know I put him in it. I was shell shocked when Sprinter Sacre beat him. He clattered the first and was clearly not right for the rest of the race. I was interviewed by Nick Luck afterwards and wanted to sound like a good sport and then got calls from my friends and my wife telling me I was talking sh*t basically. They said he clearly wasn’t right and when I got home and watched it I saw what they meant and he subdued for a few days afterwards. It’s been going the right way since but it’s not perfect. With Sprinter Sacre I would say there is a massive difference between Doncaster and Kempton to Cheltenham but he might be the second coming. SM: What’s value? Not Sprinter Sacre at 5/4 and Cue Card is a bit flaky. If Cue Card sets the gallop the Tizzards say he will then Al Ferof will love it and he strikes me as the best value. JM: Sprinter Sacre jumped a bus every time on his chase debut at Doncaster but shortened up when he needed to on his next start. Not really a great race to have a bet in but I hope Peddlers Cross comes out on top. CHAMPION HURDLE DM: Overturn is in great nick. He galloped here yesterday and the lady who I watched him work with never swears but she did on this occasion. He’s bouncing. He beat Binocular easily in the Fighting Fifth and I thought the Wincanton race he won last time wasn’t up to much. He was a bit flat when second to Grandouet and then we just got greedy running him at Kempton where he never jumped a hurdle. Hurricane Fly beat my best horse last year but nothing is unbeatable. SM: Why won’t Hurricane Fly not win? There is no Peddlers Cross this year. He is far more relaxed according to Mullins and Walsh so why shouldn’t he win? Zarkandar is short enough. Rock On Ruby could be each-way value. You have to think how many think they can beat Hurricane Fly and how many will be ridden to obtain the best possible placing behind him. Rock On Ruby could fit the latter. JM: Oscars Well cost me a fortune with his last flight mistake in the Neptune last year and I would nominate him and Oscars Well as the each-way value. Binocular proved himself again at Wincanton and if he is spot on I would respect him. NEPTUNE INVESTMENTS MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE DM: I’d run Simonsig in this, I don’t think he has the gears for a Supreme. I’d also run Boston Bob here for the fact that I would like to run my best staying novice in this race rather than the Albert Bartlett. SM: Monksland is a big player on decent ground and had his form franked earlier today by Lyreen Legend. Noel Meade has won this race before and he promises to be even better when getting decent ground which he has yet to encounter in Ireland. Sous Les Cieux is half-interesting up in trip. JM: I rate Boston Bob very highly but we don’t know where he runs yet. Monksland is my each-way fancy, he is improving all the time and will love the likely better ground. RSA CHASE DM: I’d always keep a novice to novice races in cases like this so I would run Grands Crus here. If everything goes smoothly then he should win. I see Join Together is officially rated higher though. SM: I didn’t think Grands Crus jumped that great at Cheltenham if I am honest and he got in a bit tight to a few so I don’t fancy taking 6/4. I’m struggling to see why Invictus is twice the price of Bobs Worth. I’m worried Bobs Worth could get taken out of his comfort zone and he is not the biggest either. Invictus for me. JM: I have a good feeling for First Lieutenant. We know he comes up the hill having won here last time and I don’t think he has been fully wound up in his races so far on ground that wouldn’t have been suiting him. QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE DM: I’m a bit luke warm about this race to be honest. I see no reason why Big Zeb should turn last year’s form around with Sizing Europe and there doesn’t appear to be much else. SM: I interviewed Geraghty for RacingUK and of all his big rides his body language was the most negative for Finian’s Rainbow and he commented that he had not come up to expectations this season. No reason why Big Zeb should reverse with Sizing Europe. I can see Kauto Stone running well. He didn’t settle last time and was only beaten 7 lengths by Sizing Europe on his previous run so he is of interest in a without Sizing Europe market. JM: Finian’s Rainbow is a bit of value for me as is Wishfull Thinking as Big Zeb is getting a bit long in the tooth. Sizing Europe was never going to be a three-miler. He is a good two-mile chaser but I am not sure he is a brilliant two-mile chaser. RYANAIR CHASE DM: No strong view. Somersby has finally won a big one and he could easily now win another. SM: I think Somersby is a horse that needs things to drop right for him. Albertas Run is too old and I don’t think Cheltenham suits Riverside Theatre and I am also sceptical about whether his Ascot win was as good as many think. On good ground I think Noble Prince is exceptional and he has not had his ground all season so he is the one for me. JM: I like Roth Dubh each-way who was staying on when third in the Arkle. 25/1 is too big. Jonjo’s are flying so I respect Albertas Run but I am not convinced racing left-handed suits Riverside Theatre. WORLD HURDLE DM: I wasn’t convinced Big Buck’s was as great as everyone was saying until I was down by the last at Aintree last season and I am now one of his biggest fans. It was a monstrous performance that day. He will probably win but I do think that Oscar Whisky will give him the fright of his life and think he is the best horse he will have faced. SM: The best way to beat Big Buck’s might be to sit a length off him and then kick as soon as he hits a flat spot. There is some interest to be had in the without Big Buck’s market. I fancy they could ride Dynaste differently this time and hold onto him this time. I am not sure Oscar Whisky is in the right race. JM: Will Oscar Whisky stay 3m? I can’t see past Big Buck’s. Ruby is aware of that the flat spot is coming and is ready for it. It’s great for racing if he can win it again. Mikael D’Haguenet each-way for me.
Cont . . . . TRIUMPH HURDLE DM: Hollow Tree is a fantastic little horse that has already won a Grade 1. His early season form shouldn’t be knocked and the race in which he was third to Grumeti giving him weight but not Pearl Swan is the best piece of 4yo hurdle form this season. I would look no further than that form. He would have been closer too had Jason not lost his whip. SM: I quite like Sadler’s Risk and didn’t think he was knocked about behind Baby Mix. I really can’t have Baby Mix. There is something quirky about him and he got a great ride at Kempton. The stiffer track will also suit Sadler’s Risk and I think he will reverse form. JM: Darroun could be well backed and is the each-way selection. His Leopardstown win is working out well. I do like ex Aga Khan horses. Grumeti looks best of the British and reminds me of Katchit given his toughness. ALBERT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE DM: I’ve been taking on Brindisi Breeze with no luck this season. All I would say is that ground at Haydock was really bad so beware the form. I had two heavy ground horses run that day and even they couldn’t handle it. Speaking with Gordon Elliott last week he told me that Mount Benbulben was his best chance at Cheltenham. SM: Brindisi Breeze has only run on soft so that would worry me and I don’t think he would be left alone up front at Cheltenham either. I like Rocky Creek as there is plenty more to come and he looks a stout stayer. JM: Boston Bob if the obvious one if he runs here but Lovcen is expected to run well and is each-way value at 20/1. He won a Wincanton handicap very well last time. GOLD CUP DM: Weird Al is very well. In fact, when I got him out for a Grand National media day I thought he looked too well. At Haydock when we were third, Kauto Star was fit to run for his life and we were only 2 lengths behind Long Run but I don’t know how much he needed it. Timmy Murphy was adamant afterwards he was not quite the same horse that won the Charlie Hall and down the back straight said he would have gladly taken third there and then. The ground was not as he would have liked that day but he goes best fresh and it came too soon after Wetherby. The owners want one good crack at the Gold Cup so we decided soon after to go straight to the Gold Cup fresh. If he gets there in form he will run a big race and it is starting to look like he might get his ground. I think Burton Port should have beaten Long Run at Newbury and he is a belting good little horse. SM: We’re in the dark regards Kauto Star following his schooling fall but even if he makes it then it has to be a worry he will be at his best. Long Run is too short and strikes me as vulnerable. I’m not sure which way Burton Port will go after his Newbury return following 16 months off. What A Friend is interesting each-way given his running style. JM: I’m interested in Synchronised who annihilated a good field on ground thought to be dead against him in Ireland. He is a fragile sort though and has had problems since. If he runs, a forgotten horse could be Time For Rupert but the Kauto Star news has thrown me a bit and I really need a rethink. Burton Port each-way at this stage. SHOULDER RACES DM: Charminster will run in the novice handicap chase. He got the fright of his life when running here last time after the likes of Sedgefield and Musselburgh but that has sharpened him up. Bourne goes for the Martin Pipe and the right horses were placed behind him at Ascot last time. Kie runs in the Fred Winter but I’m not sure that Lexi’s Boy will get in now the handicapper has dropped him 5lbs on collateral form which would be annoying. It looks like Tara Royal will have 10st 3lbs in the Grand Annual which is ideal. Richard Harding will ride Cloudy Lane in the Foxhunters’ and he has a right good chance. NAPS DM: Cloudy Lane (Foxhunters’ SM: Noble Prince (Ryanair) JM: Boston Bon (selected novice hurdle)
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL PREVIEW courtesy of the LONDON RACING CLUB, Kensington Forum Hotel Sponsored by Sky Bet Thursday, 1st March The evening was once again chaired by Barry Faulkner who was joined on the panel by Charlie Morlock (Assistant Trainer to Nicky Henderson), Phil Smith(Head of Handicapping), Lee Mottershead (Racing Post Journalist), George Primarolo (Betfred) and the last minute replacement for the injured Mark Johnson, Declan Rix (Irish expert – Attheraces). A very balanced panel were able to attack each race from a variety of angles which made for an interesting evening which commenced with the Championship races, followed by the top Novice Hurdle and Chase contests, before finishing with a round-up of the remaining races. CM – Charlie Morlock PS – Phil Smith LM – Lee Mottershead GP – George Primarolo DR – Declan Rix CHAMPION HURDLE PS: You need a 170+ rated performance to win, so the most likely horse to achieve that is Hurricane Fly but I would definitely look outside the first one in the betting. Binocular achieved his second highest career rating when winning the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton and Zarkandar achieved a mark of (160) in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, but he is going in the right direction and he is bound to come on for the run and will appreciate the fast pace. CM: Binocular thrives on his racing and it was a blessing in disuse when Grandouet was ruled out at Wincanton. We never seriously considered running him until the day before. AP always says a run sharpens him up and he wasn’t fully prepared for his last run as he was 2lb above his usual racing weight. He will come on for that run and will have one good piece of work before the Festival. The wind-op has done him the world of good and AP said he hasn’t had this type of feel from the horse for a long time. Hurricane Fly however still remains the one to beat. LM: I think Hurricane Fly will win the race, but there is no value at 4/6. Binocular is the value bet at 5/1 and he’ll go off a lot shorter on the day. DR: Nothing can beat Hurricane Fly, he came back to life last time out, he’s still only eight and is physically at his peak. The each-way bet for me has to a Thousand Stars at 25/1; this is a silly price as he was 4th in the race last year. GP: There is absolutely no value in Hurricane Fly – He is still a bit fragile and there are always question marks about his well-being. My each-way bet has to be Rock on Ruby at 14/1 as he loves Cheltenham and stays up the hill. Peddlers Cross is also interesting at 25/1 NR NO BET, if he doesn’t turn up you get your money back, if he does he will be nowhere near that price on the day. *GM then offered any takers in the room Evens about Hurricane Fly. CHAMPION CHASE DR: It’s hard to look past Sizing Europe as he will appreciate the forecast good ground and acts on the track making him the one to beat. Big Zeb is a cracking each-way bet to nothing as he will also prefer the better going. CM: We weren’t happy with Finian’s Rainbow earlier in the year and he was a little disappointing but he looks better now than when he went to Ascot. Sizing Europe is a great horse and the one to beat and for me our horse shouts Liverpool at me. LM: Sizing Europe is a very solid hot favourite but I’m not keen at backing him at evens. The bet for me is Kauto Stone NR NO BET at 33/1 – he ran like a lunatic at Ascot and it was no surprise to see him fall in a hole and connections are contemplating a step back in trip. PS: Of the four champions of last year Sizing Europe is the most bomb proof. I can’t see anything better in this year’s race from last year and he’s 11lb ahead of the next best in the ratings, so it surprises me that he’s not odds on. I agree with Lee that Kauto Stone represents good value at 33/1 NR NO BET. GP: Sizing Europe has to win, there is absolutely nothing in the race and the evens is good value. WORLD HURDLE CM: The idea was to test the speed of Big Bucks before we got to Cheltenham but the owner chose not to. I can’t see him getting past Big Bucks as I don’t think he will outstay him. It’s been a weak division dominated by Big Bucks and I wouldn’t be backing Oscar Whiskey. The plan is to drop him in and try and do Big Bucks for toe, he’s very relaxed in his races so this won’t be a problem. PS: We don’t know if Big Bucks is as good as he has been before because he simply hasn’t been tested, so we are unsure where he is at. Dynaste at 14/1 is the each-way bet in the race as he’s the only horse to have gotten near to Big Buck’s this season. GP: It’s not a betting race so put your feet up, watch the race and enjoy it, Big Bucks will win. LM: For just a few strides at both at Ascot and Cheltenham this season Ruby has begun to get anxious but he stays better than any other horse. Oscar Whiskey and Thousand Stars are the opposition as they have the speed to beat him but will they stay? Out of the two I think Thousand Stars will as he always finishes his races well and could cause an upset at 10/1 NR NO BET. DR: Big Buck’s is the best horse in training for me but I’m going for Mourad. He’s been there and done it by placing in the race and was back to his best in beating Mikael D’Haguenet last time out. GOLD CUP LM: The statement released by Paul Nicholls was very negative and it sounds likely that he won’t run. Long Run is now the one to beat, he’s lacked the WOW factor this year but he didn’t jump at Haydock, laboured at Kempton, before travelling better at Newbury without overly impressing. Burton Port has come back a completely different horse but all the value has now gone and Synchronised could be interesting if it rains. CM: We were really excited about Burton Port before his run in the Denman Chase, but we didn’t want to give him a tough race after such as long lay-off. He came back and seemed a lot faster and his work was exceptional but I wouldn’t be confident he could replicate this again so soon. We can’t put our finger on why Long Run hasn’t been as spectacular this year, however he was probably dossing in front at Newbury, his work has been good but not sparkling but he is still the one to beat for me. GP: Diamond Harry’s had a wind-op and although he never seems to find anything he travels so well in his races, so if the operation has worked 33/1 could be great each-way value. PS: Long Run was idling in front at Newbury and it was an ideal prep run. He improved 3lb from his prep run last year and I expect him to do the same again this year, which will make him the horse to beat. Midnight Chase has won round Cheltenham and I fancy him to make the places. SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE LM: Prospect Wells looks very interesting, he has shown loads of speed and he shouldn’t have run in the Tolworth and the race wasn’t run to suit in the Ladbroke. He is crying out for a stiff 2m test on good ground and shouldn’t be 25/1. CM: I’m not sure Simonsig will go for this race, there’s a big chance he will go for the Neptune. AP was very complimentary about Darlan after he fell at Newbury. He has schooled well since then and is in great form. He has experience in large fields and in races run at a true gallop, AP also says he will take all the beating. Don’t ignore Tetlami who is a very good horse and deserves his place but if I had to choose I would side with Darlan. I also like Donald McCain’s horse Cinders and Ashes – he’s a very tough horse. DR: Midnight Game is the pick of the Irish runners for me – He is a son of Montjeu and I know Willie Mullins is very sweet on him and he will love good ground. I also like Tetlami who has won at the track and jumps well and there is plenty of value at 16/1. PS: I also like Tetlami as he has won his previous race and his form is rock solid. The 2nd and 3rd horses in the race he won at Sandown both won next time out and the 2nd horse in the race he won at Kempton also won next time. NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES’ HURDLE GP: This isn’t a race for big prices with the winner normally coming from the first four in the betting. I like Boston Bob but it will be between him and Simonsig. DR: Aupcharlie is interesting in this race, he was 3rd behind Cheltenian in last year’s bumper and he’s 50/1 and trust me he won’t be 50/1 if he lines up here. CM: It is likely Simonsig will go for this race, although that isn’t gospel. He’s got bigger and stronger all year; he’s very pacy but stays really well. He emptied slightly up the run-in at Sandown but he was found not to be himself afterwards but we gave him a break a freshened him up before Kelso. I do also like Sous Les Cieux and I would rather back him at 12/1 than Simonsig at 3/1. TRIUMPH HURDLE LM: Saddler’s Risk is the one for me despite his defeat at Newbury. I know the Hobbs team are really keen on him and I think the stamina test provided on the new course at Cheltenham will suit him much better and 10/1 looks good value. PS: Baby Mix is the top rated here but he looks more of an Aintree horse. Ranjaan interests me as he has been running in competitive handicaps, his form has been franked by Third Intention (Won the National Spirit Hurdle) and he is a horse going in the right direction. ALBERTT BARTLETT NOVICES’ HURDLE DR: Charles Byrne really like Sea of Thunder and trust me there is no shrewder man than him. GP/PS: If Boston Bob turns up he wins. CM: We don’t have anything that slow.
Cont . . . ARKLE CM: Sprinter Sacre is an absolute monster of a horse. He was a weak sort this time last year but now he’s strengthened up I can’t see anything beating him. Ignore people who say he won’t come up the hill, he is a very special horse and he will hopefully be around for many years as he is the ultimate 2m chaser. LM: Sprinter Sacre looks something out of the ordinary and I’d be disappointed not surprised if he didn’t win. PS: Even if Peddlers Cross turns up here he has no chance of winning, his 2m chase form doesn’t read well at all. Al Ferof has very solid form running against older horses when 3rd in the Victor Chandler, but I still think Sprinter Sacre will win and we rate him 9lb superior to both Al Ferof and Peddlers Cross. DR: Sprinter Sacre is a serious, serious horse and he definitely come up the hill and should win. I will however be having a decent each-way to nothing bet on Al Ferof. RSA CHASE PS: Grands Crus is the most likely winner but why haven’t we seen him in this calendar year? My alternative is Invictus who has really good form and the further he goes the better. He stays really well and he is certain to get home. CM: Bobs Worth comes alive at Cheltenham and he’s come on for his last run and he can run a very big race. I also really like Invictus – he has the pace and the gears but also stays real well. I still think Grands Crus is the one to beat but Bobs Worth can serve it up to him. LM: Bobs Worth is fantastic around Cheltenham and is 3-3 at the course. Even if Grands Crus does run I’d still be tempted to go with Bobs Worth. NATIONAL HUNT CHALLENGE CUP PS: Up the Beat interests me as he was second to Portrait King who went on to win the Eider chase last weekend. He was giving that horse 17lb that day and he is absolutely going to win some nice races in the future. RYANAIR CHASE LM: Rubi Light is the one for me, he was 3rd in the race last year but looked really raw and what I have seen of him this year he looks like he will be a better horse, however a bit of rain wouldn’t go a miss. DR: Rubi Light is the most talented horse in the race but the quick ground would worry me so my selection is Forpadydeplaster who is a massive price at 40/1. GP: Noble Prince has been campaigned for this race and I am expecting a big run. Also don’t rule out Medermit, however he could run in the Gold Cup. CORAL CUP DR: My best bet is Dare Me trained by Philip Hobbs as he is looks very well handicapped. He ran well in the bumper here behind Cue Card and was then fancied for the Supreme but missed that through injury. He is a class horse and off 10st 4lb 25/1 is a massive price. CENTENARY NOVICES CHASE CM: Nicky was asked the other night which horse he thought was his best chance of a winner and he named Triolo D A Lene. He steps up in trip to 3m and will love the good ground and we have deliberately not run him and 7/1 looks a good price. FOXHUNTER CHASE GP: The Point-to-Point crew are very keen on My Flora and Monkerty Tunkerty. Chapoturgeon will not stay up the hill. DR: Donald McCain says his best chance of a winner is Cloudy Lane. CHAMPION BUMPER GP: I was very impressed with John Ferguson’s New Year’s Eve at Market Rasen last time and I think he will run a big race. DR: Moscow Manion is the best Irish trained representative in the race.
Top write up Zen I really enjoy reading these reports from preview nights. All information is good and it's up to us to take what we like out of them.
Woodlands hotel Waterford Panel: John Francome, Mike Cattermole, Jim McGrath , Jessica Harrington, Henry de Bromhead, Davy Russell, Noel OBrien, Tom Segal, Hayley O'Connor, MC Brian Gleeson Absent Nick Luck & Ted Walsh who didn't make it due to Josh Giffords memorial service A good humoured and entertaining evening in front of a packed house. As usual Francome and Russell were the star performers. Supreme NH JF: Tetlami JH: Confident of Steps of freedoms chances TS: Midnight game DR: Trifolium "Best novice in Ireland " HDB: Prospect Wells ew MC: Cinders and Ashes JM: Gallileo's choice Arkle JF: Sprinter Sacre JH: Sprinter Sacre"Machine" TS: Sprinter Sacre/Menorah ew DR: Sprinter Sacre"Unbeatable " Bog warrior wont travel unless soft ground HDB: Al Ferof MC: Sprinter Sacre JM: Sprinter Sacre Champion Hurdle JF: Binocular JH: Hurricane Fly/ Oscars Well ew TS: Hurricane Fly DR: Hurricane Fly HDB: Hurricane Fly MC: Hurricane Fly/ Overturn ew NOB: Hurricane Fly JM: Hurricane Fly Neptune HDB: Monksland TS: Battonier/Boston bob if he runs DR: "Boston Bob wont run and if he does wont win this. Make your mark not good enough. Mount Benbulben will win if he runs in this" NOB: Boston bob RSA DR: First Lieutenant/Sir de Champs JM: Grands Crus/First Lieutenant TS: Grands Crus will go for gold- First Lieutenant/Bobsworth Queen Mother: Entire Panel went for Sizing Europe. Tom Segal rates him a 1/3 shot HDB reported all is well with horse Bumper TS: Village Vic DR: Will be an English trained winner, likes Royal Guardsman JM: New years eve JH: Jetski if all goes well when it runs this weekend Ryanair: JF: Albertas run JH: Rudi Light/Albertas run TS: Medermit if runs/Noble Prince DR: Noble Prince HOC: Noble Prince MC: Rudi Light/Noble Prince JM: Noble Prince World Hurdle: JF: Big bucks/ Mourad w/o JH: Voler la vedette w/o TS:Big bucks/ Carlito Brigante w/o DR: Big bucks/ Thousand stars w/o NOB: "Big bucks might be beaten" MC: Oscar Whiskey JM: Big bucks Triumph Hurdle: TS &JM: Shadow Catcher rest of panel thought race is wide open Albert B JF: Rocky Creek/Brindisi Breeze JM: Rocky Creek DR: Brindisi Breeze JH: Sea Of Thunder NOB: Ballyrock TS: Mount Benbulben Gold Cup JF, JM, NOB & MC - Long Run DR & TS - Midnight Chase HOC- Burton Port Handicaps JM- Prospect Wells - County Hurdle, Quantitativeeasing- NHunt chase (Think they mean the JLT?!) Cape Dutch - Coral cup JH- Citizenship - County or Martin Pipe if it doesn't get in County TS- Citizenship - County Sonofvic - Pertemps MC- Bless The Wings- Novice h/cap or Byrne Group Vendor- Fred Winter Snap Tie - County Hurdle NOB- Scotsirish cross country- Davy says it wont stay 3m7f in a horse box DR: Toner Doudaries Coral cup, Magnaminity ??, Going Wrong novice h/cap JF: Tenor Nivernais ??, All the Kings horses ?? Charity bets MC 50ew Snap Tie JF 100w Sizing Europe TS 100w Sizing Europe DR 100w Noble Prince JM 50w Each Shadow Catcher & Quantitative Easing HOC 50ew Zarkander JH 50ew Steps of freedom NOB 100w Sizing Europe BG 100double Sprinter Sacre/Sizing Europe Other Notes: David Pipe was also on telephone No decision yet on Grands Crus Gave Salut Flo and Our Father as his best chances in handicaps. Race plans not finalised yet.
