Hello, again team. Won't go full scale review (I'm sure there will be time for that later on) but in short I thought Constitution Hill and Edwardstone (unquestionably now monikered 'The Wiltshire Warrior') were awesome on Tuesday. On Wednesday it was an utter priviledge to see Shiskin, Chacun Pour Soi and Tiger Roll in the flesh - yes they all got beat but what legends of our sport. Sir Gerhard was awesome in the Ballymore, oh if only Ahoy Senor can brush up on his leaping - what a prospect he, potentially, is for next term. And that Bumper is going to provide a wodge of Grade 1 winning novice hurdlers re 2022/23. On Thursday Galopin Des Champs turned elation into despair in a millisecomd, Klassical Dream came to win his race and then found absolutely nothing and Dinoblue failed to justify the hype. The positives though were Allaho being on a different planet to his rivals and Lieutenant Henderson having 2 huge priced places. Oh and must mention Melon. What an absolutely wonderful old stick. He looked amazing. Fab-u-luss!
Anyway, I'll stop waffling. As for today??? Well he's what I'm predicting.
1.30 Was so taken by the performance of PIED PIPER in the 'Triumph Trial', over course and distance, back in January and a repeat of that effort will surely, in my opinion, make him very hard to beat in the Triumph itself. Pied Piper travelled so effortlessly that day and won in a canter. And in the process marked himself down as an amazing prospect. Think he is very good, people.
2.10 Nicky Henderson 0/16 in this race these past 10 years. However, I take him to end that losing sequence with my old fave, BROOMFIELD BURG. I'd advise each-way, team. He's already a 3 time winner this term but I think a mark of 134 greatly underestimates this one. Broomfield Burg's main negative seems to be that, at times, he races far too keenly and that certainly was the case last time out, when favourite, for the Betfair Hurdle. Found absolutely nothing from the last (and faded into 7th) because of this earlier keenness. If he can adequately settle in the County Hurdle I really think he will go close at a big price.
2.50 There has to be a case for this race being the most difficult of the entire Festival - 7 out of the last 8 winners were returned at double figure prices (including two at 33/1 and a 50/1 shot). I think you are guessing, big time, re the actual merits of a lot of these so I'll plump for a horse with proven Grade 1 form to his name, GINTO. He won't be a double figure price but is the horse in the contest with easily the best form and Ginto has indicated that he looks Classy with a capital 'C'.
3.30 If Santini wins then the roof will be raised at Cheltenham, the forum will explode and I'll be delirious. Good luck, old boy. Doubt he will win though, crew. Haven't got the strongest opinions re this years CGC but I do think the most likely winner is A PLUS TARD. The 8YO son of Kapgarde was beaten over Christmas but his earlier performance in the Betfair Chase, I think, was the standout staying performance of the term thus far over the big 'uns. A repeat of that and A Plus Tard really should be improving on his runners-up placing in this race last season.
4.10 BILLAWAY was 2nd in this event in '20 and '21 and I'd take him to win this event at the 3rd attempt. Looks a bit of a standout in the contest I'd say.
4.50 Just 8 mares go to post here and for me MOUNT IDA is the most likely winner. The old girl won at the meet, last term, and I'll predict more of the same here.
5.30 The deadly stat re this race is that in the past 5 season 60 horses, prior to running in this race, have competed in a handicap. All 60 were beaten, I say beaten. CHEMICAL ENERGY comes here via a Fairyhouse novice hurdle and a mark of 137 appears more than fair. A dual winner in bumpers and 2/3 thus far over hurdles I'd expect a very big show from CHEMICAL ENERGY in the concluding contest, the lucky last, the Cheltenham closer, the Festival finale.
Good luck all.
