Last year’s Pertemps Network Final provided arguably the most thrilling finish of the whole Cheltenham Festival- with Philip Hobbs’ Fingal Bay just holding off the determined challenge of Paul Nicholls’ Southfield Theatre. However, what’s interesting is what went on just behind the two principals.... Trustan Times- having had a prep. race over the sticks- stayed on really strongly and was only a neck behind Southfield Theatre at the post. Pineau De Re- later triumphant in the Grand National – had eight horses in front of him as he approached the last. He then made his way onto the rails, only to clip the last flight and land on all fours. Finishing stronger than anything, he was only a neck behind Trustan Times at the line. Back in fifth- and receiving weight- was the good Irish stayer, Jetson. You’d have to say that Pineau De Re could have been unlucky. A good jump at the last may have seen him home. Interestingly, both horses have the same preparation as last year- having contested chases before the Festival. Trustan Times has a 5lbs weight pull this time, but the anticipated tearaway tactics of recent dual scorer, Bygones Sovereign, may offset this advantage in favour of Pineau De Re’s limitless stamina. Either way, I see both horses having a great chance and, given their recent low profile (causing a drop in their weights), their task looks a little easier than last year. Both can be backed at 25/1, but prices could be better on the day. Needless to say, it’s not a two horse race, but perhaps other members could offer their opinions and fancies.
If he gets in I like Tony Martin's Edeymi Tam - very tenderly ridden in the Musselburgh qualifier and has been knocking on the door at recent festivals. I also wouldn't rule out Sybarite, who won the Cheltenham qualifier earlier in the season and finished 3 lengths 4th over C&D in a class 2 on new year's day. Those would be my 2 against the field. Edeymi represents little value as 9/1 second fav but you can get 25s on Sybarite which seems reasonable. Alaivan is another one at a price who must go well, ran a cracker in the recent qualifier at Exeter and is weighted to take revenge on Regal Encore.
I have hyperlinked this from the festival mega thread so it will become our stand-alone thread for the Pertemps
I don't think we have seen the best of CLOSING CEREMONY yet. Highly progressive animal and I really hope Richie McLernon is able to take the ride as he seems to really get on with him.
Surely Regal Encore the cliff horse is not a bad bet 10/1 ew the classiest horse in the field he finally won so could go on a bit of run or over the cliff again
