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| The opposite of what we want to see at Cheltenham on Saturday!! |
Well we are really struggling with this cold snap at the minute aren't we! At the moment Cheltenham are 'hopeful' of staging their 2 day International meeting this weekend so let's keep our fingers well and truly crossed or withdrawal symptoms will really start to take their toll on us National Hunt fans!
Talking of Cheltenham one of my good friends, Duncan, popped his Cheltenham cherry at the Paddy Power meeting and was good enough to keep a diary of his 3 days at the track to share with myself and the NTF massive (that would be you guys!)
What makes Duncan trip to the Paddy Power meeting even more special is that it was a surprise birthday present from his wife!! Wow! I'm hoping Mrs NTF is taking note of this amazing gesture from wife to husband (hint, hint... on the off chance my missus is reading this!!)
Duncan is a pretty shrewd judge of all things National Hunt so I was thrilled when I opened my email to find this gem nestling in the inbox.
Over to Dunc's.....
Coming back down to earth after an incredible 3 days in Cheltenham.
The place is amazing much bigger than I expected and with Cleeve Hill in the background it really does enhance its look. The hill is incredible and TV just does not do it justice.
Here is my review for the meeting.
Day 1 - Friday
I arrived around 15 mins before the start and was like a little kid on Xmas eve. I was in total awe of the place. My mind was made up - Earth Planet & Knowhere....
Race 1
Strange race in that Swing Bill looked the likely winner during the race. Earth Planet travelled ok, lost place and stayed on again and the same could be said with Knowhere. Rustarix not in my radar and therefore no real complaints. AK said it was in need of the run in his comments in the RP beforehand, clearly a smokescreen. That said both he and Hobbs horses running better this season compared to last.
Race 2
Likely to be the talking horse this season and rightly so. Cue Card travelled like a dream and hosed up. Take nothing away from the 2nd horse Dunraven Storm jumped and travelled ok but not in the same league. All systems lead to the Supreme in my opinion for the winner. The magic sign looking to take him on at 3s and go the biggest price. Whilst he is around 16s for the champion. Time is on his side for the big one and hope connections see sense and go down the novice route. Got vibe from the course the 3rd Ballyadam Brook would run well and did an ew bet on him but to be fair he rang well not in the same league as the other 2. In my opinion all 3 will win races this season.
I had a discussion on the train journey down on sky bets 11/4 for the beast by 6 lengths or more was value. Gutted I forgot about this when I reached the course until my cousin piped it up mid race! Oops.
Dunraven Storm is available at 20s with SJ for the Neptune which is a fair price as I reckon he will be stepped up in trip now.
Race 3
The pricewise gamble was well and truly landed here as Dave's Dream scooted up. Personally I backed Quito De Tresor here travelled and jumped well enough early doors but weakened alarmingly later in the race. Had this down as potential dark horse here but it did not workout. Also had a saver on Safari Journey who ran well before the weight burden kicked in.
Race 4
The Cross Country race I watched from the Centaur Hall as the weather was wet and a much needed refreshment was needed. I can never get this race right as ever it favours fancied horses Spot the Difference Garde Champetres spring to mind. As usual I always take a price in this race and as ever it is out with the wash. This time it was Flintoff which I thought was a decent price and the going certainly softer than advertised. I was going to back Sizing Australia but kept thinking it should have been a better price and for much of the race I thought I made a mistake. Fair play to both the winner Lacdoudal and Garde Champetre they both ran to the line which was an epic battle.
Race 5
The mover of the day - Aegean Dawn. On the journey down the beast was backed from 3s to around 6/4. Saw a guy put £2k on in the ring, 15 mins before the off. One tic tac asked his sidekick next door £1500 at 7/4 which he obliged. Finally some smug punter nearby suited and booted said to his mate he had £1k at 13/8 with a smile like the Mersey. Personally a small time punter, I don't get involved with these types at the prices. Bolted up and will go in again at short odds soon no doubt. I backed Max Bygraves and Chance Du Roy both ran ok.
Race 6
A cracking select field which would not look out of place in March. I fancied both Reve De Siviola and Time For Rupert, my cousin is a Mr Thriller fan. Time for Rupert was very weak and touched 4s giving he was around 7/4 the night before this put me off the horse and the rest is history. I assume now this horse is fav for the RSA and rightly so; stayed on very well.
Day2 - Saturday
Race 1
Off the mark in style with Sam Winner. What an imposing animal this is, gonna make some chaser long term. Pulverised the field and a few hype horse in the process, Still green and talking the longer way better ground as well. This along with Grands Crus are the 2 horses I will take out of the 3 days. Now 7s for the Triumph Hurdle. I want to back this horse now but as it’s so early in the season and many other decent types to come out I hope I do not regret this decision. In my opinion this horse could be the real deal. My cousin was also on the beast so a great way to start.
Race 2
Still on a high after the opener. I was fairly confident of a big run from Chicago Grey took the 11/2 and my cousin was on Berties Dream which I thought was the danger. In my opinion an unlucky loser when fell in the lead. The horse fiddled a few and lost a few lengths in the process but kept coming back on the bit at the business end. The jockey on the winner Wayward Prince said he would have won. Perhaps I am talking thru my pocket but I am convinced Chicago would have won. Jump racing for you.
Race 3
Thank goodness for the morning line. When I looked at this race on the Friday night I was gonna back both Lead On (a horse I have always liked) and Ballyfitz (a rogue). After watching the morning line and watching its previous race Midnight Chase became my main bet and Ballyfitz the saver. It’s not often a horse leads a distance race from start to finish at Cheltenham but this horse jumped brilliantly for a deserved win (a future Aintree winner?)
Race 4
The big race. The main bet was always to be Great Endeavour and the saver was Sunnyhillboy who was very weak in the betting all week. GE travelled well enough but faded and Sunnyhillboy did not really show. I am not much of layer nowadays but must admit Long Run would have been the lay of the meeting for me. I don't get the hype about this horse I just don't think it jumps well enough and Cheltenham is not his track. Maybe that is down to the jockey who does not present the horse at a fence. After watching the re-run in the pub afterwards I just thought Sam assumed he was going to win. The winner Little Josh led from start to finish and jumped like a stag all the way for a deserved victory. This horse went under the radar as far as I am concerned but giving the trainers record in the race 20/1 was a very big price.
Race 5
My 3rd winner of the day. My sole bet in the race Cross Kennon in my eyes was always gonna win here. Would have like to see what it traded in running as it lost its place before the bend into the straight. THE BEST PIECE OF INFO I CAN GIVE OVER THE 3 DAYS THE GOING WAS SLOWER THAN DECLARED. IN MY OPINION I RECKON HORSES WERE GOING AROUND 2F FURTHER. BUT FOR THE CONDITIONS SOME RESULTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT.
Race 6
I backed both Ballybriggan and Robain. The first named ran a good race and is one to follow. Had a rough ride on the outer and come off worse in the long straight. Not Dougie Costello's finest hour and had he rode the race differently I believe he may have won this race; one to keep on the right side.
Day 3 - Sunday
Race 1
A small but select field for this Arkle trial. Ghizao jumped superbly and won here with ease and beat some nice types. I backed Loosen My Load who lost out for 2nd on the line. Kilmurry was the big disappointment who beat the winner easily fto and was well backed. The going was the reason giving by connections for the poor run. Paul Nicholls was quoted that Ghizao was badly in need of his 1st run when he went off a short price fav. The winner is 12s for the big one come March and Kilmurry 33s. With both Celestial Halo and Royal Charm in the camp who is the no1?
Race 2
Another small but select field here. Tataniano and Forpady were both uneasy in the market, presumably cos of the going. Personally I backed Forpady in a double. Tataniano needs quicker ground which he may get come March. Forpady will also improve but keeps finding one too good. Gauvain like Ghizao travelled and jumped superbly and won well. I am finding the opening race as well as this race difficult to weigh up. If we take the form literally both Gauvain 14s and Ghizao are huge prices at the minute for the festival.
Race 3
The big race, like the 2 races before, is difficult to weigh up. Menorah handles the hustle and bustle of the Supreme. Great weight carrying performance in softer conditions, took wider route and stayed up the hill; all the attributes of a champion hurdle winner. However, I can't help but feel it only beat Bothy, Manyriverstocross who I backed and never really threatened, Any Given Day who I also backed never got in a blow, Olofi who rang well fto and Get Me Out of Here who disappointed. I am on the fence here and at 8s do I really think it could be a champion? Too many ifs for me just now and wanna see more.
Race 4
Grands Crus was a decisive winner here which I backed along with the 2nd Non Stop. Form looks solid. Grands Crus could be called winner some way out. Looks a real stayer who looks well handicapped and a step up in trip likely. The horse reminds me of Iris's Gift but whether he will be as good is another matter but a horse to keep on the right side as chasing will be his game. (Surprised he was out so soon but won well again the following Sat). A typical Pipe route. Just hope they don't go OTT too soon. Don't want to bottom him out quickly. Did not think it was a very good ride on Saturday by Scu cos he rushed him into the race and his jumping went to pieces a bit albeit he won like a well in horse.
Race 5
I backed Final Day here who travelled well but found nothing at the business end. Champion Court could be a nice horse and is one to keep on the right side.
Race 6
Traditionally a good race with lots of well-known trainers in the race. I had a strong fancy for Kartanian but to be frank he did not have the pace to beat the aptly name Rock On Ruby who could be called the winner well out. If Ruby had been here and on board I am sure the saver bet of 100/30 would not have happened as it would have probably been 6/4.
A great 3 days racing which I hope to do again next year.
As I mentioned earlier the ground was certainly softer than advertised over the 3 days. So a word of warning for any ante post punts.
If Duncan's wife lets him off the leash again I will be looking to appoint him as the NTF roving reporter! I won't need to pay him as I'm sure he will do it for the love of the job ;)
Ben (NTF)
