In the interest of honesty and fairness, at my own expense, it will be admitted that the third day of the Cheltenham Festival has always been my toughest day with regard to garnering winners, but, after ‘saver’ bets on Captain Guinness and Langer Dan saved the satchel, we go again.
1.30 – GOLDEN MILLER NOVICE CHASE (2M, 4F)
On both pedigree and profile, Facile Vega hardly needs any further endorsement but – unpopular opinion incoming – since winning the Champion Bumper, the Willie Mullins inmate hasn’t really kicked on to expected levels, and at the general 15/8 available I’d gladly pass. Ginny’s Destiny comes into the Festival on a good run of form but, like those from Seven Barrows, the Nicholls horses just don’t appear to be firing at full tilt.
Iroko was a hugely impressive winner of a novice race in November at Warwick and had GREY DAWNING four lengths behind that day, but the winner was in receipt of four pounds from the Skelton horse back then. Off level weights and with the yard’s horses coming to a boil nicely at exactly the right time, that result can be reversed.
2.10 – PERTEMPS NETWORKS SERIES FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE (3M)
‘Minefield’ is the first word that comes to mind with a race like this. Be thankful the bookies will be paying out on five or maybe six places. Because if ever there was a race for throwing a dart at the paper and punt wherever it lands this is it. Somewhat unbelievably, Willie Mullins has, according to Racing TV, never won a Cheltenham Festival handicap, well, Icare Allen might have a right rattle at editing that oddity.
If Paul Nicholls’ string were in any sort of form and the horse himself wasn’t such an enigma, Monmiral would look to be thrown in, but if my aunt was kitted out differently she’d be my uncle. Gordon Elliott has made no secret of the fact that his heaviest artillery would be unleashed on the Thursday and his Cleatus Poolaw could be an absolute blot on the handicap. Similar sentiments could be applied to the Twiston-Davies representative Cuthbert Dibble and there are few better teams at ‘keeping’ one for the big week.
However, for once one is going to let the heart rule the head. Sometimes in racing it’s what’s not said that’s the easiest to read. Such as Derek O’Connor riding GAOITH CHUIL in whatever bumpers he contested was sign enough that Micheal D. Ryan’s animal was fairly highly regarded, and since then the steed carrying the familiar Al Eile silks has struck up a fine partnership with jockey Shane O’Callaghan.
Katie Walsh’s husband Ross O’Sullivan rattled the crossbar on the first day in the Juvenile hurdle and father Ted can do that at least here.
2.50 – FESTIVAL TROPHY CHASE (2M, 4F)
If back-class was to count for anything here, Envoi Allen could win this with a leg tied up. And, with camp De Bromhead sparking as they have been in recent days it couldn’t be ruled out.
Owing to my involvement with Owners Group Racing, a particular interest will of course be taken in previous Festival winner Stage Star, but the caveat relating to the Nicholls horses still applies.
Of course, it goes without saying that both Conflated and Protektorat bring gleaming CV’s, but, going back to the notion of horses being aimed at specific targets, BANBRIDGE has been largely working away under the radar and building quite the back catalogue along the way.
Owner Ronnie Bartlett – the man behind the Rooster spud – has already been in the number one slot with the mesmeric Ballyburn, but, having failed to take my own advice relating to punting on anything Joseph O’Brien runs over jumps, I’m not about to make the same mistake twice.
3.30 – PADDY POWER STAYERS HURDLE (3M)
There are a clatter of what you might call forgotten greats herein. Including the remarkable Sire Du Berlais who, although on paper has very litte going for him, can never be ruled out around here.
Noble Yeats can’t ruled out of anything at the minute given the form of both horse and trainer presently. That said, in view of the fact the Aintree National will presumably be a target, he’s unlikely to get a hard race unless he’s bang there turning in.
Paisley Park fans would of course love to see the romantic ending for Emma Lavelle and inspirational owner Andrew Gemmell and, while I’d be hesitant to say he could win it, it’s not difficult to envisage him being in there pitching going to the last.
Sir Gerhard, Flooring Porter and Asterion Forlonge were all thought to be Galacticos at different stages, but while there might be a view that they have diminished considerably, it is not farfetched to envisage of or all three playing big roles here.
Having said that, this race has a habit of throwing up repeat winners from Baracouda to Inglis Drever, to Big Buck’s and the aforementioned duo of Paisley Park and Flooring Porter.
Now, however, is the time of TEAHUPOO. It’s not difficult to wonder w he might have fared in the showpiece two mile hurdle event or indeed had connections given chasing a whirl.
Still, as much as I had a difference of opinion with David Jennings of the Racing Post to the effect of me being p****d off Constitution Hill wasn’t going over fences, to quote the late, great Brian Lenehan Snr, on mature recollection, ‘If it aint broke, don’t fix it’ isn’t a bad mantra!
4.10 – PLATE HANDICAP CHASE (2M, 4F)
Theatre Man could be just the horse to hoist an unheralded trainer like Richard Bandey into the bigtime and Harry Cobden is an eye catching jockey booking. The Elliott-trained pair, Saint Felician and Riann have contrasting profiles but neither would be a shock victor if it was to come to pass.
However, who can resist a bit of ‘Arry Redknapp? While it’s unlikely he’ll get his beloved Nico Kranjcar to lead the charge, SHAKE EM UP ‘ARRY is taken to do exactly that on his behalf!
4.50 – RYANAIR MARES NOVICE HURDLE (2M, 1F)
When somebody with the alacrity and experience of churning out Festival winners as has Gordon Elliott proclaims Brighterdaysahead to be potentially the “Best (he’s) ever trained” one is inclined to take particular notice. Especially when the great Summerhill man is usually self depreciating and humble about his charges.
Mind you, the Mullins camp are unlikely to put you off the chances of Jade De Grugy either. Being out of a half sister to the classy Sire De Grugy and, having witnessed her latest effort first hand in Fairyhouse, it can be attested she certainly won’t lack for the stamina which is a prerequisite of attempting anything at Cheltenham. Even without the arduous ground.
It’s not a race I’ll be having a bet in out of an inability to split the top two in the betting, however, for a bit of value, a small EW flutter on BIRDIE OR BUST would do nicely.
5.30 – FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR HANDICAP CHASE (3M, 2F)
It would be impossible not to notice how effuse the great Derek O’Connor has been about his book of rides this week, and INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN can be another endorsement of why. The selection was down the field in a Leopardstown handicap latest but that was over a much shorter trip. Grade One placed at Christmas (Splitting GAELIC WARRIOR and IL ETAIT TEMPS) and has thus achieved more than those he’ll face here.
Where It All Began, Angel’s Dawn and Amirite can collect place money.
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