Twas the night before Chris… Cheltenham, and all through the house, not an iota was stirring, save the click of the mouse. No certainties in Gloucester, neither cash nor romance. Now lets wrack our brains and see what might have a chance.
1.20: MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN SUPREME NOVICE HURDLE
The first act in the greatest sporting week of the year. Always greeted by a massive roar, but, this year will also be flooded with tears as it commemorates a fallen hero who had the highest point in his tragically short career when Marine Nationale skated home for his erstwhile employer Barry Connell, and, though a mob-handed Willie Mullins could quite easily take it with any of Kopek Des Bordes, Irancy, Salvator Mundi or Karbau, while last year’s Champion Bumper runner up Romeo Coolio could go damn close for Gordon Elliott, but, taking everything into account – not least the formbook – a few quid each way on Connell’s WILLIAM MUNNY will do for me on this most poignant of days.
2.00: ARKLE CHALLENGE TROPHY CHASE
Like a certain other race on the same card, there was a temptation to say that analysis of this race can begin and end with MAJBOROUGH but any race at the Cheltenham Festival can’t be that simply deciphered, can it?
Leau Du Sud brings a sparkling record to the table and would indeed be a poignantly fitting victor as he was owned in partnership by Sir Alex Ferguson and the late John Hales, his daughter Lisa and others.
One is loathed to rule out any Nicky Henderson-trained runner around Prestbury Park and, this leads to the inclination that Jango Baie will absolutely be on the premises at the business end. However, sticking to a modicum of advice one of my racing entourage in years, I’m going to stick to the first horse that went into the mental database last autumn in the bold font above.
2.40: ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE
The first minefield of the week. Thank God most if not all of the bookies will likely be paying up to and including sixth place. A race Irish horses have struggled in, so it might pay to briefly park the patriotism.
Katate Dori has been a flagship horse for Welsh trainer Sam Thomas and his young Irish jockey Dylan Johnstone, while Nigel Twiston-Davies is known to lay out one for such contests. Thus his Broadway Boy merits serious respect.
Show And Go probably rates as the best of the Irish, but jumping concerns would preclude me from wading in too heavily. So my inclination would be a small each way play on VICTORRINO at a price.
3.20: CLOSE BROTHERS MARES HURDLE
The presence of LOSSIEMOUTH in the field for this contest has quite the stir. Firstly because of idiotic cohort accusing Willie Mullins of running scared of Constitution Hill (utter bullshit) and secondly because it should make the Mares race a penalty kick for Rich Ricci’s star.
I think she’ll win it, ultimately, but not before stable mate Jade De Grugy gives her plenty to think about. Elsewhere, the Henderson-McManus axis can never be discounted, hence Joyeuse will no doubt be tuned to the nth degree with the biggest of days in mind. Kala Conti was a very promising juvenile who went off the boil a bit but just appears to be running into a bit of form at precisely the right time.
She definitely can outrun her current odds (10/1 best priced), but I cannot look past the Mullins first string.
4.00: UNIBET CHAMPION HURDLE
This race revolves around CONSTITUTION HILL and seems to have done so for about the last four years. I initially would have been disappointed that the Seven Barrows team didn’t go chasing with Michael Buckley’s behemoth, but, I suppose, practically speaking, if it aint broke don’t fix it is an entirely sensible standpoint.
He’s fit, he turns up a Cheltenham, he wins, what’s not to like eh? But, as with a few other races on Tuesday’s card, there is a temptation to think that may be too good to be true. With that in mind, Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown are to be commended for allowing the rapidly progressive Brighterdaysahead take her chance.
There is definitely an inkling that Michael O’Leary of the past would not have let the young mare take her chance but it is to his credit and racing’s benefit that he has done. If not today, she will one day live up her name. On the other hand, defending champion State Man has been the forgotten horse to the point of insult, but is liable to go as close as anybody else.
Also, donning the sporting romantic cap if I may, it’s marvellous to see a relatively small trainer like Jeremy Scott let his stable star Golden Ace take it’s deserved chance. Ultimately, it’s not a case of thinking others can’t win, rather, that it’s impossible to see why CONSTITUTION HILL won’t.
4.40: FRED WINTER JUVENILE HANDICAP HURDLE
PUTURHANDSTOGETHER – EW – (MARK WALSH/JOSEPH O’BRIEN)
5.20: NATIONAL HUNT CHASE
RESPLENDENT GREY – EW – (SEAN BOWEN/OLLY MURPHY, IN GB)
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