And like a fox stalking a chicken coup in the night, personally speaking at least, this year’s Cheltenham Festival – the best and most important four days sporting action of the year – from a business perspective – has arrived riding shotgun to me almost unnoticed. Almost. Now read on.
It will be readily admitted that since the old man went to the parade ring far away in 2021, the buzz which envelopes everything about the Gloucester venue hasn’t wafted this way until the famous roar went up at the butt of Cleave Hill before the first race. This year, gut instinct is that it might even struggle to rev up by then with mother dear also now residing in the venue in the sky.
That said, if there’s a bookies up top, there’ll be no need to send search parties for either of them for the next four days. Because, from the time himself died, ma nearly never moved the television in the kitchen off Racing TV. How much of it she was actually taking in only the lads above know, what differ did it make.
So anyway, putting the best wheel forward, here’s a shot at finding myself, you the readers and those in the stands afar a few quid with which to start the week:
1.20pm – Supreme Novices Hurdle (2 miles, 12 runners. 4 places)
For the first time in as long as this writer can recall, the Irish banker is not running in the first race of the Festival. Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson have farmed this race between them. Winning it with such luminaries of the game as Champagne Fever, Klassical Dream, Kopek Des Bordes and Constitution Hill, Shishkin and Altior respectively.
As of now, there doesn’t appear to be anything with the class of those mentioned above in this year’s incarnation, but, all the big hitters do have serious bullets to fire. The Henderson camp are openly bullish about the chances of OLD PARK STAR (aren’t they always about something?) and, while the form of the Well Chosen gelding can hardly be knocked with him coming in unbeaten, I just feel the Irish form stacks up somewhat stronger.
KOKTAIL BRUTE was an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on November 1st and, though running no race at Leopardstown at Christmas, six weeks later at the same venue the son of Cokoriko gave a much better account of himself behind the much talked about TALK THE TALK.
Joseph O’Brien’s charge improved on a seven and a half lengths maiden win at Limerick to get the better of Ballyfad – thought at that point to be Gigginstown’s top novice hurdler – at the Dublin Racing Festival.
However, call me boring if you must, but do so in the knowledge if you lose a few quid I will too, because I can’t see beyond MIGHTY PARK. The boxes ticked in his favour are just many to ignore. Mullins, Check; McManus, Check (on the great man’s 75th birthday). He won his sole outing in Fairyhouse “With his head in his chest” – as per irishracing.com and hasn’t been seen since. Enough said.
2.00 – Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (2 miles, 7 runners, 2 places)
LULAMBA is the latest Nicky Henderson/Joe Donnelly steed to arrive at Prestbury Park in March held in extremely elevated status. Deservedly so too. His winning of the Game Spirit Chase at Newbury – a proven trial for this contest – leaving plenty of jaws on floors. My only reservation about what was a taking performance would be that that form of those who finished in behind mightn’t stack up to much.
KARGESE will have her backers also. Understandable given that Kenny Alexander’s latest highly talented mare will be in receipt of the 7lbs gender allowance. Much of the confidence behind Danny Mullins’ mount will stem from the fact that she got within a head of the imperious looking Romeo Coolio last time out. A feat perhaps made look all the more noteworthy by the fact that the Mullins mare almost came a cropper at the final obstacle and the alacrity with which she made up ground from the back of the last to the line would catch anyone’s eye.
However, I would be firmly of the view that the reason the vanquished got as close to Gordon Elliott’s horse as was the case was due to the fact that both will end up being better over further. Thus, both have already been pencilled in for next season’s Ryanair Chase, at least.
You see, sometimes, it does work out as simple as it looks. If there is such a thing as a specialised two mile speedster KOPEK DES BORDES is that being. The Closutton inmate was as impressive a winner of the Supreme Novices last term as WPM has ever sent out. There may be a sliver of anxiety in the fact that the Cork-owned star hasn’t been seen since Navan in November, but, if there’s any establishment who can pull off such a feat, it’s the man from Muine Beag. See Poniros for details!
2.40 – Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle (2 miles, 24 runners, 6 places)
What was always the curtain-dropper on Day 1 of the Festival has for some reason been relocated. And, though it surely runs the risk of the races after the Champion Hurdle being damp squibs, it certainly wouldn’t detract from the feverish competitiveness of the 4-y-o handicap. So, where to begin? Well, where better than the birthday boy?
JP is, as usual, mob-handed in the juvenile contest. With MANLAGA and MUSTANG DU BRUEIL representing Seven Barrows (Henderson) and SARATOGA fielding for Padraig Roche. Anything representing Joseph O’Brien over jumps must be brought into calculations. That prompts investigation of the prospects of GLEN TO GLEN.
There’s bound to be a groundswell of support behind WINSTON JUNIOR for the burgeoning Faye Bramley and with Jack Kennedy up for noteworthy connections. PORQUOIS PAS PAPA and THE MIGHTY CELT also merit utmost respect but the former Ballydoyle inmate in bold italics will do for me at about 13/2.
3.20 – Ultima Handicap Chase (3m/1F, 22 runners, 6 places)
Ah the first of the minefield handicaps. If you’re down money after the first few races, good look going on a rescue mission here! Seriously though, the first thing to look out for are horses who have been laid out for the contest. IROKO and JAGWAR (both JP) certainly belong in that bracket. So too HYLAND who is a regular in the race in question.
The likes of QUEBECOIS, KNIGHT OF ALLEN and BLAZE THE WAY must also enter the equation, but, I find myself to the horses-for-courses angle and, to be more specific, a trainer/jockey combination who have specialised in the race in recent years. Lucinda Russell/Derek Fox are no strangers to targeting this particular race and with most bookies paying up to six places and beyond, MYRETOWN will surely give each way punters a good run.
4.00 – Champion Hurdle (2m, 9 runners, 3 places)
The highlight of Day One, and for some, that of the entire week. A race, the complexion of which was altered seismically with the withdrawal of Constitution Hill.
With that being the case, though, most of the ‘home’ side hopes are likely to rest with THE NEW LION from the Skelton yard. But, to go back to the horse that’s not there. By the metrics of which the form of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle must be sketchy at best.
What it might do, though, is allow contenders such as defending champion GOLDEN ACE and ANZDAM come in under the radar. That could also be applied to PONIROS – last year’s Triumph Hurdle winner.
On the other hand, LOSSIEMOUTH represents something of an enigma in the race. Yet, if one considers the Rich Ricci-owned steed to be Willie Mullins’ chief representative, it seems certain to be on the premises.
However, for once, one is going to let heart rule head and plump that there might be BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown with the horse who has had blue riband as his sole target from a long way off.
The Kapgarde mare has long been touted as the flagship of the second coming of Michael O’Leary’s racing operation and, once the option of going chasing was held off on with Cheltenham Tuesday zoned in on.
4.20 – Plate Handicap Chase (2m/4f, 23 runners, 5 places)
Another Handicap, and again, to each their own in terms of methodology for solving the puzzle. For me, the first port of call is MADARA for Dan and Harry Skelton. The duo have long proven themselves capable of working the system to their advantage. The above description could absolutely be attributed to Emmet Mullins’ MCLAUREY and DOWN MEMORY LANE for Gordon Elliott.
It will indeed be a strange Cheltenham Festival without Rachael Blackmore in action, but, her now hubby Brian Hayes could go close to making his mark aboard ZURICH for Henry De Bromhead.
With Ben Pauling’s horses in fine form NO QUESTIONS ASKED warrants due respect. Granted, with 11-9 to carry, a Cheltenham handicap takes a fair bit of winning. But then, they’re not high in the weights without reason.
In the end, mind you, it’s a case going with gut instinct. And, while he may not have the high profile horses of other years, that brings me back to team Knockeen. Hopefully they might be heading DOWNMEXICOWAY before Tuesday’s action draws to close.
5.20 – National Hunt Chase (3m/6f, 17 runners, 5 places)
One of my two favourite races of the entire Festival. Even if it has been somewhat devalued by the allowing of professional riders therein. But it still takes quite the degree of winning.
BACKMEORSACKME heads the market and, when connections thereof go for a touch they generally get it right.
More luck to them if they do, but, having had fingers burned several times over, I’ll gladly give Paul Byrne’s animal a wide berth.
The fact that Sean Flanagan takes the mount aboard NEWTON TORNADO may be significant, but, what makes that a rather curios development is that Paul Nolan – for whom Flanagan rides most mounts – has a runner in the shape of ICEBERG THEORY.
The rebounding of the Wexford handler’s fortunes has been one of the good news stories in Irish racing. Hopefully his charge will lettuce finish somewhere in the money to conclude Day 1.
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