10 days and counting

to the Festival at Cheltenham! Pity about Kauto and hopefully he will make it to the track. To run as a highly fancied contender in six consecutive Gold Cups would be a fantastic achievement. The brain's racing cortex will directed towards Prestbury Park despite the plentiful action on offer this weekend. Nevertheless, I have an inkling that Dan Breen might run a better race than anticipated at Newbury, off a fair weight with very capable claimer Conor O'Farrell getting the opportunity to display his front running skills on board.

Happy research and don't forget the post racing workouts Leopardstown on Sunday.....

Triumph Tests

Prospects for the Triumph Hurdle should become much clearer this afternoon with key trials taking place on either side of the Irish Sea. Firstly at Fairyhouse, Minsk makes his much awaited hurdling debut, taking on decent sorts. A good performance will see his odds shorten. Five minutes later, the Adonis Hurdle, a key trial with a recent illustrious roll of honour, is run at Kempton Park. Sadler's Risk was very impressive last time but this time stiff opposition is expected to be provided by Paul Nicholls' French import Dildar (well bred flat horse attempting to tread a similar path to Zarkander). However the latter jumped scratchily on his debut and looks as if he will take a bit longer to realise his potential. Alan King has a pretty strong team of 4 year olds and his leading Triumph hope, Grumeti runs in the Dovecote Novice Hurdle. He should also get a good race and if all three prevail, it's all systems go for Prestbury Park.

The big race of the day, the Racing Plus Chase pales into comparison, but reckon Planet of Sound is good enough to beat a moderate field off top weight, particularly as he runs off the same mark as when runner up in the Hennessy.

good luck....

"commencing countdown, engines on..."

Festival Trials today at Prestbury Park, signal the start of the Cheltenham countdown in earnest (merely six weeks and a bit to go!). Big Bucks is the star attraction but despite Grand Crus' absence, the Argento Chase looks to be the most informative. Will Captain Chris stay and put his name in the frame for the Gold Cup? He is up against it in a solid field with Diamond Harry, back after his usual break, appearing the most likely winner. Leading Triumph Hurdle candidates, Baby Mix and Grumeti clash in the opener and with March in mind, Broadbackbob is also worth monitoring in the Novice Hurdle.

The big betting race of the day is at Doncaster, the Sky Bet Chase. In a typically competitive Handicap Chase, Nick Williams' unexposed, Shalimar Fromento stands out amongst the dodgepots and could go close in an open race.

The Boylesports Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown may have a new title but is as ever, extremely hard to assess. Nevertheless, it is always worth watching as it regularly produces a good winner with subsequent decent formlines. Fred Winter winner, What a Charm looks to have a solid each way shout. She has the necessary class, a reasonable weight and a canny pilot on board. Perhaps the most interesting race of the afternoon is the clash between two aspiring top notchers, Sir Des Champs and Hidden Cyclone. Both of these have the potential to go far in the jumping game and in a possible tactical contest should bring each other on.

enjoy...

Time for?

The clock going back, the Charlie Hall at Wetherby surely signal the onset of winter and the return to Jumping action. Looking forward greatly to the forthcoming season and the path to Prestbury Park, although slightly anxious over the the possible impact of the new whip rules. One can only be puzzled at the racing authorities' hamfisted policies and wonder do they realise what a fantastic offering the National Hunt season gives them?

Nevertheless, it's time to get the notebook out and to that end curious to see how (in no particular order) the following fare this afternoon; Carlito Brigante, Diamond Harry, Time for Rupert, Weird Al, Megastar, Noble Prince, Our Girl Salley. However, for a bet, opting to go with an each way double in the Ascot Handicaps; A Media Luz + Promising Anshan.

cheers...... 

Steady goes!!

Another good day at Prestbury Park with Big Bucks, Noble Prince winning and Mourad placing to keep us ahead of the game. Aigle D'or would have boosted the pot exponentially but you can't win them all. On reflection, Cheltenham handicaps are not for perm betting!!

The ground rode quicker as predicted and we were treated to some high class performances from both horse and jockey, Ruby (Big Bucks) and AP (Albertas + Noble Prince).

Looking forward to the Gold Cup tomorrow and hoping for rain!!

ciao for now....

Is it TIME FOR?

Day 2 at Cheltenham and a top class card to savour at Prestbury Park today. Time for Rupert has been a long time favourite for the RSA Chase. Despite a strongish field, I expect him to prevail, albeit he offers little value at current odds, although Paddy Power's standout 11/4 could be attractive in hindsight. Boston Angels holds the best each way chance in an intriguing contest.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase is the feature where Big Zeb strives to repeat last year's victory. It is difficult to crab his chance but old friend Sizing Europe (has his conditions) also merits consideration.

The Neptune Hurdle looks a much better race than the Supreme. The Irish form in this sphere looks superior this term and I have been impressed with the progress Oscars Well has made so far. He has a definite favourite's chance but the underfoot conditions may suit the equally progressive First Lieutenant better. In truth, find it hard to split them and may try a forecast!!.

I have long had a weakness for the Bumper. This year's renewal looks a bit tricky as there does not appear to be strength in depth to the Irish challenge. However, Star Neuville is the best I have seen all season and with the capable assistance of AP, he should be thereabouts.

All in all, very much looking forward to a smashing day and hoping to generate some excitement by perming Oscars Well, Big Zeb and Time for Rupert.

good luck and enjoy....

Cheltenham Countdown Commences

Trials Day at Prestbury Park generally signals a ratcheting up of intensity in the countdown to the Festival. With that in mind, looking forward to seeing, Wishful Thinking, Punchestowns, Backspin, Rock on Ruby, Grand Crus and Spirit River strut their stuff this afternoon. However while these races will be informative, recent history suggests that ensuing formlines should be treated with a certain degree of circumspection. The card looks quite trappy from a punting perspective and a better bet may be had at Doncaster in the Skybet Chase, where Theatrical Moment should perform well on the mooted good going and currently offers value at 20/1. He did well last year at Cheltenham and has nice bits of form from his novice days. A similar case could be made for I'msingingtheblues but he has to give weight away to a few nice sorts.

The race of the weekend arguably is at Punchestown where Big Zeb, Golden Silver and Sizing Europe take each other on in the Tied Cottage Chase. Last season's Queen Mother and Arkle winners plus the in form Mullins stalwart should provide a thrilling spectacle.

good luck and enjoy

Cheltenham Trials

Weather permitting there are two good competitive cards at both Cheltenham and Doncaster today. Although a cursory glance suggests there are only a few with serious chances in March, putting their credentials to the test. Those that are and who are worth watching, include Pistolet Noir, Royal Charm, General Miller, Mad Max and The Betchworth Kid.

While Cheltenham stages an interesting card, the better fields look to be at Doncaster with the Skybet Chase taking centre stage. It looks very open with many looking to hold a chance. However going to plump for a Paul Nicholls' runner in Kicks for Free, who ran at the highest level as a novice hurdler, was an unlucky second in the Coral Cup and since moving to fences has always looked as if he is yet to fulfill his potential. Also notable is that with a stable full of top class chasers, that this one appears to be their leading candidate for a big pot.

One other to keep an eye at Donny is Sir Harry Ormesher, who was very unfortunate last time and could be recompensed in the first, especially now with his stable back in form.

Betting opportunities look thin on the ground at Presbury Park but Aachen probably deserves another chance after flopping in the Lanzarote. The main Chase looks trappy (worth noting that Inchidaly Rock looked unsuited by track last time and his victory was due solely to Ruby's expertise) and the Cleeve Hurdle with an unusual big field might fall to an outsider (Grade 1 winning Bouggler might be worth a small wager to see if he stays).

good luck....

Champion Hurdle Puzzle

Celestial Halo's defeat on Saturday has certainly muddied the waters, although I reckon he will always be vulnerable to a closer as was the case in the Bula. Indeed, if the connections did not have Big Bucks, his target would be probably be the World Hurdle. Zaynar's facile victory 30 minutes later, entitles him to be favourite, but at this stage it's a difficult race to frame.

As usual the fare on offer at Cheltenham was top class. My enthusiasm for Chapoturgoen waned slightly due to jockey change and improvement in the going but can't have any complaints about the outcome. One of the obvious lessons learnt (and not for the first time) is that Ruby is worth a good few lengths on any horse around Prestbury Park - his handling of Inchidaly Rock and Free World was exemplary.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Dunguib's credentials were further strengthened by Shinrock Paddy at Navan and Quel Esprit at Cork (both impressive winners of graded contests).

cheers....