Cheltenham Preview 26/01/13

Cheltenham hosts a fantastic card on Saturday, with the Argento Chase the feature. In this preview I will have a look at each race individually and try and find as many winners as possible.

12.10 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial - 2m:

This Grade 2 event has attracted a good field of nine who will take their chance. Irish Saint will be hard to beat after his Kempton romp over Christmas, on very testing ground, he jumped well on the whole and created a nice impression. I know nothing about Rolling Star, who has won his only start over hurdles at Auteuil. He does however represent connections that are always feared in these contests. Knight Of Pleasure caused an upset when he won at Sandown last time, but that was a weaker race than this. Roc D'Apsis was a well beaten third here last time and will have to step up to win this, but could grab a place again. The one I do like each way is Last Shadow, who was a big eye-catcher last time at Doncaster. He was an improver on the Flat in the Summer and certainly enjoys very soft ground. He will have come on a lot for the experience last time and could be the value behind Irish Saint.

12.40 Timeform Novices Handicap Chase - 2m5f:

Rajdhani Express heads the weights for course chairman Robert Waley-Cohen, and has leading claims after an easy win on Boxing Day at Kempton. However, he has never run left handed and has more on his plate off a mark of 142. Johns Spirit will be popular after bumping into Katenko last time at Sandown, maybe stretching his stamina a little too much. He is down in trip and thriving at the moment and must be feared by all. The one I like most though is Ballygarvey, trained by Phillip Hobbs. He is 2-2 on heavy ground, with both wins at Lingfield, the second of which was last time out when he won as he liked making all. I think he still looks reasonably well handicapped on this ground and should run his race once again. Bennys Mist also has a chance for the in form Venetia Williams.

1.15 Murphy Group Chase (Handicap) - 2m5f:

This looks a belter of a handicap, headed in the weights by the Cheltenham standing dish Poquelin, who will try his heart out but I think he'll find a couple too good. Bold Sir Brian is a horse with a big future (The Gold Cup on the agenda), and has been very impressive all season. He has a big chance here if handling the track. Katenko is very similar in that his facile success at Sandown last time moved him on to the bottom of some Gold Cup and Grand National tissues, but this trip would be a bare minimum for him I'd say. Pacha Du Polder has work to do to turn around the form with Bold Sir Brian from Sandown, but some think he's well handicapped. I'd say he is risky. Bless The Wings looks one of the more solid, as he has course form, a win on this card last year, and is in form. The ground however is the big worry. I'd chance Quincy Des Pictons at a bigger price for Alan Jones, who is very nicely weighted, and loves testing ground. He ran on well at the Festival and has place claims for sure. Bold Sir Brian however is the win selection.

1.50 Victor Chandler Chase - 2m:

Two words, Sprinter Sacre. He is superb, elegance personified and utterly awesome. He will win, and with any luck Sanctuaire will be placed behind him once more. He went off like a scolded cat in the Tingle Creek, but was more conservatively ridden when winning easily since. William's Wishes is very interesting up in grade, but is surely going for a place prize behind Sprinter Sacre.

2.25 Argento Chase - 3m1f110y:

This years renewal is missing Bobs Worth, but looks very competitive in his absence. The betting is headed by Tidal Bay, who at the time of writing is a doubtful runner. Last years second has won a Bet365 Gold Cup and a Lexus Chase since that race, and is at the peak of his powers at present. He is a 12 year old, just like comeback kid Imperial Commander. He is a past Gold Cup and Ryanair winner and has a fantastic record fresh. Regardless of where he finishes, it is great to see him back. Grand Crus has claims, but the ground will most surely be a worry and this trip may just stretch him a little bit as well. Last years winner Midnight Chase could well repeat the dose if he is allowed his own way up front again, and looks a shade too big at 14/1. Hunt Ball will have his stamina well and truly tested in this contest and I'll swerve him. Of the others, Wayward Prince could go well for Jack Doyle but if Tidal Bay turns up, he will be hard to beat.

3.00 Neptune Novice Hurdle - 2m4f110y:

Despite there only being five runners, this is a fantastic race. Coneygree will attempt to make all under Mattie Batchelor, and may be tough to catch. He is very likeable and has great course form. However, he is against two very good horses with proven high class form. The first is The New One, who was very impressive at Warwick last time out but scored here earlier on in the season. If you were to have a doubt, it would be his hurdling technique. At Fishers Cross is the other horse of huge interest. His jumping isn't too clever at all, but he has a serious engine and won well here last time in handicap company. Whisper is the other with a chance, unbeaten to date with two impressive wins at Ffos Las. I was on track when he won his bumper, and he was the nicest looking horse I saw all day too. He has a lot of ability, but will need to be very good to beat these. I'll marginally go for At Fishers Cross, but a great race to look forward to.

3.35 Rewards4Racing Cleeve Hurdle - 3m:

This World Hurdle trial has attracted a fascinating line-up of 10. Oscar Whisky is favourite, but I want to take him on over three miles on bad ground. He is a horse who has sprung up many debates within racing as to what is his best Festival option. I say skip Cheltenham and go for the Aintree Hurdle a fresh horse, but many disagree. Reve De Sivola routed his field at last time at Ascot, and stays really well. He is the safest win option and will be involved at the business end. Kauto Stone will raise some eyebrows running over hurdles, but I feel he is best fresh and was disappointing last time in the King George. Walkon and Kentford Grey Lady are interesting, but again, two and a half miles would be their prefered distance. I'll chance old Knockara Beau each way, who was second in this two years ago. He is getting a bit old, but has Paddy Brennan aboard and seems to run well at Cheltenham, sixth in the Gold Cup last March his latest run. He is no 40/1 chance in my opinion that's for sure.

4.10 Steel Plate and Sections Handicap Hurdle - 2m1f:

As ever, a fiercely competitive handicap to end the card. I have followed Lord Of House all season long, culminating in a very easy win at Sandown last time out. The handicapper has bumped him up 15lbs though which makes life tougher. He should still go well. Sadler's Risk will be high on the shortlist, a smart juvenile hurdler who has a mark of 148 to defy, which may prove tricky. Barbatos has had a year off but is very smart at his peak. I'll let him run, because I think he will be better for it. Dildar doesn't jump very well but does look very well handicapped if he can get his act together. Bourne and His Excellency both have chances as well but I really like Mr Watson for Tony McCoy. He ran very well here all things considered two starts ago, before hacking up at Plumpton in a first time hood. I think his mark of 127 looks very leniant and he may well strike under the champ.

Selections:
12.10 - Irish Saint win/Last Shadow each way
12.40 - Ballygarvey
1.15 -  Bold Sir Brian/Bless The Wings/Quincy Des Pictons
1.50 - Sprinter Sacre / Sanctuaire each way
2.25 - Tidal Bay/ Midnight Chase each way
3.00 - At Fishers Cross
3.35 - Reve De Sivola/Knockara Beau each way
4.10 - Mr Watson/Lord Of House

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Thanks for reading and be lucky,

Will