All Roads Lead To Cheltenham: Racing Review (Part 10)

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Racing Review and Cheltenham Festival 2014 Tips – The weather may have been dire around the UK and Ireland over the past couple of weeks but luckily, thanks to the effort of all the ground staff, we saw some good quality action over the past week.  The ground may have been particularly testing at both Newbury on Saturday and then at Leopardstown on Sunday but there were still plenty of great Festival insight, and with only four weeks to go, the clock is ticking.

 

 

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For me, the most impressive run of the weekend was that of Last Instalment (10/1 Stan James – Gold Cup) in the Irish Hennessy.  It was a stunning performance where he dictated the pace before pulling well clear of a decent field to claim a memorable victory.  This horse had been highly thought of as a novice chaser and, after a long lay-off with an injury, he looks to have returned better than ever.  He comfortably accounted for his top class rivals, and you have to think that there is still more to come for this horse.  In terms of Festival targets, both the Gold Cup and Ryanair are viable options; however, due to this horses’ injuries, he will only travel over to Cheltenham if there is enough cut in the ground.  Tidal Bay (20/1 Betfred – Grand National) stayed on well to finish a distant second and he will now head straight to the Grand National at the age of 13.  First Lieutenant (16/1 BetVictor – Gold Cup) was sent off the market favourite but couldn't land a blow back in third with his Gold Cup price drifting out as a result – he is one that will be suited by better ground.

Turning our attentions to Doncaster, Rock On Ruby (8/1 Betfred – Arkle Chase) beat Mr Mole (33/1 Coral – Arkle Chase) convincingly mid-week, and left connections gleaming with the horses’ improvement over the larger obstacles.  Jockey Noel Fehily still had a couple of gears to go on this occasion, and he is defiantly on the up after this clear round of jumping.  It is now all systems go for the Arkle after this smooth victory.

The focus in the UK on Saturday was on Newbury where the Paul Nicholls trained as Calipto (8/1 William Hill – Triumph Hurdle) scored in impressive fashion to win the opener.  The juvenile showed a decisive turn of foot in heavy ground to pull clear of Little Jon and boost his Festival chances in the process.  Calipto is expected to run in the JCB Triumph Hurdle next month and on this form he has to be a live contender. 

The Kim Bailey trained Harry Topper (25/1 William Hill – Gold Cup) loved the testing conditions as he pulled well clear of Al Ferof in the Denman Chase.  The mud lover thrived in these conditions with Al Ferof only managing to finish a distant second.  Bailey was quick to state after the race that Harry Topper will only head to the Festival if the ground comes up soft.  As for Al Ferof (6/1 Coral – Ryanair Chase), he travelled ok but didn't get home in the testing ground and the grey now looks to be heading for the Ryanair.  On this evidence though, unless conditions improve, Al Ferof looks very hard to fancy even back at 2m5f.

Dodging Bullets (6/1 BetVictor – Arkle Chase) came unstuck in the Game Spirit Chase, but lost little in defeat and as a novice chaser and remains on target for the Arkle Chase at the Festival.  The winner of the race, Module (16/1 William Hill – Ryanair Chase), managed to find a lot under pressure and is entered for the Queen Mother Champion Chase, as well as the Ryanair.  I for one will be keeping a close eye on whatever race this winner heads to – for me he’s one to watch.

Smad Place (7/1 Betfred – RSA Chase) claimed an impressive victory for Alan King in the 3m novices’ chase.  The grey has been placed in two World Hurdles and he proved his class here to hold off the game Sam Winner (16/1 Stan James – RSA Chase) with a good round of jumping.  Mendip Express (40/1 BetVictor – RSA Chase) was never involved and was a big disappointment but he might be given another chance if he turns up at the Festival.  The first two home seem to be genuine RSA Chase contenders, unlike Mendip Express, who in my opinion, seems to be more suited by the four miler at the Festival.

There was a bit of a shock in the Betfair Hurdle as Splash Of Ginge won for Nigel Twiston-Davies at a huge price of 33/1.  He held off the well backed trio of Dell'Arca (14/1 William Hill – County Hurdle), Irish Saint (14/1 bet365 – County Hurdle) and Cheltenian (16/1 bet365 – County Hurdle) who all ran well but were unable to catch the leader.  It was a highly competitive renewal and three of the first four are likely to be heading to the County Hurdle come March.

There was also some very interesting performances to take note of at Warwick on Saturday.  Alan King was the trainer to follow once again as Balder Succes (20/1 Betfred – Arkle Chase) secured an excellent victory in the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase, and once again his jumping was impeccable.  He holds an entry in the Arkle next month but his trainer has warned that he will most likely miss that engagement.  Willie Mullins once again sent over Glens Melody (14/1 Coral – Mares Hurdle) and it was another success at Warwick this weekend, where the mare won the Mares Hurdle with a tough show of stamina, repeating her victory over Mischievous Milly (25/1 Betfred – Mares Hurdle).  The David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at the Festival looks to be the target for them both.

Back to Ireland, and the Juvenile Hurdle saw a number of potential Triumph Hurdle contenders involved.  Dessie Hughes won this race 12 months ago with Our Conor and he did so again with Guitar Pete (10/1 Stan James – Triumph Hurdle).  The well fancied JP McManus horse Plinth (25/1 Betfred – Triumph Hurdle) was hindered by his jumping but stayed on for third, while odds-on favourite Ivan Grozny (20/1 Stan James – Triumph Hurdle) disappointed and could only manage fourth. 

Ruby Walsh was allowed to dictate the pace on Vautour (4/1 William Hill – Supreme Novices' Hurdle) in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle, and that proved the key move as the Willie Mullins’ horse secured an impressive victory.  He is clearly highly thought of and he is bang on track for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.  The Tullow Tank (12/1 Coral – Supreme Novices' Hurdle) was unable to catch the front running winner, but watching the race, the horse seemed unbalanced and had to be straightened up after every fence, so it looked like something was amiss on that day.

There was more success for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh in the Dr PJ Moriarty Novice Chase as Ballycasey (5/1 Coral – RSA Chase) emphasised his undoubted potential.  This three-runner affair was highly competitive with each horse likely to head to the RSA Chase next month.  Despite being challenged by Don Cossack (16/1 BetVictor – RSA Chase) and Carlingford Lough (12/1 Stan James – RSA Chase), Ballycasey pulled clear in the final stages to produce a career best performance. Carlingford Lough was hampered by Don Cossack at the final fence and unseated AP McCoy.

 

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Thatsbettingtips Staff

Thatsbettingtips Staff

Content Contributor at Thatsbettingtips.com
The team behind the betting tips, offers and promotions at tipster website thatsbettingtips.com.

Thatsbettingtips Staff

The team behind the betting tips, offers and promotions at tipster website thatsbettingtips.com.