Racing Debrief: Cheltenham – Festival Trials Day

Cheltenham 26-Jan-13 Heavy (Soft in places) 4.6

12:10 The Finesse Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 1f

Number of talking points from this race; let us start with the comfortable winner in Rolling Star.

Maiden on the flat after 7 runs, winner on debut over timber on his final start in France he had been the subject of positive updates from Seven Barrows which saw him come into the race third favourite for the Triumph. He travelled and jumped well enough, always in a perfect position to challenge on the run in. It was a solid debut, but for me, nowhere near solid enough for him to come out of the race 6/1 Favourite. Be interesting to see if we see him in the Adonis and Nicky Henderson even suggested there are better ones still to come:

There are a couple of others still to fire but I suspect that [the Triumph] is where he´s going to have to head. – Nicky Henderson, trainer.

Irish Saint did nothing wrong in second, but he was just beaten by a nippier sort. At Kempton he beat nothing, 2nd that day was McVicar who left his race in a hurdle down the back, and third home Allowed pulled throughout. Here race own way, one paced at the business end. Connections have stressed on all his runs that he isn’t a flashy type, and that he’s a chaser in the making, and this performance confirms that impression:

12:10 Cheltenham – Irish Saint

We bought him after he won a listed newcomers’ hurdle at Auteuil in September by five lengths, and that victory, however hard to gauge, obviously promised a great deal. But, being honest, although he was sent off at odds-on on his debut for us at Kempton last month, I didn’t really know what to expect. He had worked well enough at home but he certainly was no morning glory, and is clearly a real chaser in the making. So I had to be very impressed with his 18 length win at Kempton, as he travelled really powerfully throughout and jumped well too.

The form of that race may not amount to a great deal – though it was good to see Captain Cardington, beaten 27 1/2 lengths at Kempton, finish a fair third under a penalty at Newbury next time – but this is clearly a horse of some potential. I never saw him as a Triumph Hurdle type at all before Kempton, but we will certainly know more after today’s run in this better grade. He has improved at home since Kempton, and we like him a lot.

Last Shadow’s entry in notebook from Doncaster gets underlined following his run here. Held up, he lost his position following a poor jump 3 out, also between second flight and coming into the straight he was not in a challenging position after Milord relegated him to last. Responded, when asked, on the run in to finish a never nearer 4th, connections need another run to qualify for handicaps. Cheltenham experience now in the book, a return, once given a mark, could be on the cards in the Fred Winter.

12:40 Novices’ Handicap Chase 2m 5f

Vino Griego, at the 18th time of asking, finally got his head in front over fences, and he had it won from a long way out.

A perfectly executed ride from Jamie Moore saw him nigh on in the perfect position throughout. Sew On Target was in a duel for the lead for the majority of the race, as such was a spent force coming into the straight. Aidan Coleman had Renard D’Irlande prominent throughout, but Jamie Moore brought his charge through the field. Knowing he needed to be there or thereabouts when leaving the back he moved through the field on the second circuit, being on the coattails of the front two four from home. This was the first time connections had reverted to hold up tactics since his run at Ascot under Timmy Murphy back in Dec 11. There he finished second to The Minack off a mark of 135, yet was going best of all until stumbling 2 out. He’s been raised to 138 as a result of this win, but is still eligible for the 0-140 Novice Handicap at Cheltenham.

Renard D’Irlande was in the right place throughout, and as shown later on the card Aidan Coleman knows where he wants to be on his mounts. He just walked into a talented character. Left with a mark of 124, he’ll be winning soon enough.

Due to the ground conditions it was difficult for anything to come off the pace, as such I’d happily discount this run with regards to Johns Spirit and Rajdhani Express. Also forgive the run of Ackertac who was fighting a losing battle from the off, squeezed out by Theatrical Star and Rajdhani Express at the first fence, he was never travelling nor jumping with any fluency from then on.

1:15 Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) 2m 5f

Aidan Coleman rode a similar race to what he did in the proceeding race and this time there was no snip to worry his mount Katenko at the business end. Prominent throughout, Our Mick’s departure three out aided his cause, but he had everything else beat from four out. Improving profile, he’s been raised to 158 as a result, and has big race entries with the Grand National seemingly the preferred target but ground conditions look to be the deciding factor as to whether he’ll run in the Gold Cup:

The Gold Cup is an attractive option. I think the ground is going to be fairly relevant. We´ve got all sorts of options to consider. He doesn´t have to have it deep but you wouldn´t want to consider anything on drying ground. – Venetia Williams, trainer.

Fruity O’Rooney looked well beat after going under pressure five from home, but credit to him he did stay on well to finish a clear second. The JLT Speciality Chase is the likely target for him and he’ll be running off a 1lb lower mark. If given an uncontested lead,
or pace duel is not a frantic one back here in March, then he has to come under considerably consideration.

Tullamore Dew has strung a couple of respectable performances together now, and since seasonal debut has seen his mark drop 7lbs to 133. He finished a hd 2nd to Massini’s Maguire at Ascot’s Betfair Chase weekend last season, and you’d think same race would be under consideration this time around too.

A few of the beaten horses are of interest also. Bless The Wings didn’t enjoy the ground, and was jumping right late on. Barry Geraghty again made a point of getting round with Quantitativeeasing. With the way the race panned out, he had no chance from his position anyway. Dropped to 147 as a result, he’s only 2lbs higher than when winning the Spinal Research Chase last season, and connections will be looking to better ground to spring a revival. Another who is looking for better ground is Poquelin. Harry Derham had him in a good position for the majority of the race here, but as they quickened half way down the back he just allowed the race to develop around him and Poquelin’s jumping went a bit awry. Dropped to 155, he’s got to be of interest in a Festival Handicap, failing that the Listed Chase he won here back in April 11 off 170 will be his for the taking. Highlight of the day was seeing Bold Sir Brian get up following fall at the last, but I think it’s a credit to the horse that he was in with a chance 4 out considering he didn’t meet any of the first two fences right and was fighting a losing battle positionwise then on in.

2:25 Argento Chase (Registered As The Cotswold Chase) (Grade 2) 3m 1f 110y

Far from a high class renewal of the Argento Chase, big two pulled out in the week due to injury; Tidal Bay and Bob’s Worth, and in all likelihood connections will be glad they missed the intended engagement as it was a slog.

Imperial Commander, as always, but up a fine effort on seasonal debut. In receipt of weight all round he was the class horse in the race, no stamina doubts, and looked to have the race sewn up until the dying strides. Contrary to the form book, connections are expecting more from Imperial Commander at the Gold Cup as they stated he was short of peak fitness due to the weather. I doubt we will see him regain his crown, but it was a very creditable performance in agonising defeat.

Denis O’Regan had Cape Tribulation perfectly positioned for the majority of the race. Creeping into the race down the back he was travelling best of all approaching the second last before Denis put him in Imperial Commander’s backside. Pulled out after the fence, he was well on top at the finish. He won the Rowland Meyrick fairly impressively on his previous start, same again travelling well and for once jumping well over fences. He’s not short of quality as shown by his two wins last season over timber and has struck up a great relationship with Denis: 125541151

Hunt Ball screamed non stayer, unfortunately the bet struck by owner last year to win the Gold Cup meant he wasn’t entered in the Ryanair. Aintree Bowl is now the likely target for him and that’d be his best chance of a Grade 1 win over 3m.

A non-staying performance in the King George after a rushed prep didn’t shout out Argento for his next run, Grands Crus has suffered as a result.

3:00 The Classic Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f 110y

Race run at a dawdle wouldn’t have helped the out and out stayers in the race of Coneygree and Whisper here. Both have ran with great promise through the season. Coneygree was particularly impressive back here earlier in the season, ground it out from the front on that occasion but not so here and be interesting to see if it transpires that he was short of work or not 100%. Whisper came into this on the back of just one run over hurdles, Heavy ground at Ffos Las and from two out race just got away from him. Connections see him as a chaser for next year so I think they will lower their sights for the remainder of the season.

At Fishers Cross came into this race on the back of some good runs, comments following Cheltenham handicap win:

At Fishers Cross has certainly got the hang of things now, and Rebecca Curtis pointed to him feeling something last year when disappointing at Ffos Las:

“Nice horse that we’ve had difficulty getting to jump properly – we’ve had a vet look at him and he’s sorted something out in his back. He’s still on a learning curve.”

He’s very much now on an upward curve too, he came here rated 131, now 145 and is still eligible for Novice Hurdles. Brindisi Breeze went into the Albert Bartlett officially rated 148.

AP McCoy had a willing partner after the last and got up late on to defeat The New One who had taken advantage of the slack early pace from the 2nd last. Connections are now going for the Albert Bartlett, and he’s rightly heading the markets currently after showing it in and out of novice company over a variety of trips.

The New One got caught late on, Sam Twiston Davies admitted he went a bit early, but I think this was a very sound run considering he was running here quickly off the back of a bloodless victory on heavy ground at Warwick. Following the Warwick run trainer stated they had a few niggling problems since October run, but only minor. He rightly remains at the top of the betting for the Neptune.

3:35 Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m

Oscar Whisky stays three miles, but he’s not good enough to beat Grade 1 horse over three miles. If you look back at his form he looks impressive over 2m-2m4f, but when racing over the specialist trip of 2m4f he has been running against handicappers. The only time he has come up against something with Grade 1 form, Thousand Stars, he’s scrambled home by a neck. Barry Geraghty has twice indicated he’s not travelled as well as he usually when campaigned over this trip and I wonder if it is down to Barry himself rather than the horse. He’s bound to have doubts about the trip, he’s bound to be more conscious of when making a move at any point in the race, and I think that can only have a detrimental effect on the way his mount travels.

Reve De Sivola won this with a fair bit in hand and feel that if he were challenged earlier he’d have responded for pressure. Richard Johnson made a point of rushing him to the rail once in the straight and that meant he had a decisive advantage over Oscar Whisky as they approached the final flight. Reve is no back number over hurdles, dual Grade 1 winner as a novice in the Challow Hurdle and Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, he didn’t set the world alight over fences and has looked more his usual self back over timber. 2nd to Big Bucks on seasonal debut, routed a fair field in Grade 1 Long Walk and this now under his belt, he’s had the benefit of not having a Festival match up with Big Bucks at any stage of his career. 5s still a fair price for the World Hurdle.

Kentford Grey Lady improved for the step up in trip, but would love a pace to come off. I think she has a very big win in her, and I’d be aiming her at the World Hurdle rather than the Mares race which ends up being a sprint in the turn in.

Lovcen is another who needs a break. Campaigned aggressively early on in the season in big handicaps on deep ground. Some R’n’R will see him back to his best.

4:10 Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f

Mr Watson looked fairly treated on pick of his novice form, and so it proved here. Again this is another example of Novices’ taking advantage of their mark in open company. We’ve seen with My Tent Or Yours/Betfair Hurdle that the big handicaps are now the target of Novices, and races itself are being fought out by improving novices (Zarkandar’s win was first run after Juvenile campaign), Cause Of Causes winner of the Ladbroke and 3rd in the Greatwood. It wouldn’t surprise me if this trend continues to grow and forces the hand of the Handicappers in how it assesses the Novices’ as currently the pattern scale for a Grade 1 Novice v Grade 1 Open race is 135 v 155 = a gulf and a half

Quaddick Lake confirmed the idea that he’d have got involved somehow at Kempton on Boxing Day, and he’s one to have on side when back upto 2m4f granted a fair gallop.

Two beaten runners deserve a mention in Old Tricks and Kingcora. Old Tricks looked to be going nowhere fast two out but come home well. He posted a good third to Gevrey Chambertin on his previous start and after a failed attempts over fences he’s of interest over timber over a trip. Kingcora continues to drop in the weights, and I can’t imagine it’d be long before he starts to find his feet and grade. A winner in France, he was 3rd on his penultimate start there just ahead of Upepito, now a stablemate at Venetia’s who is entered for the Arkle.