Cheltenham Day 2
1.30 Ballymore – Closutton hold a strong hand here with Impaire Et Passe, Gaelic Warrior and Champ Kiely all engaged. Impaire Et Passe won the Moscow Flyer impressively on his last start. Probably did not beat an awful lot but could not have been more impressive on the eye. Champ Kiely probably brings the best form having won the Lawlors of Naas on his last start, which traditionally is a great trial for this race. Gaelic Warrior won the valuable two mile handicap at DRF.
I like this year’s Challow winner Hermes Allen. He has yet to come off the bridle and has won over course and distance in November. He jumps very slickly. His form is solid and he looks decent value now against the Mullins brigade.
2 .05 Brown Advisory – No two ways about it, but this looks a sub standard renewal. I can’t believe that the Real Whacker is as short as he is. You can make cases for many of the runners but ultimately you wont go wrong backing the best horse and one with most potential, namely Gerri Colombe. He is unbeaten in seven starts under rules. On his last run, he won the Grade 1 Scilly Isles at Sandown. That was a good test and the extended 3m trip should just play further to his strengths.
2.50 Coral Cup – Last year I strongly fancied Camprond. The ground went against him at the Festival but he still managed to finish fourth. He won well at Punchestown on his final start that year, relishing the better ground. The stable has been under a cloud much of this year, but is going better of late. He went chasing this year, but that plan was soon aborted. After a couple of efforts over an inadequate trip, his mark has dropped two pounds versus 140 at this time last year. With a clear round and on better ground, he must go close.
3.30 Champion Chase – Again, a race that looks more open than what it appeared at the start of the year. The champion, Energumeme ran a lacklustre effort in the rearranged Clarence House. There looks to be plenty of pace on in this race, with Gentlemen De Mee, Editeur Du Gite and Energumene all likely to be in the vanguard. This race is set up for a closer, with last year’s Arkle winner, Edwardstone best placed to take advantage. He looks an improved horse this year, winning the Tingle Creek on his first start. He lost little in defeat in the Clarence House as he was ridden to beat Energumene there, and forgot about the winner until it was too late. I’d expect him to sit just off the pace this time and come through with a winning challenge approaching the last, in similar style to his Arkle triumph last year.
4.10 Cross Country – Looks a two horse race between the Elliott pair of Tiger Roll and Galvin. The latter was winning grade 1s last year and was fancied for last year’s Gold Cup. It’s hard to believe that he does not retain enough ability to win this, assuming he takes to the obstacles.
4.50 Grand Annual – Horses who have run well in this race have a habit of coming back and doing the same in subsequent runs. Andy Dufresne ran in this off 155 last year and was one of the gambles of the Festival. He just came up short. Off the same mark again, he must go close to redemption. Editeur Du Gite who is one of the leading fancies for the Champion Chase was fourth in the race, which puts the form into context.
5.30 – Champion Bumper – As usual, Willie Mullins dominates the entries with Its For Me, the market favourite. He was visually very impressive in his sole bumper at Navan. By far and away the best form in the race comes from John Kiely’s A Dream To Share, who now runs in JP’s colours. He won the best trial for this at the DRF. He looks very difficult to beat, especially granted a decent surface. The runner up, Fact To File, would represent some ew value, should the ground turn testing.
