Cheltenham Festival
Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
Key Stats;
Won this season, preferably last time out.
Lightly raced this season (upto 3 runs) and/or coming off a break
No winner has ever been rated higher than 147.
92 horses aged 8yo+ since 1999 have tried to win this race with only Burntoakboy suceeding, rejuvenated by Dr Richard Newland.
Contenders;
Aegean Dawn - has the perfect profile for the race and Nicky Henderson trained his first winner of this race last year to break his hoodoo. Has took a massive hike in the ratings and also has a County entry but to me this looks the more suitable race.
For Non Stop - trainer has recently expressed his delight with his handicap mark, 135, and he will come into this race off a nice break. His 2nd behind Grand Crus off level weights over C&D is arguably the best form on offer.
Call The Police - although an 8yo he has only had 6 career runs and is 2/2 since been moved to Mullins' yard this season. Ran a blinder to be 2nd in the MCR (strongest Irish prep race) and was an easy winner last time out. Rated 140 in Ireland, it will be interesting to see what mark the UK handicapper gives him (Ninetieth Minute was allowed to race of his Irish mark when he duly dotted up two years ago).
Final Approach - won the MCR and is rated 134 in Ireland so should get a nice racing weight off the UK handicapper. My suspicion is he is more speed than stamina, ex flat horse whos only win came at 8f, and the County would be a more suitable option in my eyes.
Alavian - rated 145 in Ireland so likely to right on the top end of the recommended ratings. Has shown improved form this year and did the best of the Irish challangers in last years Triumph, 3rd. Had a nice break since winning last time out and an interesting point to note is the last 4 Irish trained winners had not ran since January at the latest.
Bothy - yet to win this year but has put up two brave performances in the top 2 2m handicaps in Britain finishing 2nd on both occasions. If Recession Proof was to win the Supreme and Menorah to win the Champion then l could see his odds tumble for this race but l feel he maybe better on softer ground, he found it hard to go the pace on this day last year in the Fred Winter.
Others to consider;
Blackstairmountain - grade 1 winner at Punchestowns last year and travelled really well in the Supreme until been done for toe coming down the hill. Another that will be right on the brink of the ratings band but comes here off a nice break and maybe should of won last time out at his first try at this trip, was given a easy ride by Ruby and was caught in the last stride but the way he quickened between the last two flights was eyecatching.
Notus De La Tour - ran well in 2 graded handicaps on both starts this season, favourite for the first, and was a good 2nd to "handicap good thing" Sanctuaire in last years Fred Winter so he proved that the track holds no fears. The way he battled on in the Totesport was encouraging considering the two in front of him are both ex flat horses with more speed.
Get Me Out Of Here - although 1lb higher than the prefered rating this horse has looked like a JP/Jonjo handicap special all season long and JP's runners command great respect in this race. Has the form in the book to win a race like this and was bang there 2 out in the Greatwood before fading so maybe this step up in trip will suit.
Won this season, preferably last time out.
Lightly raced this season (upto 3 runs) and/or coming off a break
No winner has ever been rated higher than 147.
92 horses aged 8yo+ since 1999 have tried to win this race with only Burntoakboy suceeding, rejuvenated by Dr Richard Newland.
Contenders;
Aegean Dawn - has the perfect profile for the race and Nicky Henderson trained his first winner of this race last year to break his hoodoo. Has took a massive hike in the ratings and also has a County entry but to me this looks the more suitable race.
For Non Stop - trainer has recently expressed his delight with his handicap mark, 135, and he will come into this race off a nice break. His 2nd behind Grand Crus off level weights over C&D is arguably the best form on offer.
Call The Police - although an 8yo he has only had 6 career runs and is 2/2 since been moved to Mullins' yard this season. Ran a blinder to be 2nd in the MCR (strongest Irish prep race) and was an easy winner last time out. Rated 140 in Ireland, it will be interesting to see what mark the UK handicapper gives him (Ninetieth Minute was allowed to race of his Irish mark when he duly dotted up two years ago).
Final Approach - won the MCR and is rated 134 in Ireland so should get a nice racing weight off the UK handicapper. My suspicion is he is more speed than stamina, ex flat horse whos only win came at 8f, and the County would be a more suitable option in my eyes.
Alavian - rated 145 in Ireland so likely to right on the top end of the recommended ratings. Has shown improved form this year and did the best of the Irish challangers in last years Triumph, 3rd. Had a nice break since winning last time out and an interesting point to note is the last 4 Irish trained winners had not ran since January at the latest.
Bothy - yet to win this year but has put up two brave performances in the top 2 2m handicaps in Britain finishing 2nd on both occasions. If Recession Proof was to win the Supreme and Menorah to win the Champion then l could see his odds tumble for this race but l feel he maybe better on softer ground, he found it hard to go the pace on this day last year in the Fred Winter.
Others to consider;
Blackstairmountain - grade 1 winner at Punchestowns last year and travelled really well in the Supreme until been done for toe coming down the hill. Another that will be right on the brink of the ratings band but comes here off a nice break and maybe should of won last time out at his first try at this trip, was given a easy ride by Ruby and was caught in the last stride but the way he quickened between the last two flights was eyecatching.
Notus De La Tour - ran well in 2 graded handicaps on both starts this season, favourite for the first, and was a good 2nd to "handicap good thing" Sanctuaire in last years Fred Winter so he proved that the track holds no fears. The way he battled on in the Totesport was encouraging considering the two in front of him are both ex flat horses with more speed.
Get Me Out Of Here - although 1lb higher than the prefered rating this horse has looked like a JP/Jonjo handicap special all season long and JP's runners command great respect in this race. Has the form in the book to win a race like this and was bang there 2 out in the Greatwood before fading so maybe this step up in trip will suit.
Show More
Post Your Reply
Please login to post a reply.
Wonder
Instance ID: 13539