Cheltenham Festival
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20 Feb 13
17:31
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02 Apr 03
Right, time to make a case for one! I have had a decent bet on her at 8/1 today and think she is an e/w bet to nothing.
As with previous years, it looks another pretty average race with a distinct lack of depth. I am obviously a huge Quevega fan, but whilst winning very impressively, she hasnt beaten much in previous festivals, particularly last year which looked a particularly poor renewal. I know WPM has proved he can train her this way, but I still dont like horses not running for nearly a year and then coming straight to the Festival. At 9 years old this year, it will be harder than ever to do imo, and she will surely start regressing soon.
Alasi is a pretty decent yardstick, with back to back 4ths in the race and was only 1/2 length away from being runner up in this race last year, so Une Artiste's last two defeats of that horse read very well in the context of this race. She showed she stayed the trip well when stepped up to 2 1/2m for the first time on heavy ground at Sandown last time, and at only 5, there is every reason to believe she still has plenty of improvement in her.
To top it all off, she is a previous festival winner. Admittedly not against anything of the calibre of Quevega, but it does prove the conditions on the day shouldnt be a problem. She seems very versatile with regards to ground, so even if the water table bursts (!) it shouldnt affect her unduly.
For those who think Quevega is still unbeatable, she is also available in PP's market without Quevega at 4/1 and I have had some of that too.
Appreciate all thoughts. Cheers
As with previous years, it looks another pretty average race with a distinct lack of depth. I am obviously a huge Quevega fan, but whilst winning very impressively, she hasnt beaten much in previous festivals, particularly last year which looked a particularly poor renewal. I know WPM has proved he can train her this way, but I still dont like horses not running for nearly a year and then coming straight to the Festival. At 9 years old this year, it will be harder than ever to do imo, and she will surely start regressing soon.
Alasi is a pretty decent yardstick, with back to back 4ths in the race and was only 1/2 length away from being runner up in this race last year, so Une Artiste's last two defeats of that horse read very well in the context of this race. She showed she stayed the trip well when stepped up to 2 1/2m for the first time on heavy ground at Sandown last time, and at only 5, there is every reason to believe she still has plenty of improvement in her.
To top it all off, she is a previous festival winner. Admittedly not against anything of the calibre of Quevega, but it does prove the conditions on the day shouldnt be a problem. She seems very versatile with regards to ground, so even if the water table bursts (!) it shouldnt affect her unduly.
For those who think Quevega is still unbeatable, she is also available in PP's market without Quevega at 4/1 and I have had some of that too.
Appreciate all thoughts. Cheers
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Hard to argue with any of that to be honest.
Probabaly cos i think shes a good chance as well  Not had a bet in the race as yet,will play nearer the day. |
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I think they would prefer it if the ground was a bit softer. It's not a bet i'd put anyone off, but i can't see past Quevega at this point if it's good running ground.
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myself and a pal were discussing this race and her in particular a couple of weeks back. not a lot to add in terms of reasoning as you have made a pretty similar case to the one my pal put forward, but at 8/1 it does look a super e/w bet.
i dont think id be too keen to back her in the without market though as i feel she really has a super chance of winning the race outright. |
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Good write up CCM. My main concern with her is a repeat of her Punchestown antics. Horses refusing to race tend to do it again at some point, hopefully not on March 12th.
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Yes I did have that as my only major doubt TB. But hopeful that as she hasn't down it the last twice, maybe they've sorted whatever it was? Maybe just a bit of immaturity at the time?
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Hasn't also Henderson said that the horse will have multiple entries. Fabulous bet at 8s but I'd prefer to wait for NRNB.
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Quevega is a cert IMO trainer stated that her dam got better with age and that quevega could still improve if she's in the same form as the last previous 4 years she wins on the bridle
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Only got the one entry corp. Think the price factors in the starting antics, maybe that's why it seems so generous. She's a big player on the day whatever CCM.
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totally agree she is a great bet at 8s im all over it toooo....
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Can you do the 4/1 e/w? Seems a cert to finish top 4. Can't see her beating the favourite.
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Yes you can, but it was 1/5 top 3.
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Ok thank you.
I'd be very worried about Unaccompanied in this race. Couldeven run the fav close if she stays. |
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^ Yes I'm very interested in her too.
Quevega is clearly the one to beat but she will never have run against anything as good as Unaccompanied here before. Her only previous trip to Cheltenham saw her finish second to Zarkandar with Grandouet behind, so she clearly handles the Festival and has very smart form to her name elsewhere too. You'd have to think she would get the trip based on that Triumph run two years ago (and in what will be a weak race), and if she improved for it, she should at the very least shake up the beast, |
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The problem with Une Artiste is the owner, Simon Munir, has three possibles for the race, all last time out winners: Une Artiste; Ma Filleule; and Utopie Des Bordes.
NRNB or read the runes and hope neither owner nor trainer changes his mind after your money's down. |
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btw, the entries for this race are not till next week, 26/2.
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I checked what Henderson said in Tuesdays' post. He said that she would probably be aimed at the Mares Hurdle but would have other entries too, which I assume will be in the 2 1/2 mile handicaps. Having re-looked at the prices 4/1 in the betting w/o Quevega looks about the best bet.
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Utopie Des Bordes going for the Albert Bartlett Ramruma
Dunno wat d plans are for the other 1 |
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Surely Ma Filleule will be kept in novice company too Ramruna?
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Going back to Unaccompanied, obviously she merits a lot of respect, but it's a bit of a risk guessing that she will stay IMO.
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have backed her at all rates from 16s down to 8s....mainly down to hendo saying at start of season she will give quevega something to think about...as long as shes in the three ,im happy enough.....good luck all
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One of the best bets on day 1,The w/o fav 4/1 is outstanding value considering she's already humped KGL when giving her 8lbs who is a point shorter,The one to give Quevega most to think about imo.
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Anyone give She Ranks Me a shout?
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my gut feeling is gut feeling is dead right !!!4/1 w/o fav a great price...can see only being 8/9 runners in this...think hendo will pull ma filleule and he already said utopie will go ab route and not so sure willie will run his other two !!!
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There will be loads more than 8 runners, most of them will be dross but they will be there
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Unaccompanied to beat Quevega. Weld wouldn't be running her at 2 1/2 miles if he thought she wouldn't stay. He is a genius at getting horses ready. imo.
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A genius indeed. But one with a very poor Cheltenham record.
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Fair point CCM. In saying that i've always got a good run for my money with his runners at Cheltanham. She's a class mare and 7/1 looked tasty. gltu.
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Unaccompanied has yet to race on good ground over hurdles. Had great form 104 on the flat on good ground.
Has never ran over 20f but seems to stay on over 2 miles. I think this horse is a colossal price. On official ratings she has 9lb to find but i would be very surprised if the extra distance on better ground did not see her improve. |
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As per the other thread Angel, is that apart from the Triumph
 and then when she went to Punch and got stuffed that season I think she's a soft ground horse, and I personally haven't seen any hurdle run that suggests she is crying out for a step up in trip. Was my biggest AP bet of 2011 as well. Cantering off the final bend and outstayed  |
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Interesting one she is.
I have a suspicion that she needs time between her races. She has run some belters and some poor ones, but often seems to disappoint when she turns out quickly after a good run, so I'm happy she's going to Cheltenham off a long break. The Triumph form, her win in Ireland against the boys over Christmas that year, and some of her Flat form suggests she's very good when right. Bit harsh to think she's a non-stayer as a filly in the brutal Triumph in which she still split Zarkandar and Grandouet. I think she's well worth the risk at 7-1. |
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I didn't say she was a non stayer Tom, just that she was outstayed. I agree she ran a great race, in a hot Triumph, and I am a massive fan of the horse. I think she will probably get the trip, just can't really see her improving for it, and she could be susceptible to a horse with proven stamina, like Quevega clearly has, and Une Artiste seems to have, who could both outstay her, even if she gets home, if you know what I mean.
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Good point about the gap between races though, could well be something in that.
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Such a lovely mare, backed her e/w and w/o Quevega for this.
Ground in the first day should be fine for her. Geraghty did say she likes it soft. But won at last years festival after all. |
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Shame for connections of Unaccompanied and that leaves a big hole in the race.
I'm amazed that some firms have only clipped Une Artiste from 8's to 7's on the back of this news though. Going in again at 7's. |
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Agree 7/1 looks too big now - have joined in the e/w gamble.
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Wasn't involved in this race but can't turn down the 7's with Unaccompanied now out. Cracking value.All aboard the Une Artiste express!!
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Best price now with w hill 7/1 but only giveing 1/5 the odds.
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THE OLBG MARES’ HURDLE
(FOR THE DAVID NICHOLSON MARES’ TROPHY) Class 1, Grade 2, £85,000 Total prize fund, 4.40pm, Tuesday, March 12th, 2013. 2m. 4f. Fillies and Mares only. Form Horse Age Owner Trainer 145-221 ALASI 9 Shully Liebermann Paul Webber 30-4501 BABY SHINE (IRE) 7 P Philipps, T Redman & Mrs L Redman Lucy Wadham 111/-P1P BUNGLASHA LADY (IRE) 8 Mrs T Brown Warren Greatrex 524536- CLOUDY SPIRIT 8 Norma Harris Reg Hollinshead P663P3 EPEE CELESTE (FR) 7 Mrs S M Richards Michael Chapman 522120 HI NOTE 5 Gerald West Sheena West 112-4P4 KAFFIE 8 D H Morgan Kim Bailey 1-62123 KAUTO SHINY (FR) 5 Louise Kemble & Patrick Atkinson Tom George 101-P46 KELLS BELLE (IRE) 7 Brian, Gwen, Terri & Kelly Griffiths Nicky Henderson 22-1334 KENTFORD GREY LADY 7 Ian Bare Emma Lavelle 120-P00 KYLENOE FAIRY (IRE) 9 The Rockbourne Partnership Paul Henderson F6-052(0) LADY KATHLEEN 6 Shully Liebermann Paul Webber P-51221 MA FILLEULE (FR) 5 Simon Munir Nicky Henderson 424535 MAE'S CHOICE (IRE) 7 Miceal Martin Sammon/Seana Sammon Gordon Elliott IRE 2211 MISCHIEVOUS MILLY (IRE) 5 A Stewart & A Taylor Oliver Sherwood 412465 MISS MILBORNE 7 Adrian Brown and Friends Jamie Snowden 114-21 PRIMA PORTA 7 D P Barrie & H A F Parshall Evan Williams 11/1/111- QUEVEGA (FR) 9 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE 313113 REINE ANGEVINE (FR) 5 Supreme Horse Racing Club Willie Mullins IRE 30-503 SEPTEMBER BLAZE 6 The Blaze Partnership Paul Webber 331-115 SHADOW EILE (IRE) 8 S Reilly Dot Love IRE 123112 SHE RANKS ME (IRE) 6 Roger O'Byrne Donald McCain 2542-20 SHOP DJ (IRE) 8 Arthur Craigie Peter Fahey IRE 455311 SIRENE D'AINAY (FR) 7 Stephane Milaveau Emmanuel Clayeux FR 1-23 STONE LIGHT (FR) 5 Andrew Brooks Venetia Williams 02-0532 SWINCOMBE FLAME 7 Yeo Racing Partnership Nick Williams 1111-13 SWING BOWLER 6 David Johnson David Pipe 1//-111FF TARLA (FR) 7 Susannah Ricci Willie Mullins IRE 005112 TWEEDLEDRUM 6 Wainwright, Hill, Atkin, Cheshire & Rowlinson Tom Symonds 5/1/-1F TWIGLINE (FR) 6 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate Willie Mullins IRE 23-6131 UMADACHAR (FR) 5 Mrs T Brown Warren Greatrex 411R-11 UNE ARTISTE (FR) 5 Simon Munir Nicky Henderson 214111 UTOPIE DES BORDES (FR) 5 Simon Munir & Isaac Souede Nicky Henderson 300P-05 WHAT A CHARM (IRE) 6 C Jones Arthur Moore IRE 6-24404 WITCHESINTUNE 6 Miss S J Hartley Helen Nelmes 221313 ZUZKA (IRE) 6 Supreme Horse Racing Club Willie Mullins IRE 36 entries 9 Irish-trained 1 French-trained |