Cheltenham Festival
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13 Apr 15
20:30
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04 Dec 06
After a brilliant Cheltenham with many fabulous individual performances Aintree has followed in much the same way.
Many Clouds produced a career best to show guts and stamina to win the National. He has improved from race to race this season, excluding the God Cup, and will be a force in the staying chases next season when there is an emphasis on stamina.
Arctic Fire looked very unlucky not to gain a well deserved victory in the big hurdle race. He looked to have the race at his mercy coming to the last before tipping up. He hasn't won this season but has established himself a top 2m hurdler and should be winning Grade 1's next year.
Silviniaco Conti defended his Bowl win from last year in workman like fashion. He jumped super and was given another fine ride from Noel but with a bunch of top novices from this season he may find it tougher next year. Holywell ran his usual consistent race but only proved to me again he is some way below what is required to win the top races next term.
The performance of the meeting, if not the season, was from Don Cossack. His thrashing of the Melling field puts him on top of the 2 1/2m division and caps a brilliant season. He has lived up to his trainers beliefs and can count himself unlucky not to have gotten a lot closer or even beaten Uxizandre in the Ryanair.
Some good novice performances too.
Saphir Du Rheu stepped up from his impressive Exeter novice win to thrash some decent horses and is another terribly exciting Gold Cup prospect. Fingers crossed next years Gold Cup could be an all time great.
Cyrus Darius stepped up to Grade 2 company in his stride and easily won the novice hurdle over 2m. His trainer has said he will be chasing next year and could be exciting.
Roll on Punchestown.
Many Clouds produced a career best to show guts and stamina to win the National. He has improved from race to race this season, excluding the God Cup, and will be a force in the staying chases next season when there is an emphasis on stamina.
Arctic Fire looked very unlucky not to gain a well deserved victory in the big hurdle race. He looked to have the race at his mercy coming to the last before tipping up. He hasn't won this season but has established himself a top 2m hurdler and should be winning Grade 1's next year.
Silviniaco Conti defended his Bowl win from last year in workman like fashion. He jumped super and was given another fine ride from Noel but with a bunch of top novices from this season he may find it tougher next year. Holywell ran his usual consistent race but only proved to me again he is some way below what is required to win the top races next term.
The performance of the meeting, if not the season, was from Don Cossack. His thrashing of the Melling field puts him on top of the 2 1/2m division and caps a brilliant season. He has lived up to his trainers beliefs and can count himself unlucky not to have gotten a lot closer or even beaten Uxizandre in the Ryanair.
Some good novice performances too.
Saphir Du Rheu stepped up from his impressive Exeter novice win to thrash some decent horses and is another terribly exciting Gold Cup prospect. Fingers crossed next years Gold Cup could be an all time great.
Cyrus Darius stepped up to Grade 2 company in his stride and easily won the novice hurdle over 2m. His trainer has said he will be chasing next year and could be exciting.
Roll on Punchestown.
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Yeah Brandy, great 3 days racing, and good summary. Was there for the Thursday and it was one of the strongest Thursdays I can remember.
Cheltenham could learn a thing or two off Aintree (although both Jockey Club owned) as the experience at Aintree is much better imo. A highlight for me was Clarcam, who bounced back from his Arkle disappointment and will be a force in the QMCC or Ryanair next year. What a race that Irish Arkle is looking already, with Gilgamboa's win last week. I love Conti, so was made up to see him win the Bowl, but as you say, probably won't win a Gold Cup, but the Betfair, King George,the Denman and next years Bowl could all be there for him. Very underrated horse, who has been a model of consistency for a number of years now. Nichols Canyon was very impressive too, along with Saphir due Rheu. Any other year and I'd really like him for the Gold Cup. Couple of weeks to recharge the batteries and then off to Punchy to see the best 2m hurdler of my generation. I love the spring!!! |
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Willie Mullins has raised the possibility Vautour and Don Poli taking each other on at the Punchestown Festival in the Growise Champion Novice Chase.
Both were successful at the Cheltenham Festival as Vautour blew away his rivals in the JLT Novices' Chase and Don Poli was equally as impressive in landing the RSA Chase. A clash between the two stablemates would be one of the highlights of the week at Punchestown. "In the Growise Champion Novice Chase, Don Poli looks to be a good candidate - he is on course for the race and it's his best option during the week," said Mullins. "There's a good chance Vautour will go for the race too - he definitely could line up beside Don Poli. He does have other options as well so we'll see." |
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Some nice pics of Balthazar King at Leahurst for anyone interested.
www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/balthazar-king-recovering-merseyside-horse-9060792 |