I write to you from a snowy West Sussex, thankfully I am nowhere near the track which will make my journey today all the more interesting. By all reports the snow has left the course alone and the frost covers are down which is nothing but good news for racing fans. Its times like these everyone needs to take a step back and acknowledge the fantastic work of Simon Claisse and his team, who have been working tirelessly to enable the meeting to go ahead.
By all reckoning though, on this cold Monday morning, it's all systems go regarding the festival and we pray for all jockeys and horses riding and running today to come back safe. Last Saturday helped our Cheltenham funds out no end with Soll and Arbeo both winning at Sandown. It always helps when your NAP and Nb go in, but we have to thank Sam Thomas for the second win. Off the bridle half way down the back straight, Sam galvanised Arbeo and got him up right on top of the line after jumping the last well. Earlier in the afternoon Soll ran his rivals into the ground and gave them a lesson in jumping and staying. Hardly touching a twig on the way round Sandown Park with himself and Mark Grant going on to score by a comfortable 5 lengths.
But enough of last week, the festival is here the excitement is brewing and only a short amount of time before we can hear that famous Cheltenham roar. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you day one of the Cheltenham Festival 2013.
William Hill Supreme Novices Hurdle - Pique Sous
Willie Mullins' grey continues to be held in high regard at the yard but must carry the title of third string to Champagne Fever and Un Atout. All season he has been laid out for the race and a return to Cheltenham was always on the cards after his Champion Bumper third last year. The main reason for fancying him this year was that he was being held back for a run on better ground, unfortunately the going is soft. This still may not be as soft as he would have experienced in Ireland and has all the talent in the world after his Dundalk romp. With Ruby riding Champagne Fever, the coast is clear for Paul Townend to get the leg up on todays selection which is always a bonus. He has proven his love for the course with the aforementioned third in the Champion Bumper last season when running a blinder behind his stablemate. A fantastic each way price of 20/1 is still available in this small field and that makes him one of the bets of the race. Pique Sous to land the opener. (25/1 ante post) (20/1 available now)
Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase - Simonsig
First off Id like to say the main reason for putting up Simonsig, firstly I cant see Overturn beating him, as much as I'd love to see it of course. But I have just taken 3/1 on Simonsig with Boylesports after opening up an account (Max bet 20 pounds), I haven't been put up to saying that, its just a VERY good offer.
Simonsig has been electric in all of his chase starts so far as expected after being one of the top novices last year when winning the Neptune. He hasn't put a foot wrong when jumping and for as tough as he is, Overturn may just set the race up for him and do more damage to himself. Im really struggling to say anything else about why I think he will win, I just cant see past him whatsoever and there is a severe lack of dangers. (4/6) (Open a Boylesports account and they give you 3/1 on Simonsig, See the website for details)
JLT Specialty Handicap Chase - Cloudy Too
Many of these will be having their prep for the National here, including a number of the main players in the betting market. Cloudy Too isn't one of these and is one that has been improving all year, after his easy win at Haydock last time he is up another 9 pounds, but that is justified. Wayne Hutchinson gets the ride again today who is picking up a lot of good rides for Sue Smith's yard as of late which is a huge positive. He of course rode last time and that was the only time he has sat on the selection but has a good rapport with the horse. Cloudy Too is more than capable of defying a 9 pounds rise and is only 7 years of age which is bringing around some improvement in him. Sue Smith hasn't had the best of luck as of late but can have her fortunes turned round here with Cloudy Too at a working mans price. (20/1)
Stan James Champion Hurdle - Grandouet
Grandouet has been the selection for the Champion hurdle all season long and it would be moronic to change my mind after all this time. The only thing that would put you off of him is the interrupted preparation and a lot of rumours about him. But just think to yourself, would Nicky Henderson seriously send a horse of his quality to a race of this quality unfit. The answer to that is a resounding no. He may not be 100% but you can bet your last penny that Nicky Henderson will have him as fit as he possibly can be without a race. Think back to the International Hurdle this season and how Nicky Henderson sent him there with 'a lot left on him', yet he was 2 lengths behind Zarkandar giving him 4 pounds. Off level weights here should put him right upsides Paul Nicholls' representative. One more positive for Grandouet is the lack of pace which could turn into somewhat a sprint up the hill. One thing that everyone can agree on is the fact that Grandouet is the fastest horse in the race with such a high cruising speed. Off a slow pace he would have no problems going past Zarkandar and Rock on Ruby who will seemingly get further than this two miles. One last positive is that Grandouet was a slow maturing horse when he was younger and now finally seems to have grown into himself. So there we have our selection for the main race on Day one, Grandouet to land the Champion Hurdle 2013. (ante-post 7/1) (now available at 8/1)
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase - Any Currency
Martin Keighley has a number of good chances this week and Any Currency is one of them with a leading chance. He tackles the Cross Country fences for the first time here but they should pose no threat to him and the trip is right up his street. Officially he would run off 10-2 but Ian Popham takes a further 3 pounds off so he carries an absolute flyweight round Prestbury Park. This season he has run much better races, this is down to his breathing operation he had at the start of the year. Looking at him during the race and form wise he has done nothing but improve for the operation and racing for him just seems easier and a bit more fluent. All in all as long as he takes to the fences he should be bang in contention and this race could bring a bit more improvement in him. A real solid each way chance. (14/1)
OLBG Mares Hurdle - Alasi
Paul Webber’s mare has always run a good race when it comes to Cheltenham and she comes here on the back of some of her best runs in a few seasons. Last time out she beat possibly a below par Champion Court at Kempton when Hurdling has always been her game. This race always seems to bring out the best in her and annoyingly for me she always seems to go off a big price and get caught on the line for third. I am more confident in her running better this time round however with her form on the rise and in all looking a much better horse. The ground will pose no problem to her whatsoever and we know she has the class to figure. At Sandown she was beaten by Une Artiste but finished ahead of Kentford Grey Lady so she has shown she can mix with her main rivals. Potentially an each way steal. (25/1)
Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase - Colour Squadron
Still a maiden over fences but possibly unlucky on debut when his saddle slipped early in the race, McCoy still managed to get him to within 6 lengths of Module that day however. Since then he was well put in his place by the useful Fago before turning out a better effort at Exeter behind Theatrical Star. He enters handicap company today which will be much more to his liking and could well be thrown in on his mark of 139. He is most probably a better horse than he has shown so far and with the Philip Hobbs yard in very good form can take the last race on day one. (13/2)
NAP - Simonsig
Nb - Grandouet
Good luck to all of you who are having a bet on the first day, for myself, I am about to venture out into Stow on the Wold for a bite to eat and a pint.
Happy Punting guys
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