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| Our Conor in last year's Triumph Hurdle Romp |
Faugheen was widely regarded as Willie Mullins' banker of the meeting by a lot of Irish punters and after Vautour was so impressive yesterday in the Supreme is taken to make it a double. His jumping has never been the best but in truth he has never been forced to race at a break neck pace which he will surely face today. Everytime Faugheen has been asked to quicken has resulted in his jumping improving vastly so it is taken that it wont be a problem today. Each time he has graced the track he has been fantastic and has never been off the bridle including when beating Supreme Hurdle runner up, Josses Hill by 22 lengths in a bumper. He is unbeaten in three over hurdles however and is taken to stretch that to four from four and continue his rise to the top. (5/2)
RSA Chase - Annacotty
Many of you already know that I hold Annacotty in high regard and since the application of blinkers he has been a revelation. His win in the Grade One Feltham at Kempton was his first run in headgear which worked perfectly as he made all to beat a decent field including Green Flag who placed yesterday at Cheltenham. Also boosting his form yesterday was Present View who won the finale for Brendan Powell and Jamie Snowden, after seeing the rear of Annacotty in a handicap at Kempton once more. Most recently we saw Annacotty bravely go down as top weight in a Cheltenham Handicap on Trials day back in January, showing he handles the course perfectly fine. One more added bonus is that with Corrin Wood and Gevrey Chambertin trying different tactics tomorrow he should get it all his own way out in front. Annacotty to gallop his rivals into submission. (25/1)
Coral Cup - Get Me Out Of Here
Yesterday's handicappers to follow didn't particularly set the world alight but we try once more with Get Me Out Of Here. He was given an easy time of things in the Greatwood after losing his chance yet stayed on after being outpaced turning for home. He was dropped a pound for that effort which we wont be complaining about and his current price tag looks too big for a once top class horse. This time last year he was contesting the World Hurdle but stamina gave out and in the end he was pulled up, but as a result his handicap mark is now ten pounds lower and this looks to be his level nowadays. One important thing that is in his favour is that the ground is on the fast side after today which he will love and trainer Jonjo O'Neill was already amongst the winners with Holywell. Get Me Out Of Here to finally get his Festival win. (ante post 33/1)
Betvictor Queen Mother Champion Chase - Sire De Grugy
Sire De Grugy has been fantastic over two miles this year in the absence of Sprinter Sacre, especially last time at Ascot when very impressive. The one doubt over him is that he doesn't handle the course at Cheltenham which im not in total agreeance with as today he should have more to aim at in front. He attempted to give Kid Cassidy 10 pounds that day so on the formline he shouldn't be able to come home in front once more. There have been glowing reports from the Moore yard and the ground wont inconvenience him at all, however softer ground would be preferred. Sire De Grugy to lose his Cheltenham maiden tag and land the Champion Chase for Jamie and Gary Moore. (3/1)
Glenfarclas Handicap Chase - Balthazar King
Philip Hobbs' representative is no stranger to the Cross Country course and the ground has come absolutely perfect for him, however he does have to carry round top weight. Last week his participation hung in the balance with the ground on the softer side, clearly that is now no problem and he returns here as a ten year old in great form. Last year's winner Big Shu is sure to be a danger as are the regulars round here in Any Currency and Uncle Junior, the latter from Ireland's Champion Trainer Willie Mullins. But Balthazar King can take his already impressive Cross Country record to a new level. (7/1)
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle - Violet Dancer
Hopefully by this point Gary and Jamie Moore will already have one winner on the board with Sire De Grugy and they can double up with Violet Dancer. He impressed me at Sandown when winning a Juvenile Hurdle in good style before running well behind Le Rocher and Kentucky Hyden in a Grade One at Chepstow. He then disappointed last time at Huntingdon when attempting to give weight away all round but the ground was against him that day and better ground will help him big time. One thing Violet Dancer doesn't lack is size and you wouldn't guess he is a four year old just by looking at him as he already looks a chasing type, which is where his future lies. But off a workable mark of 130 he can land this year's Fred Winter. (25/1)
Weatherbys Champion Bumper - Black Hercules and Coyaba
We go into the last double handed with Black Hercules for the same connections of last year's winner albeit now a second string to Shaneshill. The latter mentioned hasn't been seen for 102 days which can only be seen as a negative but looks the speedier type, whereas Black Hercules already looks a stayer. The ground could cause him to be outpaced but he won impressively on debut when tackling Good to Yielding so it shouldn't be too much of a worry. Paddy Mullins bought the horse from a Point to Point before selling him to Graham Wylie who still owns him to this date and will run in them colours today. The second selection and one at a more spectacular price is Coyaba who has been unfairly treated by bookmakers after his run on New Year's Day. He is yet to run over this distance but looks a stayer in the making so stamina wont be a problem for him and a four year old allowance can only boost his chances. Martin Keighley's Gelding had won two bumpers in very smart style before getting stuck in the mud at Cheltenham when racing shouldn't really have gone ahead. That run is forgiven and an each way price is taken by us. (8/1 and 66/1)
NAP - Faugheen
Nb - Annacotty
Good luck and as always, Happy Punting!
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