Cheltenham Festival Handicappers To Follow

Make A Track – 148

We start off with one of two entries in the Festival Chase on day one at Cheltenham which is also the first handicap of the meeting, so lets get off to a flyer. Charlie Swan's gelding didn't exactly get the perfect prep run at Fairyhouse when pulling up in a listed chase but there could be a reason for that. Make A Track has never excelled in small race fields and it has long been my belief that big handicaps are the way forward for him. Whether there is a reason he underachieve's in smaller races is something only people closer to the horse will know, but he does wear a noseband and it could just be that he loses concentration during the race. 

He started off this season with two defeats at short prices in four runner fields before demolishing a Limerick handicap field off a 10 pound lower mark than present in a 16 runner field. He then went on to disappoint again at a short price in a four runner field before coming a good seventh in a 17 runner race behind He'llberemembered. That was over two and a half miles which isn't ideal for him and that showed as he got outpaced turning for home, but stayed on after almost being brought down at the last.

One last point is that he has ran at the Festival before when a good fourth in the Martin Pipe behind Attaglance. He showed that two and a half miles was too short for him that day again as he lost his place two out and then stayed on strongly for a place.

Close House looks to break his
Maiden tag over fences

Baylis and Harding Handicap Chase - 33/1

Close House – 135

David Pipe saddles an interesting one in the final race on day one with Close House who is still a maiden after three starts over fences. As a hurdler he showed great promise and at his best he achieved a mark of 143 which is a whole 8 pounds higher than he is rated over the bigger obstacles. In his first two races Close House kept good company when running against Wonderful Charm, Taquin Du Seuil and Oscar Whisky and

was looking a danger when coming down on chase debut four from home. On his second outing he completed but could do no better than third on bottomless ground which isn't a bad performance in truth. His third and latest run bought about his handicap chase debut over two miles which was always going to be too short for him and he finished a lowly last of the four competitors. A combination of the step up in trip and a drop of three pounds in the handicap could see him go close here with jumping not much of an issue in my mind.

Rewards4Racing Novices Handicap Chase - 25/1

Indian Icon – 121

Indian Icon is a risky one as he looks unlikely to get into his handicap but will need 26 horses above him to come out if he wants to sneak in at the bottom of the weights. If he were to get into the race then he will be lethal off a mark of 121 after chasing home Ivan Grozny two outings ago but couldn't go with him on testing ground. That has been his downfall this year as he needs better ground but hasn't been able to perform to his best on the tough winter surface in Ireland. Each time he has travelled like the best horse in the race but when push has come to shove he couldn't quicken in the ground. 

On the level he was a useful 83 rated horse so there definitely looks room for breathing regarding his hurdles mark on that front. Like Close House he is also a maiden in this sphere which isn't ideal but would be tackling a handicap for the first time which is a positive. Despite being a maiden from 5 attempts over hurdles he has done no worse than fourth, but the stand out of the form is definitely the 2nd to Ivan Grozny. If he makes it into the race then Indian Icon will be a serious contender and is one to keep onside for future reference. 

Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle - 33/1

Alfie Sherrin – 134 

Alfie Sherrin is no stranger to the Cheltenham Festival as he looks to add to his excellent record on his fourth visit to Cheltenham. He tasted Festival success when partnering Richie McLernon to catch Fruity O'Rooney in the Festival Chase in 2012, which he has another entry in again this year. The alternate option for him and in my eyes the more likely target is the Kim Muir for which he is 55th on the list, whereas he is a lowly 76th

Alfie Sherrin on his way to Festival glory

in the Baylis and Harding. Connections have looked after him this season with races later in the calendar on the agenda and as a result we have only seen him once this season in a hurdle race. That outing was at Haydock and Jonjo has done well not to run him off a tempting handicap mark as he is two pounds lower than his festival fourth last year. Stamina is definitely his forte and off a low mark in the handicap can outstay his rivals and get his second win at the Cheltenham Festival.

Baylis and Harding Handicap Chase - 20/1

Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase - 16/1

Get Me Out Of Here – 148

Get Me Out Of Here is another horse that is no stranger to Cheltenham and will be making his fifth appearance at the Festival next week. He has two entries throughout the course of the four days with his first option coming in the Coral Cup in which he was runner up back in 2012 behind Son Of Flicka. That effort came from a 7 pound higher mark and also off top weight which is a hard thing to do in a Festival Handicap. This time last season he was rated 158 and contesting the World Hurdle which proved to be too much for him and he was pulled up, but he showed promise last time in the Greatwood Hurdle. 

Get Me Out Of Here bids gain his first Cheltenham success

That race is a similar distance to his other engagement for the week in the County Hurdle which is another race he has been second back in 2011. That was off exactly the same mark as he is right now when he was just touched off on the line by Final Approach and Ruby Walsh.

He has been a serious force for some time in handicaps now and owes connections absolutely nothing but he couldn't deserve a festival win more. In four visits to the Cheltenham Festival he has been runner up in the Supreme Novices, Coral Cup and County Hurdle and is yet to win. He can break that duck this season but will need the ground to dry out.

Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle - 33/1

Coral Cup - 33/1

Next Sensation – 142

We save the best till last here with Next Sensation who is living up to his name in every way possible after winning eased down for the third time this season at Doncaster. His first win came off a basement mark of 105 and the improvement he has shown for Michael Scudamore this season is nothing short of miraculous. He beat God's Own last time out albeit in receipt of four pounds, but he could hardly have won easier that day and the runner up has since franked the form.

Next Sensation after his Doncaster romp

The one single thing that has impressed me about him is his jumping, if you watch his last race you will understand why as he is a giant of a horse. That doesn't mean he lacks any speed however as he does things very easily from the front end and at present has the perfect mix of Speed and Stamina. He was raised nine pounds for his latest victory which if showing up in the same frame of mind wont be nearly enough. With the detraction of Ted Veale, who it has been announced will go for the Arkle, he has now shortened significantly and is favourite in places. Next Sensation will take all the beating at Cheltenham and I fully expect him to make into a Graded chaser next season.

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap - 10/1

Byrne Group Plate - 20/1