Cheltenham Festival Day 2
It was a good first day at the festival as far as the blog was concerned (roughly + 12 points for the day). However, no time to dwell on that as the focus now turns to day two.
14:05 RSA Chase -
SMAD PLACE - 1.5 points EW @ 13/2 = PLACED (2nd)
Alan King's gelding has taken well to chasing this term, notching up two wins from his 3 starts so far. In previous year's this 7 year old has been a very useful hurdler, finishing a creditable 3rd in both the 2012 & 2013 World Hurdle, both of which came on similar ground. if that form can be translated from hurdles to fences then he looks a nice prospect for this event. One piece of form that catches the eye in particular comes from last season's Liverpool Hurdle at Aintree's Grand National meeting, where he finished in third a length and a quarter behind Holywell, who has since gone on to win the Baylis & Harding handicap chase yesterday. This has surely only served to boost SMAD PLACES chances here. That sought after course form is there & the return to better ground should definitely suit. Overall, King's charge has hardly put a foot wrong since going over fences, if able to repeat some of that very good World Hurdle form over the larger obstacles here today, he looks set to go well.
14:40 Coral Cup -
3 Selections -
DELL' ARCA - 0.5 points EW @ 12/1 = PLACED (5th)
MEISTER ECKHART - 0.5 points EW @ 20/1 = Unplaced
WHISPER - 0.5 points EW @ 22/1 = WINNER
As with any festival race that sees 28 runners go down to post, this is going to be tricky one. Whatever your picking here your going to need things to fall right & ultimately that bit of luck. Nonetheless i have picked out a few who all look to have good EW chances on a form basis. Starting with DELL' ARCA, David Pipe's lightly raced 5 year old has looked impressive in his 3 runs this season, perhaps most notably when winning around Cheltenham over 17f back at the November meeting on ground similar to that forecast here today. Last time out he was certainly not disgraced when again running on well under pressure, this time in heavy ground to take 2nd in this season's Betfair Hurdle at Newbury. Although the step up to 21f today is an unknown the manner in which he has kept on in his races suggest it may well suit nicely. MEISTER ECKHART finished runner up in this race last season for trainer Alan King who also saddled the 33/1 winner Medinas. King would appear to play a strong hand again with his 2 entrants, of which MEISTER ECKHART looks the stronger on available form. The 8 year old is only 2lb higher in the ratings than when running extremely well 12 months ago and if repeating that form he could be set for another big run. Finally WHISPER for Nicky Henderson is another who could go well at big odds. The 6 year old has shown some decent form this season, in addition to previously winning over C&D. Would appear to be steadily progressing & with Nico De Boinville taking off a valuable 5lbs, Whisper could find himself running into the places at very backable EW price.
15:20 Champion Chase -
MODULE - 0.25 points EW @ 20/1 = PLACED (3rd)
Also CAPTAIN CONAN tipped up on twitter - 1 point EW @ 4/1 = Pulled up
Should start off by saying that if this was at any other track i would admittedly be all over the favourite - Sire De Grugy, who has been very impressive this season. However, there are worries surrounding his ability to be as effective at this track (worries he may well put to bed). In addition to this it looks a fairly muddling race with further question marks over a few others & question marks over the collateral form concerning those runners. Therefore, i am happy to take a small EW punt on one of the outsiders; MODULE, who in all honesty does look a tad overpriced at 20's. Tom George's gelding has run with plenty of credit in some very good Grade 2 races recently, most notably when winning over 17f at Newbury last time out, could pinch a place at big odds.
16:00 Handicap Chase (Cross Country) -
2 Selections -
BALTHAZAR KING - 0.75 points EW @ 6/1 = WINNER
SIRE COLLONGES - 0.5 points EW @ 11/1 = Unplaced
Phillip Hobbs BALTHAZAR KING, has proven on several occasions that he likes it round Cheltenham, so the first thing he can offer up is plenty of positive course form. The best of that form lies between when winning this race back in 2012 and when winning over C&D back at this seasons November meeting. It has to be said that both runs look to give him a solid chance here today. There may be a worry that as a 10 year old carrying top weight he may struggle; however, he carried top weight on his last win over C&D so we know he can do it. He looked as good as ever when grinding out that impressive victory over C&D last time out & if in the same mood after a break he can go well once more. SIRE COLLONGES for Paul Nicholls is another with plenty of experience over C&D and just like the above, gave perhaps his best performance last time out when battling on really well to win over the course and distance. Has a few other encouraging pieces of Cheltenham form, Similarly to Balthazar King if turning up on a going day he could be one to go well at a nice price.
15:15 Champion Bumper -
3 Selections -
KILLULTAGH VIC - 0.5 points EW @ 10/1
MODUS - 0.5 points EW @ 10.1
DEFINITLY RED - 0.25 points EW @ 20/1
The Champion bumper is always a difficult race to get a good feel for since most of the runners bring only 1 or 2 pieces of form to the table along with plenty of the unknown. However, i have picked out three who look some of the more likely ones based on what they've done so far. Willie Mullins has a formidable record in this race, with 4 of the last 9 winners coming from the Irish champion trainers stable. Unsurprisingly he saddles 3 of the market leaders in this year's renewal. One of which, KILLULTAGH VIC was an impressive winner last time out at Naas when he easily brushed aside last year's third placed horse Golantilla, so he certainly looks capable of going well. MODUS for Robert Stephens comes into this with some valuable Cheltenham experince under his belt already. He won a 15f listed bumper around here in emphatic style back in January making him another worth the punt. Finally DEFINITLY RED for Steve Gollings & the Champ AP complete the trio. He was an impressive winner of a listed class Newbury bumper back in February and although that was on heavy ground he looked good in winning, another who could be in with a shout at a big price.
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