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CHELTENHAM DAY 2: 1.30 - Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup (Amateur Riders´ Novices´ Chase): The National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup is run over four miles on the new course and is open to Novice horses of five years old and upward, to be ridden by Amateur jockeys only. It's the longest race at the Festival and, with the runners unlikely to have run over the trip before, comparing form lines and finding the winner is difficult. Key Trends: Run on 4-8 occasions that season. Made their debut in the NH sphere. Had finished in the top 3 of a Chase at three miles plus Had run within 50 days of the race but preferably not within 14 days.. Finished in the first 3 last time out Won a hurdle or chase at three miles plus Had run in 3 to 7 chases Aged 7 or 8 In races of this nature the extreme trip often negates the difference in ratings of the field. Of far more importance is an ability to jump, stay well and have a good attitude/response to pressure. Jockeyship also plays it's part with the booking of a good,competent and experienced Amateur a bonus. In the past two seasons it has gone to a more exposed horse but prior to that first season Chasers or lightly raced second season Chasers had held sway. The main protaganists: Harry The Viking: Unbeaten since his debut over hurdles, winning two over the smaller obstacles and two over fences. Only just done enough in his two Chase victories but his win over Ikorodu Road has since been franked by the winner who has gone in from a seven pound higher mark. Gives the impression that he saves a bit for himself and looks the type who could come into his own over this marathon trip. Statistically both a bit inexperienced and coming into the race from a longer than ideal absence. However did win one of his three Points before switching to rules. Ground conditions look ideal. Teaforthree: Progressive and a winner of two of his five Chases to date. The only one of these to experience fences at this track when he finished within two lengths of Join Together here over 26 furlongs last November. Has since improved to win two Novice Chases but had a harder race than ideal when winning the last of them just 17 days ago. Used to be ridden prominently over hurdles but the tactics have been to lead in his Chases and he will face plenty of competition here for that privilege here. Probably has some of the strongest Chase form on offer here and has the right profile for this race. Alfie Spinner: Decent hurdler but, after just five outings over fences, he already looks like be a better Chaser. Won a heavy ground Beginner's Chase over three miles on the undulations at Chepstow in December and has since finished close up behind some very good Novices in two starts. Enjoys testing conditions but was a close second in a very competitive Sandown handicap over hurdles 13 months ago. Only slight concern is his disappointing effort the only time he has raced here in last season's Pertemps Final. Can lead but seems tactically versatile and has the assistance of Sam Waley-Cohen. Universal Soldier: Scored a bloodless victory at Towcester last time out on his first start for his current yard and won a big field handicap with ease at Chepstow 14 months ago. Only had three races over fences and didn't complete in one of them so he has more questions to answer regarding his Chase form than some who are toward the head of the market. Yet to race on ground quicker than good/soft and could be let down by his inexperience. Soll: Yet to finish out of the first two in five races, two Points, one Hurdle race and two Chases. Impressed with his jumping so far and gives the impression that he will stay marathon trips. Represents top connections and partnered by a very good Amateur who has won on this track. Yet to race on ground as quick as he is likely to face here but, being by Presenting, he can be expected to handle it. Alle Garde: A winner of one of his three Chases and, although beaten in his last two starts, he posted decent performances in Graded Company. Bred to need further than three miles and is already suggesting that may be the case. Handles good as well as testing ground and another representing Willie Mullins. Of the others at bigger prices State Benefit, Blenheim Brook, Court Red Handed, Lively Baron and Iron Chancellor are not without chances. Selection: Alfie Spinner - 1 pt e/w @ 8/1 (Bet364 or Skybet, 1/4 odds, first 4). 2.05 - Neptune Investment Management Novices´ Hurdle (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices´ Hurdle): The Neptune Novice Hurdle is run over 2 miles 5 furlongs on the old course. It is open to Novice Hurdlers of four years and upwards and is afforded Grade One status. Key Trends: Has an adjusted RPR of at least 145 Finished 1st or 2nd last time out Finished 1st or 2nd on all completed hurdles starts Aged 5 or 6 Won at least 50% of all hurdles starts Won over at least 2m 4f Rated within 11lb or RPR top-rated Started career either in Irish point-to-point or bumpers At least 3 runs over hurdles Won at least a graded hurdle, 2 others placed. Suits NH bred rather than flat bred horses. This race centres around Simonsig who skipped the Supreme Novices to run over this longer trip. His task has been made somewhat easier by the absence of both Fingal Bay (injured) and Boston Bob (goes for the Albert Bartlett) The main protagonists: Simonsig: Only beaten once and that came in a Grade 2 against Fingal Bay over 20 furlongs at Sandown. Looked set to win that race but flattened out and was eventually beaten almost three lengths. That seemed to question his stamina but he scoped 'dirty' afterwards and, in the circumstances, it was probably a good effort. He has since scored a bloodless victory over 18 furlongs at Kelso, where he went off at 2/7, which told us precious little apart from his well-being. He is a very strong traveller but, in winning with ease, he has done it all on the bridle and has yet to be educated on how to battle. This field contains more quantity than quality but it will still be surprising if Simonsig can win this without coming under pressure. When he does it will reveal whether he really is just a 'bridle' horse. Given he also has no experience under rules of an undulating track he looks one to take on at his current price. Monksland: Unbeaten in a Bumper and two hurdle races, the last a comfortable victory in a Grade 2 Novice at Naas, the form of which has been franked. Lacks experience but two of the last four winners of this race came into it on the back of just two outings over hurdles. Yet to race under rules on ground faster than soft but he was in the process of running well in his only Point on fast ground before running out at the last. Connection are confident he will improve for the better ground and, if that is the case, he will be a serious rival to the favourite. It was a bit disconcerting to see him flicking his tail when he went clear at Naas but it didn't stop him going forward and may be a sign of immaturity rather than temperament. Sous Les Cieux: Raced five times over hurdles in this country and announced his credentials for this when beating Galileo's Choice in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse in December. Suffered two reverses as favourite since, once at odds on, but expected to be suited by the step up to today's trip. His best form has come on soft/heavy ground and, while connections feel he will be seen in a better light under less testing conditions, he may lack the raw pace when the gallop quickens on good ground. He is likely to be clawing back any deficit come the line but whether he can do it quick enough is the question he has to answer. Represents the Mullins/Walsh partnership so of obvious interest but enough doubts to swerve at his current price. Make Your Mark: Won a Bumper and a Maiden hurdle by ten lengths before being put in his place by Boston Bob last time out in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in heavy ground. Lyreen Legend was in front of him there and that form as it stands leaves him a lot to find with Monksland. However he won his only Point on fast ground and his Maiden hurdle on good ground so there is the hope that the better ground he will get here will see him produce a much better performance. Too soon to be writing off his chances given his connections even if that last defeat would make him a statistically unfashionable winner. Bred to be a strong stayer and travels well through his races. Batonnier: Progressed in each of his first four outings over hurdles but finished 2232 and didn't produce the level of performance required to win this. However he showed significant improvement in winning over this C/D last time out. He travelled through the race really well under a confident ride and quickened away from Broadbackbob when that rival made a mistake at the last. He needs to improve again to win this but now he has got his head in front it's unknown just how far he will progress here. Cotton Mill: Achieved a decent level of form on the flat in just four outings but unbeaten in three races since his attention was switched to hurdling and his latest victory was franked by the runner up who has since scored with some ease off top weight in a very competitive handicap for Novices at Sandown. Handles good ground but needs to find a fair bit of improvement to trouble the principals on current evidence. Flat bred which is a negative because history has shown that NH bred horses are more suited to this test. Of the others only Felix Younger makes any appeal and he will need to jump much better than he did when picking up a Grade 2 at Naas last time out. Benefficient won the Grade 1 Delottie at Leopardstown last time out, beating Sous Les Cieux in the process, but that was a muddling affair and the second looks likely to gain his revenge over this longer trip. Summary: Although this race lacks strength in depth it's still difficult to see Simonsig winning this without coming off the bridle. He may still be good enough to prevail but there are questions to answer and he looks worth taking on at his current price. Monksland impressed on just his second start over hurdles when last seen and the form through the second looks solid. The flicking of his tail when he drew clear is a slight concern but, at just over double the price of Simonsig, It's a risk that looks worth taking. Selection: Monksland - 2 pts win @ 11/2 (Skybet, Blue Square, 888Sport) 2.40 - RSA Chase Grade 1: The RSA Chase is run over 3 miles 110 yards on the old course and is afforded Grade One status. It is open to Novice Chasers of five years old and upwards. Key Trends: Finished in the first three last time out. Ran between 24 and 55 days prior to the race. Had 2 to 10 runs over hurdles Have not run on the flat. Have a chase RPR of at least 141. Have run in 3-5 Chases. Seven year olds Have a top three finish in a grade One. Irish bred The presence of Grand Crus has scared a few off and he is undoubtedly the class act of the race. His only chink seems to be whether he truly stays the trip on a track like this. We think he will but he is too short to be interested in from a betting perspective. Bob's Worth is unbeaten on this track in three races over hurdles but he didn't impress with his jumping last time out and he couldn't be a confident choice at around 4/1. Join Together is a strong stayer but whether he has the pace to put it to good use at this level is another question. First Lieutenant has produced a similar level of performance in all five of his Chase starts and he will need to progress from those if he is to trouble the favourite. Anyone looking to take on some of the principals could hold on to the stat that First Lieutenant, Join Together and Grand Crus all come here on the back of a longer than ideal absence. We don't see much of an edge in this race and will sit it out. Selection: No Bet. 3.20 - sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Chase Grade 1: The highlight of day two, The Queen Mother Champion Chase is a Grade One Chase run over two miles and is open to horses five years and upwards.who have been allocated a mark of 130 or above by the BHA Handicapper. Key Trends: Won over at least 2m 1f Ran at least 8 times over fences Rated within 10lb of RPR top-rated From the first three in the betting Course winner RPR of at least 163 Previously competed at the festival Won Graded chase last time out Grade 1 Chase winner In Sizing Europe, last year's winner, this race has an even stronger favourite than the preceding RSA Chase. His only defeat this season came when going down by a length and a quarter to Quito De La Roque over three miles in heavy ground at Down Royal. He easily beat Big Zeb in this last season and beat him 15 lengths last time out at Punchestown. That wasn't Big Zeb's true running but, even at his best, it's still difficult seeing him beat the favourite. Finian's Rainbow is rated 13 pounds inferior to Sizing Europe but he has much more potential to improve significantly than any of his opposition, and he has not yet been out of the first 2 in any of his starts. He looks a much more relaxed horse this year and he should be able to creep into the race. Provided he jumps well at pace he should be the one to serve it up to the favourite, and although Sizing Europe will be hard to beat he looks a very solid e/w bet. Selection: Finian’s Rainbow - 1 pt e/w @ 11/2 (Bet 365, William Hill) 4.00 - Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) Grade 3: The Coral Cup is a class three handicap run over 21 furlongs and is open to horses four years and upwards. Key Trends: Won between 2m 2f and 2m 6f over hurdles Won in a class 3 race or higher Top-6 Finish last time out No more than 16 lifetime starts over hurdles Not run for at least 39 days Carried no more than 11 stone Aged six to eight No more than 4 runs that season OR between 128 and 141 Won a race early in the season This is fiendishly competitive and, with a field of 28, there are likely to be more than a few hard luck stories. We will just give the reasons for our selections rather than listing the negatives and why we haven't considered so many of the rest. Cape Dutch: A winner of three of his five hurdle races to date he has been astutely campaigned and has the look of a horse who has been trained with this race in mind. After picking up a Maiden (17 furlongs) and Novice hurdle (20 furlongs) on his second and third starts over obstacles he was dropped back again in trip for his handicap debut here in November. He lacked the pace to challenge the winner but his six length second saw his mark rise three pounds and it served to give him invaluable experience of this course. He was then given a three month break before retuning over 20 furlongs at Musselburgh in February to beat Cotillon by just over two lengths and ensure the nine pound rise he incurred for that victory got him into the bottom of the handicap here. The runner up re-opposes here and is a big outsider so the form obviously needs improving upon but Cape Dutch has progressed each time he has gone over hurdles and it's likely his handler has left plenty in the locker. Ground conditions are ideal and his rider's five pound claim means he receives weight from the entire field. backing a claimer in races such as this can be fraught with danger but Jack Quinlan has had an excellent season (21% strike rate over hurdles) and he has ridden the horse on every occasion so far. The yard have been in excellent form in this, their first, full season and they deserve to round it off with a big win. Star Of Angels: David Pipe is responsible for four of the runners here and two of them look 'plotted up' at/near the foot of the handicap. The chances of Balgarry and Poole Master are there for all to see but it may not be wise to write off Star Of Angels who is trading at a much bigger price. He is now an eight year old and they statistically don't do very well in this race but he was absent for just over two years prior to returning in December so he hasn't got many miles on the clock. He was well beaten on that reappearance but it would've been desperately needed and connections never even felt the need to employ the customary blinkers.They were back on for his last start, a victory over 20 furlongs at Wincanton for which he got an eight pound rise in the weights. That ensured he got in here and also showed that he retains all of his old ability. That old ability included a Triumph Hurdle fifth in 2008 and a fourth place in this race in 2009. He stays further than this so the likely generous gallop will suit and, although he is partnered by another Claimer (three pound), he is an accomplished, experienced jockey. He is well suited by good ground and the fact he won that last race in soft conditions augurs well for an even better performance this afternoon. Selections: (outlay 3 pts) Cape Dutch - 1 pt e/w @ 18/1 (Betvictor, 1/4 odds first 5) Star Of Angels - 0.5 pts e/w @ 33/1 (Betvictor, Blue Square) 4.40 - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Grade 3: The Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle is a Grade Three handicap run over two miles 110 yards open to four year olds only. Key Trends: OR rated 124 - 131 Set to carry at least 11-2. Did not win over hurdles till 3rd start or later By a sire who won a Group 1 on the flat Pre-race RPR of at least 118 Won last time out Started their career in France Another large field handicap and, like the Coral Cup, we will give reasons for our selection. Edeymi: Raced against some decent Juveniles in Ireland and, although he has his fair share of weight for this handicap debut, there should be improvement to come. Yet to race on ground this fast but there is good/fast ground form on his Dam's side and he doesn't have the action of a horse who needs soft ground as a pre-requisite. Easy task when wining at long odds on last time out but had previously shown progressive form and his third to Darroun and Hisaabaat on his penultimate start looks solid form. Preferred by Davy Russell of the Gigginstown pair. In good hands if he is to pick up a major handicap. Selection: Edeymi - 1 pt e/w @ 14/1 (Betvictor, 1/4 odds first 5) 5.15 - Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) Grade 1: This is a race to watch rather than get heavily involved with. It's hard to gauge how much improvement any horse will find and it's an absolute guessing game for the average Joe. It sometimes pays to follow the market close to post time, especially when dealing with Irish trained horses. Our adversaries from across the sea tend to target this race but we are happy to keep our hands in our pockets. |