Champion Hurdle preview

Seasons Holidays Queen Mother Champion Chase Preview

Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 12. Two miles (Old Course)

By Graham Richards

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The reigning champion Voy Por Ustedes (FSF 150) has run four times this season. He went down, conceding lumps of weight, in a tight finish on his return to action at Cheltenham. Sent for the Tingle Creek at Sandown Park, he ran below his best form. Alan King and “Choc” Thornton, both feel he had taken more out of himself in his first race than had appeared, and he simply ran a flat race. He was then sent to Kempton Park, where he returned to something like his best, coming home in comfortable fashion from Hoo La Baloo. Alan reported he had done really well following that effort, and he ran a most encouraging race in the Game Spirit at Newbury. Voy Por Ustedes looked as though he would come on for the race at and ran as his paddock condition suggested. He should arrive at Cheltenham cherry-ripe and I feel he will go very close to a second win. Given his record at Cheltenham, I find the 4/1 on offer as I write an insult to his ability and chance.

Following an effortless win at Kempton Park, Twist Magic (FSF 149) ran out a comfortable winner of the Tingle Creek. As discussed previously, connections feel “VPU” was not at his best, while Monet’s Garden is clearly in need of further these days.

Sent off a hot favourite for the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot, the soft to heavy ground clearly took a toll on his ability to perform to his best. However, he was in trouble soon after the third last, where to my eyes he was outpaced rather than legless, though I concede that is a point of view that will be argued. A mistake at the second last looked sure to see him lose second place. To his credit, he jumped the last in fine style and lost no further ground on the winner. Although the race was a furlong longer than the opening novice hurdle, the runners managed to run a faster time per furlong.

This suggests to me that the ground may not have been as holding as some people have suggested. Excuses for Twist Magic’s defeat may not be as obvious as some would claim. I am of the opinion stamina limitations will be a serious problem come the day.

Indications are that Tamarinbleu (FSF 150) raised his game to a new level at Ascot. However, his speed figure is that of a Grade Two performer, and I feel only a sub-standard renewal would see him taking the championship.

Master Minded (FSF 142) could hardly have been any more impressive in the Game Spirit Chase. Jumping well out in front, he came home unchallenged looking as though there was plenty left in the locker. He will of course have to find further improvement as Voy Por Ustedes will be 6lb better off and looked as though he was ridden with Cheltenham very much in mind. Paul Nicholls has been pleased with his progress since Newbury, though there is more than a degree of worry over his inexperience, and a first visit to the demands of Prestbury Park.

Nickname (FSF 151) is a remarkable horse, carving out successful careers in France and Ireland. He has run twenty-nine times, winning seventeen of those races. Campaigned exclusively over hurdles in France, he has gone on to become the top two-mile chaser in Ireland. Although he is perceived to require soft to heavy ground to produce his best form, the going at Auteuil when he won his two Grade One hurdle races was, by the times clocked that day, nearer to good. On his return to action this season, he finished second to Mansony. Once again, a top class time was recorded and the going was no worse than good to soft.

This season a workmanlike win over Kicking King, was followed by a fruitless attempt at three-miles. It appears his chance at Cheltenham will be determined by the ground. On good ground, he will likely become outpaced at a vital stage. If by a miracle the rain returns in time for the Festival, he will hold a serious chance. Recent evidence suggests that is a long odds shot.