|
|
Cheltenham countdown for 18 February 2008Filed on 18 Feb 2008 @ 11:55
Countdown to Cheltenham, w/c: 4 February | 11 February | 18 February | 25 February 2008 | 3 March The expert view: Graham Richards' Cheltenham preview, Part one | Champion Hurdle ratings update | Triumph Hurdle ratings update Saturday 23 February 2008The Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle over two miles at Kempton on Saturday was won by the Nicky Henderson-trained Binocular, but the four-year-old had to work hard to beat Pierrot Lunaire. Despite not jumpimng fluently, he travelled well under Mick Fitzgerald, but in the straight could not shake off Pierrot Lunaire, an easy winner at Taunton recently, and had to work hard to prevail by a length and a quarter, with the pair well clear of Zanir in third. Fitzgerald said: "He will have learned an awful lot. I kept to the inside all the time. He didn't jump as well coming back on this quicker ground and that may have just caught him out. He will have learned a lot. "The Triumph Hurdle is on the stiffer of the two tracks and he seemed to need every yard today. He's a very game horse and that's what I like about him. He looked under pressure and jumped badly for one of ours, but he kept battling." The tough-as-teak Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Pigeon Island was having his 17th start of the season in the Dovecote Novices' Hurdle over two miles, where he sneaked up on the rail to take the lead two flights from home and galloped clear to an emphatic win. "He ran superbly in the Totesport Trophy at Newbury and I needed to run him again to get him ready for Cheltenham," said Twiston-Davies. "He's answered a lot of questions and will now go for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle." Kalahari King was a battling second at Newcastle, and trainer Ferdy Murphy expects a decent run at the Festival from the novice hurlder. Friday 22 February 2008The Paul Nicholls-trained Noland won the Durkan Group Novices' Chase at Sandown on Friday, but failed to impress like a 1-4 shot might, being pushed out by Ruby Walsh after turning for home to beat My Petra by a length and a half. Ladbrokes pushed Noland out to 4-1 from 3-1 for the Arkle Trophy. Nicholls said: "He's had a right blow afterwards and that will bring him on perfectly for the Arkle. A fast-run race is what he wants and Ruby said he's as good a novice jumper as he's ever sat on." Kicking King ran a poor race when third in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park on Saturday, but jockey Barry Geraghty thinks the former Gold Cup winner could be a factor at Cheltenham this year, telling At The Races: "He's a class horse, he's shown that in the past, and if he can get back to his old level of ability he'd have to have a chance." 10-time Grade One winner Beef Or Salmon is heading for retirement after trainer Michael Hourigan confirmed the 12-year-old will not run in the John Smith's Grand National, where he has been allotted top weight. A run in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse on March 24 remains a possibility. Hold Em, well-beaten by Aigle D'Or at Cheltenham in January, fought hard to win the Betchronicle.com Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle at Huntingdon on Thursday, beating Alan King's smart Flat recruit Junior by a short head. Trainer Keith Goldsworthy said: "The first thing Timmy [Murphy] said was 'he's better than that'. The ground is a bit floury - a bit dead - and he really needs to spring off it. He battled it out at the end and will go for the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle now. He's in the Coral Cup but might be a bit high in the handicap for the moment." Michael Bowe's Sweet Kiln missed the Boyne Hurdle at the weekend with an infection, but is reported to be over that and in good form ahead of her planned run in the David Nicholson Mares Only Hurdle. Thursday 21 February 2008Trainer Noel Meade saddled his first winners since New Year's Day at Punchestown on Wednesday, when Clarnazar took the Book Your Festival Tickets Hurdle and Jered won the Five Day Festival Novice Hurdle. With his string in poor form, Meade shut down for a while, but his first runners at the weekend ran encouragingly. Jered could be Festival bound, with Meade saying: "He was really bouncing before the race and I was very happy with him. He ran superb in the Royal Bond and he was entitled to win this one. He'll be entered for the Coral Cup. He ideally wants three miles so we will have to see what the handicapper does with him." Paul Nicholls held a press day at his Ditcheat stables on Wednesday, and reported Kauto Star to be in great form after his injury scare on Saturday, saying: "We had the scare on Saturday night but we put a shoe on him and he cantered this morning and is 100% normal. We are very happy with him and has missed absolutely no work so it's all systems go on that score." Last year's Gold Cup winner excercised on Wednesday morning under head lad Clifford Baker, who said: "He went up the hill like he always does. As to the best chance in the Gold Cup, Nicholls sided towards Kauto Star over stablemate Denman. "I still think Kauto will be hard to beat," he said. "He is the reigning champion and Denman has to come out and topple him. I think if I were in Ruby's shoes I would have to ride Kauto Star - you can't get off the Gold Cup winner." Walsh is also likely to ride recent Game Spirit winner Master Minded in the Queen Mother Champion Chase, over Tingle Creek winner Twist Magic. Nicholls said: "He won really well at Newbury and had been doing some sensational work at home. For a five-year-old, it was brilliant. I know he was getting 6lb from Voy Por Ustedes but I don't think that made any difference. I think he's possibly improved since then - certainly the guys who ride him out have been absolutely thrilled." The Arkle Trophy favourite Noland is likely to run at Sandown on Friday or Kempton on Saturday, with Nicholls adding: "If he gets to the Arkle in the same shape, he'll be the one to beat." Of his other Festival runners, Turko will be suited by 2m 5f and goes in the Ryanair Chase; Star De Mohaison is still having niggles but will run in the Gold Cup if the trainer is happy with him, but otherwise will be reserved for Aintree; Neptune Collonges goes for the Gold Cup following his fine win at Wincanton at the weekend; Five Dream heads for the Coral Cup and recent Chepstow winner Mahonia is Nicholls' sole Champion Bumper hope. South African import Rippling Ring has just come into his winter coat and needs to improve, whilst Elusive Dream is better suited by a flat track and could run at Fontwell on Sunday and head straight to Aintree. Wednesday 20 February 2008The Festival’s six Grade One novice events all promise to be races to savour following the February 19 forfeit stage, details of which are revealed today. There are 94 contenders going forward in the Festival’s traditional curtain-raiser, the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, six more than at the same stage last year, including the quintet currently vying for favouritism in the extended two-mile contest – Captain Cee Bee, Cork All Star, Muirhead, Numide and Rippling Ring. The novice chase highlight on the opening day, Tuesday, March 11, is The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy over two miles, which has 38 challengers remaining (compared to 25 at this stage in 2007) including the Paul Nicholls-trained Noland, winner of the 2006 Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and successful on his sole chase start at Folkestone while Tidal Bay (and his recent Haydock conqueror Leslingtaylor) still has this race as an option along with the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. Day two of The Festival, Wednesday, March 12, gets under way with the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs where a bumper 107 contenders go forward (compared to 92 at this stage last year) including the Nicky Henderson-trained Aigle D’Or, who is unbeaten in two starts, most recently in the Grade Two Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, January 26. Forpadydeplasterer, so impressive when scoring in Grade One company at Leopardstown on February 10, heads the 41 remaining entries from Ireland. Also taking place on day two of The Festival is the championship event for the staying novice chasers, the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. The 46 horses left in the extended three-mile contest include Air Force One, currently just shading favouritism and out to provide trainer Charlie Mann with a first Festival success, while Grade One scorer Silverburn could bid to follow in the footsteps of his full-brother Denman who was so impressive when taking this event in 2007. The final day of The Festival, Friday, March 14, begins with the JCB Triumph Hurdle which has 75 entries going forward including the hot favourite Franchoek, while in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle over three miles, which will be run as a Grade One contest for the first time in March, the 77 acceptors include Gone To Lunch, who ran so well when third to Inglis Drever and Blazing Bailey in the Grade Two Byrne Group Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day. 26 horses removed from The Irish Independent Arkle Trophy: ACAMBO (GER), BOOMSHAKALAKA (IRE), CONSIGLIERE (FR), CRATHORNE (IRE), ESCREA (IRE), FLEET STREET, FRENCH SAULAIE (FR), IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE), LINE BALL (IRE), MISSIS POTTS, NOMECHEKI (FR), PAUILLAC (FR), PEDROBOB (IRE), PEPSYROCK (FR), PREDATEUR (FR), PRESENTING COPPER (IRE), RUSSIAN AROUND (IRE), SAVITHA (IRE), SCOTLAND YARD (UAE), SKY'S THE LIMIT (FR), THE BUDGEE, THE DUKE'S SPEECH (IRE), VICTORIAS GROOM (GER), WEE ROBBIE, WHISPERED PROMISES (USA), WINS NOW 32 horses removed from the Royal & SunAlliance Chase: ARRIVE SIR CLIVE (IRE), BIG BUCK'S (FR), BIG ZEB (IRE), CALL BEWLEYS (IRE), CALLHERWHATULIKE (IRE), CASEY JONES (IRE), CATHEDRAL ROCK (IRE), CLENI BOY (FR), DOUBLE DEFAULT (IRE), DREUX (FR), GONE MISSING, HAIRY MOLLY (IRE), IMPERIAL COMMANDER (IRE), LEADING ATTRACTION (IRE), LEAD ON (IRE), MARK THE BOOK (IRE), MONEY TRIX (IRE), MR STRACHAN (IRE), NEVADA ROYALE (FR), NOLAND, OLD BENNY, OVER THE CREEK, PAUILLAC (FR), SIR JIMMY SHAND (IRE), SIR JOHNNY (IRE), SKY'S THE LIMIT (FR), SOBERS (IRE), STOWAY (FR), THE WHISPERER (IRE), TRAMANTANO, TRIGGER THE LIGHT, WOGAN 36 horses removed from the Anglo Irish Bank Supreme Novices' Hurdle: ABSTRACT ART (USA), AKAREM, BELLAMY CAY, COPSIANO (IRE), DAN DARE (USA), DAVE'S DREAM (IRE), FANTOCHE (BRZ), FIRST POINT (GER), FRANCHOEK (IRE), FREDDIE THE THIRD (IRE), GALIENT (IRE), HALDIBARI (IRE), HALLA SAN, HARPER VALLEY (IRE), JUDGE ROY BEAN (IRE), LUNA LANDING, LUXURIX (FR), MOUS OF MEN (FR), NORMAN THE GREAT, POLYFAST (FR), PRESSGANG, PTERODACTYL (IRE), RAISE YOUR HEART (IRE), RHACOPHORUS, SALFORD CITY (IRE), SALTINO (IRE), SARTEANO (FR), SHOULDERTOSHOULDER (IRE), SOLENT (IRE), SONG OF SONGS, SOUTHERN REGENT (IND), SPECTAIT, SPEEDY SAM, THE BLACK LION (IRE), TURFSHUFFLE (GER), ZAIF (IRE) 49 horses removed from the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle: ANTIPODE (GER), ARANLEIGH (IRE), AUX LE BAHNN (IRE), BADDAM, CALGARY BAY (IRE), CLISHMACLAIVER, COPSIANO (IRE), DAVE'S DREAM (IRE), EDGEOVER, FINAL ACT (IRE), FISHER BRIDGE (IRE), FRANCHOEK (IRE), GEM DALY (FR), HAVING A CUT (IRE), HORNER WOODS (IRE), JOHNNY BISSETT (IRE), LORD OVER, MOUS OF MEN (FR), NAKAI (FR), ODIHAM, ONEFOURFUN (IRE), OR SING ABOUT (FR), PAMAK D'AIRY (FR), PETIT ROBIN (FR), PLEIN POUVOIR (FR), POLYFAST (FR), PRESSGANG, PRIDEUS (IRE), PRINCE DE BERSY (FR), PTERODACTYL (IRE), QUARRY TOWN (IRE), QUIZZENE (USA), RHACOPHORUS, RINROE (IRE), RIPPLING RING (SAF), RODRIGO GONZALES (IRE), SHARAJAN (IRE), SHIPMASTER, SHOULDERTOSHOULDER (IRE), SIGNATORY (USA), SOUTHERN REGENT (IND), STRATH GALLANT, THEATRICAL MOMENT (USA), THE BLACK LION (IRE), THE GREAT ALFIE, THE POLOMOCHE (IRE), WATCH ME DOODLE, WHAT A BUZZ, ZILCASH 16 horses removed from the JCB Triumph Hurdle: AUREATE, CHANCE DU ROY (FR), DAR ES SALAAM, DIAMANT ROSE (IRE), DILSHAAN'S PRIZE (IRE), ERITREA, GAY SLOANE (IRE), HALDIBARI (IRE), HUM THE TUNE, LA VECCHIA SCUOLA (IRE), NORMAN THE GREAT, NOTICEABLE (IRE), RUSTIC GOLD, SHARP DRESSER (USA), SKYLANCER, WESTERN POINT (IRE) 29 horses removed from the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle: A NICE SORT, ARANLEIGH (IRE), BADDAM, BESHABAR (IRE), BUCK THE LEGEND (IRE), COMKILRED CHAMP (IRE), CRESCENT ISLAND (IRE), DOUBLE SHOT, EARTH CRYSTAL (IRE), EDGEOVER, HAVING A CUT (IRE), JUST A THOUGHT (IRE), LORD OVER, MASTER BUILDER (FR), NAKAI (FR), ODIHAM, OR SING ABOUT (FR), PANGBOURNE (FR), PURE GENIUS (IRE), QUIZZENE (USA), RINROE (IRE), RODRIGO GONZALES (IRE), ROWDY YEATS (IRE), SHIPMASTER, SIGNATORY (USA), SPARE CASH (IRE), THEATRICAL MOMENT (USA), ZEMSKY (IRE), ZILCASH Tuesday 19 February 2008Paul Barber, owner with Harry Findlay of Denman, told At The Races he believes his horse can beat Kauto Star: "I'm not going to predict, but of course I'm going to say that Denman is going to win because that is the way I feel inside. "If he can produce his best, and it is softish ground, I believe he could beat Kauto Star. I think he can win and I think he can win by quite a long way." Victor Dartnall reckons the three miles of the Albert Bartlett Spa Novices' Hurdle will suit Lodge Lane, rather than the shorter trip of the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle for which he had been a 16-1 chance. Tom Mullins is considering running Champion Bumper favourite Time Electric at Naas on Sunday - bookmakers Paddy Power are offering a £30,000 bonus to any horse that wins on Sunday and again at The Festival. "I have entered Time Electric in the paddypowercasino.com INH Flat Race as an option as he is doing so well and on Friday morning we'll make up our minds as to whether to run," Mullins said. "He did it well at Leopardstown and lived up to all expectations. If he doesn't run at Naas, he definitely won't run before the Cheltenham Festival. Touch wood, everything keeps fine and he is a very exciting prospect, who is above the average horse. Alan King, talking to the gathered press at Barbury Castle on Monday, nominated Katchit as his best chance of a winner at the Festival. A winner at the course in January, he is as low as 5-2 for the Triumph Hurdle. "I think he has improved all season and his last win at Cheltenham in January was probably his best run so far," said King. "Like Katchit, he's just grown in confidence. He has never done much at home, but his work has been as good as ever at the moment. Katchit is on course for the Champion Hurdle following an encouraging win in the Kingwell Hurdle on Saturday. King said: "He was a pleasure to watch. They went a good gallop. We were prepared to make the pace but we got him settled in well and that's got his old confidence back. He's a wonderful little servant and I don't think he was at his best against Osana in the Boylesports earlier this season. Former November Handicap winner Group Captain will "almost certainly" be aimed at the Ballymore Properties Novices' Hurdle, with King saying: "After making heavy weather of it at Newbury, he absolutely trotted up at Taunton and is three from three now. He will almost certainly go to the Ballymore. He enjoys the hustle and bustle and it seems the more trouble he gets in, the better." Last year's World Hurdle winner My Way De Solzen has twice disappointed over fences this season and is to revert to timber in the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell on Sunday. King will decide after the race whether to aim at the World Hurdle or the Ryanair Chase. Noel Meade was pleased with Jazz Messenger's second to Catch Me in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park on Saturday, and the eight-year-old will head straight to the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle. Aitmatov, second to Kazal in the Boyne Hurdle, also demonstrated the improving form of Meades string and he could run in the World Hurdle, where he will reopoose Kazal, who will retain the cheekpieces that worked so well at the weekend. Meade also trains the well-touted unbeaten Muirhead, who beat Cork All Star in December. Meade said: "You'll not see him before Cheltenham and he'll go straight there, all being well. At the moment it's gone to plan with him and it's so far so good. He's in both the Supreme Novices' Hurdle and the Ballymore Properties race, but we'd probably go for the Supreme I'd think." Ferdy Murphy's Another Promise has been ruled out for the rest of the season. The Ryanair Chase is due to have a wind operation. Monday 18 February 2008Paul Nicholls has decided that Nevada Royale, who has only run once over fences in the country, when falling at Newbury in December, will be kept to hurdles for the remaider of this season and will not contest the Royal & SunAlliance Chase. Willie Mullins has also sounded a note of caution about his novice chaser J'y Vole, saying: "At the moment I'm not inclined to go to Cheltenham. I'm looking at the Powers Gold Cup, a Grade One two-and-a-half-mile chase at Fairyhouse over Easter. I do not think I want to run her in the SunAlliance and I'll have a close look at the Arkle Trophy maybe. If she's going to go anywhere, that could be it." However, Mullins does have Pomme Tiepy in the Royal & SunAlliance Chase and she is as short as 10-1 after winning the Grade Two Keatings Oil Novice Chase at Navan on Sunday. "I don't know about Cheltenham, I'll talk to the owners and look at the weights," said Mullins. "I don't want to break her heart with too much racing as she is only five. She's a very relaxed mare, she only lobs away no matter how you ride her. She definitely prefers winter ground but I'm delighted with her because we only bought her as a handicapper." Also at Navan, Kazal returned to timber with an impressive victory in the Ladbrokes.com Boyne Hurdle, seeing off Noel Meade's Aitmatov and earning a quote of 25-1 for the World Hurdle. Trainer Eoin Griffin said: "He jumped brilliantly and first-time cheekpieces really sharpened him up. He's in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham and, with ease in the ground, he'll go there. Barry [Geraghty] said he was surprised how well he quickened today." Griffin also had news of Lounaos, who had disappointed behind Catch Me in the Red Mills Centenary Trial Hurdle on Saturday. "It was very competitive but we were very disappointed, though she was fine afterwards. We had the David Nicholson Mares' Only Hurdle on the Friday as a target for her, but it's hard to see her going there now on the back of that run." Edward O'Grady's Clopf was trimmed to 10-1 for the Arkle Trophy after the Kevin McManus Flyingbolt Novice Chase, won by Maralan after Clopf made a mistake and fell at the last when leading. Scotsirish was a disappointing third. Exotic Dancer is reported as being unlikely to run in Saturday's RAcing Post Chase. The Jonjo O'Neill-trained Gold Cup hope is returning from a back injury, and will head straight to the Festival if not lining up at the weekend. Filed on 18 Feb 2008 @ 11:55
|
|
|||||
|
||||||
![[the-racehorse.co.uk]](/images/logo-racehorse-footer.gif){kind=logo}