Time to ring Libberty bell

FANCIED: Conditions won’t faze Libberty Hunter

ONCE AGAIN, not all the Grade 1 races appeal at Cheltenham and I am confining my punting interests to a couple of races. Ballyburn and El Fabiolo have the look of bankers in the Gallaghers and Champion Chase, but are too short for my punting methods, and I’ve focused on a couple of others with strong claims but at bigger odds. MONTY’S STAR (2:10 Cheltenham) was disappointing in the Albert Bartlett last year, but the history of that race is littered with future Grade 1 winners struggling in a race which came too soon (Native River a fine example of the type). In his case, Henry de Bromhead blames himself for running the horse too close to Cheltenham at Clonmel in February, and a hard battle with stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake seemed to leave a mark on both horses at Cheltenham.

Improved

De Bromhead has given Monty’s Star a lengthy break since his win over Three Card Brag in a 3m beginners chase at Punchestown in December.

Monty’s Star had finished behind Three Card Brag on chase debut at Fairyhouse but showed improved form to beat that rival at Punchestown, where he impressed greatly with his jumping.

I fancy Monty’s Star to cope well with the soft/heavy ground and his jumping should be a big asset, so he gets the vote to turn over the favourite at rewarding odds.

The Grand Annual is definitely a betting race with half the field hard to fancy on form and/or ground. Madara rates a mention as a progressive 5-y-o with a 3-3 record on testing ground, and he went to Ireland to spank the local handicappers at the DRF.

I’m not dead against him here, but all the talk about his chances ignores the fact that he’s not only gone up 10lb for that win against largely unconvincing rivals but he is now not eligible for a juvenile allowance.

- MONTY’S STAR - LIBBERTY HUNTER - HARDY DU SEUIL Solid

The two I like most are LIBBERTY HUNTER (4:50 Cheltenham) and HARDY DU SEUIL with the former looking really solid in the conditions. He would be unbeaten over fences but for overjumping on debut at Chepstow and has added wins at Wincanton and on the New Course here, beating Arkle hope Matata by a length in a 2m handicap in December.

Those wins have come on heavy and soft ground and he coped well with the jumping test last time. Harry Cobden takes over from regular pilot Adam Wedge and that looks no negative.

Hardy du Seuil is lightly raced over fences having switched back to hurdles last season, but he has some solid form, and caught the eye when staying on into third behind Etalon at Sandown last month on his first start since April 2023.

His mark of 132 is 3lb lower than when an excellent second at Kelso on his penultimate chase start since when he has scored over hurdles.