‘Ridiculous’ plan may just pay off
DAVID YATES HAS CRACKED THE BOOKIES’ CODES AND UNLOCKED SOME TOP SECRET INFORMATION
NICKY HENDERSON is under no illusions over the task facing British trainers at this week’s Cheltenham Festival.
The master of Seven Barrows is used to leading the home defence as the Irish invaders, spearheaded by Willie Mullins’ awesome squad, threaten to dominate the event.
“I mean it more than ever this year – it’s going to be tougher than ever,” reflects Henderson, whose expectations weren’t boosted by watching Mullins win six of the eight Grade 1 events on offer at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival.
“You always had something that you’d hope you could hang your hat on, whatever happened.
“We’ve got a lot of very good chances, but we haven’t got an out-and-out banker.
“It’s going to be mighty competitive.”
But things could be worse for Henderson, with four winners the only domestic operator with multiple victories over the four days 12 months ago.
Epatante lines up to defend her title in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, while Champ is a live Cheltenham Gold Cup hope on the back of what Henderson concedes was a “ridiculous” preparation for chasing’s blue riband contest.
And that’s not to mention Shishkin, who bids to defend his unbeaten record over fences in the Arkle Trophy.
BEST BET OF THE MEETING?
BINFIELD: Paisley Park in the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, I was hoping for a battle royale between him and Thyme Hill before the latter’s absence but I think ‘Paisley’ would have beaten him anyway on a stiffer track than Newbury. ORR: He’s odds-on but Envoi Allen looks unopposable in the Marsh. Opposition is very thin on the ground.
LEES:
Monkfish in the Brown
Advisory
Novices’ Chase.
Last year’s
Albert Bartlett winner only scrambled home by a neck but over fences he has been utterly dominant and looks destined to be the next chasing superstar.
ADAMS: I see no reason to oppose Monkfish, he looks an exceptional novice chaser and it would be no surprise to see him lining up as favourite for the Gold Cup in 12 months’ time.
STEVENS: We’ve got to wait until day two but it should be worth it when Monkfish maintains his unbeaten record over fences in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
SHORTY TO AVOID?
BINFIELD: Chacun Pour Soi in the Queen Mother – he’s an exceptional horse, no doubt, especially around Leopardstown, but I’d like to see him proven at Cheltenham before backing him at odds-on in a championship event — even now that Altior is out.
ORR: At 1-2, it has to be Shishkin. The level of opposition he faces is very strong even without Energumene. LEES: Easysland in the CrossCountry. Beaten at odds-on on his last visit in November and no guarantee he will be much better without his favoured testing ground conditions, plus it’s not out of the question that a certain Tiger Roll could bounce back to form.
ADAMS: I’m happy to go against Paisley Park even without Thyme Hill running. I don’t think the level he has run to this season is a particularly exacting standard. And I would be very keen on Vinndication if he runs here rather than the Gold Cup.
STEVENS: Gaillard Du Mesnil in the Ballymore. Yes, he’s trained by Willie Mullins but Bob Olinger appears to bring stronger Irish form, and Bravemansgame looks a very good contender for the home side.
ONE AT A WORKING MAN’S PRICE?
BINFIELD: Ramillies in the Champion Bumper – it’s a big ask to turn the Leopardstown form with Willie Mullins’ impressive Kilcruit around, but he might not have quite been fit enough there and can get closer or even win this time at around 16-1.
ORR: Guard Your Dreams ran a cracker in the Betfair Hurdle. He’s entered in three handicaps and could exploit a mark of 135 at a decent price. He varies between 14-1 and 20-1 for the Coral Cup, County Hurdle and the Martin Pipe.
LEES: Metier (6-1) for trainer Harry Fry in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. Threefor-three over hurdles, Metier missed the Betfair Hurdle to be cherry ripe for the Supreme and could be the latest Festival winner to start his career with Andy Slattery, who discovered Faugheen and Cooldine.
ADAMS: I like Real Steel at 14-1 in the Ryanair Chase. He was an eyecatcher in the Gold Cup last year and has gone with some promise on both starts since joining Paul Nicholls. He ran better than a pulled up would suggest in the King George on Boxing Day and the drop in trip could do the trick.
STEVENS: The good times are back at Pond House and, while Remastered has done his winning over fences against a handful of rivals, he should cope with
EACH-WAY CHANCE Real Steel can show his mettle at 14-1 in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday the bigger field in the Sam Vestey National Hunt Chase at around 8-1
THE CHAMPION HURDLE LOOKS FASCINATING. WHO WINS IT?
BINFIELD: Goshen – obviously hugely unlucky in the Triumph Hurdle, the Moores have never given up on him when others have and he was hugely impressive at Wincanton where he beat a decent horse.
ORR: I don’t think anyone will give Honeysuckle 7lb so it’s between this one and Epatante, with preference for Henry de Bromhead’s horse.
LEES: A mare! Probably one of Epatante or Honeysuckle and I favour the former to successfully defend her title. She could have more of a finishing kick than Honeysuckle at the end of what could be a fiercely-run edition. ADAMS: It is not a race I have got a strong view in but my marginal preference as the most likely winner is Nicky Henderson’s mare Epatante.
She has the course-and-distance form in the book and I would be prepared to forgive her effort in the Christmas Hurdle where she wasn’t her normal self. STEVENS: Prior to the Kingwell Hurdle
Paul Nicholls has made no secret of the high regard in which he holds Bravemansgame, so Paddy Power’s 25-1 about a 2021 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle/2022 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase double isn’t without appeal.
The 11-time champion trainer says the runaway Challow Hurdle victor reminds him of Denman.
Can you remember a more fearsome Irish raiding party from across the Irish Sea?
It’s worth taking the 2-1 with Paddy Power about Irish runners winning 18 or more of the meeting’s 28 races.