Bankers ready to roll
I8:@E> GFJK 8IBC< KIFG?P ALTIOR (1-4) One for professionals only at the price. This one is in the wins-bar-a-fall category.
He has never been beaten and has taken to fences effortlessly in his first season over them. FC9> D8I<JË ?LI;C< LIMINI (5-6) Willie Mullins’ has won the last eight runnings of this race. He also saddles Vroum Vroum Magic, but Limini is the best of the pair on official ratings.
Limini won the Mares’ Novices’ race last year and this race was inked in for her as soon as she passed the post that day. E<GKLE< @EM<JKD<EK EFM@:<JË ?LI;C< NEON WOLF (9-4) The first of two Harry Fry-trained ‘good things’. Recorded fast times when winning at Haydock and Exeter in January. Steps up in trip but has won a point-to-point over three miles. Seen by many as a banker. ® IJ8 :?8J< He has won two races at Doncaster in great style, but they were small fields — three and five runners. Error prone, but punters have latched onto him in the last month and he is sure to start favourite. 9<KN8P :?8DG@FE :?8J< He is one of the best two-mile chasers of recent years. Many think the sky is the limit for him. So far clear of the opposition that he should win, barring the first fall of his career. >C<E=8I:C8J :IFJJ$:FLEKIP :?8J< He represents the connections of several past winners of the race. His trainer Enda Bolger said last week: “Past experience of these fences is really imporatnt. He won well over the course last time, is in good order and we’re hoping for another big run.” No wonder punters want to back him. N<8K?<I9PJ :?8DG@FE 9LDG<I If things aren’t going well, the last contest attracts a huge amount of bets as a ‘getting-out’ race. On Wednesday they will be banking on this grey who won his latest race at Naas in fine fashion. He stays further than two miles, so if he is beaten it will not be for want of stamina. ACK EFM@:<JË :?8J< YORKHILL (6-4) His trainer’s son, Patrick Mullins, picked this one as his chaser to follow for the season back in October.
He is not the finished article yet, but he exudes class.
Won the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle over this trip last year, beating Yanworth, the Champion Hurdle favourite. JLE 9<KJ JK8P<IJ ?LI;C< UNOWHATIMEANHARRY (11-10) Has won all his eight starts since joining Harry Fry last season. He won the novices’ hurdle over three miles 12 months ago and has won his four previous races at Cheltenham. A:9 KI@LDG? ?LI;C< DEFI DE SEUIL (13-8) He is five out of five over hurdles. Resilient when challenged, he will experience more hustle and bustle than previously as his wins have come in high-quality small fields. Gordon Elliott, his trainer, has been very bullish about this one’s chance. He said at a recent Festival preview: ‘We’ll have 30-odd horses travelling over with decent chances.
“But there’s no getting away from it – Death Duty appears to be our big hope.’’ Say no more.