Marlborough Hard to find fault with Delta Work
His potent blend of stamina and speed suggests he will take some beating in the RSA Insurance Chase
1.30
Watching the victory of BATTLEOVERDOYEN at Naas in January, I was convinced he was a high-class hurdler. He was so slick and professional and subsequent analysis of his time confirmed the visual impression.
Sams Profile chased him home that day but appeared comfortably held. Champ is expected to be a worthy adversary, having improved with each outing. This strong traveller has little to fear from Brewin’upastorm on their Challow Hurdle encounter in December.
2.10
While there has been some uncertainty surrounding which race DELTA
WORK would contest this week, I have had no doubt that whichever event he turned up in he would carry my support. He had enough speed to beat Le Richebourg, favourite for yesterday’s twomile Arkle until being injured, yet stays three miles well. He won over hurdles at the Festival a year ago and it is hard to fault his chance.
Topofthegame may not have won a chase yet but will certainly win plenty and the ground is in his favour. I am prepared to take Santini on as, for me, he has never quite fulfilled expectations. 2.50 ERICK LE ROUGE has a decent weight and arrives in peak form, having won his past three races. He could prove the answer to a tough race. Scarpeta, Killultagh Vic and Farclas represent the class angle but all have question marks over them to some degree. Ruby Walsh has chosen Uradel and that must be respected.
3.30
ALTIOR is the nearest thing to a certainty that Cheltenham can offer. Of course, good things are beaten. However, he is a class apart from these rivals and let us hope we are treated to yet another masterclass. Min seems the most logical one to chase him home. No doubt Walsh, a master tactician, has formulated a plan of action but surely it will need Altior to underperform for them to succeed. The ground should suit Politologue better than
Sceau Royal although a place is likely to be their best prospect.
4.10 TIGER ROLL won this a year ago on the way to a Grand National success and his recent hurdles victory suggests he is as sprightly as ever. Auvergnat, Josies Orders and Bless The Wings
have all run well here before and can probably be relied up to do so again.
4.50
This event was originally designed for horses that just missed out on the Triumph Hurdle but the race has evolved in a different direction, becoming a target rather than an afterthought. With so many inexperienced competitors it is probably no surprise it has provided some of the biggest shocks in recent years with two 40-1 winners and three at 33-1. BEAT
THE JUDGE, in common with nine previous winners of the race, has had just three runs. He showed his best form last time and the winner was so impressive he was made a short price for the Triumph before an injury setback put him on the sidelines. Star Max justified strong support to win a 20-runner maiden hurdle on his third start and that experience should prove useful.
Band Of Outlaws comes
from a yard with a strong juvenile team. 5.30
Irish bumpers are so competitive that a horse that wins one by a wide margin is probably decent. SEMPO managed that feat when cruising home at Thurles and is preferred to Blue Sari, who has not been seen since hacking up at Gowran Park in January. Envoi Allen is clearly smart, having won all three starts. Ask For Glory looks best of the home team.