IT’S SCEAUX FAR SO GOOD FOR MULLINS
THE Willie Mullins stable took the festival by storm for the second year running yesterday and can c ontinue t o dominate today.
An opening day treble left bookmakers licking their wounds and the eight-year- old UN DE SCEAUX (Cheltenham, 3.30) can add to the misery in today’s Queen Mother Champion Chase which looks a fabulous opportunity for him to supplement last year’s impressive Arkle Chase victory.
The layers will not be taking a chance with the gelding’s price and the presence of last year’s third, Special Tiara, may mean the selection doesn’t have his own way at the head of affairs.
However, he looked back on track last time at Ascot, displaying that trademark verve after the final fence to run away from Sire De Grugy to score with comfort.
Put simply, although he takes on three previous winners i n an intriguing renewal, Un De Sceaux boasts more speed than his foes and he can make that inherent acceleration count this afternoon.
Victory for 2013 hero Sprinter Sacre would bring the house down, but he only narrowly scrambled home from Sire De Grugy at Kempton and there is a suspicion that his ailments may again catch up with him.
It appears a similar story for last year’s winner Dodging Bullets who has suffered an interrupted preparation and looked a shadow of his former self in deep ground at Newbury on his reappearance.
Of those at bigger prices, Felix Yonger appeals as he boasts an excellent strike rate in Graded chases in his native Ireland and he again powered to victory in a strong time at Punchestown.
He may just find the race being run to suit with a decent gallop assured and could be arriving late on the scene to pick up the pieces.
Mullins could begin the day in the best possible manner with YORKHILL (Cheltenham, nb, 1.30) who may upset warm favourite Yanworth in the Neptune Investment Novices’ Hurdle.
Opposing Alan King’s impressive novice is done with a heavy heart, especially following his demolition of a good field on Trials Day, but the Irish raider has looked potentially high- class in his own right this season, especially at Sandown where he swept aside the likes of wide-margined Betfair Hurdle winner Agrapart.
The selection had previously scored stylishly over two-and-ahalf miles at Punchestown on deep ground and he promises to be even better on a sounder surface.
Rested since early January, Yorkhill possesses all the attributes to trouble the likely favourite and looks one of the better bets on the card.
There is nearly as many runners in the Coral Cup as unread emails in Maria Sharapova’s inbox, but QEWY (Cheltenham, nap, 2.50) could outrun his odds for last-season trainer John Ferguson.
Backing a horse who has underperformed over fences this term takes a little faith but that is factored into his morning price and it is worth recalling he was only 18 lengths behind Douvan in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
The step up in trip is an unknown but the decision to try the cheek pieces could be the catalyst for a big run from the six-year-old who, as a son of Street Cry, should appreciate the quicker conditions.