Cheltenham - 20th Oct

Today’s racing at Cheltenham fully lived up to the expectations of last night.

There were some tremendous races – and some noteworthy performances – the best probably served up by The New One, who took the opening hurdle in convincing style.

The pundits on RUK were mocking the post race quote of 16/1 for the Neptune Investment hurdle – but I’m not so sure…

He was a very classy bumper horse last season and could well make up into an even better hurdler. Let’s put it this way, I’ve seen less attractive ante-post bets…

Following on from his victory, Carlito Brigante won a thriller in the 2m4f novice chase – where King of the Night was probably let down by his fencing inexperience.

The big hurdle race was won by Action Master.

Despite being a huge drifter, Secret Tune ran really well until lack of stamina seemed to tell from the third last. He could be very interesting, dropped back half a mile.
Sivola De Sivola also ran well, to finish fourth – though he looks like he needs more of a trip. He maybe won’t fully come into his own until he is sent over fences…

Sire Collonges got the better of Sea of Thunder in the 3mile novice chase; whilst Court Minstrel was an impressive winner of the maiden hurdle.

The penultimate race was won by Hunters Lodge, who got the kind of luck, that seems to elude all TVB tips ! Whilst Dark Lover was an impressive winner of the finale, overcoming a long absence form the track, in the process…

All in all then, a terrific days racing and one which I’m sure will yield countless winners over the coming months. I certainly plan to re-watch all of the races over the weekend…

And so on to tomorrow…

Once again, the Cheltenham races have a bit of a scarey look about them ! I think it is primarily going to be about getting pointers for the future rather than winners on the day.

That said, I think I’ve found one decent selection – and I’ve taken a couple of stabs at one of the other races…

3:40

At this time of year, fitness is all important.

No less than 15 of the 20 runners in this race, haven’t run for at least 100 days. Ofcourse, that doesn’t mean that non of them will be fit – it might even suit some of them – but generally, speaking, it would have to be considered disadvantageous…

Galaxy Rock had a run just a fortnight ago. That was over hurdles and was clearly designed to blow away the cobwebs before he tackled his main targets over the bigger obstacles.

The first of those comes up tomorrow and he has ticks in sufficient boxes to overcome the slight concern over whether the trip will be far enough for him…

He won the staying handicap at the Cheltenham November meeting last season, off a mark just 2lb lower than he races off tomorrow.

That was a top class performance as he had the likes of Carruthers and Hey Big Spender well beaten.

Galaxy Rock requires top of the ground to be seen at his best - but he should just about get that tomorrow. He also gets the assistance of AP McCoy in the saddle – and the blinkers which he has sported on most of his best runs.

It looks to me as if he has been targeted at this race – and the 12/1 on offer this evening is a very fair price.

Selection: Galaxy Rock 12/1

2:30

This is another fiendishly difficult race to unravel – and I’m going to take 2 against the field…

Despite carrying top weight, Tartak is well handicapped in this race. He is a graded performer at his best – and hopefully Tim Vaughan will have returned him to something close to that level.

Certainly tomorrow’s conditions will suit him well: 2m4f on decent ground – and although he has a big weight, he is a huge horse, so it shouldn’t be an issue for him

He won the 2m4f handicap run at Cheltenham on new years day, the season before last – and that was from a mark 2lb higher.

If he is fit and well for his seasonal debut he really should run a big race.

The other one I want on side in the race, is Easter Meteor.

He was a progressive novice last season, who had the misfortune to bump into Sanctuair and Hunt Ball in 2 of his last 3 outings.
Needless to say, he didn’t cut much ice against that pair, but he won his final outing of the campaign, thereby maintaining his progressive profile.

His success on his seasonal debut last year gives hope that he will be fit enough tomorrow – and it is also hoped that his jumping inexperience doesn’t catch him out over Cheltenham’s tricky fences.

If that proves to be the case, then he has the potential to be a fair bit better than his current mark of 130.

Selections: Tartak 16/1, Easter Meteor 14/1

Outisde of those 2 races, Our Vinnie looks interesting in the opener; whilst Dodging Bullets really should take the beating in the 3:05 and it will be fascinating to watch Third Intention jump a fence in the 4:05.

In summary, another day to savour…

Finally, I can’t sign off this evening, without giving mention to Champions day, which is taking place at Ascot – and in particular the final racecourse appearance of Frankel.

I had to admit to being a huge fan of the horse (who couldn’t be) – but I really fear for him tomorrow…

At the highest level, race horses really need most things in their favour to win big races (despite what official marks might say, the difference in ability between the very best isn’t that great).

Whilst I have little doubt that Frankel is the best race horse in the race – I also have even less doubt that 1m2f on soft/heavy ground is not his optimum conditions.

He might get way with it in a lesser race, but he has 3 serious rivals to contend with in the form of Cirrius Des Aigles, Nathaniel and Pastorius – and unfortunately for Frankel, all 3 are likely to be better suited to tomorrow’s prevailing conditions, than will he…

I actually think that the connections of Nathaniel have missed a trick. If they had employed a pace maker and turned the race into a war of attrition, I really could see Frankel getting beaten, Instead, the only pacemaker in the race, is there for Frankel’s benefit !

Let’s just hope that Tom Queally gets his fractions right – and that Frankel accepts restraint – because if he doesn’t I really do fear the worst…

Elsewhere on a tremendous card, Most Improved looks interesting in the Queen Elizabeth II stakes, with Fallon replaced by Hughes. Most Improved won well over course and distance at the Royal meeting – and has had excuses for his last 2 performances (a shocking ride from Fallon being the most recent !).

We don’t know yet whether he is truly from the top drawer – but 25/1 to find out, seems like a fair price !!

TVB