Hi all,
A bit of uncertainty as to how rain the track will receive on Wednesday. It could be anywhere between 2mm & 9mm depending on the forecast you are using. There’s even a possibility that they could do some watering overnight. After today its mainly dry and spring like weather for Thursday and Friday.
Inside today’s preview I look at three of the Grade 1 runs. Plus, there’s my nap of the day at the end. For those wanting my handicap selections they can be found here.
Constitution Powers Up The Hill
The weather was springlike for the opening day of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. A lovely covering of grass courtesy of a mild winter helped to provide the runners with some lovely ground. I’m not sure there was that much soft in the going description and it seems like it was good ground on the day.
Constitution Hill powered up the Cheltenham hill after coming clear of his stablemate Jonbon on the home turn. His jumping was electric and he ran out a wide margin winner of what looked a high-class renewal of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. It was the most stunning novice hurdle performance that I have witnessed.
The very keen Dysart Dynamo helped set a strong pace before falling three out. Although his jockey hadn’t asked him for his effort at the time, I doubt he would have had any answer to the winners’ power packed finish.
Constitution Hill’s performance was breath-taking but there was something special to come in the Champion Hurdle. Honeysuckle bidding to became the first mare to win two Champion Hurdles took her unbeaten record to 15 with a decisive victory.
Given an uncomplicated ride by Rachel Blackmore the mare went for home from two out and she wasn’t for catching. Another mare Epatante ran to her very best in finishing runner-up and might have got a bit closer to the winner but for a mistake at the last. However, this was all about Honeysuckle and her jockey Rachel Blackmore. The crowd’s acclamation of the pair’s success tells you all you need to know.
Cheltenham Festival – Day 2
1:30 – Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m 5f
Sir Gerhard, having bypassed Tuesday’s Supreme islikely to go off odds on here. He’s not bred to improve for the step up to 2m 5f. However, his class may get him through against some weak looking opponents.
For those looking for an alternative to the favourite Journey With Me could be the answer. The 6-year-old has won his four starts under rules, including two over hurdles. He’s a sound jumper of a hurdle and is capable of better. Good ground would be a bit of an unknown but the yard won this with Bob Olinger last year.
The best of the home contenders is likely to be the Paul Nicholls, trained Stage Star who impressed when winning the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December.
Verdict: Despite a slight concern over his stamina, I think Sir Gerhard’s class will get him through here.
2:10 – Brown Advisory Novices' Chase (Grade 1) – 3m ½ f
Eleven novice chasers are set to go to post for an intriguing renewal and arguably one of the most open of the Grade 1 races.
Bravemansgame heads the betting. The 7-year-old is a good jumper of a fence and comes into the race having won all four of starts over the larger obstacles. I think he’s better on a flatter track and maybe over slightly shorter but he’s a worthy market leader and the better the ground the better his chance.
Ahoy Senor wasn’t at his best when runner-up to Bravemansgame at Kempton two starts back. However, he bounced back to best when making all to win the Grade 2 Towton Novices Chase at Wetherby last month. Going left-handed suits but this will be the biggest field he has faced over fences so far. We haven’t seen the best of the 7-year-old over fences and he has the ability ro win this.
The decision by Venetia Williams to bring L'Homme Presse here rather than go for the 2m 5f race adds more spice to the contest. The 7-year-old has won all four of his starts over the larger obstacles and showed he handles Cheltenham well when winning the Dipper Novices Chase on New Year’s Day. He’s an economical jumper of a fence and should stay 3m.
Verdict: This looks a competitive race and I want to take on Bravemansgame. If Ahoy Senor can get into a good jumping rhythm then he can go close. Of the Irish contenders Beacon Edge could be a bit of each way value ahead of Capodanno.
The Irish Challenge
The Irish challenge is headed by the Willie Mullins trained Capodanno. Progressive over hurdles last spring. A winner at Naas on his chase debut. He then ran Bob Olinger to 4 ¾ lengths in a Grade 3 at Punchestown. Only got as far as the fifth when unseating his rider in a Grade 1 won by stablemate Galopin Des Champs last time. That’s not an ideal preparation for this. However, the step up to 3m over fences can bring out more improvement in him as it did over hurdles.
Mullins also saddles Gaillard Du Mesnil who was 2 length third behind Capodanno on their chase debuts at Naas. The 6-year-old has improved with each of his three starts over fences and last time stayed on to take third behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown. He finished one place ahead of Bravemansgame in last season’s Ballymore. Shaping at Leopardstown like a step up to 3m will suit.
Beacon Edge a useful staying hurdler, won the Grade 1 Drinmore Novices Chase earlier in the season. He fell at the sixth in the race won by Galopin Des Champs two starts back. But his confidence was restored when he finished a ¾-length 2nd of 4 in Grade 2 at Navan 22-days ago. He’s got solid each way claims if his jumping holds up in this bigger field for yard in good form.
3:30 – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) – 2m
The rematch between Shiskhin and Energumene with Chacun Pour Soi added to the mix. If the latter could transfer his high-class Irish form to Cheltenham, he would have a big chance but I don’t think he will.
I think it’s between the big two in the betting. His winning form here gives Shishkin the edge. However, there is just 1 length between the pair on their Ascot running and the 3/1 available about Energumene makes him the value play here.
Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra were first and second in last year’s race. The latter has each way claims once more and won't be inconvenienced by goodish ground either. The latter can never be ruled out on her favourite track, four wins here including at the last two festivals. Her form this season has been dire which is why she’s available at 33/1 and the first time cheekpieces really need to revive her. Put The Kettle One’s stablemate Envoi Allen could be well suited by a strongly run 2m and has had wind surgery since his last run. A smart horse over hurdles and won the Ballymore, and the Champion Bumper at previous festivals.
Verdict: The most likely winner is Shishkin but Energumene is a bit of value at around 7/2. For those looking for one at bigger odds Envoi Allen could get in to the places at big odds.
Cheltenham Selection:
Yesterday’s selection Jonbon was no match for stablemate Constitution Hill. I’m hoping for better today.
3:30 – Energumene – 7/2 @ William Hill & Bet365
Good luck with your Wednesday bets.
John