Hunter Chase Evening

It's the first meeting of the new jumps season at Cheltenham tonight (there's a pub quiz question for you) and whilst the track might not want to call it Hunter Chase Evening anymore (it's marketed as “Race Night”) those of us of a certain vintage only know it as one thing.

Now, my knowledge of the hunters is limited but you'll be delighted to hear I've brought in my good friend and top point-to-point commentator Will Bowler to give you his thoughts on the card. I'll interject when I've something vital to say, which isn't often.

Read on…

4.40 Cheltenham 

The only 2 miler to be run in the pointing season so as usual a strong pace guaranteed. 

Konstantina will go off very quick, and is Fan Club Aulmes also a contender to go forward. Envoye Special has a tendency to be very keen and has been known to just pull his way to the front. 

This looks set up perfectly for Envious Editor who has been trained with this in mind, has displayed a turn of foot pointing this season and also has some smart 2m form under rules in the past. A strong fancy.

5.15 Cheltenham 

The race of the night, in my opinion. 

Not as many obvious front runners with Go Go Geronimo, who will definitely hit a flat spot at some point, and The Whistle Blower, the most likely contenders. Another contender Rebel Dawn Rising is a smart horse who won at Leicester last time, but interestingly has never run left handed in the UK. Might not mean anything but is a doubt at a track where you are always on the turn. Minimalistic has been picking up some poor races, likewise Castle Trump. The latter is a very strong traveller, likewise Sine Nomine who has always been well talked about in the North. 

Latenightfumble is related to Latenightpass but I think needs another season, all of which means Famous Clermont is going to be very hard to beat. I loved the horse from the first time I saw him and he is a good jumper with a huge engine. I think he’ll take this.

5.50 Cheltenham 

Not an overly strong event. 

Last year’s winner Trio For Rio is back again for another go but comes into this event off the back of pulling up in a PTP and never went a yard on that occasion. He’s not an easy ride and I still believe he was lucky to keep it in the stewards room last year after hampering Fixe Le Kap up the hill. The latter has somehow never even won a PTP nor a race under rules since moving from France (last win 5 years ago) and he comes into this in decent heart and I believe he might turn the form around. 

I’m Wiser Now was third last year but his jumping leaves a good bit to be desired. Knockaderry Flyer and Tel’Art are likely to lead up and it could suit Moratorium, who has a major jockey uplift, having given his trainer a first winner as a jockey and young Nathan Green three of his first five winners as well. Now with Will Biddick, the winning-most PTP jockey of all time aboard and cheekpieces on for a horse who can idle, he has a good chance.

David : yep, I'm with Will here. Very much against Trio For Rio, a horse I've never particularly found easy to back, and Moratorium ought to be up to winning this.

6.25 Cheltenham 

A strong renewal. 

Mighty Stowaway ran a blinder when third in the Foxhunters for Gordon Elliott under Jamie Codd and was purchased after a social media post from his then owner by the Suttons for Ben to ride at Aintree. He was pulled out due to a high temperature on the morning of racing but should go well.

Dandy Dan has been in fine form this season but could find things a bit hot under his inexperienced rider. Geordie B won at Carlisle but I can’t see him being quick enough in a race of this quality. Caryto Des Brosses has had his issues but has returned with two impressive performances at Garthorpe and Mollington, winning with ease and Dale Peters is convinced he’s as good as ever. If so, his two narrow defeats in this race to Hazel Hill and at Stratford to Wonderful Charm will be more than enough.

David : I'll throw Salvatore into the mix as well, especially if Cheltenham have overwatered the ground a bit (which has happened for this meeting before). He went off favourite to beat Latenightpass a couple of years ago in this and nothing went right for him that night. He's a very useful horse on his day, but quick ground would be against him.

7.00 Cheltenham

Should be a match between Kalabaloo and Feuille De Lune. The latter is likely to go off at a strong
gallop but I think Kalabaloo may outstay her. Wind Tor may sneak a place but it’s unlikely.

David : again, watch the earlier races as if it's slow, Wind Tor becomes even more of a player. All she does is stay (was also entered in the 4 miler) and if they get racing early, she could pick them off up the hill. She goes on good, but is better with a bit of cut.

7.35 Cheltenham 

Usually a pretty gruelling event where they can get racing a long, long way out. 

Some confirmed stayers such as Dawson City, Captain Drake and Give Me A Copper all have to be on the shortlist. Shantou Flyer and Law Of Gold bring some class to the field, although I have a stamina concern for Law Of Gold. Sam Red was second in this last year at 100/1 but finds consistency hard to come by. Gran Paradiso has a penalty but may be overpriced for a horse who should stay and I could see Mr Snuffles going well too, having ran some fair races in defeat this season.

David : Will's worried about the stamina for Law Of Gold, but I think he'll stay. If he does, he's the one to beat here, for me.

8.10 Cheltenham 

A very competitive race. Last year’s second and third, Clondaw Westie and Peacocks Secret, line up again and both have claims. There should be lots of pace on with Cousin Pascal, Midnight Cowboy, Peacocks Secret plus possibly the unexposed Eeze A Saint and Pointed And Sharp all likely to go forward. Very tricky, with a tentative vote for Clondaw Westie. 

Today's selection : Salvatore 6.25 Cheltenham

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.