Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece, here are my thoughts on a couple of informative days of racing at Fairyhouse. You’ll also find another Cheltenham Festival 2025 ante-post selection.
Fairyhouse: Saturday Highlights
On Saturday, Willie Mullins introduced a hurdler who I believe can reach the very top. Anzadam, off for 411 days and making his first start for Mullins, extended his unbeaten record to 3-3 over hurdles in the Grade 3 WillowWarm Hurdle. Delivered perfectly at the last, he quickened smartly to beat the race-fit Kala Conti.
This was an impressive display, and he looks destined to succeed at Grade 1 level this season. Plans point to a run in the Bula (International) Hurdle at Cheltenham's Festival Trials meeting. If he wins that race as convincingly as I expect, the current 33/1 for the Champion Hurdle 2025 will look enormous come January’s end.
While the Donnelly family also own State Man and Fighting Fifth winner Sir Gino, I still believe Anzadam will line up for the Champion Hurdle 2025. I’ve taken 40/1, but 33/1 remains widely available and represents excellent value.
Champion Hurdle 2025: Anzadam – 33/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power.
Fairyhouse: Sunday Review
Despite the official going description, the ground was good on Sunday, which influenced several performances.
Romeo Coolio Lacks Speed in the Royal Bond
Romeo Coolio, an impressive hurdle debut winner at Down Royal, was beaten as the odds-on favourite in the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle. A slowly run race exposed his lack of pace over two miles, and he looks in need of a step up in trip.
Croke Park's Surprise Drinmore Success
Gordon Elliott added another Drinmore Novice Chase (2m 4f) to his CV,but it came courtesy of Croke Park rather than favourite Firefox. Dictating a pedestrian pace, Croke Park jumped slickly and had enough in reserve to fend off all challengers from two out. His ability to control the race made the difference.
Last season I thought he lacked pace over hurdles but chasing has revealed a sharper side to Croke Park. However, despite being 16/1 for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase, I doubt he’s good enough to win at Cheltenham.
Firefox remains the best prospect to take from the race. He looked poised to strike at the last but didn’t find the necessary turn of foot on good ground. A prominent ride, a return to two miles, and softer conditions should see him in a much better light.
It was an exciting finish, full of drama to the line that you can relive here. However, questions remain about how reliable the form will be going forward.
Lossiemouth Too Quick in the Hatton’s Grace
With the ground on the quick side, Lossiemouth had too much speed for Stayers Hurdle champion Teahupoo in the Grade 1 Hatton’s Grace Hurdle over 2m 4f.
A crawl early on suited Lossiemouth, who only needed a shake of the reins to secure victory in what was little more than a glorified public gallop—albeit one worth €70,800 to her connections.
We didn’t learn much about Lossiemouth here. She remains a genuine Champion Hurdle contender and could clash with Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton. If she skips Kempton, connections must resist taking the soft option of the Mares’ Hurdle in March as they did last season and go for the Champion Hurdle.
As for Teahupoo, it was a satisfactory seasonal return. He’ll build on this as he bids to regain his Stayers Hurdle crown in March.
Future Winners
This week, I haven’t had the energy to dive deeply into future winners, but a couple of notable performances from Saturday’s ITV races at Newbury made it into the notebook.
Queens Gamble
Queens Gamble made a promising start to handicap hurdling, finishing a 1½-length second to Navajo Indy in the Gerry Feilden Intermediate Handicap Hurdle. Although she surrendered her unbeaten record over hurdles, it was a fine effort, especially on her first start since December.
I backed her on Saturday, and while it wasn’t her day, I’m confident the losses will be recouped later this season. With her liking for good ground, there’s a valuable race to be won with the mare in the spring
No Ordinary Joe
No Ordinary Joe, who had caught the eye when running better than his result suggested in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, once again got the eye despite finishing a well beaten fifth of ten behind stablemate Impose Toi. He was still in contention two out, but a lack of fitness told late on.
He’s likely to prefer softer ground and is well-handicapped. There’s a decent prize waiting for him once everything clicks.
Nothing on a moderate Tuesday. However, I’ve already given you a 33/1 Champion Hurdle 2025 ante post tip so what’s not to like.
In Wednesday column I’ll be looking at Saturday’s Becher Chase at Aintree.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
An impressive victory for Anzadam but beating a 138 rated hurdler in a grade 3 is way off being a champion hurdler. He could only beat what was put in front of him in style but very few 5.y.o’s win the champion even in a poor renewal. This year’s race looks far from a poor one. He will add to the mix though.
Hi Ian,
A perfect counterpoint re: Anzadam on ratings.
So far what he’s achieved isn’t good enough for him to place in what could be a high class renewal of the Champion Hurdle. However, I think he’s going to be capable of a lot better and will win Grade 1’s.
If as I expect he comes over for the International Hurdle and wins that well, he’ll be a lot shorter. Add in the likelihood that one or maybe even two of the present leading fancies won’t turn up and you can see why he’ll be single figures on the day.
John