Hi all,
There were plenty of strong performances at Cheltenham’s Showcase meeting. The midweek rain ensured competitive fields and proper jumping ground. Fingers crossed the unsettled weather continues, so Ascot and Wetherby enjoy similar conditions on Saturday.
Inside today’s main piece, you’ll find my take on the Cheltenham Showcase action.
Friday – Cheltenham Showcase Meeting
French Ship made race fitness count in the opening handicap hurdle (2m4f). He may have more to offer, but several behind him are also worth following. Navajo Indy proved his stamina for 2m4f on seasonal return and remains on a workable mark. Last Rodeo (Christian Williams) was badly hampered when East India Express fell at the fifth and never got into it after. Not given a hard race, this lightly raced five-year-old — who won on soft ground in February — should strike again soon.
Alnilam extended his unbeaten chase record to 2-2 in the two-mile novice chase. Still learning, but he looks the best novice chaser we’ve seen so far. Tougher tests await, but he’s going the right way.
Saturday – Cheltenham Showcase Meeting
Zurich made his chase experience count to enhance Henry de Bromhead’s fine Showcase record with handicap chasers in the 2m4f Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. It looked a strong race with several likely future winners.
Double Powerful (Neil Mulholland), a progressive hurdler last season, made a pleasing chase debut in third. He stayed three miles over hurdles and will be winning soon in this sphere.
Blenkinsop, an 8yo starting late over fences, shaped well in fifth. Easier ground should see improvement, and he can win over the larger obstacles.
There was plenty of market confidence behind Newton Tornado (Rebecca Curtis) ahead of his chase debut. He was disputing the lead when falling four out. A nice type on looks and pedigree, and his trainer excels with staying handicap chasers.
Conman John improved on his Kelso hurdles debut win to land the 3m novice hurdle. A proper staying type with a future over fences. Lucinda Russell mentioned the Albert Bartlett and why not? He’s a galloper who looks a real stayer in the making.
Three Card Brag jumped well to win the 3m1f handicap chase. He had more in hand than the margin suggests and should add more wins this season.
Backmersackme stayed on well for second and remains a five-race maiden over fences, but he’s well-handicapped. Needs to brush his jumping but when he does, he can win the sphere.
Hoe Joly Smoke, whose two chase wins had come at Sandown, travelled well but didn’t see out the trip quite as well as the two in front. At least we know now Cheltenham holds no fears for him.
Inch House, returning from 301 days off, jumped well out in front before fitness told late on. He’s well treated for Paul Nicholls and on a winnable mark if building on this performance.
Showcase Summary
It was a proper two-day meeting with depth and quality. The ground was good, and the form should hold up, and plenty of future winners were on show. Alnilam looks a novice chaser going places, while Conman John and Three Card Brag both have bright campaigns ahead. If you want the one to follow from the meeting you could worse than keep an eye, then its Last Rodeo.
Tuesday Racing
The Best Odds Guaranteed On DragonBet Handicap Chase (3:40) at Ffos Las looks the pick of Tuesday’s action.
Top weight Donnacha, a useful hurdler, got off the mark over fences at Exeter in January and quickly followed up at Chepstow. He’s up 6lb for those wins and returns from 261 days off. Solid claims from a handicapping perspective but might just need this to sharpen up.
Tommys Charm posted a career best when a close second over 3m2f at Wincanton in February. He’ll love the soft ground, but today’s 2m3½f trip looks short enough for his return. Expect him to come on for the run.
Tune In A Box failed to score over hurdles last term but was a four-time winner earlier in his career. He makes his chase debut from a fair mark and represents a yard in form. Still, he’s likely to improve for the outing.
Dangerous Touch won a handicap hurdle here in January and ran to form when third at Sandown last time. He’s interesting back from a break off what looks a handy mark. The trainer’s horses are flying — 10 wins from 22 runners in the past fortnight.
Filanderer ended last season on a roll, winning his final three starts. He impressed over this C&D in April and is up 10lb now, but he might still be ahead of the handicapper. The 194-day absence isn’t a concern as he’s gone well fresh before. He rates the pick in an open looking contest.
Tomorrow I’ll be looking at Wetherby’s Charlie Hall Chase.
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John