Weekend Racing Recap: Cheltenham Thrills and Doncaster’s Obstacle Omissions

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece you can read my Weekend Racing Recap.

It was a good two days at Cheltenham’s December meeting. Quality-wise it’s never been as strong as the November meeting, but it was good solid fare.

Although the going description on Friday was soft, on times it was closer to good to soft (sticky) and not a million miles far away from good.

There was a strong breeze on Saturday and the official going description remained soft but it was good to soft at worst.

Fugitif's Victory and the Art of Decision-Making

There was £130,000 in guaranteed prize money on offer in the December Gold Cup.  The race itself showcased all what’s best about jump racing. It was a well-run race and produced a pulsating finish.

Il Ridoto and Frero Banbou went toe to toe in front from a long way out. Both horses jumped well and that and the pace they set had many of their rivals in trouble. None more so than favourite Thunder Rock who was on the back foot after a poor jump at the third.

So Scottish seemed to be travelling nicely and was in front of the eventual winner when falling four out. He’s handicapped to win a race like this with a clear round of jumping.

Coming to two out Bryony Frost kicked for home on Il Ridoto. Coming to the last Il Ridoto was five lengths clear of a weakening Frero Banbou and the staying on Fugitif. Halfway up the run you wondered if Fugitif would consent to go past the long-time leader but to his credit he found enough to chin the rallying runner-up on the line.

The winner truly earned a well-deserved victory in the big handicap chase. While there may be arguments that Bryony Frost went on a few strides too early, it would be harsh criticism. Bryony skillfully got Il Ridoto into a superb jumping rhythm, and with less pressure from the eventual third, a win was likely within grasp.

As for the rest…

Fourth home Grandeur D'Ame so impressive in the jumping stakes at Wetherby on previous starts ran well in a much better race. He’s probably still on a competitive mark when his sights are lowered a little or when stepped up a bit further in distance.

Too weight Fakir D'oudairies he ran with plenty encouragement on his seasonal return and wasn’t given a hard race.

Torn And Frayed didn’t have the pace to challenge and sixth placed effort probably sums up the 9-year-old these days.

Reflections on Fugitif's Victory

The victory of Fugitif in the December Gold Cup was the last outcome I desired. This sentiment is not directed towards the 8-year-old or his trainer, Richard Hobson. Rather, it stems from my meticulous race analysis, wherein I had narrowed down the contenders to three horses – Thunder Rock, Torn And Frayed, and Fugitif. Despite shortlisting Fugitif, I ultimately chose to back only two, omitting him from my selections.

Initially favoring the Hobson-trained horse based on his commendable 4th-place finish in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at the previous meeting. Despite the initial inclination to include Fugitif in my bets, a further race analysis led me to talk myself out of it. This decision echoes a recurring theme of late, where I seem to be making decisions that don’t align with favorable outcomes.

To compound matters, I overlooked my own intuition about Thunder Rock's jumping frailties, dismissing the inner voice that which was saying that his jumping wouldn’t hold up in a strongly run race.

Broadway Boy Triumphs in Sun Handicap Chase – A Stayers Success

Broadway Boy looked on a good mark on his handicap debut in the Favourite From The Sun Now Daily Handicap Chase.

Unlike the feature race they didn’t go to hard up front.  Broadway Boy and Threeunderthrufive were always to the fore and the pair finished first and second. The winner jumped solidly for most of the race and overcame a couple of mistakes on the final circuit to secure success.

Broadway Boy is a thorough stayer and my previous comments after he won a Listed novices’ chase here still stand. I see him more of a National Hunt Chase than a Brown Advisory horse. However, connections connections leaning towards the latter race at Cheltenham Festival.

Runner-up Threeunderthrufive. continues to build a strong record in staying handicap chases and was unlucky to face a well-handicapped winner on Saturday.

Top weight Protektorat so disappointing in the Betfair Chase, was weak in the pre-race betting but bounced back to form with a good effort in third. He was keen in last place for most of the race but stayed on well on the run in. In the circumstances he did well to finish as close as he did to the winner and runner-up. Hold up tactics don’t suit him, and I think letting him go out in front and dominate a small field remains the way to go with the 8-year-old.

My pick Malina Girl was going better than anything when falling three out. If she’d stood up, I think she would have gone close.

Previous C&D winner Rapper got back on track with a fourth- place finish. He won a race here on New Year’s Day and that would seem a suitable target once again.

Shanagh Bob Impresses in Grade 2 Novices' Hurdle Victory

Shanagh Bob, a recent Plumpton novice winner on his stable/hurdle debut, lived up to expectations as the 15/8 favorite in the Grade 2 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle. The slow pace of the race played to his advantage, showcasing his superior speed between the final two hurdles. A work in progress, Shanagh Bob's determined attitude and response to the jockey's urgings make him a contender for the Cheltenham Festival's Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

Runner-up Destroytheevidence came into the race having won his previous two starts.  He ran a solid race but was just outstayed by the winner.

The first time cheekpieces elicited an improved performance from Irish challenger Moon D'orange in third.

Despite being in contention until the last, my pick Kerryhill travelled through the race like the best horse and was still bang there coming to the last. He possibly didn’t get home on the day. He can win more races and looks the sort who will do well over fences.

Doncaster's Disappointing Hurdles and Fences Omission

Doncaster's two-mile handicap hurdle left much to be desired, with only four hurdles jumped. Unfortunate for favourite Rare Edition's backers, as he finished strongly in third and would have favored those missed out hurdles.

One reader, Rick, expressed his perspective on the 2:40 race:

“Just void the race and refund all punters and connections money/costs.  It’s not the race that owners/trainers have entered and certainly not that which punters have bet on”.

I couldn’t have put it much better myself.

The most frustrating aspect is that few, if any, in the racing media seem to be bothered by it all. It’s just another example of the sport treating punters with contempt.  

The bet365 Handicap Chase, the final race, was similarly affected, lacking all four fences in the straight. I had a winning bet on Forward Plan, so maybe I shouldn’t be bothered but I'm because this is jumps racing not flat.

Suffice to say the form of the two races impacted by the absence of obstacles should be treated with considerable caution.

My Punting Weekend

Friday proved challenging, but Ginny’s Destiny's victory at Cheltenham kept losses to a minimum.

Saturday was another mixed bag, with Forward Plan's success at Doncaster saving the day. It could have been better as both Malina Girl and Bonttay fell while well-placed in their races. Additionally, Mister Who came down at Doncaster, though too early in the race to say whether he would have played a part in the finish. I was also on Rare Edition who could have done without the omission of the hurdles in the straight.

On Sunday I was pleased with the ride Mark Walsh gave Harvard Guy to winthe Navan feature race. That success meant I ended the weekend on a bit of a high.

Fugitf was the one that got away at the weekend. I’m still kicking myself over that one. As it proved the difference between a small loss and a tidy profit on the weekend.

Monday Preview

The racing on Monday is relatively modest, featuring jump cards at Musselburgh and Plumpton, along with an all-weather fixture at Wolverhampton.

Plumpton

2:10 – Guguss Collonges exhibited good jumping and a determined attitude in his recent victory at Lingfield 18 days ago. Although carrying a 4lb higher weight here, he’s unexposed over staying trips and should give his running once more.

2:40 – Commanding View needed his seasonal reappearance when 6^th of 14 at Warwick last month. Not subjected to hard race last time, he looks the sort who can improve on handicap hurdle debut.

Musselburgh

2:55 – Get With It won a couple of handicap chases last year but has mostly struggled since. That means the 8-year-old is now 4lb below his last winning mark. There was more encouragement to be taken from his 7-length 5^th of 12 at Ayr (2m 4 ½ f) last month and the return to 2m 7 ½ f is advantageous.

3:25 – For enthusiasts of trainer statistics, Nicky Richards boasts an impressive record of 4 winners from 11 runners (36%, +13.33) and 5 placed (45%) with newcomers in Musselburgh bumpers. The trainer won this corresponding race in 2020 with a newcomer and he’s got a notable contender with Yakaleo.

Monday Selection

Honestly, none of the four mentioned above can be considered as solid options. However, if you're looking for a pick that's currently in good form, Guguss Collonges stands out. That said I would want around 6/1 to press the betting button.

Plumpton

2:10 – Guguss Collonges.

Good luck with your Monday bets.

John