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Analysis by
.t.h.e. .r.o.o.k.
Whether it be "the race of the day" or a small prize round the gaffs, we will attempt to use our knowledge of the formbook to highlight the fancied horses participating each day and their characteristics and requirements. Hopefully this 'second opinion' provides you with a winner or two each day, or even reinforces your own view on a particular may even convince you to back some of those horses which we feel are the "ones to fear", or have decent eachway claims. whichever is the case, we hope the information is of use to you.
SELECTIONS - For each race, we have given you who, in our view, are the likeliest winners;
(1er _ THE WINNER?), as well as any runners who could run well at eachway odds;
(E/W
ALTERNATIVE) . Any runner from our features are shown before each race's analysis.
THE OPEN MEETING
Sunday, November 17
|¯¯ Iª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 1:10 Mick Seery Memorial Novices' Hurdle 14runners 2miles- 5f Penalty £9744 4-Year-Olds plus
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¦ [ONE TO JUMP 2003] _ are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season?¦:¬>-
Chanticlier, Scarborough Fair and Loch Na Bpeise and Wouldn't You Agree,
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- The final day of the open meeting begins with a Novice Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles. Of the 14 runners declared I like the look of Wouldn't You Agree, Moore's Law, Taming, Moscow Tradition, Fey Macha, Chanticlier, Daniels Hymn, Scarborough Fair and Whereareyounow and these (on paper, at least) appear to have the best credentials. The likely favourite here is Wouldn't You Agree who has already accumulated four wins for this season's Horses To Follow list. He had his toughest assignment to date at Tipperary last time out but passed with flying colours being pushed out to beat Max Valley by 2 lengths. That was over 2 miles but nothing I have seen so far suggests that he will be
inconvenienced by the step-up in distance. He makes more appeal than Tony McCoy's mount, Taming who despite being a multi-winner this season has been found wanting before when upped in grade. In fact, Wouldn't You Agree's biggest challenge here could come from fellow Irish raiders Fay Macha and Moore's Law, both of whom were second on their latest assignments. I'll suggest Wouldn't You Agree to concede weight all round here, however this race has an additional dimension for me as Chanticlier, Scarborough Fair and Loch Na Bpeise are also horses that I believe will pay to follow this season. If you believe our selection to win this is too short, you could do a lot worse that have money on one of these to nick a place at a nice price.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Wouldn't You Agree
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Moore's Law
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Scarborough Fair (e/w)
|¯¯ IIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 1:45 Jockeys Employment & Training Scheme Hurdle (Intermediate H 'cap Hurdle Race) 14runners 2miles- 5f Penalty £16965 4-Year-Olds plus
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¦ [ONE TO JUMP 2003] _ are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season?¦:¬>- Tucacas
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬> The first of three competitive handicaps on this card comes next. Of the fourteen runners declared Cill Churnain, Noisetine, Colourful Life, Tucacas, Samasakhan, Arabian Moon, Monger Lane, Spectrometer, Hopbine and Ballyvaddy make the most appeal. I'm surprised that Cill
Churnain was priced up on the tissue as the market leader because despite being in the best form of his life under rules, he is exposed and was soundly beaten last time out at Wetherby. I must admit that I expected to see Noisetine, Monger Lane and Arabian Moon (who have all won their last two starts) fighting out favouritism. Despite top weight, I do like Tucacas here. She had a very good season in both France and this country last season and was probably unlucky not to win over course and distance in April where she was caught on the run-in by the well-weighted Monger Lane who reopposes today. Her sixth to Intersky Falcon over an inadequate two miles at the beginning of this season was a decent effort and her 197 day absence will have done her the world of good. If more exaggerated waiting tactics are employed, it would not surprise me if she were to go close here. She gets the vote.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Tucacas
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Noisetine
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>-Spectrometer (e/w)
|¯¯ IIIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 2:15 Independent Newspaper Novices' Steeple Ch. (Registered As The November Novices' Steeple Ch.) (Grade 2) 7runners 2miles- Penalty £17400 4-Year-Olds plus
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- A fascinating renewal of this Grade 2 chase which
realistically should only involve Azertyuiop, Stars Out Tonight, Golden Alpha and Fait Le Jojo. Despite the fact that all of these have won over fences, none of them have really been tested, so watching the race back may assist form students to establish these horse's long term credentials, which is the way I would prefer to look at the race rather than solely concentrating on who will win today. It does seem strange that Golden Alpha can win four
races during the summer, yet get 2lbs from Azertyuiop, who has only won
one steeplechase. He was mightily impressive however and should on hurdles form be too good for these on the flat. I think he'll win, however I'm not convinced it'll be as easy as some have already begun to suggest and I would not put off any punter prepared to take him on with either Golden Alpha or Stars Out Tonight.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Azertyuiop
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Golden Alpha
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Stars Out Tonight
|¯¯ IVª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 2:50 Rehabilitation Of Racehorses Hurdle (H 'cap) (Listed Race) 12runners 2miles- 110yds Penalty £29000 4-Year-Olds plus
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¦ [ONE TO JUMP 2003] _ are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season?¦:¬>- Dark'n Sharp,
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- The big hurdle race of the meeting comes next and having skimmed through the lines of form, Dream With Me, In Contrast, Rooster Booster, Eternal Spring, Quazar, Dark'n Sharp, Latalomne, Patriot Games and Benbyas all warrant further consideration. There has been a lot of talk going into this race of the possible merits of Rooster Booster winning over this course and distance in the Champion Hurdle in March. Whilst there is no doubt he has improved on what he showed, say this time a season earlier, I am still not entirely convinced of this claim and would like to see him win a conditions event against a respectable field before giving him the "thumbs-up". He has proven himself in this company before and despite 11st 12lbs, is sure to give a good account of himself. He does however seem to have it all to do, giving 9lbs all round to the likes of In Contrast (one of the better 2 mile juveniles of last season), Quasar (near the top of the juvenile division), Eternal Spring (a possible improving handicapper for this season) and Dream With Me (who has been place by connections to win 5 races on the bounce this term). In what is sure to be a
fiercely open event, I am going to be bold and take a chance with Dark n' Sharp despite him being 4lbs "wrong" here. We know how potentially good he could become this winter over fences, however look at his form the previous season over hurdles and amongst his victories you will find an impressive effort at Newcastle under 12st where he flew home after the final jump to win going away impressively. He is much better handicapped than he would be if this was a Steeplechase. And at current odds of around 16/1 you could do a lot worse than dabble with him especially as ground conditions are beginning to start to favour him. He is the sporting selection here.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Dark N' Sharp (e/w)
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Eternal Spring
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- In Contrast
|¯¯ Vª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 3:20 Food Brokers 40th Anniversary H 'cap Steeple Ch. 15runners 2miles- 4f 110yds Penalty £12876 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- Halexy, Un Jour A Vassy, No Forecast, Tenshookmen, Percy Parkeeper, Glynn Dingle, Audacter, Loughbeg Rambler, Optimistic Chris, Damien's Choice and Strong Magic look best of those who line up in the penultimate race of the meeting. Halexy is sure to go off favourite here having impressed when beating Granby Bell at Chepstow 25 days ago and despite a rise in the weights here is sure to give a good account of himself. He does however have to concede 17lbs to No Forecast who was equally, if not more impressive when winning his only race over fences at Newbury 323 days ago. This horse is clearly fragile but is
immensely talented and is probably the only horse in the handicap below Halexy to improve considerably on their current handicap mark. I'll take a chance with him to beat Halexy and Un Jour A Vassy 19 days ago but may be better suited to racing on a flat track.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- No Forecast
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Halexy
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Un Jour A Vassy
|¯¯ VIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 3:55 Betfair Open Bumper (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Listed Race) 24runners 2miles- 110yds Penalty £10570.49 4, 5 and 6-Year-Olds
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¦ [ONE TO JUMP 2003] _ are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season?¦:¬>- Liberman
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- The final race of the meeting and it'll be interesting to see how the market develops in this race as it's not beyond the realms of
possibility that there could be a considerable plunge on the favourite
Rhinestone Cowboy here particularly if punters have very good or poor days. His credentials are there for all to see. He was very impressive on his debut at Ascot and some argued, very unlucky not to land the Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival when
Pizarro carried him onto the rails before bumping him near the line. He has already been talked up as Champion Hurdle horse in some quarters. Well, I'll believe that when I see that happen.
Anyway this is no simple task, especially as there are so many unknown quantities in this lineup. I feel sorry for his young pilot who is in a no-win situation here and I'm sure there are some already waiting to
criticize him for the way he goes down to post!!!. To my mind, if the race centres around ability and jockeyship, I have some reservations and would prefer to pass over potentially the best horse at the moment in
this field, in favour of the best combination. Inca Trail (Best Mate's full-brother) and Liberman (a winner at
Bellewstown in July) meet these criteria. Inca Trail is marginally preferred.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Inca Trail
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Liberman
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Rhinestone Cowboy
THE
OPEN MEETING
Saturday, November 16.
|¯¯ Iª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ »- 1:05 Ifte Plc Novices' Steeple Ch. 10runners 2miles-4f 110yds Penalty £12354 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ (ONE TO JUMP 2003) - are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦: ¬>- Iverain (FR)
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- Day two of the Meeting gets off with an
interesting Novices Chase. MINELLA LEISURE; (a winner twice in Ireland this season), IVERAIN; (who beat Lucky Bay on his chasing debut at Wincanton), KEEP SMILING; [who made all, to win at Bangor two weeks ago], RUFIUS, [a good
second to Cape Stormer over course and distance in October], JARDIN DE BEAULIEU, [who showed some good form in France before joining Ian Williams
last term, however has done nothing to write about in this country], and TARXIEN, [a
multi-winning novice hurdlers who is sure to have been well schooled form this chasing bow) look the horses to concentrate on in the opener on the card. I was impressed with
Iverain at Wincanton, and I do feel he will develop into a nice staying chaser in time, however the 5lbs he
concedes to Tarxien is rather off-putting and that may ultimately prove to be the determining factor here. Tarxien gets the vote.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Tarxien
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Iverain
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Keep Smiling; [e/w]
|¯¯ IIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 1:40 Tote Bookmakers H' cap Hurdle (Listed Race) 11runners 3miles-1f 110yds Penalty £31175 4-Year-Olds plus
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- It Takes Time, Surprising, Native Emperor, Yeoman's Point, Spendid, Springfield Scally, and Tales Of Bounty, head the market for the second race on the card. IT TAKES TIME
deserves to be favourite on what he did last term and capped on a great season by winning a conditions race at Sandown in April beating Sudden Shock by 2lengths. He does
however have to carry 11-12 here and with SPRINGFIELD SCALLY, [who made all to win at Chepstow last weekend) certain to ensure that this is run at a strong pace. It Takes Times may be worth opposing... but what with? SURPRISING has a good chance off of only 10-7. He like the favourite enjoys coming off of a strong pace. He
hasn't run since beating Deano's Beeno by 1 ½ lengths at Haydock in May, but is sure to have been well prepared by
connections. NATIVE EMPEROR, is another who will enjoy how the race is run and was staying of
strongly when finishing only 9lengths behind Freetown over course and distance at the Festival.. market moves for him will
probably be significant... We suggested that YEOMAN'S POINT was a good bet for the Tote Gold Trophy at Chepstow last weekend and so it proved and he came away readily to win by 5lengths. He is unproven at the trip however is very
interesting with only 10-3 on his back. Right at the foot of the handicap is TALES OF BOUNTY, who was a very
cheeky winner at Exeter on his first run for Paul Nicholls. He is 10lbs wrong here however a 7lbs claim negates
most of that and he might be well treated here. I'd love to see class tell here howevr I do thing top weight will
anchor It Takes Time. Yeoman's Point is taken to win his second race in seven days.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Yeoman's Point,
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Surprising,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- It Takes Time,
|¯¯ IIIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯»- 2:15 Intervet Trophy H' cap Steeple Ch. (Listed Race) 11runners 3miles-3f 110yds Penalty £34800 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- A long distance handicap chase comes next. SHOOTING LIGHT; The winner of the Thomas Pink Gold Cup last year, heads the weight. He progressed through the ranks to be just short of the top bracket and has earned his welter burden,
however over this extended trip he seems to be vulnerable.. I'd have to look further
a field and in STORMEZ, (who stayed on strongly to win the Summer National at Uttoxeter in June), SOUTHERN STAR (a fair second
to Barton in the Martell Mildmay Novices' Chase (Gr. 2) at the National Meeting] and WONDER WEASEL, [in good form early on last season, but who lost the plot afterwards, however his stable are now in good form, so he may
possibly be worth another chance], I hope to have found one (or two to beat him). It is
possible that Stormez may be still improving and granted a clear round he is taken to outstay
Southern Star.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Stormez
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Southern Star.
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Shooting Light.
|¯¯ IVª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ »- 2:50
THE THOMAS PINK GOLD CUP (Steeple
Ch). ( H' cap) (Grade 3) 15runners 2miles-4f 110yds Penalty £58000 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ (ONE TO JUMP 2003) - are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦: ¬>- Chicuelo
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- Is Chicuelo the good thing that everyone says he is?...
supporters of Perfect Fellow, Exit Swinger, Its Time For A Win, Foly Pleasant, Poliantas, Turgeonev, Cyfor Malta and Risk Accessor,
probably will disagree. PERFECT FELLOW will almost certainly set out to make all and if he is in
the same sort of form as when he won over course and distance two weeks
ago he will not be easy to pass. He can expect a strong challenge coming from behind him coming down the hill to two out... FOLY PLEASANT, [second in
the race last year behind Lady Cricket], CYFOR MALTA, [who won a version of this race three years ago], EXIT SWINGER, [who has
been placed in the last two running of the race], POLIANTAS, [ who won four of his six races last term] and ITS TIME FOR A WIN, [who won two races last term, including
the Martell Topham Chase]... are sure to be there or there about .... Oh of course, so should CHICUELO.
I've read with interest a lot of the debates in the media and on Racing Forums about Chicuelo and whether he'll win and is he good value?. These are in my view two totally
separate issues and its a case of whether on balance you believe he is a good bet or not. There are some who take the view that his formlines with Sleeping Night in France are misleading, as
although that horse would beat this lot easily, Chicuelo was also inferior to his present stablemate Tango Royal when in France, and that horse has yet to translate any of his form in this country. They also state that Chicuelo contrived on occasions to get beaten in races at this kind of class in France, and that there was
every chance he may do that on Saturday. I respect this train of thought and if you
want to pick holes in his chances, this is where I'd be looking... However I have another view on
the horse. We have become indoctrinated with the premise that french breds are precocious and that they all show their form
immediately. Time has shown that a lot of these horses that don't live
immediately live up to expectations improved significantly during
their second/third season's racing, mainly because not only have they fully
acclimatised, but they have also got used to new training regimes/methods. When I put Chicuelo in our One to jump feature, I did this on the basis that
- Chicuelo
probably would be a better horse (physically) this season
- He is
definitely nicely handicapped on his best formlines
and
- bearing my
most recent comments in mind, his move to Martin Pipe may help make Chicuelo a happier horse than the one we saw last term.
This would seem to be the case at Market Rasen
in July when despite making a bad mistake early on he won the Tote Scoop6 Summer Plate very
easily from Coy Lad. He did appears to me on that evidence to be
potentially a better version of the horse we saw last term and despite
a rise of 16lbs, should go close if he puts in a clear round...
Do I believe he will win?...
Yes I do...
Is he a good bet?.... He's not my kind of bet. Foly Pleasant, Poliantas, and Cyfor Malta appeal as eachway alternative .. though at the
moment I'll probably be sitting it out.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- CHICUELO
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Foly Pleasant
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Cyfor Malta, [e/w]
|¯¯ Vª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ »- 3:25 Charles Benson Novices' H' cap Hurdle 28runners 2miles-110yds Penalty £10440 3-Year-Olds plus
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- Bongo Fury, Classic Note, Doire-Chrinn, Attack, Chem's Truce, Treasured Guest, Pescetto Lady, Westgate Run, Beat The Retreat, Cambio, Nameless Wonder, Summer Bounty, and Heraclitean Fire all have chances in race five. BONGO FURY who won his last two starts, most recently at Stratford in October will be strongly supported here, however this three year old has plenty of weight and has to give weight to seven year old CLASSIC NOTE , who
hasn't raced since cruising home at Downpatrick last October '01. Tony Martin has booked Ruby Walsh to ride ... He is sure to go close and he is my selection.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Classic Note
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Doire-Chrinn,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Bongo Fury
¦ 4th place?ª ¦:¬>- Westgate Run, [e/w]
|¯¯ VIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ »- 4:00 Jet Uk Juvenile Novices' Hurdle 16runners 2miles-110yds Penalty £9526.49 3-Year-Olds only
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- Spectroscope, Don Fernando, Le Duc, Lewis Island,
Madiba, Star Protector, Almnadia, Fortunate Dave, and Short Change, make most appeal in the finale. SPECTROSCOPE
will probably go off as favourite having won on his debut at Kempton three
weeks ago. He was rather novicy that day and will have improved for the run, however with LE DUC, [who surely is better than he showed at
Hereford], STAR PROTECTOR, [who outstayed Double Fun at Ascot two weeks ago] FORTUNATE DAVE, [who impressed me when winning on his debut at Warwick], will make things interesting as will debutantes DON
FERNANDO [who showed useful form with Ed Dunlop this winter] and LEWIS ISLAND [a winner over 1m4f this
summer for Terry Mills at Kempton]. There are some nice prospects here however I
prefer to choose one of the un-penalised runners. Don Fernando looks very
interesting, however I'll go with Le Duc to erase the memory of his poor
British debut.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>-Le Duc
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Don Fernando,
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Lewis Island, [e/w]
THE OPEN MEETING
Friday, November 15
|¯¯ Iª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ 1:10 Thomas Pink Amateur Riders' Steeple Ch. (H' cap) 11runners 3miles-110yds Penalty £9831 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- The Open Meeting opens (sic) with an amateur riders staying handicap steeplechase. Of the eleven runners due to line up, I would give chances to the following runners: Iris Bleu, Pessimistic Dick, Rigolade, Samuel Wilderspin,
Mistletoe, Twisted Logic and Be My Manager. Hughie Morrison's runner Pessimistic Dick is certain to be strongly supported as he goes for a five-timer here having outstayed Endure A Vassy over course & distance ten days ago. He is in a rich vein of form and will be difficult to beat here. However, this is the most competitive race he has lined up for this term and despite having hardly any weight to carry, it wouldn't surprise me if he is found wanting this time...Who by? Well, Rigolade is
definitely a horse on the upgrade if judged by his last two wins, most recently at Listowel in September...He's a possibility as is Iris Bleu - such an annoying horse who clearly has the talent to win a race of this nature but has proved very reluctant to try so far in his career. I think despite their claims, it may be worth taking a chance with Mistletoe who impressed me when landing two novice chases at the end of last season. She is reasonably handicapped here and I'll side with her to outstay these up the final hill. Those of you looking for an each-way alternative could do a lot worse than Be My Manager who is surely better than his disappointing effort recently at Stratford suggests.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Mistletoe
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Be My Manager (e/w)
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Iris Bleu
|¯¯ IIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ 1:45 Gerrard Wealth Management Novices' Hurdle (Registered As The Sharp Novices' Hurdle Race) (Grade 2) 12runners 2miles-110yds Penalty £14500 4-Year-Olds plus
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¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- An interesting novice hurdle comes next. Of those horses declared to run, Sud Bleu, Jaboune, Mutakarrim, Robber Baron, Pro Dancer,
Detonateur, Thepointaboutitis and Lady Laureate all can be given chances (of sorts!). I
suspect that punters will look to Sud Bleu to supplement his win at Exeter where he travelled sweetly throughout before dismissing
Cho Polu with distain. I am not as confident especially as he was so clearly found wanting when upped in grade last season. In Robber Baron (an easy winner at Exeter), Jaboune (who obliged at Wetherby last month) and Mutakarrim (an excellent 2nd in the Galway Hurdle in August) he meets three rivals more than capable of making things difficult for him today. On balance, his solitary success doesn't bode well, therefore I'll oppose him here and suggest Robber Baron who gave the impression that he is far stronger physically as well as mentally this term. Mutakarrim gets the next best position whilst
Detonateur could run well at each-way odds.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Robber Baron
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Mutakarrim
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Detonateur (e/w)
|¯¯ IIIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ 2:20 Sporting Index Steeple Ch. (A Cross Country Steeple Ch. ) 16runners 3miles-7f Penalty £19314 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ (ONE TO JUMP 2003) - are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦: ¬>- Ceanannas Mor & Kedon (CZE)
The latest renewal of the Sporting Index Chase is probably one of the best in terms of strength in depth and I for one will be interested to see how the foreign contingent fare against the home challengers with some respectable handicap form. The market is headed by Galapiat du Mesnil, Ceanannas Mor, Smarty, General Claremont, Lucky Clover and Royal Tommy. Galapiat du Mesnil has a proven record in this race and is sure to go well here. The same might apply to Lucky Clover if he is in the mood, although he has won over the course, he is a horse that must dominate. If he isn't allowed to, he is a certainty to 'spit the dummy out' and sulk. Looking down the list of runner, Famfoni has also got experience of the race and could go well, however hasn't been in good form of late which would be a concern. Of the cross-country chase virgins in the lineup, Ceanannas Mor (who usually runs well first time out), General Claremont (in good form earlier this season, though slightly disappointing in his last two starts) and Smarty (Have the exertions of the 2001 Grand National left their mark on him?) immediately spring to mind, although cases can be made for Northern raider Ballystone as well as out-and-out stayer Royal Tommy. The field is completed by a strong foreign challenge though Czech raiders Kedon, Centax and Red Dancer make more appeal than Norwegian raider Trinitro. This should be a good spectacle and fiercely contested renewal.
.S.U.M.M.A.R.Y.
The pace of the race is probably going to determine the outcome as there are genuine stamina concerns about some of the leading principals. I'm not overly keen on the price, however I can see Ceanannas Mor going well here if he gets into a rhythm, He normally would be the selection, however in this unique race I think it may pay to have a bit of fun and get a run for your money on a horse at a bigger price. I am in the process of finishing off this off this season's ONE TO JUMP feature, which because of my interest in European racing, several horses trained in Italy, Germany Poland and the Czech Republic. I actually did consider putting these three in this years list as they some of the more progressive chasers that race in
the Slovak Republic. On recent ratings Red Dancer; (a six year old gelding by Red Paradise) would seem to be the best of them. He has won two of his seven starts including the Velká slušovická steeplechase at Slušovice in June, where he beat Juniusz by 3lengths. Last time out he beat all bar Napoli (one of the best chasers racing in the Czech Republic) in the Cena Radia LIFE 91.6 FM - Cena Labe S (L) - over 5200m at Pardubice in October. He lacks experience and that may count against him here... Kedon makes more appeal. This virtually white son of Mill Pond boasts solid form in the Czech Republic winning six of his thirteen races including the Záverecná STCH CASCH 2001 S (I) over 4500 m at Pardubice in October 2001 and the Cena stáje Wrbna S (II) over 4600m at Svetlá Hora in July. He was third last time out in the 112.Velká Pardubická Ceské Pojištovny, which seemed to be a good effort as he seemed totally unsuited to the bog-like conditions that prevailed that day. He holds Centax on recent meetings and I believe he will give you a good run for your money at a nice price, on this better ground... He's the sporting selection.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Kedon (e/w)
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Ceanannas Mor
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Galapiat du Mesnil
|¯¯ IVª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ 2:55 Countryside Raceday H' cap Steeple Ch. 5runners 2miles- Penalty £14214.55 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ (ONE TO JUMP 2003) - are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦: ¬>- Tango Royal
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- An intriguing two mile handicap steeplechase comes next and arguably you can make a case for Lady Cricket, Armaturk, Davoski, Just Jasmine
and Tango Royal landing this prize. Last season's winner of the Thomas Pink Gold Cup, Lady Cricket heads the market. We know she goes well fresh and a repeat of previous Cheltenham form entitles her to go close here, however it will not be easy as Armaturk and Davoski are sure to provide stiff opposition. Both however have question marks hanging over them - Armaturk was well beaten behind Edredon Bleu on his
reappearance at Exeter and has plenty of weight for a second season chaser. Davoski on the other hand was very impressive at Ascot on his reappearance, however, has disappointed when well-fancied at this venue before. Lady Cricket gets the vote, however it will not surprise me if the stiffest challenge doesn't come from stablemate Tango Royal who is still relatively inexperienced over British fences but is potentially very well treated on bits of his old French form. He hinted that he still possesses some of his old verve and can make things interesting off of his featherweight.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Lady Cricket
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Tango Royal
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Armaturk
|¯¯ Vª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ 3:30 Steel Plate And Sections Novices' Steeple Ch. 6runners 3miles-110yds Penalty £12876 5-Year-Olds plus
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¦ (ONE TO JUMP 2003) - are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦: ¬>- Keen Leader
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>- Only six runners line up for the fifth race on the card and all eyes will be on Keen Leader and whether this huge gelding can translate his excellent hurdles form of last season to the larger obstacles. If he repeats the form shown in any of his last three starts - including when he capsized when going well in the Royal and SunAlliance Hurdle here at the Festival in March, he should be too strong for these...He is impossible to oppose. Pontius who ran well over hurdles last time out at Wetherby may get the honour of following him home.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Keen Leader
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Pontius
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Lucky Bay
|¯¯ VIª¯ CHELTENHAM¯¯¯|¯¯¯ 4:05 Beards The Jewellers Of Cheltenham Conditional Jockeys' H' cap Hurdle 29runners 2miles-5f Penalty £11005.49 4-Year-Olds plus
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¦ (ONE TO JUMP 2003) - are there any horses from "one to jump 2003" our feature which; each season, provides a list of horses to follow during the national hunt season? ¦: ¬>- Jurancon II
¦ .t.h.e. .r.o.o.k. ¦:¬>-A mammoth field of twenty-nine are due to line up for the last on the card. Of these, Corroboree, Lord Edwards Army,
Jallastep, Audiostreetdotcom, Jurancon II, Snowmore, Clodoald, Rudi's Pleasure, Hip Pocket, Mutanassib, Cool Investment and Lago di Levico would appear to have the strongest claims. This race makes very little appeal however in Snowmore and Jurancon II you do have two horses who may be capable of competing in better company later on in the campaign. Jurancon II (who won two races at the back end of last season) gets the most tentative of votes. Cool Investment and Lord Edwards Army appeal slightly more as each-way possibles.
¦ 1er. _ THE WINNER?¹ ¦:¬>- Jurancon II
¦ 2nd place?² ¦:¬>- Lord Edwards Army
¦ 3rd place?³ ¦:¬>- Snowmore
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