CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL (Day 3)

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.. CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

Here we go again and it's day 3 already of the greatest show on earth

Channel 4 commentator Simon Holt previews day three of Cheltenham and is keen on Whisper in the World Hurdle.

WHISPER, the winner of the Coral Cup at last year's Festival, is fancied to take another step forward by landing the Ladbrokes World Hurdle on what could be a good afternoon for his trainer Nicky Henderson at Cheltenham.

Despite a very quiet season so far, recent reports from Seven Barrows suggest that the gelding is returning to peak form after a disappointing defeat on his chasing debut at Exeter on New Years Day.

And Whisper is already proven at this level having gone on to win a Grade 1 at Aintree after his Festival victory. More ground versatile than some of his rivals, he could be the value bet in what looks an open renewal.

Zarkandar, who was competitive in Champion Hurdles, has thrived over three miles finishing fourth behind More Of That in this race last year and winning a valuable race at Auteuil in November. Always a horse who only does just enough, he idled in front and was mugged by Reve De Sivola in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December and has been kept fresh for this.

Stable companion Saphir Du Rheu, whose owner Andy Stewart enjoyed a run of four Ladbrokes World Hurdle victories with the legendary Big Buck's, is also fancied to play a leading role.

The grey French import has something in common with his former stable-mate; Big Buck's was returned to hurdling glory after fluffing his lines over fences and Saphir Du Rheu has already done the same, beating Reve De Sivola, Un Temps Pour Tout and Cole Harden in the Cleeve Hurdle in January after two non-completions over the larger obstacles earlier in the season.

Still regarded as a potential star chaser of the future, this grand type looks a very sure stayer but his best form has come on quite deep ground.

Un Temps Pour Tout doesn't have too much to find on the Cleeve form and, given that it was his first try at the distance, shaped extremely well. David Pipe's gelding is well regarded and looks open to improvement.

Irish raider Lieutenant Colonel won Grade1s at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown in November/December but defeats in both races of Jetson, who has run well at the last two Festivals but in handicap company, suggests he may have a little to find.

On his best form, which includes a novice win here, a third in this race last year and second to Whisper at Aintree, At Fishers Cross must have a leading chance but he has been very disappointing so far this season.


In the Ryanair Chase, the Henderson-trained MA FILLEULE is fancied to turn the tables on Balder Succes for their running at Ascot recently.

This fine grey mare came to hand last spring, chasing home Gold Cup hopeful Holywell at this meeting before landing the Topham at Aintree and that recent effort suggests a very big run is on the cards.

Yes, Ma Filleule has nearly four lengths to find with Balder Succes but, for all the latter's attributes, Cheltenham has not been kind to him in three previous course visits over hurdles and fences, and he has yet to put in a clear round here.

Don Cossack has been in the form of his life in Ireland this season winning all four of his starts but fell here last year in the RSA Chase and, while this trip looks ideal, he was also soundly beaten by Holywell on these shores at Aintree last April.

Fellow raider Hidden Cyclone, second in this race last year behind the now absent Dynaste, might be better value than his compatriot while Johns Spirit has a fine record here, albeit on the sharper Old Course.

It can be dangerous to take conditions race form at face value but BROTHER BRIAN could be well handicapped in the Pertemps Network Final.

A highly-regarded horse at home, the seven-year-old was pitched in at the deep end and appeared to run well when third behind Rock On Ruby and Volnay De Thaix, two much higher rated hurdlers, at Cheltenham in December. A literal interpretation of the form suggests Hughie Morrison's charge could be a leading player here but, even if flattered that day, the handicapper appears to have treated him kindly in putting him up just 4lb.

This is a new trip for Brother Brian but he shapes like a stayer and was a course winner over two and a half miles last April.

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Timeform: Put your House on it?

Irish-trained runners top the Timeform ratings for the two Championship races at the Cheltenham Festival on Thursday.


However, both the Ryanair Chase and the Ladbrokes World Hurdle have an open feel according to Timeform Chief Correspondent Jamie Lynch.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Don Cossack (180+), who is unbeaten in his four races in his second season over fences, tops Timeform’s weight-adjusted figures for the Ryanair Chase, while Tony Martin’s Dedigout (175), also representing Gigginstown House Stud, rates 1lb higher than the Paul Nicholls pair of Saphir de Rheu (174+) and Zarkandar (174) in the World Hurdle.

However, both races look open according to Lynch: “Festival regular Rock On Ruby hasn’t made it to the World Hurdle, and neither have the first two from last year’s race, More of That injured and Annie Power concentrating on a different competition, and obviously Big Buck’s isn’t around anymore, so we’re looking for something else to step up.

"Saphir Du Rheu, trained by Paul Nicholls, owned by Andy Stewart, and reverted to hurdles after a short and not-very-sweet spell over fences, is doing a fair impression of Big Buck's so far, and although this is a bigger test for him, his position towards the head of the market looks justified.

“Don Cossack tops the Timeform ratings for the Ryanair, and it’s not hard to see why given some of his form this year, but he didn’t shine when coming over for the Festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree last spring and there are a couple of other strong contenders in the field – the likes of Balder Succes and Ma Filleule – who will give him something to think about.”

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Man On The Spot (SL) previews day three of the Cheltenham Festival and makes Johns Spirit his best bet on the card.


1.30 JLT Novices' Chase (Grade 1)

This has cut up a little with a few no doubt frightened off by the presence of VAUTOUR. Successful in last year's Supreme Novices', Willie Mullins' charge also won over 2m4f at Punchestown later so stamina isn't an issue and his only blip so far over fences was when he made a bad mistake in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown just after Christmas and was unable to make up the ground lost. If he puts in a clear round, he should have too much speed for these. Stablemate Valseur Lido was well behind in the Supreme Novices' but has also taken well to fences. However, he was turned over by Apache Stronghold at Leopardstown last time in a race in which The Tullow Tank was only fourth. Noel Meade's charge may be the danger as Ptit Zig possibly lacks the scope of some of these and took a heavy fall last time at Ascot. Colour Squadron is one of the most frustrating horses in training but he has bags of ability and it would be no surprise to see A P McCoy urge him into a place at decent odds.


2.05 Pertemps Network Final (Listed Handicap Hurdle)

There are 16 qualifiers for this throughout the season but only once has a horse who has won one of those gone on to take the final. However, it was difficult not to be impressed by Regal Encore's victory at Exeter and connections appear to have found his best trip. The presence of A P McCoy in the saddle will ensure support. David Pipe runs four and habitual front-runner Bygones Sovereign will ensure a strong pace. He's on a hat-trick but may be too high in the weights now. Subsequent Grand National winner Pineau De Re and Trustan Times were both placed in this last year with On The Bridge sixth. Tim Easterby's charge comes out best of that trio today at the weights today but EDEYMI looks better handicapped. Tony Martin's gelding looks to have been laid out for this after his staying-on fourth behind Dawalan and Run Ructions Run under a claimer at Musselburgh last time. The quicker ground is a huge factor in his favour and he's run well before at The Festival. The Tourard Man is a stout stayer who will enjoy the likely fast gallop. He is weighted to reverse Exeter running with Regal Encore but quicker conditions are a concern. Katkeau has bags of ability but is a weak finisher and the handicapper may have got to Join The Clan. Big Easy should be thereabouts, however, and Call The Cops stormed home over this trip at Doncaster 12 days ago and could go close under his penalty.

2.40 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

Balder Succes jumped well in the main when beating Ma Filleule and Ballycasey in the Ascot Chase last month but has yet to complete in three previous visits to Cheltenham and is generally better in small fields. Don Cossack is the big Irish hope having won his last four. He won a Grade 1 on good going at Leopardstown in December and may still be improving, though took a heavy fall in the RSA Chase here last year and this is a race in which those that have gone well at the course previously thrive. Taquin Du Seuil, Uxizandre and Double Ross fought out the finish of the JLT Chase on this card 12 months ago with Wonderful Charm back in fifth. None of that quartet can be ruled out, though all have been a bit disappointing this campaign. Taquin Du Seuil's stablemate JOHNS SPIRIT (NAP) is preferred, therefore, given he's a real Cheltenham specialist racing back over his best trip. The King George has proved a surprising useful guide for this in the past and Richie McLernon's mount ran well in the Kempton showpiece until his stamina ran out. He still finished ahead of Wonderful Charm and Wishfull Thinking failed to finish. Eduard has never really realised his potential but last year's runner-up Hidden Cyclone is a danger if back to his best.


3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1)

No five-year-old has ever won this so Abyssial and last year's Triumph Hurdle winner Tiger Roll are facing stiff tasks. Jetson is a regular at The Festival and beat the brilliant Quevega as well as last year's third At Fishers Cross and Reve De Sivola in a Grade 1 at Punchestown last year. Monksland, the disappointing At Fisher's Cross, Dedigout and Zaidpour were also behind when he finished second to Lieutenant Colonel in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown last time but the 10-year-old may struggle to overturn that form with Sandra Hughes' improving stayer, who looks the pick of the Irish runners. However, this is one race in which the home team tends to hold sway and that may be the case again. WHISPER won last year's Coral Cup and went on to beat At Fisher's Cross and Zarkandar in a Grade 1 at Aintree. He has had just the one run this season, over fences, so will be fresher than most and wouldn't be the first two land this after failing to take to the larger obstacles. Saphir Du Rheu, who runs in the same colours as the all-conquering Big Buck's, has a similar profile to the selection and will be a big danger on his defeat of Reve de Sivola, Un Temps Pour Tout and Cole Harden in the Cleeve Hurdle - the fifth won easily over fences here on Tuesday.

4.00 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (Grade 3 Handicap Chase)

This is a race which tends to favour those nearer the bottom of the handicap so Nicky Henderson may be out of luck saddling three out of the top four in the weights, though Hunt Ball and Rajdhani Express are both former Festival winners. Buywise goes well here and Evan Williams has done his utmost to protect his handicap mark this season by campaigning him largely over fences. He should go well and Caid Du Berlais won the Paddy Power here in November, though is 8lb higher. Monetaire won over 2m1f at Newbury in November and has been rested since. He stays this longer trip and has been well backed ante-post but there has only been one single-figure odds winner of this since the turn of the century, though that was also trained by David Pipe. ATTAGLANCE is still a maiden over fences but has a first and a second to his name at The Festival and this is his time of year. He's still high enough in the weights but has dropped a little lately and it would be no surprise to see him in the firing-line again if getting the run of the race. Burn And Turn, second to Road To Riches in the Galway Plate last year, could be the pick of the Irish if the ground continues to dry out.


4.40 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase

Spring Heeled's victory last year was Ireland's first in this in more than 30 years but they'll have high hopes of a quick double with Gold Bullet. Crack amateur Derek O'Connor is on board but he does have his stamina to prove and there are similar concerns surrounding a whole host of his rivals including Garrahalish, Champagne James, Ericht and Heaney. Guess Again has a lengthy absence to overcome and The Nephew and Bless The Wings are also returning from a break while Tap Night seems to take one step forward and two back and could also run out of steam on the final circuit. Jamie Codd rode the winner of the four-miler here on Tuesday and could get a tune of THE PACKAGE, who has been placed at the last two Festivals off higher marks. He's in the veteran stage now but this tends to be a race for the more experienced chasers. Will Biddick is a good booking for Just A Par and he can reverse Exeter running with Masters Hill on 11lb better terms. Paul Nicholls' charge looks a solid each-way selection and the handicapper is starting to relax his grip on Vintage Star, though he's not fared too well here in the past.

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Alex Hammond (SL) found the first three winners at Cheltenham on Wednesday. Can she strike again on Thursday?

CHELTENHAM THURSDAY



JLT NOVICES’ CHASE



I think this race is hard! Vautour is trained by Willie Mullins who must have been disappointed to see him beaten in Racing Post Novice Chase. However, he won last time out in small field and showed a little bit more of what we hoped for given his hurdle career. He was so impressive when winning the Sky Bet Supreme last year, so he has top class festival form. The Paul Nicholls-trained Ptit Zig is not a horse I’ve ever really taken too, but his record speaks for itself. It was unfortunate he tipped up in the Ascot Chase last time out when taking on established chasers. Apache Stronghold beat Valseur Lido in Grade 1 Leopardstown last time, but despite that you’d have to be seriously worried about his jumping here. Like the favourite Valseur Lido is also trained by Willie Mullins and he’s my idea of the winner. He jumps really well and this trip might be his optimum for now.



PERTEMPS HANDICAP HURDLE



Like many of the handicaps at this meeting there are a shedload of horses that come into the race looking well handicapped. Tony Martin’s Edeymi could be one of them and I also like the look of the Anthony Honeyball-trained Regal Encore. The latter suits this trip and the drying ground brought out the best in him at Exeter in the qualifier. He has top-class festival form as he was second to Briar Hill in the 2013 Bumper here. Another horse that makes the shortlist is Brother Brian for trainer Hughie Morrison. The ground will be right up his street and it’s lucky his third in the Relkeel Hurdle didn’t ruin his handicap mark. This trip will suit him and he just about gets my vote.



RYANAIR CHASE



I really fancy Don Cossack in this. Gordon Elliott expected loads from this horse, but he was disappointing last season. However, he’s really got his act together now, winning his last four including the John Durkan & Kinloch Brae latest (left clear by fall of Champagne Fever). I think he’ll appreciate this better ground and will be hard to beat. A horse that could run well at a reasonable price is Ma Filleule for Nicky Henderson. She’s a smashing mare and jumps really well. She’s a spring horse and conditions will be in her favour. Hidden Cyclone is also a danger. He was second in this race last season and is at the peak of his powers at the moment.



LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE



Paul Nicholls has got a decent chance of adding to his good recent record in this race with Zarkandar and Saphir Du Rheu. The former has been trained for this race and comes here fresh. He was last seen finishing second in the Long Walk at Ascot in December where Sam Twiston-Davies admitted he would have held on to him longer given the chance to ride the race again as he pulled up in front. He was 4th in this last year and is a better horse this year; Noel Fehily rides. Having said that, I fancy stable-mate Saphir Du Rheu, who will be ridden by stable-jockey Sam Twiston-Davies. This horse was flagged up as a potential star novice chaser at the start of season, but fell Kempton over Christmas (race won by Coneygree) and reverted to hurdles in the Cleeve where he beat Reve de Sivola. David Pipe’s UnTemps Pour Tout will strip fitter for his run in the Cleeve. That was his first run since May and he was well backed for that reappearance. The Nicky Henderson trained Whisper ran over fences last time, but won the Coral Cup and Liverpool Hurdles last spring and could run a big race reverting to hurdles. At a bigger price, I’ll be backing Cole Harden. Warren Greatrex thinks he’ll be better on this type of ground. I thought this horse would run a big race in this earlier in the season, but wasn’t impressed with him in the Cleeve, but he has had a breathing operation since then and he could run a big race.

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Money over night for the Irish horse in the first two races at Chetenham

1 30 Vautour ... 2/1 into 6/4
2 05 Edeymi ... 9/1 into 6/1

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1330 JLT Novices' Chase

Vautour 6/4 from 7/4

1405 Pertemps Final

Regal Encore 8/1 from 10/1

1440 Ryanair Chase

Don Cossack 4/1 from 9/2

3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle

Whisper 8/1 from 9/1

4.00 Browns Advisory Plate -

No Buts 20/1 from 25/1

4.40 Kim Muir Handicap Chase

The Package 10/1 from 12/1

Another NR

No World Hurdle for Dedigout
12:53 GMT

Dedigout has been declared a non-runner in this afternoon's Ladbrokes World Hurdle at Cheltenham.



Tony Martin's runner is reported to be coughing and will miss the three-mile Grade One, the feature event on the third day of the Festival.

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Donn McClean, says Edeymi the value

Half-time score: 6-8. Six for the British, eight for the Irish, but they’re still betting long odds-on Britain in the Prestbury Cup. The home team must be playing with the wind and down the hill in the second half.

We could get the second half off to a flyer, mind you, in the JLT Chase. Vautour won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last season and was immediately installed as favourite for the Arkle, insofar as there can be a favourite for the Arkle 364 days out. He looked all set for it too when he landed his beginners’ chase at Navan in November without breaking a sweat or touching a twig. But, if he had run in the Arkle, what would Un De Sceaux have won?

A defeat at the hands of Clarcam at Christmas caused a re-think. Willie Mullins’ horse wasn’t himself that day, they concluded, and he returned with a polished display to win a fairly uncompetitive three-horse race at Leopardstown in January. By then, however, his position in the Arkle had been taken up by his stable companion, but the JLT wasn’t the worst idea in the world. The step uop in trip should be fine: isn’t his French pedigree all stamina, three-mile cross-country races and two-mile flat races?

He is short, however, and his stable companion Valseur Lido may represent some value against him at around three times his price. Winner of a Grade 2 novices’ hurdle at Fairyhouse last Easter and second to Faugheen in a Grade 1 race at Punchestown in April, the Gigginstown House horse looked good in winning his beginners’ chase at Punchestown in November, and he looked even better in landing the Grade 1 Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse two weeks later.

He was beaten by Apache Stronghold in the Grade 1 Flogas Chase at Leopardstown in February, but Apache Stronghold is a high-class performer, he is a big player today, and Valseur Lido was racing for the first time since he had won the Drinmore Chase that day. It is reasonable to expect that he will improve significantly for that run, just his third ever chase. He will probably get further in time, but a stiff two and a half miles should be ideal for him at this stage of his career, and he should run a big race.

Edeymi is favourite for the Pertemps Final, but he is the 8/1 favourite, and that is fair. The Tony Martin-trained gelding finished second behind Une Artiste in the Fred Winter Hurdle at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 135, so we know that he handles the track and Cheltenham Festival conditions.

Also, he was travelling well in behind runners in the Martin Pipe Hurdle at the 2013 Festival when he was brought down. It was too far out in the race to know for sure how he would have fared, but Shane Shortall had yet to ask him for any effort and, while he was well back in the field, they had gone hard from early. It was a race that favoured the hold-up horses. He was actually just about level with ultimate winner Salubrious at the time, and he was travelling just as well.

The Barathea gelding raced off a mark of 135 in the Fred Winter, and he raced off a mark of 139 in the Martin Pipe. Today, he races off a mark of 135, which sees him sneak into the race at the very bottom, number 24 of 24. That gives him a chance.

The Gigginstown House horse is still just seven, and he has run just three times over three miles. He still has lots of scope for progression at the trip.


He hasn’t won over hurdles since he won his maiden at Clonmel in February 2012, but he has won two flat races since then, including the big two-mile qualified riders’ handicap at the 2013 Galway Festival. He was off the track from August 2013 until December this season, when he ran well for a long way in the Leopardstown Pertemps qualifier, and he warmed up for today with a good run to finish fourth in the Musselburgh qualifier last month. He looks to be back as good as ever.

Tony Martin has his horses in top form, as we saw with Gallant Oscar on Tuesday and with Rivage D’Or yesterday, and Edeymi could provide the Meathman with another Festival winner.

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Vautour camp come out fighting

Owner Rich Ricci believes Vautour may have been underestimated ahead of today's JLT Novices' Chase at Cheltenham.
The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old was one of the most impressive winners of last year's Festival when powering clear in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, and though he is two from three over fences, he has yet to rediscover that brilliance.

A serious mistake contributed to a hugely disappointing run over Christmas, but he got back on the winning trail at Leopardstown in January.

"I sound like I'm crabby because Vautour's not getting enough respect, but I think Vautour is clearly our best chance for Thursday and Friday," said Ricci.

"He certainly didn't run very well over Christmas, I admit that, and he made a huge mistake. I was at Kempton on the day and just looking at him on the TV, he didn't look right to me.

"He had his excuses, came back and won very well the next day.

"He worked really well last Saturday at Leopardstown. Some people were worried about his head carriage, but there were gale-force winds and some trainers didn't even run their horses because of it.

"He's a hell of a horse, you saw what he did last year and I'll be disappointed if he doesn't win."

Ruby Walsh takes the ride aboard Vautour and is in similarly confident mood.

"Vautour did a few tough pieces of work last Saturday week and on Tuesday morning as Willie felt he was probably a bit 'grosser' than he wanted him," the jockey said.

"He jumped super in a school last week and went well at Leopardstown. I love him and I think he's a Gold Cup horse for the future. The JLT trip should suit him down to the ground and I think he'll win."

Mullins also saddles Valseur Lido, winner of the Drinmore Chase at Fairyhouse in November before being touched off by Apache Stronghold, who renews rivalry, at Leopardstown last month.

The Gigginstown-owned six-year-old was a long way behind Vautour at Cheltenham last year, however.

"I don't think it (Supreme) was the race for him - it was too fast for him - but, anyhow, the experience of travelling over will stand to him this year," Mullins told Racing UK.

"The more he goes out in trip the better he gets. He doesn't need a lot of racing. He's a lighter-framed horse than the likes of Don Poli.

"You would say that's what beat Valseur Lido the last day, the lack of a run or a lack of a gallop. Maybe just a better horse beat him, I don't know. We'll find out. It was a fantastic race to watch and he ran a fantastic race."

Apache Stronghold's trainer Noel Meade felt his charge was more of a stayer earlier in the season, but brought him back in trip after defeat at the hands of the Mullins-trained Don Poli over Christmas.

"I've always thought the world of him, so has Paul (Carberry). We've always thought he was a Grade One horse," said Meade.

"Maybe he just didn't stay three miles in the Topaz or maybe Don Poli is just a better horse. He looked to be travelling well but Paul said afterwards that he wasn't going as well as he looked.

"Last time in the Flogas he wasn't actually travelling like he can going down the back but he stayed on really strongly.

"He's been good since and should run well. It is funny how racing goes as I thought he would be going for the RSA but his last two runs have suggested otherwise.

"He is a beautiful big horse who has great scope and balance. Hopefully he will bring his A-game to Cheltenham."

Ptit Zig appears best of the British contingent. Paul Nicholls' six-year-old won his first four chasing starts before falling in last month's Ascot Chase.

Nicholls said: "Ptit Zig has had a fantastic season, winning four novice chases on the trot. He was travelling beautifully at Ascot but he just got tight into a fence and paid the penalty for that. Hopefully he will learn from that.

"He is a high-class chaser and we will be looking forward to taking on the older horses next season."

The Tullow Tank has been declared a non-runner in the JLT. Sandra Hughes' two-times Grade One scorer has an infection.

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'Oh My Days' .. Vautour .. That was just spectacular
Winning the JLT Novice like an old hand by 15 lenghts .. Just Brilliant

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AP McCoy recorded his first winner of his final Cheltenham Festival before retirement on Uxizandre (16/1) in the Grade One Ryanair Chase.

Alan King's seven-year-old, wearing a visor for the first time time, jumped his rivals ragged on the return to fast ground and found plenty for pressure up the final hill to beat Ma Filleule by five lengths.

Well-backed favourite Don Cossack made several mistakes along the way but ran on to snatch third from Eduard.