Cheltenham Review - Thursday

Jewson Novices' Chase

The Jewson was a frustrating race in that I had backed Peddlers Cross for the Arkle and was very keen on Sir Des Champs for the RSA. In the end I wasn't madly enthusiastic about either in this race, but for differing reasons. Peddlers Cross had had the Arkle as his target all season and the late switch was a concern. McCain stated that he hadn't been able to school him as thoroughly as he would have liked as his reasoning. That is understandable but this was definitely Plan B. Sir Des Champs looked likely to head here (strong Gigginstown representation in the RSA) but that seemed to have changed with a flood of money for the 3m race as a result of the injury to leading contender Last Instalment. Mullins also appeared to have the RSA as his first choice throughout, but, in the end, this race was his chosen destination. I am convinced that this horse is crying out for a step up in trip and will be a much improved animal at 3m. I was, therefore, happy to leave him alone in this race, fearing that he might find the pace hot before staying on late. Cristal Bonus was another potentially smart young chaser who came here on the back of a win at Kempton. The form didn't amount to much but the manner of victory was impressive. Champion Court and Solix had strong course form to their names from the Dipper, and For Non Stop had the rearranged Grade 1 Scilly Isles already in the bag.

The race itself slightly fell apart at the seams with Cristal Bonus never going at all (pushed along after one fence), Solix disappointing and Peddlers Cross never travelling. Champion Court set the pace and jumped well, running a fine race in defeat. However, the race was all about one horse and that horse was Sir Des Champs.

My fear about him getting outpaced  mid race proved wide of the mark as he travelled supremely well. He quickened smartly after the last to put the race to bed in a matter of strides in impressive fashion. He still has to improve to win a Gold Cup but I feel certain that he will be seen to even better effect up in trip. He finished his races so strongly over 2m5f that it is hard to think otherwise. He has the class and ability to travel at 2m5f pace, jumps well, stays powerfully, he has an excellent trainer and a good man in the saddle in Davy Russell (assuming he will choose him in the Gold Cup next season), all the ingredients you would want in a potential Gold Cup winner. He still has a lot to prove (has yet to run further than 2m5f for example) but he looks one of the more likely types for glory at Cheltenham next year. His performance has hardly gone unnoticed and prices of no bigger than 6/1 aren't hugely tempting at this stage. 

Peddlers Cross ran a very disappointing race and was beaten from some way out. He jumped OK, not exceptionally well but adequately, and was still being pushed along as early as the back straight. McCain said that he isn't the same horse over fences but I'm not convinced that he just isn't the same horse full stop. He was a favourite of mine with his tenacious never-say-die attitude but I do wonder whether his battle with Hurricane Fly in last season's Champion Hurdle has left its mark. He might return to his best but I will be watching him even over hurdles for the time being. I hope he comes back as good as before.

Ryanair Chase

This looked to be one of the races of the Festival and so it proved with Riverside Theatre just getting up on the line under a fine ride from Barry Geraghty. The vanquished both deserved to win with Medermit yet again finding one (or two) too good, and Albertas Run so brave in defeat in his bid for a Festival four-timer. 

There was a suspicion beforehand that Cheltenham wasn't Riverside Theatre's track and it could easily be argued that he confirmed that impression despite winning. He never travelled or jumped with any fluency but I would argue that he would benefit from a step up in trip. It would be no surprise to see him take in the King George and Gold Cup route next season, especially as Henderson no longer has Long Run sitting pretty in that division, and possibly has Finian's Rainbow forced up in trip to the Ryanair by the presence of Sprinter Sacre. 

Albertas Run ran another splendid race but it is hard to see him winning again at 12 next season. Conditions do suit him well and he could pick up some place money but you fancy (and hope) that one or two would have improved past him by then.

Medermit took his Grade 1 record to 2741423 in this. He is forever knocking on the door but rarely does it open for him. If he puts in a perfect round of jumping (blunders in both the Ascot Chase and the Ryanair) then he will surely have his day. Alan King is convinced that 3m will be his trip and it will be interesting to see how he fares if allowed to take his chance in the Bowl at Aintree, or in the King George next season. However, the suspicion remains that he is always likely to find a couple too good at the very highest level.

In 4th was Captain Chris, another favourite of mine. I backed him for the Arkle last season at 10/1 for a very nice win, and have followed him ever since. He looked sure to beat Medermit and giving him weight in the Haldon Gold Cup before a final fence departure, and then ran a respectable race in 3rd in the King George. He went completely off-track in the Argento at Cheltenham back in January and it was pleasing to see him run I slightly more normal race here. He still jumped right handed, markedly at times, and it is a testament to his ability that he was able to finish as close as he did, especially since he lost his position after a slight mistake at a crucial time. Indeed, the Racing Post comments in running state "plenty to do 3 out". He was only beaten 6 lengths and I feel sure that there is still better to come from him. Whether he will ever show his full potential is another question altogether because he looks a horse lacking in confidence to me. If Hobbs can get him to the King George happy and in peak form then I am sure he will make odds of 16/1 look very silly indeed. He has more ability than most and can win a big one if everything clicks into place.

World Hurdle

How foolish I was. All season I had taken the simple 'lump on' approach with regard to Big Buck's and it had paid dividends. But not this time. In Oscar Whisky and Thousand Stars he was facing two speedy horses with Grade 1 form at the minimum trip. Stamina was a question mark for both but with no obvious pace angle I was worried that a slow pace and sprint finish might play into their hands against the great champion. With that in mind, I was tempted into backing both EW with Ladbrokes who were offering 1/2 the odds a place. That appeared an excellent offer, and it would have been had I managed to get one horse in the places! My other concern was the apparent poor form of the Nicholls stable with Rock On Ruby (not in the main yard) the only winner to emerge, and plenty of others running very poorly indeed.

Cross Kennon and Five Dream helped set a decent clip which immediately made Big Buck's a near certainty. The only question to answer was whether he was affected by the 'Ditcheat plague'. He wasn't. Ruby took it up leaving the back straight to ensure no sprint finish materialised with all the pretenders lined up to challenge in behind. But none proved up to the task. Oscar Whisky failed to stay, Thousand Stars travelled far too keenly and paid the price, and Voler La Vedette swooped late but to no avail. Whatever jockeys try, whatever horses he faces, the result is always the same. He is an absolute machine.

You can hardly describe him as impressive in victory but yet again it appeared that there were gears to spare, pricking his ears before and after the last as concentration flicked briefly from what was behind him to what was in front, and back again. It is very rare for a horse to treat rivals of this quality with such disdain and to do it time and time again.

Superlatives get used frequently, and loosely, but there can be no doubt that this horse is one of the greats. He is the greatest staying hurdler there has been, and one of the greatest horses we will ever see. He has already equalled Sir Ken's 16 race winning streak and it looks a formality that he will add a 17th to his tally with a 4th Liverpool Hurdle next month. Don't take him on, just back him, or if the short price is a deterrent, just watch this great horse strut his stuff. You won't see another like him. He is truly magnificent.