While Storm Desmond is getting in the way of some Irish horse racing fixtures, Cheltenham will present an opportunity to have some fruitful flutters.
For me, the banker of the weekend runs in the International Hurdle, where just 6 competitors have been declared, and last year’s Triumph Hurdle hero, Peace And Co tops the betting.
All bar one have that important Cheltenham form and the only runner we can’t confirm will “get up the hill” is Willie Mullins’ Sempri Medici. If the truth be known, if he was in the line up under most other trainer’s names, I’d rule him out immediately, but Mr Mullins won’t be shipping him over on the high seas for a day out.
His last victory was in a Grade Two at Navan, when he beat the smart Identity Thief, but I’m struggling to see where he’ll find the 11 pounds of improvement to get the better of the favourite.
Peace And Co’s stablemate Hagram has the benefit of having a run under his belt, but race fitness won’t give him an edge sharp enough to cut the 4 ½ length deficit that stood between him and the favourite in the Triumph Hurdle last March. In the past, he has come on from his first run, but I’m dubious he has enough ammo in his arsenal to win this battle.
The two oldies in the field are former Champion Bumper winner Cheltenian, and previous Grade One and Grade Two winner Melodic Rendezvous. At their ripe old age of 9, they’ d have to be really late bloomers to catch the front pair in the market if all horses run to form.
And that leaves just one significant challenger to Peace And Co in the recent Greatwood Hurdle winner Old Guard. Just 2 pounds separates them on official ratings and Paul Nicholls said this horse, already with 2 course victories under his belt this season, is improving.
His race fitness will be a great advantage, but his trainer warned he won’t be in love with the ground. For this reason, I can’t build a big enough case to oppose the favourite Peace And Co, despite it being his introductory run of his Champion Hurdle campaign.
The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at 1.50 looks a much trickier contest to work out, but more value perhaps is on offer if you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into the form. A number are closely matched, and I wouldn’t dismiss a back to back victory from Annacotty who was successful at the track last month, but at a more generous price, I am going to back John’s Spirit each-way. He loves the track and will hopefully come on from last month’s performance.
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