As usual there will be a strong Irish presence at Prestbury Park for the Cheltenham Festival, but which horses are on the cusp of glory and not just over for the look?
It’s every owner’s, trainer’s, jockey’s and, oh yes, punter’s dream to get the big win at Cheltenham.
There’s something special about a winner at the Festival, isn’t there? Fair enough there’s the prestige, the prize money or, in our case, the bookies payout that makes it sweet but then there’s the rivalry also. Sport is so much more interesting when we have that added dimension which, in this instance, just happens to be an Ireland v England battle.
This year the Irish have numerous fantastic chances in many of the top races at Cheltenham. Trainers such as Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Noel Meade and Jessica Harrington are sending strong teams over and my first dabble in ante-post betting was a small punt on Mullins to come away as top trainer at 9/1.
That, in my view, is excellent value for a trainer who has an impressive tally of 17 winners at the meeting. Anyway, we’ll get to Mr Mullins in just a minute, and what he brings to the table.
By now, Cheltenham preview nights have made many punters dizzy from note-taking duties so to ease that I’ve handpicked five Irish raiders that I feel will be well on the premises in their respective races. I’ve given myself 20 points to spread across the five selections.
A New Story
Cross Country Chase, Tuesday, 4.00
2pts e/w @ 12/1 with Boylesports
Call me crazy for opposing Enda Bolger’s army in a race he dominated for so long, but A New Story has as much going for him as the others. Last year’s winner hasn’t won since but Michael Hourigan looked on as he stretched his legs around Naas last week and would have been pleased with a close-up third in a handicap hurdle.
Cross country is this fella’s game, though. He is getting a bit long in the tooth as a 13-year-old but his experience around this intricate course is a clear advantage. Garde Champetre and L’Ami are no strangers to this race either and Bolger usually comes away a happy man. If anyone can upset the applecart it’s Hourigan’s old warrior.
Golden Silver
Queen Mother Champion Chase, Wednesday, 3.20
2pts e/w @10/1 with Boylesports
I have it on good authority that Willie Mullins’ main charge for the Champion Chase is in tip-top condition. I recommend you hold out until Wednesday morning before getting stuck into him. If there’s rain and the ground is softening then you’ve got the green light.
The nine-year-old has three wins from his last three runs, including that narrow Tied Cottage Chase victory over reigning champion Big Zeb. Colm Murphy’s class act and the dangerous Master Minded are the market principles, and justifiably so. Yet I still think Paul Townend’s ride has to be taken up for an each-way flutter at double figure odds. Opposing Sizing Europe would be a clever move as he has been ruined over three mile trips up until this.
An insider says there’s been a lot of nods of approval during Golden Silver’s workouts at home prior to travelling over and if a new Irish star was to emerge from the pack I don’t think anyone would begrudge it to this gutsy performer.
Tranquil Sea
Ryanair Chase, Thursday, 2.40
3pts win @ 11/2 with Boylesports
A proven performer and now at his peak. It’s a hotly contested Ryanair Chase and, interestingly, Eddie O’Grady has chosen not to give Tranquil Sea any work on the track this year. He did have two solid wins at the back end of 2010, however, including a stubborn defeat of J’y Vole, who is also likely to go in this.
Andrew McNamara on Tranquil Sea clears the last to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup in 2009
Tony Martin’s Psycho could run in the Ryanair as well and is one to watch for any market support. But my money is on Andy Mac and Tranquil Sea to land a big win for the Irish.
Quito De La Roque
Challenge Cup, Wednesday, 1.30
1pt e/w @ 10/1 (general price)
The first race of Day 2 throws up the first five in the betting as Irish runners. No guarantee we’ll come away with the winner, of course, but I have a liking for the Gigginstown House entry. If you’re going to be patriotic with selections on any of the four days of the Festival it’s best go with Wednesday, there’s even whisperings that we could go through the entire card – but that really would be something.
Anyway, this 4-mile slog is penciled in for amateur riders and without his regular partner, Davy Russell, there’s a chance Quito De La Roque might not get enough guidance to come home in front. In saying that, Colm Murphy’s lightly-raced competitor has been highly impressive in his five wins to date, and has only been outside the place money on one occasion. This is an entirely different level, however, and opponents such as Alfa Beat, Chicago Grey and Nicky Henderson’s Quantitiveeasing should be at the business end also.
Hurricane Fly
Champion Hurdle, Tuesday, 3.20
5pts win @ 9/2 with Boylesports
Difficult to fathom the currently generous price of the best hurdler we have and I think there would have to be something seriously amiss if it doesn’t diminish prior to Tuesday afternoon.
One of the many jewels in the Willie Mullins quarters, Hurricane Fly has been as near to flawless as you can get. I’ve never been hot on the reigning champion Binocular though, as it’s difficult to predict what form he will show up on the day. He still needs to be respected though, as does Dunguib who was a novice taking on older horses last year when he failed to live up to the “banker” billing.
If Hurricane Fly is to become one of the true greats he needs to win this. He has proven he’s the best Ireland has to offer by fending off Solwhit, who unfortunately has been pulled from the World Hurdle, and now is his time to strike.
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