International Meeting
A weekends racing at Cheltenham never disappoints and the international meeting was no exception, we had some great finishes across the Friday and the Saturday.
We start with the first race on the Friday, this was the start of a good couple of days for Nicky Henderson at Cheltenham, the winner on hurdles debut was Chantry House, he came into this race with a lofty reputation after winning well on his debut in a National Hunt flat race the form of which has been franked a few times. He was kept just behind the leaders throughout the race jumped well and made swift headway to challenge at the last where he was shaken up in the run into win well. it was an impressive performance debut and the way he won gave me the feeling that Barry Geraghty hadn't even fully asked him, so for me there is plenty to come from this exciting horse.
The next race was another success for Nicky Henderson this time with Nico de Boinville the horse being Pym who made it 2 from 3 over the bigger obstacles. He did this in impressive style making all and jumping well, he was joined at the 13th fence but easily put the race to be after 2 out, eventually going on to win by 8 lengths, there is clearly bigger and better things to come from him that's for sure.
The big race of the day was the BetVictor Handicap Chase, this saw Cogry going for back to back wins in this race to which he went and obliged. He made most of the running till he was headed at the 16th fence by Rock The Kasbah, but like he always does he battled on gamely to come out on top by a short head. The biggest eye catcher was the Tom George trained Singlefarmpayment who at one stage looked the winner, he travelled well making headway throughout the race, till he challenged the leaders at the 18th but when pushed along didn’t find anything and lost 3rd to West Approach close to home.
On to the Saturday of the international meeting, the first race was the JCB Triumph Hurlde Trial this was won by the short priced favourite, the Gary Moore trained Botox Has. He made all and jumped well throughout and was never challenged the 2nd place horse being Langer Dan for the Skeltons. Although their horse finished 2nd i think they will be reasonably happy as it was at the November meeting that their horse Allmankind won the other Triumph Hurdle Trial beating Botox Has by 2 1/2 lengths. It will be good to see those two go head to head again with both currently sitting at 20/1 in the market come March.
The second race was the Ryman Novice Chase, which say the Nicky Henderson Mister Fisher justify late market support to win. He did it in impressive fashion, tracking the eventual 2nd Good Boy Bobby throughout the race before making his move between the last 2 fences, where he showed a good turn of foot to win easily. The remote 3rd Beakstown looked to be travelling well for most of the race and was there 2 from home before weakening, I wouldn’t be surprised he he is to become a famous Skelton plot job for a big handicap chase back at Cheltenham come March.
The 1:55 was the big handicap chase of the day, The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, this went the way of the David Pipe trained Grey Warthog, he poached an early lead till he settled just behind the leaders for the rest of the race till he took the lead back up 3 out. He made a mistake at the last which then saw Spiritofthegames take over and go a length clear on the run in only for Warthog to rally again and get his grey head in front on the line. It was good to see him win after finshing 3rd here last time in the BetVictor Gold Cup, it was also good to see Spiritofthegames run so well for Bridget Andrews after two previous disappointing efforts. For me the eye catcher and one to keep onside was the other Dan Skelton trained horse Not That Fuisse, he travelled really well throughout the race and made eye catching headway where he made his move 3 from home only for him to weaken before the next fence, he’s another who could have a big say in some handicaps in the coming months. Finally a brief mention for the Gary Moore trained Knockanuss who unfortunately fell and lost his life, thoughts go out to all the connections of this loveable and mad front runner.
Next was the Unibet International Hurdle, which is seen as a potential trial for the Champion Hurdle at the festival, but I’d be surprised if any of these horses are winning it in all honesty. Elixir De Nutz made all the running and jumped very slickly like he usually does, he was headed buy the chasing pack before the last hurdle where Ch’tibello took the lead before jumping the last which he didn’t jump all the well which in turn cost him some momentum, this allowed the Henderson pair Pentland Hills and Call Me Lord to take advantage and take over. Pentland Hills looked the likely winner before being headed by stable mate and weakening into 5th, leaving Call Me Lord to win holding off the late challenging Ballyandy by a neck. The two to take out of the race going forward would be Elixir De Nutz who I’d say lacked race fitness after being off for nearly a year and having his first race back from injury, and Pentland Hills, who travelled keenly but was bang in contention before fading late on. The way that he stopped so soon in a race that wasn’t ran with much pace would worry me going forward, but like i said earlier I’d be surprised if the Champion Hurdle winner came out of this race.
The international meeting finished the same way it started with Barry Geraghty winning upon a Nicky Henderson trained JP McManus horse, this time with Dame De Compagnie. she was held in mid division before Barry made his move 2 from home, eventually taking over from Indefatigable in the final furlong and going on to win by 4 1/2 lengths. I was surprised that she didn’t go off shorter than the 2/1 she did, as her run in the Greatwood hurdle here in November was eye catching, with it looking like the step up in trip would be what see needed after her late headway, that and being back up against her own sex again.
On Sunday at Navan over in Ireland there was a big bubble that was burst with the highly thought of Andy Dufresne being beat at 1/3. For me there was no excuses and he was beaten by the better horse on the day in Last Exhibition, who fairly easily scooted away from Andy Dufresne on the run in. So this begs the question was it just an off day for Andy Dufresne or is he just not as good as every thought he was?.
Also on the Sunday this time at Southwell, it was good to see the Dan Skelton trained Shan Blue get off the mark over hurdles especially after his fall last time out. It’s hard to judge his level of ability from this race as he had it all his way, making all and winning however he wanted, but the form from his Warwick NHF race won by Chantry House who we spoke about at the top of this review is working out very well, so he’s one i will keep watching out for in the future.
Thanks once again for taking the time to read this, will be back early next week to have a look back at Ascot and Haydock plus some midweek races.
The next race was another success for Nicky Henderson this time with Nico de Boinville the horse being Pym who made it 2 from 3 over the bigger obstacles. He did this in impressive style making all and jumping well, he was joined at the 13th fence but easily put the race to be after 2 out, eventually going on to win by 8 lengths, there is clearly bigger and better things to come from him that's for sure.
The big race of the day was the BetVictor Handicap Chase, this saw Cogry going for back to back wins in this race to which he went and obliged. He made most of the running till he was headed at the 16th fence by Rock The Kasbah, but like he always does he battled on gamely to come out on top by a short head. The biggest eye catcher was the Tom George trained Singlefarmpayment who at one stage looked the winner, he travelled well making headway throughout the race, till he challenged the leaders at the 18th but when pushed along didn’t find anything and lost 3rd to West Approach close to home.
On to the Saturday of the international meeting, the first race was the JCB Triumph Hurlde Trial this was won by the short priced favourite, the Gary Moore trained Botox Has. He made all and jumped well throughout and was never challenged the 2nd place horse being Langer Dan for the Skeltons. Although their horse finished 2nd i think they will be reasonably happy as it was at the November meeting that their horse Allmankind won the other Triumph Hurdle Trial beating Botox Has by 2 1/2 lengths. It will be good to see those two go head to head again with both currently sitting at 20/1 in the market come March.
The second race was the Ryman Novice Chase, which say the Nicky Henderson Mister Fisher justify late market support to win. He did it in impressive fashion, tracking the eventual 2nd Good Boy Bobby throughout the race before making his move between the last 2 fences, where he showed a good turn of foot to win easily. The remote 3rd Beakstown looked to be travelling well for most of the race and was there 2 from home before weakening, I wouldn’t be surprised he he is to become a famous Skelton plot job for a big handicap chase back at Cheltenham come March.
The 1:55 was the big handicap chase of the day, The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, this went the way of the David Pipe trained Grey Warthog, he poached an early lead till he settled just behind the leaders for the rest of the race till he took the lead back up 3 out. He made a mistake at the last which then saw Spiritofthegames take over and go a length clear on the run in only for Warthog to rally again and get his grey head in front on the line. It was good to see him win after finshing 3rd here last time in the BetVictor Gold Cup, it was also good to see Spiritofthegames run so well for Bridget Andrews after two previous disappointing efforts. For me the eye catcher and one to keep onside was the other Dan Skelton trained horse Not That Fuisse, he travelled really well throughout the race and made eye catching headway where he made his move 3 from home only for him to weaken before the next fence, he’s another who could have a big say in some handicaps in the coming months. Finally a brief mention for the Gary Moore trained Knockanuss who unfortunately fell and lost his life, thoughts go out to all the connections of this loveable and mad front runner.
Next was the Unibet International Hurdle, which is seen as a potential trial for the Champion Hurdle at the festival, but I’d be surprised if any of these horses are winning it in all honesty. Elixir De Nutz made all the running and jumped very slickly like he usually does, he was headed buy the chasing pack before the last hurdle where Ch’tibello took the lead before jumping the last which he didn’t jump all the well which in turn cost him some momentum, this allowed the Henderson pair Pentland Hills and Call Me Lord to take advantage and take over. Pentland Hills looked the likely winner before being headed by stable mate and weakening into 5th, leaving Call Me Lord to win holding off the late challenging Ballyandy by a neck. The two to take out of the race going forward would be Elixir De Nutz who I’d say lacked race fitness after being off for nearly a year and having his first race back from injury, and Pentland Hills, who travelled keenly but was bang in contention before fading late on. The way that he stopped so soon in a race that wasn’t ran with much pace would worry me going forward, but like i said earlier I’d be surprised if the Champion Hurdle winner came out of this race.
The international meeting finished the same way it started with Barry Geraghty winning upon a Nicky Henderson trained JP McManus horse, this time with Dame De Compagnie. she was held in mid division before Barry made his move 2 from home, eventually taking over from Indefatigable in the final furlong and going on to win by 4 1/2 lengths. I was surprised that she didn’t go off shorter than the 2/1 she did, as her run in the Greatwood hurdle here in November was eye catching, with it looking like the step up in trip would be what see needed after her late headway, that and being back up against her own sex again.
On Sunday at Navan over in Ireland there was a big bubble that was burst with the highly thought of Andy Dufresne being beat at 1/3. For me there was no excuses and he was beaten by the better horse on the day in Last Exhibition, who fairly easily scooted away from Andy Dufresne on the run in. So this begs the question was it just an off day for Andy Dufresne or is he just not as good as every thought he was?.
Also on the Sunday this time at Southwell, it was good to see the Dan Skelton trained Shan Blue get off the mark over hurdles especially after his fall last time out. It’s hard to judge his level of ability from this race as he had it all his way, making all and winning however he wanted, but the form from his Warwick NHF race won by Chantry House who we spoke about at the top of this review is working out very well, so he’s one i will keep watching out for in the future.
Thanks once again for taking the time to read this, will be back early next week to have a look back at Ascot and Haydock plus some midweek races.
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