Look back at Trials day
With Trials day being the last of the racing at Cheltenham before the main event in March, it’s always a day I look forward to. Gives trainers that one last chance to test their horses credentials around Prestbury Park before going on to the festival. We had some brilliant contests on paper and it’s safe to say that they didn’t disappoint.
We will start with the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase, the race went the way of Simply The Bets for Harry Whittington and Gavin Sheehan. He disputed the lead for much of the race jumping well throughout, till he was headed 3 from home. He rallied well for Gavin before 2 out where he went back on to take the lead. He was then challenged by Imperial Aura who was only a length down jumping the last, but Simply The Bets stayed on better up the hill to eventually win by 1 3/4 lengths. It was a much better performance from Simply The Bets than when he last ran at Kempton, where his jumping let him down. It was also a good effort from Imperial Aura in 2nd with him and the winner pulling well clear of the eventual 3rd On The Slopes.
(Simply The Bets and Gavin Sheehan on way to victory. Credit Francesca Altoft)
Next up was the 2m4f Handicap Chase, this race went the way of the top weight Cepage, he led for the whole of the race, jumping well out the front like he always does. It always just felt he was a sitting target for something to pass late on. This looked even more so the case when jumping the last Spiritofthegames and Lalor were closing him down, but to his credit Cepage wasn’t for passing and stayed on well himself. You’d have to think that with him winning this they will have to look outside handicap company, with him holding an entry in the Gold Cup. Spiritofthegames and Lalor have both ran mighty races in defeat, you’d have to assume that Spiritofthegames would be heading to the Brown Advisory Plate at Cheltenham, where he finished 3rd last year and 14/1 looks a decent price. Unfortunately during this race we lost the ever likeable Warthog, thoughts go to everyone connected with him.
The Cotswold Chase has produced some fantastic races over the years and this years finish was no different. It looked to be between the first two in the market in Santini and Bristol De Mai and that’s the way it was. Bristol De Mai led jumping extravagantly on his way round, all the while being tracked by Nico De Boinville and Santini. Their positions changed after Bristol De Mai stumbled at 3 out giving Santini a couple of length lead. It was then Santini’s turn to make a mistake at 2 out, giving Bristol De Mai a narrow lead. He was then ridden out the front and passed after the last, with Santini finishing better up the hill and winning by 3 1/2 lengths. This was much more like it from Santini after his reappearance, he’s one that will run his race in the Gold Cup and will love a battle up the hill, but for me I feel he could get caught out by something with a bit of speed.
The Ballymore Novices Hurdle saw the Harry Fry trained King Roland go off a short price favourite. He traveled well throughout the race albeit he was a little bit keen, before sweeping past the field to lead turning for home. He was then challenged on the other side of the track by Harry Senior. Harry Senior then took the lead approaching the last and stayed on really strongly up the hill to go on and beat King Roland by 2 1/4 lengths. It was an impressive performance from Harry Senior and he’s likely to feature again come March, with Tizzard now having to decide if he should go for the Albert Bartlett or the Ballymore. There was also a good run back in 3rd by Protektorat, who was carrying a 5lb penalty for his win last time out. With the Skeltons usually doing well with handicaps at Cheltenham, you could see Protektorat going for the Coral Cup come March where he is priced at 14/1.
The Cleeve hurdle is another race that has been won by some big names over the years. This year saw the reigning Stayers Hurdle winner Paisley Park looking for back to back victories in this race. He tracked the leader Summerville Boy throughout the race, turning in for home Summerville Boy and Lisnagar Oscar kicked clear of the field. Paisley Park had to be pushed to catch the two in front, but he did that effortlessly. He led at the last and stayed on well up the run in. It was nothing really more than was expected from Paisley Park in the end, with him now looking like one of the bankers of the festival meeting. For me there is only two things that could beat him, if he was to fall and the other certain horse called Benie Des Dieux, who we will talk about later. The disappointment of the race has to be If The Cap Fits, he was travelling well before dropping to last turning for home. He did eventually stay on well after the last to finish 5th, he’s certainly one I’d give another shot to.
(Paisley Park and Aidan Coleman on his way to victory. Credit Michael Harris)
Over at Doncaster we had the Lightning Novices chase, this was only a 4 runner field, which saw Nicky Henderson trained Mister Fisher go off favourite. He was tracking the leader on the inside till he looked briefly outpaced and was switched to the outer. He quickened nicely before 2 out to challenge Al Dancer who looked to be travelling the best and Lisp. He then led jumping the last, where Al Dancer made a slight mistake allowing Mister Fisher to go on and win by a length. It was an impressive performance and you could see him running well in the Arkle or the Marsh (JLT), where he is priced 16/1 and 10/1.
There was also the Grade 2 Mares hurdle, this saw last years winner Lady Buttons and Floressa go off joint favourites. Floressa raced just behind the leader travelling well, before making her challenge at the last. But ultimately Lady Buttons was too good for them all, as she swept down the outside going better than everything else. She took up the lead over the last and went on to win well by 2 3/4 lengths. This was an impressive performance from Lady Buttons giving weight all round, its since been reported that she will more than likely skip Cheltenham and opt for Aintree this year.
The Sky Bet handicap chase produced us with another exciting finish, this time between Ok Corral and Fingerontheswitch. Both tracked the leaders throughout the race, before Fingerontheswitch took up the lead 3 from home. He then faced a strong challenge from Ok Corral up the inside, Fingerontheswitch still led jumping the last where Ok Corral’s jockey Derek O’Connor dropped his whip. Both of them weren’t giving up without a fight, but ultimately Ok Corral just got up on the line to win by 1/2 a length. They both have entries for The Grand National, with their early prices both being 40/1.
There was also a couple of decent performances on the Friday before trials day. Glynn ran out an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle. He was held up towards the rear of the field by Jeremiah McGrath, before making a move 4 from home. He took up the lead 3 out, before going clear to win comfortably by 11 lengths. This performance made Nicky Henderson give him a couple of entries at the festival, these being in the Ballymore and the Supreme.
Over at Huntingdon there was another win for the Skelton trained Maire Banrigh, who won the Lady Protectress Mares Chase by 11 lengths. She chased the leader till 2 out where she took up the lead, she was pushed out by Harry Skelton to win comfortably over a trip which wouldn’t of been ideal. She holds an entry in the Arkle at Cheltenham for which she is priced at 16/1, with the mares allowance that she will get that could see her well in the mix.
A brief little round up of Ireland now, on the Saturday is was nice to see Allaho get back to winning ways after being beat last time. He did this with relative ease, winning in the end by 21 lengths.
Sunday saw Stormy Ireland run out an impressive winner of the Limestone Lad Hurdle, she didn’t lead and make all like she normally does. This time she was headed after the first so was settled behind the leader. She travelled the best throughout the race, where she took up the lead 2 out and was pushed clear, going on to win by 6 lengths. She’s one who could have a big role in the Mares hurdle this year should Honeysuckle and Benie Des Dieux head elsewhere.
The Novices chase saw Carefully Selected book his place in the National Hunt Chase. He did so winning by 4 lengths although his task was made easier with Spyglass Hill falling 2 from home. He’s not one I could have myself for the National Hunt Chase, as for me he doesn’t jump well enough which wont help him one bit.
The performance of the weekend in Ireland was The Big Getaway, he led for the most of the race, where he was always about 3 lengths clear. Approaching 2 out he extended his lead and went on the win very easily in the end by 17 lengths. He looks more like an Albert Bartlett horse to me for which he is priced at 10/1, but you can still get 12/ for the Ballymore come March.
The stand out performance in Ireland came on the Thursday in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle. Apples Jade led for much of this race before quickly fading out of it, but it was Benie Des Dieux that took up the lead 3 out. She then extended her lead at the next where she was travelling well, before being eased on the run in to win by 21 lengths. This caused many people to suggest she should go for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham, where she’s currently 6/1 2nd favourite. For me she is the only horse that can beat Paisley Park come March and receiving that handy 7lb mares allowance can only help her.
In last weeks blog we had the return of the head to head, this time around was a bit better than last, Sam did manage to get 2 winners which were Paisley Park and his NAP Harry Senior. Whereas I just kept hitting the crossbar with 3 2nd’s and a 3rd, hopefully things will be better when this feature appears next.
Thanks for taking the time to read this weeks blog, we will return next week where we have some cracking action in Ireland at the Dublin Racing Festival, plus Contenders day at Sandown.
A special thanks to Fran and Michael for allowing me to use their photos throughout my blog, you can find more of their work here:
Fran:
twitter; @FrancescaJane_x
Website; www.francescaaltoft.co.uk
Michael:
twitter; @mjyharris
The Cotswold Chase has produced some fantastic races over the years and this years finish was no different. It looked to be between the first two in the market in Santini and Bristol De Mai and that’s the way it was. Bristol De Mai led jumping extravagantly on his way round, all the while being tracked by Nico De Boinville and Santini. Their positions changed after Bristol De Mai stumbled at 3 out giving Santini a couple of length lead. It was then Santini’s turn to make a mistake at 2 out, giving Bristol De Mai a narrow lead. He was then ridden out the front and passed after the last, with Santini finishing better up the hill and winning by 3 1/2 lengths. This was much more like it from Santini after his reappearance, he’s one that will run his race in the Gold Cup and will love a battle up the hill, but for me I feel he could get caught out by something with a bit of speed.
(Santini and Nico De Boinville pulling clear up the hill. Credit Michael Harris)
The Ballymore Novices Hurdle saw the Harry Fry trained King Roland go off a short price favourite. He traveled well throughout the race albeit he was a little bit keen, before sweeping past the field to lead turning for home. He was then challenged on the other side of the track by Harry Senior. Harry Senior then took the lead approaching the last and stayed on really strongly up the hill to go on and beat King Roland by 2 1/4 lengths. It was an impressive performance from Harry Senior and he’s likely to feature again come March, with Tizzard now having to decide if he should go for the Albert Bartlett or the Ballymore. There was also a good run back in 3rd by Protektorat, who was carrying a 5lb penalty for his win last time out. With the Skeltons usually doing well with handicaps at Cheltenham, you could see Protektorat going for the Coral Cup come March where he is priced at 14/1.
The Cleeve hurdle is another race that has been won by some big names over the years. This year saw the reigning Stayers Hurdle winner Paisley Park looking for back to back victories in this race. He tracked the leader Summerville Boy throughout the race, turning in for home Summerville Boy and Lisnagar Oscar kicked clear of the field. Paisley Park had to be pushed to catch the two in front, but he did that effortlessly. He led at the last and stayed on well up the run in. It was nothing really more than was expected from Paisley Park in the end, with him now looking like one of the bankers of the festival meeting. For me there is only two things that could beat him, if he was to fall and the other certain horse called Benie Des Dieux, who we will talk about later. The disappointment of the race has to be If The Cap Fits, he was travelling well before dropping to last turning for home. He did eventually stay on well after the last to finish 5th, he’s certainly one I’d give another shot to.
Over at Doncaster we had the Lightning Novices chase, this was only a 4 runner field, which saw Nicky Henderson trained Mister Fisher go off favourite. He was tracking the leader on the inside till he looked briefly outpaced and was switched to the outer. He quickened nicely before 2 out to challenge Al Dancer who looked to be travelling the best and Lisp. He then led jumping the last, where Al Dancer made a slight mistake allowing Mister Fisher to go on and win by a length. It was an impressive performance and you could see him running well in the Arkle or the Marsh (JLT), where he is priced 16/1 and 10/1.
There was also the Grade 2 Mares hurdle, this saw last years winner Lady Buttons and Floressa go off joint favourites. Floressa raced just behind the leader travelling well, before making her challenge at the last. But ultimately Lady Buttons was too good for them all, as she swept down the outside going better than everything else. She took up the lead over the last and went on to win well by 2 3/4 lengths. This was an impressive performance from Lady Buttons giving weight all round, its since been reported that she will more than likely skip Cheltenham and opt for Aintree this year.
The Sky Bet handicap chase produced us with another exciting finish, this time between Ok Corral and Fingerontheswitch. Both tracked the leaders throughout the race, before Fingerontheswitch took up the lead 3 from home. He then faced a strong challenge from Ok Corral up the inside, Fingerontheswitch still led jumping the last where Ok Corral’s jockey Derek O’Connor dropped his whip. Both of them weren’t giving up without a fight, but ultimately Ok Corral just got up on the line to win by 1/2 a length. They both have entries for The Grand National, with their early prices both being 40/1.
There was also a couple of decent performances on the Friday before trials day. Glynn ran out an impressive winner of a maiden hurdle. He was held up towards the rear of the field by Jeremiah McGrath, before making a move 4 from home. He took up the lead 3 out, before going clear to win comfortably by 11 lengths. This performance made Nicky Henderson give him a couple of entries at the festival, these being in the Ballymore and the Supreme.
Over at Huntingdon there was another win for the Skelton trained Maire Banrigh, who won the Lady Protectress Mares Chase by 11 lengths. She chased the leader till 2 out where she took up the lead, she was pushed out by Harry Skelton to win comfortably over a trip which wouldn’t of been ideal. She holds an entry in the Arkle at Cheltenham for which she is priced at 16/1, with the mares allowance that she will get that could see her well in the mix.
A brief little round up of Ireland now, on the Saturday is was nice to see Allaho get back to winning ways after being beat last time. He did this with relative ease, winning in the end by 21 lengths.
Sunday saw Stormy Ireland run out an impressive winner of the Limestone Lad Hurdle, she didn’t lead and make all like she normally does. This time she was headed after the first so was settled behind the leader. She travelled the best throughout the race, where she took up the lead 2 out and was pushed clear, going on to win by 6 lengths. She’s one who could have a big role in the Mares hurdle this year should Honeysuckle and Benie Des Dieux head elsewhere.
The Novices chase saw Carefully Selected book his place in the National Hunt Chase. He did so winning by 4 lengths although his task was made easier with Spyglass Hill falling 2 from home. He’s not one I could have myself for the National Hunt Chase, as for me he doesn’t jump well enough which wont help him one bit.
The performance of the weekend in Ireland was The Big Getaway, he led for the most of the race, where he was always about 3 lengths clear. Approaching 2 out he extended his lead and went on the win very easily in the end by 17 lengths. He looks more like an Albert Bartlett horse to me for which he is priced at 10/1, but you can still get 12/ for the Ballymore come March.
The stand out performance in Ireland came on the Thursday in the Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle. Apples Jade led for much of this race before quickly fading out of it, but it was Benie Des Dieux that took up the lead 3 out. She then extended her lead at the next where she was travelling well, before being eased on the run in to win by 21 lengths. This caused many people to suggest she should go for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham, where she’s currently 6/1 2nd favourite. For me she is the only horse that can beat Paisley Park come March and receiving that handy 7lb mares allowance can only help her.
In last weeks blog we had the return of the head to head, this time around was a bit better than last, Sam did manage to get 2 winners which were Paisley Park and his NAP Harry Senior. Whereas I just kept hitting the crossbar with 3 2nd’s and a 3rd, hopefully things will be better when this feature appears next.
Thanks for taking the time to read this weeks blog, we will return next week where we have some cracking action in Ireland at the Dublin Racing Festival, plus Contenders day at Sandown.
A special thanks to Fran and Michael for allowing me to use their photos throughout my blog, you can find more of their work here:
Fran:
twitter; @FrancescaJane_x
Website; www.francescaaltoft.co.uk
Michael:
twitter; @mjyharris
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