Racing returns to the home of the jumps

 

Cheltenham's two day Showcase meeting took centre stage this weekend, with racing from national hunts HQ starting on the Friday. here are a few stand out performances from the two days, firstly Galvin who took the 3m novice chase for Gordon Elliot and Robbie Power, he was a bit dubious with some of his early jumping but as the race progressed he found his rhythm and won impressively by 7 lengths. After he was installed as the favourite for the National Hunt Chase back at Cheltenham come March, hard to put anyone off but its a bit soon to be backing one for that race just now. The standout performance of the day went to Rouge Vif who won as easy as he liked, he travelled and jumped superbly taking up the lead with 4 to jump before putting in an inch perfect jump at the last before being eased down to win by 7 lengths. This performance saw him being quoted for the Champion Chase at 16/1, yes it was an impressive run, but I'd like to see him do it in graded company as he would be taking on much stiffer opposition than he did on Friday. The final race I want to mention on the Friday is the 2m novice chase, this went the way of the odds on favourite in Fusil Raffles, he travelled and jumped well taking up the lead turning for home, before pulling clear on the run in to win by 9 1/2 lengths. For me he would need to progress again to be challenging for an Arkle, but he couldn't of done much more than he did on the Friday, plus now has chasing experience at Cheltenham. The disappointment of the race was Getaway Trump who once again made one to many mistakes which cost him any chance of finishing 2nd let alone winning, be interesting to see what Paul Nicholls does with him, but I feel the promise he once offered has slowly slipped away.

The Saturday kicked off with the Masterson Holdings Hurdle, this saw one of last years top juvenile hurdlers and one of my ten to follow in Allmankind head the betting. Unfortunately he wasn't good enough on the day and for me look like he needed the run, as he could only manage 3rd, the race went the way of Botox Has who reversed form with Allmankind from last November, winning well in the end. I'd still say Allmankind will turn out to be the best horse in the field and look forward to seeing him again around a flatter track. Also on the card Southfield Stone took the novices chase for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden and Honest Vic secured his place in the Pertemps Handicap hurdle come March winning in impressive fashion. My performance across the two days and I'm sure this will be the same for many more people has to go to Frodon  who recorded his 6th win at Cheltenham, in winning the handicap chase off of top weight in gutsy fashion giving over a stone to the 2nd West Approach, he led from flag fall as he usually does putting in some impressive jumps along the way, with him and the 2nd pulling well clear of the remaining horses. After the race Paul Nicholls said he would consider going to the Gold Cup with Frodon now, as hard as it would be to see him winning it, its a race I could see him running well in but just possibly coming up short to some more classy horses.

On Sunday racing returned to Aintree, the main race on the card was the Old Roan, it saw the return of Itchy Feet who was in turn sent off the favourite. He made a few mistakes throughout the race, so it was a credit thing him that he managed to not be beaten far in 3rd, the winner was Nuts Well who came into the race with fitness on his side having won earlier this month at Kelso, he himself didn’t jump to fluently but ultimately outstayed Clondaw Castle on 2nd. For me the most impressive performance at Aintree was that of the Elle Est Bell, who took the mares bumper for Dan and Harry Skelton with ease, travelling well throughout the race, before making her move turning in before easing clear of the field, it’s hard to know anything about the how the form will turn out but you couldn’t help but be impressed. 

Yesterday at Wexford, there was a nice start to Minella Indo’s Gold Cup campaign with him taking the Grade 3 chase, he wouldn’t be my fancy for a Gold Cup but you can see why people will be fancying him. There was also a nice chasing debut for Andy Durfresne, he looked a little bit novice like in some of his jumps but ultimately won easily by 7 1/2 lengths, doubt he will be good enough to be winning any of the novice chases at Cheltenham, but he will definitely win some decent races throughout the season. 

Looking forward to next week and we have some brilliant action to look forward to, the WKD hurdle at Down Royal should see Abacadabras start his Champion Hurdle campaign, other early stage entries for Down Royal feature the likes of Samcro and Presenting Percy. Back over in England and at Wetherby and Ascot there are the likes of Cyrname, Imperial Aura, Verdana Blue and Third Time Lucki to name a few, should be a cracking couple of days racing. 

Thanks for taking the time to read this weeks catch up.