Panel: John Francome, Mick Fitzgerald, Nick Luck, David Casey, Davy Russell, Noel O’Brien, Hayley O’Connor, Jim McGrath, Tom Segal, Henry de Bromhead, Brian Gleeson (MC) (Sponsored by Ladbrokes)
THE 10th running of the Woodlands Hotel Cheltenham preview night in Waterford attracted a good crowd and a good panel of experts, with John Francome’s cabaret act during the raffle-prize draw thrown in for free. Brian Gleeson did a sterling job to keep everyone to time and on their best behaviour, though that wasn’t easy at times. However, the crowd certainly enjoyed the good-natured banter.
In the Supreme Novices Hurdle there was widespread opposition to Min, apart from Willie Mullins’ assistant David Casey. Francome felt that he would get lit up by the occasion and run freely: “He would need to be some horse to not get a breather into and still win.” Many felt that the Mullins factor was at play in his very short price but Ladbrokes’ Hayley O’Connor said that he has been “one of the most heavily backed horses ante-post of the last five years!”
Trainer Henry de Bromhead has been impressed by Min but is happy with his own horse Supasundae. Jim McGrath, Tom Segal, Nick Luck, John Francome and Mick Fitzgerald all came down strongly on Altior’s side.
Throughout the night there were numerous barbs exchanged between Casey and Davy Russell, with more than one mention of the controversial 2014 Gold Cup finish between the pair. Casey countered Russell’s assertion that “Tombstone will win” by saying: “I will eat my hat if we haven’t got a better novice in the yard than Tombstone.” He gives Yorkhill as a value each-way alternative to Min.
Casey would doubtlessly eat something much larger if Douvan were to get beaten and the vibes from him are that the Arkle favourite is the best horse in the Mullins stable. “He will win by 300 yards!” he enthused. Nobody disagreed too strongly, with McGrath and Luck very keen on an each-way bet on de Bromhead’s Sizing John, declared to be in very good form by his trainer.
NUTTY RACE
The Champion Hurdle is seen by Nick Luck as “a nutty race, so time for a nutty selection – Peace and Co.” There is widespread opposition to Annie Power at the price, with many questioning the accuracy of her jumping at speed. Her stablemate Nichols Canyon is popular, with Casey explaining that he scoped dirty after his recent run. He would be happier to see soft ground for Annie Power.
Identity Thief is put forward by Russell and de Bromhead reminds us that he has improved 25lbs this year. Figures-wise Noel O’Brien reminded us that My Tent Or Yours has run to the highest rating of these (168) and if he reproduced that, he would win. Mick Fitzgerald opined that the horse looked fit enough last week after his workout. Segal likes him too.
Tom Segal cautions about the hit and miss form of Alan King’s stable regarding the ‘banker’ Yanworth in the Neptune Hurdle, though at 158 he looks a standout for Noel O’Brien. Fitzgerald and Russell question why Yorkhill isn’t running in this race and would see him as the big danger to Yanworth. Even without Yorkhill, Mullins could have a strong numerical challenge here with A Toi Phil getting the each-way nod from McGrath and Luck.
Opinion is divided almost equally on the RSA Chase between More Of That and No More Heroes. The proven World Hurdle form of the former, against the potential and scope of the latter. Francome mentions Seeyouatmidnight, Russell says that he took half-an-hour to win at Newcastle the other day and has no chance!
Un De Sceaux dominates debate over the Champion Chase but Luck wonders why we are not talking about Sprinter Sacre. O’Brien says that his best days are probably behind him, as is the case for a number of horses in the field. “Un De Sceaux is the new kid on the block and his relentless pace will put too much pressure on them,” reasons the senior handicapper.
Again, de Bromhead’s horse (Special Tiara) comes in for each-way support. It could be a frustrating festival for him if all his horses finish placed! McGrath warns about the danger of a tear-up between Un De Sceaux and Special Tiara, though he says Timeform have Mullins’ runner 9lbs clear.
With a doubt over More Of That’s target, opinion on the JLT Chase was lukewarm.
The Ryanair Chase is seen by many as the race Vautour should run in, but in his likely absence Village Vic is put up strongly by Segal and Russell, who say that an Irish horse just can’t win this race.
Opposition to Thistlecrack in the World Hurdle is thin on the ground, though Cole Harden does come in for some support, especially from Luck.
HARD TO CALL
All of the panel agree that the Triumph is a very difficult race to call this year. “A bollocks of a race,” comments Segal. Casey has no strong opinion about Mullins’ runners and says that Apples Jade (tipped by O’Brien and O’Connor) lacks experience. Russell (despite having won the race) hates it and urges everyone to move on!
Barters Hill is seen by most as the worthy favourite for the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, but is certainly not bombproof in the jumping department and McGrath thinks that will find him out. Fitzgerald says that Noel Fehily will ride Shantou Village to “mug” the favourite, while Russell mentions a Punchestown workout by Willie Mullins’ Gangster as being significant, though this is rubbished by Casey!
Finally, one of the most contentious Gold Cup fields of recent years ignited a lot of debate. The dreaded ‘Will they come up the hill?’ question was tabled. Francome doesn’t think Cue Card or Vautour will and sides with Smad Place. David Casey is hedging his bets – if the ground is soft he favours Djakadam, if the ground is good, Vautour.
Don Poli is seen by McGrath as a guaranteed stayer “with more in the tank”, though Russell says that he is not certain to ride him if Bryan Cooper chooses Don Cossack. Segal thinks Russell riding the latter is the key to his chance (“Cooper has lost confidence in him”) and O’Brien is also giving Gordon Elliott’s charge “one more chance”.
CHARITY BETS
Noel O’Brien: €50 WIN No More Heroes - RSA Chase; €25 e/w Apples Jade-Triumph Hurdle
Mick Fitzgerald: €100yds out WIN Desoto County - County Hurdle or Altior-Supreme
Hayley O’Connor: €50 WIN New To This Town - Bumper; €25 e/w Apples Jade - Triumph
Nick Luck: €50 WIN Cue Card - Gold Cup €50yds out WIN Moon Racer - Supreme
Davy Russell: €100 WIN Village Vic - Ryanair
Jim McGrath: €50 WIN Altior-Supreme; €50 WIN Polly Peachum - Mares Hurdle
Tom Segal: €50 WIN Altior - Supreme; €50 win Superb Story - County Hurdle
David Casey: €100 WIN More Of That - RSA
John Francome: €50 e/w DOUBLE Dodging Bullets - Champion Chase and Smad Place - Gold Close up
Brian Gleeson: €100 WIN Thistlecrack - World Hurdle