THERE was plenty of banter between the crowd and local panellist Davy Russell at the Walter Raleigh Hotel last Friday night, as the former jockey was joined by Youghal native Johnny Dineen, Ruby Walsh, Ian ‘Busty’ Amond and Darragh O’Keeffe for the Cheltenham Preview Night.
Over 330 people attended the KGK Community Development Fundraiser, held in association with BETDAQ, as Gary O’Brien filled the role of MC and Jimmy Mangan deputised for the absent Keith Donoghue.
While blow-ins, like myself, and outside visitors may not have understood the local inside jokes, there were plenty of pointers to take from the night, leaving attending punters with some confidence ahead of a mammoth four days of racing.
There was a shared concern as to whether Kopek Des Bordes would handle the occasion in the Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, with Davy Russell joking: “Both owner and horse are emotionally fragile!”
“I wouldn’t back him until he’s down at the start,” Dineen advised, while Ruby Walsh noted: “I think he will create each-way value, or value betting without the favourite,” offering stablemates Funicili Funicula and Irancy as suggestions.
Darragh O’Keeffe commented: “Workahead is a very good horse. He’s a fast, slick jumper and he’s been trained for this. I think he’s got a good each-way chance. There’s going to be a lot of competition going to the first and I don’t think it would take much to set Kopek Des Bordes alight.”
The panel was also mutually confident in Majborough’s Arkle chances, with Dineen describing him as “a certainty.” Walsh added: “I think at 10/1 each-way, the mare Only By Night is value, but that will change after scratches.”
The group approached the Champion Hurdle with the view that Brighterdaysahead would run, with Russell claiming connections made their decision at Leopardstown, before Amond quipped: “You of all people should know they change their minds!”
Russell continued: “Tactics are everything here, and the hare is the biggest player. What happened at Leopardstown was easier than what will happen at Cheltenham. I don’t think King Of Kingsfield will take her far enough.”
Walsh disagreed, adding: “If I was on Brighterdaysahead, I’d ride her like Jonjo [O’Neill] on Dawn Run. King Of Kingsfield will go hard, and as soon as he stops, I take over. I don’t think Constitution Hill’s form is as strong this year.”
On Lossiemouth, Walsh continued: “For her to win, she needs three hares and for them all to get involved too soon, but that’s relying on three getting it wrong.”
Dineen went against Constitution Hill, saying: “He’ll have to be 100%, and I have a feeling he’s being barely held together and he could crack at Cheltenham.”
Darragh O’Keeffe opposed, saying: “I’m definitely with Constitution Hill – he’s phenomenal. He’s 10 out of 10 and I think both the mares have yet to reach his level.”
Several fancied July Flower in the Mares’ Hurdle but, with her price shortening, looked elsewhere. Walsh nominated Kala Conti, with O’Keeffe describing her as “a great each-way chance,” while Dineen went with Golden Ace. “She ran much better the last day, this track will suit her and she’ll get this trip,” he said.
Walsh described Fred Winter contender Beyond Your Dreams as “really well handicapped,” while Dineen opted for Total Look and highlighted The Changing Man in the Ultima – “If he’s not on the premisses, I’d be absolutely gobsmacked.”
In the same race, Amond backed Search For Glory’s chances, while O’Keeffe put forward Captain Cody in the National Hunt Chase.
Walsh sided with Closutton in the Turners, but not with the favourite. “If the ground got dry and this race became tactical, it might not suit Final Demand – he’s not the fastest,” he commented. “Betting without him, my pick would be Kiss Will; this step up in trip will suit him. Kaid d’Authie is drifting into value.”
Both Dineen and Russell were keen on The New Lion, while Amond was positive on The Yellow Clay, saying: “I think people have forgotten about him because it’s so long since he last ran. Gordon likes to get them out, give them plenty of experience and then freshen them up.”
Amond also backed Better Days Ahead in the Brown Advisory, saying: “He’s crying out for this trip. Croke Park isn’t 100% going for this race.”
None were bullish on backing favourite Ballyburn, with Walsh saying: “Of the 28 races, this is the most difficult. I wouldn’t have a bet in it, but I’d ride Ballyburn.”
Walsh didn’t push Closutton’s Champion Chase contenders either, instead saying: “I think Jonbon is an absolute certainty.” Jimmy Mangan shared Walsh’s enthusiasm, while Russell commented: “Jonbon’s entitled to be favourite, but Marine Nationale has shown a little bit of sparkle. There’s often a turn-up in this race and it would be wrong to dismiss Solness.”
The panel had no clear choices in the Champion Bumper, as Russell simply suggested that Gordon Elliott’s horses could be underestimated. Gameofinches, who made an impressive start for Willie Mullins just eight days before the preview, currently heads the market, but Walsh had concerns.
He explained: “We’ve had Copacabana all the way along, which is preferable, whereas we’ve been trying not to let Gameofinches go over the top.”
In the Cross Country, meanwhile, Walsh was keen on Vanillier, while O’Keeffe chose Galvin “He’s a better horse than Stumptown, especially at these weights,” he reasoned. “Ballyadam worked very well recently, so I could see him running a big race in the Coral Cup – he could be a good each-way bet.”
Amond made a suggestion for the Grand Annual, saying: “If they go too quick, American Mike could land into it. He might find his level.”
Mangan and Walsh could offer no definite plan for Spillane’s Tower or Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase, though the former’s trainer commented: “My lad is in good form, he’s working well.”
O’Keeffe offered an interesting choice: “I’m a big fan of Jungle Boogie. He’s been very fragile - he’s an 11-year-old with only seven runs – but he’s in good form at home. If he runs in this, I think he could be very dangerous.”
Later, O’Keeffe was firmly against the Stayers’ Hurdle favourite, saying: “I could see Teahupoo getting beat – he did lose two years ago, and I know Busty will say it was the ride he got, but he still couldn’t get past Dashel Drasher and I could run past Dashel Drasher myself! I fancy The Wallpark.”
Amond remains confident in last year’s winner, saying: “Him and Brighterdaysahead are our best chances of the week.” Russell opted for stablemate Stellar Story, reasoning: “I genuinely think there could be a turn up here, and he’s a better horse than The Wallpark.”
Plenty of options were put forward for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle, with Dineen arguing: “It’s a wide-open race. I could name seven or eight with chances, so I’d be strongly against the top two.”
Walsh both agreed and disagreed with Dineen, saying: “Only one mare has won this with less than three runs under their belt, and this will be Maughreen’s third ever start. I think her inexperience could go against her. I think Sixandahalf is a very good mare and Air Of Entitlement shouldn’t be 16/1.”
O’Keeffe put forward Tareze as “a good each-way chance,” while in the Novices’ Handicap Chase, Walsh went with 25/1 shot San Salvador.
There were no major surprises in the panel’s Triumph Hurdle selections. Walsh was impressed by East India Dock, as was Darragh O’Keeffe, who added: “I don’t think Cheltenham will suit Hello Neighbour, and if Galileo Dame jumps better, I think she’ll beat him.”
Dineen shared O’Keeffe’s feelings, but opted for Lulamba. Russell, in contrast, said: “I was slightly worried watching the video of Lulamba at Kempton, because there didn’t seem to be much left on him. I was very impressed by Hello Neighbour, and Gavin has had this planned for him for a long time.”
Russell had an interesting story to tell about Albert Bartlett Hurdle contender The Big Westerner, and with the attending owners nodding their approval, revealed she had initially been bought on behalf of Britain’s Queen Camilla, who later decided it would be improper considering Kate Middleton’s illness.
On the Mariga family’s mare, O’Keeffe reported: “She did a bit of routine work today [Friday]. She’s a very good mare, I’ve been impressed by her throughout the season, and the break she’s had has done her the world of good.”
Ruby Walsh suggested that Argento Boy (right) could be value, considering he ran a length behind The Big Westerner and Darragh O'Keeffe (left) win thet Punchestown \
Walsh pointed out that Argento Boy could be value at his price, considering he got within a length of the mare in November. He added: “With the nature of the new course at Cheltenham, they could slow it down and come home strong, which would give Jasmin De Vaux a very good chance.”
It came as no surprise that Walsh had a strong opinion on the Gold Cup, and hat-trick seeker Galopin Des Champs. “He is the ultimate professional, it’s almost as if he’s listening,” Walsh mused. “I honestly think if he’s lucky, he could win four. I hope he’s the horse that can put racing back on the front of the newspapers.”
As an alternative, Mangan suggested: “If things went a little wrong for Galopin Des Champs, Banbridge is a tremendous finisher. He has class and Joseph says three mile two furlongs will be no problem to him.”
Willie Mullins also has the current favourite for the Martin Pipe Hurdle, Kopeck De Mee, on whom Walsh commented: “He probably has a few pounds up his sleeve, but whether he’s been at Closutton long enough, only time will tell. He works better than 136, but whether he runs like that… If you look back on the French form, he could be rated 30lb higher.”
That said, he wasn’t necessarily Walsh’s choice bet, as he said: “The five-year-olds are the ones to follow, and I’d pick the longest priced one.” Dineen, meanwhile, went with Taponthego.
Russell nominated a British horse in the Mares’ Chase, saying: “I like Telepathique at her price. She’s been very consistent all year long and she likes to win.”
Davy Russell: €200 win on
Ballyburn
Jimmy Mangan: €250 on
Sixandahalf
Darragh O’Keeffe: €200 on The Big Westerner
Johnny Dineen: €100 on The Changing Man & €100 for
Constitution Hill to be beaten
Ruby Walsh: €200 treble on Jonbon, Teahupoo & Galopin Des Champs
Busty Almond: €100 treble on Teahupoo, Majborough, Galopin Des Champs treble & €100 on American Mike
Gary O’Brien: €100 on Kargese & €100 on Win Some Lose Some