The Whistling Shrew - Cheltenham Festival Preview Day 2

Labaik gets the festival off to a great start for Gordon Elliot

and 17 year old Jack Kennedy

What a way to start the festival. I said yesterday of Labaik "You may lose your money at the start line but if the atmosphere and buzz of Cheltenham can get him excited enough to start the race then who knows hat he'd achieve?" Well now we do know and he looked brilliant powering up the hill to beat Melon who did everything to live up to his hype - except winning. As for the winner though, he is sure to have captured many fans; he either refuses to race or he wins, that's my kind of horse. The jockey too showed that he is more than ready for the big time and it wouldn't surprise me if 17 year old Jack Kennedy is a champion in no time. Ballyandy had a horror race when bumped into and almost shipping Sam Twiston-Davies on the turn away from the stands before getting caught behind horses and stuck out wide coming into the straight. He did well to finish 4th considering.

Given that start, Altior was just fine and looked to have a race on his hands before Charbel departed at the second last. It was by no means his best performance but got the job done. Cloudy Dream is certainly one to watch in the future. Singlefarmpayment travelled beautifully but was denied on the line by a game Un Temps Pour Tout who ran exceptionally under top weight to win this for a second year running. Connections would be happy to have the winner but probably less happy with their gamble to run Moon Racer in the Champion Hurdle, with the horse pulling up after a mistake half way around (but thankfully absolutely fine)

Buveur D'Air gives Henderson an unprecedented 6th Champion Hurdle

Buveur D'Air in contrast travelled like a dream all the way around and it was clear from the back straight that he was going to go close when stalking Yanworth into the race - Petit Mouchoir didn't get up the hill as expected but stayed on well into 3rd and what a performance again from My Tent or Yours who came 2nd for the 3rd time in this race - confirmation if ever needed that Nicky Henderson is a masterful trainer. It's hard to see where Yanworth would go next, maybe a bid for the stayers hurdle next year. He was given every chance when dropped in behind the frontrunners and stuck to the rail but just was badly outpaced - this has surely got to be a negative for Yorkhill going into the JLT tomorrow. Buveur D'Air's win gives another boost to the supreme form along with Altior's win. It has to be a positive for Tombstone (Coral Cup) and North Hill Harvey (County Hurdle) later in the week.

Apples Jade edges out her former stablemates in a terrific finish

The race of the day was undoubtedly in the mares where Apples Jade gamely held off the challenge of both Mullins mares who came at her on either side. She was briefly headed over the last by Vroum Vroum Mag who went down on her sword defending her title. Limini just fluffed the last a little and that probably handed the race to Apples Jade who powered clear up the straight. Well worthy of her win and may step up to the Champion Hurdle next year? In the postscript to the festival though it's Gigginstown 1, Willie Mullins 0.

I don't know how many Triumph Hurdle winners contest the 4 miler let alone win it, but Tiger Roll was brilliant when landing a 3 timer for Gordon Elliott. A lot has been made about Lizzie Kelly's pending ride in the Gold Cup as the flag bearer for female jockeys but Lisa O'Neill rode Tiger Roll absolutely beautifully - he hit a couple of fences on the way round and would not be the easiest ride but she didn't panic and delivered him brilliantly.

Tully East rounded off the day with a good win in a messy handicap finishing ahead of the Shrewdie selection Golden Present who was never closer than at the finish.

***

Douvan cruising to success in the Arkle

The star of Day 2 is Supreme and Arkle winner Douvan who is long odds on to win the Queen Mother. In my view we have never seen him fully extended and may not do so until he faces Altior if/when they return in this race next year. However, he does face a better class of field than he has before with tried and tested grade 1 horses in Special Tiara, Fox Norton and Gods Own there to ensure he at least has to get into 2nd gear to win. He should win impressively.

And speaking of impressive wins it is no surprise that the favourite for the opening day is Neon Wolf, who thrashed his rivals impressively last time out. He had the pace to go for the Supreme but connections opt for this instead and he will be the one to beat.

There are two other grade 1s on the card in which Might Bite bids to win the RSA. But he must overcome some poor hurdles performances at the course to do so, not to mention a strong challenge from within his own stable as well as the intriguing Acapella Bourgeois from Ireland. The champion bumper concludes the card and is always an exciting race for providing a form guide for future festivals.

Love it or hate it, the cross country is unique and sits in a pretty spot between the Queen Mother and the Fred Winter Juvenie Handicap which Paul Nicholls bids to win for a third year running. And least we forget, one of the best handicap hurdles of the season in the Coral Cup which is headed by Lanzarote winner and 2015 champion bumper 2nd Modus.

Shrew's Shrewdies

1:30 - Willoughby Court 11/1 e/w or Bacardys 7/2

2:10 - Royal Vacation 12/1 e/w or Might Bite 10/3

2:50 - Tombstone 9/2 if you want a short one in a big field handicap. If you don't then: A Tin Soldier 9/1 e/w, Peregrine Run 9/1 or Taquin Du Seuil 20/1 e/w

3:30 - Gods Own 14/1 e/w (or without the favourite) - Douvan should win easily 2/7

4:10 - Any Currency 12/1 or Ballybroker Bridge 33/1 e/w

4:50 - Divin Bere 6/1 (Nap), Dreamcatching 12/1 or Poker Play 20/1

5:30 - Someday 7/1 or Western Ryder 10/1. Update: Someday is now a non-runner. Carter McKay has now drifted to a backable price of 4/1

If you like the form of Willoughby Court then it's worth noting he beat Peregrine Run (Coral Cup, 2:50) last time out, a double pays 80/1 for the two.

Race-by-race Guide

1:30 - Neptune Novice Hurdle, 2m5f

Watch out, there's a wolf about

Neon Wolf  made an exceptional impression when winning last time out and it is no surprise he is the hot favourite here. I think he could well win impressively but I've woken up this morning with the urge to oppose him. His last run certainly looked impressive, but it looked impressive at Haydock where winning can often look more impressive than it actually is (see Cue Card and Bristol De Mai for recent examples). He may well win, but he's 7/4, so here goes nothing.

Bacardys was a strong winner of the Deloitte novice hurdle and has to be the main danger to the favourite. He was placed in the Champion Bumper before coming out to win the Aintree equivalent and is 2/3 with the other race ending in a fall when challenging. This race has the feel of Yorkhill vs Yanworth again from last year and I'd marginally fancy the Irish challenger to come out the better again. Willie Mullins also runs Bon Papa who won a maiden last time out but doesn't make much appeal here.

Shattered Love for Gordon Elliott is interesting and receives a 7lb mares allowance which would put her up near the best of these.

From his first run in November to his third run in March, Willoughby Court, has reversed form with the dyslexically named Get on the Yager to the tune of 23 lengths. That to me screams progression and the latter was in a decent grade 2 trial. Ben Pauling has shown he can train good novice hurdlers in Barters Hill and on official ratings Willoughby Court has only got 1lb to make up on the favourite.

Messire Des Obeaux is interesting. He was brought over from France by Alan King and finished a reasonable 7th in the Fred Winter last year - maybe it was the track, maybe it was the big field but this has been his worse finish to date. It is fair to say he has now settled as a second season novice and he is a neck away from being unbeaten, but my fear is that his latest run may well have been his limit which would not be good enough here.

2:10 - RSA Novice Chase, 3m

Might Bite - Improving horse or flat track bully?

One of the biggest unanswered questions coming into the week is whether Might Bite can replicate his seemingly massive performance at Kempton over Christmas. Before we get too carried away it is worth reiterating that he did (through Jockey complacency) fall at the last that day when 20 lengths ahead of subsequent Cheltenham winner Royal Vacation who ultimately picked up the pieces and won. But the visual impression was that he was a monster. His run last time out showed him to be a little careful in his jumping but otherwise in good health. He has not raced around Cheltenham's chase course but has several runs here as a hurdler and all of them have been pretty awful.


There are two possibilities, either he is an improving horse who has come into his own this season, or, he just prefers flat tracks to Cheltenham. He is bred by Scorpion which many will tell you means he won't get up the hill and whilst that feels like a stat that's made to be broken his hurdle form here doesn't give you the ability to question it just yet - a repeat of that Kempton performance however (without the last flight departure) would make his price look massive as based on that he should be evens. I think he has to be the selection with the knowledge he may completely flop, but it seems to be a calculated risk.

Royal Vacation bids to carry Cue Card's colours to victory

It is fair to say that the horse that benefitted from Might Bite's fall at Kempton, Royal Vacation, has come on from that victory and he showed that Cheltenham is no obstacle for him when staying on well up the hill in a competitive handicap over 2m4f last time out. He has a healthy six runs under his belt and has never been out of the frame yet. He seems progressive and I'd fancy he could run a big race in the colours of Cue Card in the novices Gold Cup.

Whisper has found a good match in Davy Russell

The biggest threat to Might Bite though may be from within his own stable. O O Seven was a good winner here in November but hasn't shown much in his two runs at the festival so far. The same cannot be said though for Whisper who already has a Coral Cup win under his belt and ran reasonably  behind Thistlecrack in the stayers hurdle last year when clearly not 100% fit. He would have an unusual profile for this coming in as an older horse but he's looked good in two wins over 2m5f here under the stewardship of Davy Russell. If they go hard in front I could see him sneaking through and picking up the pieces and he has definite place claims at least.


Our Kaempfer is another horse who looks like he needs a galloping track rather than this stiff test but ran pretty well in the Pertemps last year - Its not quite clear whether Cheltenham suits him or not, which leads us onto Bellshill who is to the fore of the Irish runners here. He has had a miserable time at both festivals he's come to and his form at Cheltenham just doesn't stack up to how good he is everywhere else. His transition to chasing and stepping up in distance was going well until last time out when he was outpaced by Our Duke before falling. He's one to watch for Aintree and Punchestown again but I can't have him here.


The Irish challenge therefore is lead by Alpha Des Obeaux and Acapella Bourgeois. Alpha Des Obeaux would've been a hugely impressive stayers hurdle winner were it not for Thistlecrack being a superstar last year and it seems that form is what has lea to him being fancied here. He was last seen in December when pulling up but even before that he wasn't showing quite the same level of form over fences as he had over hurdles and is yet to complete a three mile chase; so again I have to look elsewhere. So the question is, how good is Acapella Bourgeois?

Well, if you believe the bare form then he is 32 lengths better than Road for Respect. His run the last day has been described by some as a farce and admittedly he was given an easy lead, but what was impressive is the way he opened up space between himself and the others and kept galloping all the way to the line. He won't be granted such an easy lead here, especially with Coneygree's half brother Flintham in the field but nonetheless has to be feared if putting in another bold front-running staying performance.

With the early pace it is entirely possible the race could fall apart and the leaders give way to something staying on from the back. Heron Heights may be the one to do that and is one at a price who we know likes Cheltenham and we know will get the trip. 33/1 is big for a course and distance winner.

2:50 - Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, 2m5f

Tombstone will likely go off favourite for this following the news story last week that connections were considering supplementing him for the Champion Hurdle after his victory over 2014 Champion Hurdle winner Jezki. The collective opinion on that is therefore that he is well handicapped, though I think that form is potentially sketchy you can't knock the supreme form from last year in which he was only 4 lengths behind Champion Hurdler Buveur D'Air. He is probably too short to play but he has to have a great chance on that basis.

Modus en route to the Lanzarote

Modus ran well in Moon Racer's bumper but has since then taken a while to show his true class before taking the Lanzarote when stepped up in distance. He is off top weight but is potentially still good enough to be a graded class performer and could still show further improvement over this sort of distance. Old Guard is one who certainly has been a graded class performer and was 4th behind Modus in the Lanzarote. I see no reason he would reverse that form.

Taquin Du Seuil is massively interesting for Jonjo O'Neill. He has a great Cheltenham record over fences though his hurdles runs have been few and far between so comes here on a good mark and can't be ignored. He is 10 years old now though and as always  the more experienced horses in this race could be vulnerable to an improving younger hurdler. Willie Mullins' A Tin Soldier has had two wins from two runs since transferring from France and looks unexposed at this weight. Peregrine Run is another on a decent mark after a grade 2 novice win.

There is no sufficient metaphor for what finding a little bit of green and gold at the bottom of a handicap at Cheltenham is like... but its good.... Scoir Mear lines up towards the bottom of the weights for JP McManus and co and looks one to side with. Two seconds behind Jury Duty and Automated (who also has a good chance for Gordon Elliott) is good form and he is off a very nice weight if improving here - though he reportedly travelled over badly so it may be better siding with the owners other horse Hargam who was placed in the Triumph Hurdle a couple of years ago but has been out of sorts since.

3:30 - FEATURE RACE: Queen Mother Champion Chase, 2m

Douvan is two from two at the festival and this should be three. He jumps with ease and has a

Douvan is long odds on for a third successive festival victory

magnificent engine and turn of foot. It won't surprise me if Ruby Walsh doesn't push him out to the line but he shouldn't need to. To my mind however he is not as bombproof as Altior and faces better horses here than he has faced before.

Special Tiara showed last year just how hard his front-running tactics can be to run against when making life difficult for Un De Sceaux and ultimately setting the race up for Sprinter Sacre. He hasn't been on great form this year but I expect he will return to something near his best for the better ground and will at least give Douvan a strong pace to run at.

Fox Norton was well beaten by Douvan in the Arkle last year but looked an improved horse for the switch to Colin Tizzard when bolting up on open day here at the start of the season. The one I'd prefer to follow him home though is Gods Own who was 4th here last year, before pulling off an unlikely double over Vautour at Aintree and Punchestown (much to my delight). He ran a big race in the Tingle Creek early in the season but really comes into his own this time of year - I'd back him each way just on the off chance Douvan makes a mistake.

Top Gamble has been supplemented for this and is another horse who could hit the frame on the day and Garde Le Victoire has consistent if not top class form and would be my favoured each way bet of the big priced horses over Traffic Fluide and Sir Valentino.

4:10 - Cross Country Chase, 3m6f

Any Currency returns in bid to show it wasn't 'the drugs wot won it'
last year Although it probably was.

Any Currency bids to defend his title - kind of. He was first past the post last year only to have the race stripped from him for testing positive for an illegal substance. He returns as a 14 year old in a race that is kind to those with a little more experience and I think he has a good chance of hitting the frame on his 5th festival run.


The market is dominated by JP McManus who runs Cantlow, Cause of Causes, Quantitiveeasing, Auvergnat, past festival winner Colour Squadron and Love Rory. It is some squad and you'd imagine he'd be disappointed not to win. Cantlow is the obvious one following his second on trials day but the money has flown in for Causes of Causes - twice a festival winner and second on his only other attempt. He will be steered by Jamie Codd who won on him on both occasions. He has about 40 lengths to make up on Cantlow based on the trials form but that was his first go over the banks and reportedly Gordon Elliott has sent him here in the intervening period for a couple of spins over the banks and he has really taken to it. At the prices I could leave them both.


Bless The Wings is another with good course form and was 3rd past the post last year with Quantativeeasing and Third Intention 5 and 7 lengths behind with Ballybroker Bridge a further 5 lengths behind. I see no reason why those positions would shift drastically excepting for maybe Ballybroker Bridge who was reportedly not on top form here last year but subsequently has not been that far behind Cantlow on more recent attempts.


Of the newcomers I have been a long time follower of Sausailito Sunrise and am really surprised to see him here. Richard Johnson definitely knows his way around this course having steered Balthazar King for many years. He is still relatively young for this race and may have a chance if taking to it.

4:50 - Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle Handicap, 2m

Paul Nicholls has managed the 1-2 in this on two consecutive years and runs Dolos in the same colours of last year's winner Diego Du Charmil and Dreamcatching. Dreamcatching is the less exposed of the two after one win from one run since transferring from France. But the word on the street is all about Nicky Henderson's Divin Bere who according to many would stand a very good chance of winning the Triumph. He's off a big weight but could well have a stone in hand if sources are to be believed.

Connections of Nietzsche will be hoping they aren't staring into the abyss after this race (no more philosophy jokes, I promise). He was a very good horse on the flat so could go well at a price if converting that form. Gordon Elliott runs Icario under Supreme winning jockey Jack Kennedy who catches the eye in Gigginstown silks. Joseph O'Brien's Zig Zag looks well handicapped too. Other than that it's pretty open - David Pipe has a good record and Poker Play may be an interesting French import at 20/1.

5:30 - Champion Bumper, 2m

This is always wide open so I won't dwell too long on it. Carter McKay is seemingly the most fancied of the Mullins runners, but the two biggest performances for me seem to have come from Someday and Western Ryder who I expect will both deliver big runs.

Quick Grabim would be an emotional winner for inured former jockey Robbie McNamara and to be fair has a good chance. West Coast Time is another interesting one in the colours of flat giants Ballydoyle.