Cheltenham Festival Time Review - Days 1-2 Old Course

The review here is race by race with reference to other races other the same course. All ratings mentioned include an allowance for weight for age where applicable. Times referred to are my own and make adjustment for where the race was started. Of three races over the two and half a furlong trip for example. Only the Champion Hurdle started near the line.

Tuesday March 14 Going: good

• Sumpreme Novices' Hurdle.
  
  Noland 144, Straw Bear 147, Buena Vista 142, Sublimity 139, Sweet Wake 139, Jazz Messenger 138, Whispered Promises 137. This race was run at a reasonably fast even gallop. Straw Bear travelled like the best horse in the race. Leading two out it was clear coming to the last but got too close and jumped it awkwardly, losing around half a second in momentum.. It was able to rally and put distance between itself and closest challengers Buena Vista and Sublimity but was caught by the fast finishing Noland near the line. The Paul Nicholls trained winner managed a time of 18.9 secs from the last which is very noteworthy bearing in mind that the time from the fourth to line was a second quicker than the Champion Hurdle. The plan is to go chasing next season though with the sparsity of home trained talent one could be tempted to remain hurdling next year. Particularly as it would benefit from slower ground over two miles. Straw Bear's adjusted time was 20 seconds from the last.
  
  
• Arkle Chase.
  
  Voy Por Ustedes 163, Monet's Garden 161, Foreman 155, Wild Passion 152, Don't Be Shy 148, Missed That 142, Racing Demon 142. A fair time for the contest. Monet's Garden made most of the running at a sensible gallop which would have made it very difficult for the staying contenders to come from behind. Time from the top of the hill to the finish was 1:27:8 which was more than a second quicker than the Queen Mother the following day. The quick conditions probably suited the winner, who's time from the last to the line was 17.0secs, more than the next six with the probable exception of Foreman. The runner-up Monet's Garden would certainly have appreciated a stiffer test in terms of ground. Also would have benefitted from a lead with a stronger pace in the first half of the contest. Both need to be kept in mind for the Queen Mother next season. Would have a slight preference for the runner-up though soft ground is not likely it is not likely to be so quick. Don't Be Shy, Missed That and Racing Demon, found the conditions too lively over this trip. The latter two both look capable of staying over three miles on this ground.
  
  
• Champion Hurdle.
  
  Brave Inca 161, Macs Joy 158, Hardy Eustace 154, Al Eile 146, Arcalis 145 Briareus 133, Kawagino 134, Faasel 134. Feature of this race was a strong early gallop, 2.5 secs quicker than the Supreme to the fourth hurdle. The principals were never far off that pace which meant that this years race was a slog. Brave Inca's time from the last to the line was 19.7secs. The first two home ran to marks that could have been expected before the race. Hardy Eustace was a little below its best. It did travel strongly for much of the race and may have been better suited by lying further off the strong early gallop set by Fiepes Shuffle. The fact that it did have an interrupted preparation probably counted against it as well. Tony McCoy rode a brave well judged race on the winner, which probably made a difference to the result. Of the also rans, Faasel, who had put up a very good time over 18 furlongs on heavy ground last season as a juvenile. Has looked very slow in steadily run events this year. In my opinion it would be happier not only on slower ground but also over much further. Would expect to see it campaigned over three miles next year. Asian Maze was a dark horse over this trip in this class. She had not looked short of pace when racking up a number of wins in steadily run mares only contests last season. She had no trouble going the furious early pace in this contest. Unfortunately she stepped on the hurdle when falling at the fourth. Bearing in mind the progress she made last season, would have to pencil her in as a 160+ for the future. Incidently Feathard Lady stable companion of the winner who missed this race through injury is a 160+ in my book . Both of these would get a 7lb allowance in next year's race. Also it is ironical that this race was run to suit Harchibald ( my rating 170+), runner up last season. Another to have missed the race through injury. Basically a race can not lose so much talent and be considered a great contest. Will be interesting to see whether connections stick with hurdles or opt for fences next season for the winner.
  
  
• William Hill Chase.
  
  Dun Doire 131, Juveigneur 136, Irish Hussar 127, Model Son 127, Bob The Builder 117, Fork Lightning 127. An unlikely victory for Dun Doire who came from well off the pace to snatch the race on the run in. Many of the field would probably have been happier with slower ground including Moulin Riche and No Half Session. Would certainly have helped their jumping. Fast looking finish produced a time of 17.8secs from the last, which indicates the others were slowing down. Though Juveigneur may well have been mugged, Its rating was the same as when winning the Kim Muir last year. May find a few extra pounds next time. The winner is in the National for which I would be pencilling a 141. Does need over twenty to pullout so not likely to get a run this year. If that is to be its main target next season, would have to imagine it will be kept ticking over by running over hurdles for the early part of next. Model Son would have benefitted from slower ground. Made a couple of mistakes but did well to stay on after losing ground. Definitely to kep in mind for the future.
  
  
• Sporting Index Handicap Chase.
  
  Native Jack 111, Spot Thedifference 123, Buailtes And Fadas 94. A steadily run race which suited last year's winner, top weight Spot Thedifference. It jumped the last in front but had no answer to the speed of Native Jack on the run to the line. Good Step would have been suited by a stronger run race, finishing sixth. It is better than the bare result.
  
  
• Fred Winter Juvenile.
  
  Shamayoun 134, Artist's Muse 127, Patman Du Charmil 125, Gardasee 122, Proper Article 115, My Immortal, 123. Having posted a fast time on testing ground. There could have been a worry that the ground may have been too lively here. The flat pedigree suggested it should not be a problem. Biggest worry was the possibility of racing off too fast and having nothing left at the finish. In that respect Pat Brennan rode a positive but controlled race. When he did kick on four out never really looked like being caught, even though Artist's Muse got close enough to suggest a challenge. Her mistake at the last did not affect the result. Time from two out to the line was 41.1 secs compared to 39.2 for Brave Inca and 38.7 for Noland. A last hurdle to the line time of 20.5 suggests it had done enough. Probably a flatter track such as Aintree, would suit better at this stage of the winner's career. Patman Du Charmil stayed on for third suggesting a step up in trip would suit.

Wednesday March 15 Going: Good

Have rated the ground as slightly quicker on this second day

• Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle.
  
  Nicanor 148, Denman 144, Refinement 132, Mr Nosie 136, Mr Pointment 135, Rimsky 130, Glasker Mill 131. No secret that Nicanor is a very useful horse. Being by Garde Royale it was a surprise to see it show so much pace on this quicker ground. Talk is of fences next season though 2m time here compared favourably with those of yesterday. Race time from two out to line measured in at an impressive 37.7 secs with a last hurdle to line time of 17.5 secs. Would need to check hurdle placement before comparing to yesterday. If they were in the same spot as on Tuesday would have to consider this horse good enough to be a possible Champion Hurdle contender next season. Denman ran to the same level as at Bangor. It is not as effective on quicker ground at this trip. Though this was a fair effort, an extra half mile could have made all the difference. Sure to do well over fences next season. If it is looked after then may be coming back for the 2008 Gold Cup. Though by then it is possible that the National would suit better. Refinement ran up to her best ability. Mr Nosie also ran up to its best. Despite the ground and jumping poorly Rimsky put up a fair effort . Slower ground is sure to see it better 140+ next season. Zaiyad 127, like all of the French trained horses this week, was below its best. Softer ground would help.
  
  
• Royal & SunAlliance Chase.
  
  Star de Mohaison 149, Idle Talk 143, Darkness 137, Back In Front 145, Bold Bishop, 141, The Listener 134. Compared to the ability of the horses competing, the winning rating is a little below par. Nevertheless it was a fine performance from this improving five year old winner, who jumped better than its rivals. The key to its success was the ground as many of its rivals could not cope with jumping at the faster pace required here. Idle Talk ran a sound race in second, staying on when headed four out. Darkness hardly jumped a fence, being particularly appalling at the water on both occasions. All in all it must have lost over twenty lengths throughout the race and did well to make any impression on the winner when coming third. Having run and jumped so well at Newbury would have to think that it will be targetted at the Hennessy. Have put in a conservative rating for Back In Front though believe it is capable of better. Admittedly it was under some pressure when falling (jumped fence ok) two out, it had been travelling downhill prior to that and blame the quick ground. Am sure that it would have relished the uphill climb. Bold Bishopunseated after jumping two out, when the horse stepped smartly to its right to avoid Back In Front's jockey on the turf. Tired horses don't do that, therefore we may have been robbed of an exciting finish. The ground was too lively for The Listener who departed independently two out itself. Once again seeming to jump the fence ok but stumbling after landing.
  
  
• Queen Mother Champion Chase.
  
  Newmill 162, Fota Island 148, Mister McGoldrick 148, Central House 146, Moscow Flyer 146. An eventful race with Kauto Star falling at the third at bringing down Dempsey. Newmill's jockey Andrew McNamara set off at a furious gallop. The water (6th) was reached 2.4 secs quicker than Monet's Garden had in the Arkle on the previous day. From there Andrew McNamara, gave his mount a breather in leading the field to the top of the hill in 42.1secs whereas Monet's Garden did the same in 40.5secs. The last two fences to the line being covered in 40.0 secs as opposed to 39.7 in the Arkle. Despite the fast early gallop still managed to clock a virtually uncatchable 17.2 secs from last to line. The second Fota Island kept on but was not able to get in a blow. Mister McGoldrick ran respectably on ground too quick for it. Central House was a fair fourth on ground that was too fast if its past record is anything to go by. Moscow Flyer was hampered by the fall of Kauto Star though the ground lost was no more than a length. Age has caught up with it this year and it was not able to make any impression. Connections have wisely decided to retire it. With the absence of Well Chief and Azertyuiop. This was a substandard Queen Mother which could have been brightened by Kauto Star or possibly Dempsey. Newmill was campaigned over 20f on testing ground last season,( much to my frustration). Fortunately a change of trainer and a less exacting program has rekindled its enthusiasm. Hopefully it will be around to defend its title next season. In view of the fact that it did come home strongly, will have to pencil in 166 (on decent ground) for the future.
  
  
• Coral Cup.
  
  Sky's The Limit 150, Strangely Brown 132, Dom d'Orgeval 135, Phar Bleu 130. Sky's The Limit proved to be an easy winner here. Have allowed 10lb for what I calculate it had in hand. The early pace was steady which was not anticipated by me. I had expected Fair Question to go off at a decent gallop. Was worried about it being asked to gallop up the hills too quickly. The 2m 5f start is not uphill, had it gone the pace of the Royal &SunAlliance it could have had a ten length lead coming to the 2m ½f start with an opportunity to get a breather into the horse coming past the stands (uphill). Curiously is was ridden with restraint. On this ground the race would have ridden like a two mile race which proved too sharp for the horse who dropped back when the pace quickened. The winner's best performance prior to this was a second to Feathard Lady in a steadily run 2m contest. Basically it appears to have speed to burn. Despite winning easily, its time from the last was a creditable 19.2 secs. We know how good Feathard Lady is. Edward O'Grady says this horse has improved a lot since then. Have to believe that is capable of 160+ even over two miles. What direction the horse goes next season is anybody's guess. For me it looks capable of competing with honour in the Champion Hurdle next season when it will stilk be only six. As for the rest of the field, many would have been unsuited by how the race was run particularly on the lively ground. The next five home have all run with credit under the circumstances. Their prospects in the short term will be decided by the handicapper.
  
  
• Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir.
  
  You're Special133, Mon Mome 129, Undeniable 119, Bee An Bee 119, Risk Accessor 133, Black Apalachi 123. A great ride from amateur Robert Harding but also a very good training performance by Ferdy Murphy to have a seemingly exposed animal ready to run the race of its life on the day. The early pace set by Florida Dream was strong. The halfway point (10th) being reached in 1.7secs quicker time than in the Royal & SunAlliance earlier in the day. The winner, who jumped better than most of its rivals, chased the leader until taking it up 5 out. The time taken from the top of the hill (4out) to the line was 1:32:5 was two seconds slower than the novices. In view of the stronger early gallop was to be expected. As the winner clocked a respectable 17.5secs from the last, quicker than Dun Doire the previous day. One has to believe that the winner's rider was sensibly giving his horse a breather in front before kicking for home. Runner-up Mon Mome looks a progressive animal and is the one to take out from this race. With more pressure on the winner coming down the hill, there may well have been a different result.. Of the highly rated horses prior to the race, Parsons Legacy 114 did not jump particularly well. Its rating going backwards from Newbury 's 119. Last year it achieved 118 then 132 in the corresponding races. Liberthine 123 probably found the ground too quick. Black Apalachi was unlucky that it was badly hampered early in the race when the pace up front was strong. It had too much ground too make up on ground that was too lively. Therefore being beaten less than 15 lengths represents a respectable performance.
  
  
• Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
  
  Hairy Molly 136, Pressgang 136, Kicks For Free 133, Perce Rock 132, Dancing Hero 129, Lord Over 128, Female 123, Wind Instrument 126, Pangbourne 126, Witchita Lineman 121, Burnt Oak 118, Equus Maximus 117. A strong gallop in this race led to a decent time. If not an outstanding winner. Hairy Molly had been racing with a fair level of success on testing ground this winter. It has to be assumed that the quicker ground here has brought about the improvement. Pressgang looked green under pressure. It did hang out to the right but may have ultimately benefitted from having a rail to run against. Its rating represents an 86 in flat terms with possible further improvement to come. Would be minded to qualify it for a handicap mark first before being running it over hurdles. Though I don't know the history of the horse. It may have an aversion to starting stalls, for example. Kicks For Free ran to the same level as its last victory at Wincanton. It looks sure to pay its way over hurdles. Most of the field are capable of winning a hurdle of some description if they can jump. Timewise the first half of the race was run at a strong gallop. Making allowances for the lack of hurdles, the time from where two out would have been to the line equates to a reasonable 39.2 secs. Making it very difficult to come from too far back. Under the circumstances, the performances of Perce Rock and Female who were both doing their best work at the finish, are worthy of highlighting. Particularly as they had each won their only other race on testing ground.

Ratings Pages

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