By Ryan Skidmore
13:30 - Mighty Bandit 0.5pt ew
14:10 - King Of Kingsfield 2pt ew
14:50 - Gidleigh Park 1pt ew
15:30 - L'Homme Presse 0.5pt ew
-Corach Rambler 0.5pt ew
16:10 - N/A
16:50 - N/A
17:30 - Waterford Whispers 2pt win
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13:30 - Triumph Hurdle
Mighty Bandit 16/1 0.5pt ew
The Triumph Hurdle was blew open when Sir Gino was unfortunately pulled out by Nicky Henderson and although I was looking forward to seeing him, it does make the race a more interesting betting proposition.
I think a lot of the Irish horses are very similarly matched and the well known trial at the DRF showed this as a lot of them finished in a heap, with nothing really to split Kargese, Storm Heart, Majborough, Bunting and even a few more from the Mullins camp. The fact he is running so many makes me question if he knows which is best and then throw Salvatore Mundi in and it is a real confusing situation!
I think Nurburgring has a big chance but looks short enough at 5/1 and I also debated backing Salver but wanted bigger than 10/1 on him. With that in mind, I am taking a chance on Mighty Bandit at anything over 16/1.
He went into the race juvenile race at Christmas as a heavy favourite for Gordon Elliott after he battered Larkinthemorning on debut, but blew out and has since gone to Warren Greatrex after the Caldwell dispersal. He has had a breathing operation and obviously has a lot to prove but I’m happy to take a flyer that they have got him back to his best.
14:10 - County Handicap Hurdle
King Of Kingsfield 5/1 2pt ew
I think this is one of the weaker County Hurdle’s of recent times and really struggle to see the winner not coming from the front end of the market.
The solid option is King Of Kingsfield who has been targeted for this race ever since his run at the DRF when he finished 3rd to Ballyburn and Slade Steel. Obviously, that form is incredibly solid and although beaten a fair distance, he stuck to his task really well and battled past reopposing rival Absurde at the finish.
The way a County Hurdle is generally ran will really suit Gordon Elliott’s horse and his mark of 140 surely makes him well handicapped. He is 5/1 and I am putting on my balaclava and backing him each way with extra places available and I cannot see him out of the frame.
L'eau Du Sud has an obvious chance too off the back of his run in the Betfair Hurdle but 4/1 is too short for me. I will probably play the forecast with him and King Of Kingsfield though mind you!
14:50 - Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Gidleigh Park 11/2 1pt ew
I have been a fan of Gidleigh Park all season and was quite happy to see they chose the Bartlett over taking on Ballyburn earlier in the week.
He is unbeaten under rules and is clearly very highly regarded by Harry Fry, and rightly so, as he looks a very taking horse. A classic case of ‘whatever he does over hurdles is a bonus.’
However, I think they have a chance of getting a real bonus here by winning this race. He bolted up on his first two attempts over hurdles, but it was his next start which impressed me most when he really battled to beat Lucky Place, who ran well in the Coral Cup off 137 on Wednesday.
He probably has to improve again, but the way he went up that hill last time out gives you optimism that the trip will see some improvement, and he looks a fairly solid each way bet at any odds over 5/1.
15:30 - Cheltenham Gold Cup
L'Homme Presse 12/1 0.5pt ew 4pl
Corach Rambler 14/1 0.5pt ew 4pl
2024 presents an excellent renewal of the Gold Cup and it is highlighted by Galopin Des Champs who has an excellent chance of going back to back, and I don’t think even money is a bad price at all.
However, I am going to take a few horses each way who will relish the test of a Gold Cup in L'Homme Press and Corach Rambler.
L'Homme Press will love conditions today after all the rain has come down and I think his preparation coming in to this has been underrated, he beat Protektorat at Lingfield who obviously won the Ryanair yesterday, then was just beaten by Pic D'Orhy in a race that was never going to suit him. He was going to be 2nd favourite for this last year and I am excited to see him in this.
I think the race will really suit Corach Rambler who obviously loves the track and the way a Gold Cup is run will allow his stamina to come in to play as there should be a good pace up front with the likes of The Real Whacker, Jungle Boogie and Bravemansgame. It wouldn't be any surprise if he made late ground from the bend and ran on in to the places.
16:10 - Hunters’ Chase
No Bet
I’m not going to claim I know anything about the form of these horses and JP clearly hasn’t bought Its On The Line for no reason so that has an obvious chance. I’ll probably throw a few quid at Samcro for old times sake!
16:50 - Mares’ Chase
No Bet
This is another race I don’t have a strong opinion on as I do believe Dinoblue will win if she gets the trip, but I don’t want to find that out by backing her at 7/4. Likewise, I don’t want to back Limerick Lace at 5/2 against her, for all she has solid claims.
Overall, I’m happy to keep some ammo for the last race of the week and see what happens here.
17:30 - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Waterford Whispers 3/1 2pt win
The Martin Pipe is not usually a race I’d want to take a short price about a horse in, but I can make an exception for Waterford Whispers in this, for he looks to be well treated in my eyes.
He won his first pair of starts over hurdles, defeating Answer To Kayf on the second of those, who has won off 134 since and runs here off 137. Henry De Bromhead’s horse then finished 2nd at Leopardstown, not knocked about and has been put away since. He has been given a mark of 133 and it would be a surprise to me if he doesn’t have something up his sleeve there.
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