13:30 - High Definition 16/1 0.5pt ew
There is no doubt in my mind that the horse wirh the biggest engine in the Supreme this year is HIGH DEFINITION. This horse was very smart on the flat, with his highlight probably being a 2nd place finish in a Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
He has ran twice since swapping to Joseph O’Brien’s stable, winning a fairly hot maiden hurdle readily, despite making some novicey mistakes and then frustratingly unseating his rider at the Dublin Racing Festival next time. What interests me about last time is what JJ Slevin said, as he believed they were not going too fast in front, despite that being the thoughts of connections of Facile Vega and their reason for disappointment. If, and it is a big if, this son of Galileo has sharpened up his jumping, he is a massive player on raw ability and could easily outrun his double digit odds.
14:50 - Into Overdrive 8/1 1pt ew
This horse has been transformed over fences, especially this season, where he has mixed it in the premier handicaps. He was an easy winner at Wetherby earlier in the season before just being touched off by the classy L’homme Presse in the Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle. He then went to Wetherby and won a fiercely competitive Rowland Meyrick, seeing off a live Gold Cup outsider in Sounds Russian.
I really loved the way that pair went clear of the field that day on fairly testing ground and I think that is very strong form which should set INTO OVERDRIVE in good stead to run a huge race for the Walford team today. He was only raised 5lb for that run which looks very light, and I think he is the horse in this field with the most scope for further improvement. Bookmakers are paying extra places everywhere and everything about this horse suggests he will relish a handicap at Cheltenham, I expect a huge run and he looks a solid each way bet at the prices.
16:10 - Marie’s Rock 11/4 1pt win
Connections finally decided that they were going to let MARIE’S ROCK defend her title in the Mares’ Hurdle after some long discussions and I think that will prove the right move, especially with the rain that has come over the last week or so. Ever since stepping up in trip Nicky Henderson’s mare has kept improving and that was capped her by her victory in the race last year.
MARIE’S ROCK has only ran once this term, but that was arguably a career best when winning the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day at the track. She displayed a smart turn of foot there on soft ground and that could prove a big weapon against her rivals in her title defence. This is a deeper contest than last year but futher improvement is likely with her, unlike some of her rivals. I respect the chances of Brandy Love and Love Envoi but they have to step up again to beat my fancy and despite the fact that Honeysuckle would bring the roof off, I think you have to oppose her now.
16:50 - Byker 5/1 1pt ew
It was hard not to being taken by the effort of BYKER in his last run at Naas where he was probably an unlucky loser, he raced keenly that day, had to switch late on, made a mistake at the last and still got close to winning. That same contest has threw up 2 of the last 3 winners of this race, with Aramax and Brazil, so it is a clearly a proven route to going well in this race.
Charles Byrnes is a genius in the training ranks and he has opted to add first time cheekpieces to this horse. What makes this interesting is that he is 16 winners from 41 runners with horses under 8/1 using this type of headgear, with 27 places too. He clearly doesn’t waste his bullets and he clearly thinks his mark of 127 is one to exploit, especially with his son Phillip Byrnes taking 5lb off his back. I think he is a massive player and will be near enough impossible to knock out of the frame.
Comments