And so we have started another Cheltenham Festival. As predicted the opening day was one for Willie Mullins to take the starring role and Ruby Walsh to take the lead in the jockey’s championship (again!).
It was a day for new heroes to emerge and old timers to break records. Sadly, it was also the day we said goodbye to the wonderful Our Conor, the brilliant winner of last year’s Triumph Hurdle.
He suffered serious injuries when taking an awful tumble for Danny Mullins in the Champion Hurdle and was humanely put down by the vets at the track.
It was an awful sight that marred an otherwise brilliant day’s racing, and my sympathies go out to all connections.
I landed quite a few winners yesterday: Vautour, Champagne Fever, Trifolium, Green Flag, Jezki, My Tent Or Yours were all tipped up here as major Day 1 contenders and we managed a nice Mullins exacta with the incredible Quevega winning from Glens Melody.
The mighty mare becomes the only horse to win six straight renewals of a race at the festival and she did it with some aplomb.
So we move on to Day 2. Hopefully we can find a few more winners, though on a day littered with big field handicap races I’m not overly confident!
Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (Baring Bingham) (Grade 1)
Ah the Neptune. Always a tricky race to kick off Day 2.
There are 16 runners in the field but I expect the opener to go the same way as yesterday, with Mullins and Walsh’s Faugheen to take the spoils.
The horse is unbeaten under rules and was excellent in a G3 in Limerick over Christmas and it would seem silly to punt against it. I would look at Royal Boy for Henderson/Geraghty to fill the minors.
RSA Chase (Grade 1)
Another big field (15) and much tougher to call.
Carlingford Lough is a proven chaser, Ballycasey looks likely but I can see this being a bigger price winner. I am going to go for Davy Russell’s mount, Morning Assembly, at a big price to take the spoils.
There should be a lot of movement in prices before the jump so hopefully the generous price holds up.
Coral Cup (Handicap Hurdle) (Grade 3)
28 runners in a handicap – think needles in a haystack, because picking a winner in this race will be harder than the adage.
Not one of them scream “back me”, so it’s best to look at eachway value.
I’m thinking Dunguib and Far West are the pick of them. Dunguib because the old-timer has some class, and Far West because he would be a more shorter price if he had not been a faller late in the Betfair last time out.
To be honest this one could go anywhere.
Betvictor Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)
Alas no Sprinter Sacre. The equine superstar is still deemed unfit to race.
I’m a big fan of Arvika Ligeonniere and I think it will pip this, but there is quality throughout this field. Captain Conan most likely to chase home, but it’s a tight call.
Favourite Sire De Grugy has been in magnificent form and at a big price Somersby could also be in with a shout.
Glenfarclas Handicap Chase (Cross Country)
16 runners and again no real standouts in this one. I’m siding with Balthazar King and Star Neuville as my top e/w bets in the race.
Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)
Clarcam is the one that most takes my fancy in this 24-runner Handicap. The yard won this last year and this lad hasn’t been out of the places yet. Ivan Grozny and Arzembouy Premier for the places.
Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open National Hunt Flat) (Grade 1)
I really hate big field bumpers. They are impossible to find a winner in! That said, I will do my best.
Dermot Weld knows a thing or two about these sorts of races and Vigil looks a likely sort, winning last time out in a competitive race at Leopardstown.
I really like the look of Black Hercules. It might be Mullins’ second string, but I think it could take this at a reasonably big price; a nice way to finish the day.
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