This is obvious great news for all jumps fans and fantastic that we will see Big Bucks lining up on the 13th March in a big to defend his crown.Big Bucks fine this morning. Eat up last eve & this morn and legs cold. All other runners fine. Bring on march 13th. # World Hurdle
Onto some thoughts on some of the other races. First of all the Argento Chase. This was in the end a slightly disappointing race, I don't think anyone sees the Giant Bolster, as admirable a horse as he is, as a realistic Gold Cup contender so the fact that he could dispatch with Rocky Creek and my fancy Harry Topper (who actually jumped a bit better fortunately) on Saturday certainly puts the knockers on their chances in that race. I believe Rocky Creek could be a Grand National horse in time, Nicholls has said he will be given an entry in this years race, and The Giant Bolster will again line up at Prestbury park in March with the hope of placing but that will be about it for horses from this race for me.Champion Court as predicted didn't stay and may be of slightly more interest in something like the Ryanair, especially is that race cuts up with current favourite Cue Card more likely to go for the Gold Cup. The stable were so bullish about this horse at the start of the season before his Paddy Power disappointment and I fancy there must be a race in him but back down in trip.
The way Red Sherlock battled against the Mullins raider Rathvinden was very likable and he is general 2nd favourite behind another Mullins novice Faugheen for the Neptune in March. He is also entered in the shorter Supreme hurdle on the opening day but the way he stayed on in this race would make him of interest come March in the longer of the two races. Mullins would have a good idea now though of where Faugheen stands with Red Sherlock and any stable confidence would have to be noted.
Annie Power was again impressive up at Doncaster, although with Cockney Sparrow tipping up at the 2nd last she was allowed to power home unchallenged and this race didn't really tell us that much apart from that she doesn't mind travelling and she is well in herself. However it was interesting to note Ruby said she got a bit worked up with all the noise and hustle and bustle of the races which would have to be a slight concern come March. More of a concern for punters though is where she will end up, making any ante-post bets involving this mare a tricky business. After the race Ruby said
"If she's fit, sound healthy and well, the race (at Cheltenham) will pick itself. Getting there would be the big thing in my eyes."Which doesn't help us punters too much!
There were also some useful triumph hurdle sorts out at Cheltenham in the opener with Le Rocher an impressive winner and now installed at around the 10/1 mark for glory on the final day of the festival. However one that caught my eye on Friday at Doncaster for the Triumph was Pearl Castle.John Quinn certainly knows the time of day when it comes to training a triumph hurdle winner and this one showed himself in a far better light given better ground than on his hurdling debut so, with the ground hopefully good in March, could be a lively outsider at 25/1. Has a rating of 87 on the flat compared to Our Conor rated 85 and Countrywide flame 72 before his Triumph so on flat ability looks like being of the required standard and put in a decent round of hurdling the other day to compliment that. Certainly at 25/1 he could be a nice e/w shout at this stage.
Over in Ireland on Sunday Trifolium produced a very impressive round of jumping to dispatch long-time pace setter Defy Logic and staying-on Felix Yonder to win the Irish Arkle. Bryan Cooper picked correctly when choosing between the Gigginstown runners and gave Trifolium a very nice ride. AP set a pretty decent pace on Defy Logic but he couldn't last home (was later found to have burst a blood-vessel) and the winner was trimmed from 25/1 into 8/1 after that performance. Willie Mullins could now be tempted to reverse plans for Champagne Fever after it initially looked like he may have been sent over the longer tript of the JLT judging on his entry in the J.P. Moriarty chase. This race also saw the likes of Rock on Ruby and Dodging Bullets trimmed in as Defy Logic, Felix Yonger and Mozoltov drifted out after disappointing runs. You'd also be wary after the news of the burst blood vessel for Defy Logic as once it happens once it is more likely to happen again which obviously is not very helpful.
Finally the big race of the weekend for most, the Irish Champion Hurdle. Once again Captain Cee Bee set the pace and lead the field into the home straight. Over the final flight Our Conor produced a beautiful jump but Hurricane Fly really showed all the battling qualities you would expect from a 19-time Group 1 winner to just about overcome the young pretender. This race again turned into a sprint which would have suited the Fly but you really cannot take anything away from the reigning Champion Hurdler as he didn't land well over the final flight and still got up to win. Make no mistake about it though Our Conor really did serve it up to the Fly, with Jezki the disappointing horse of the race and you would think that makes McCoy's choice of mount come March a bit easier. On a personal point of view I was very pleased with that race. I mentioned in yesterday's preview of the race that I fancied the Fly to win today but I would be on Our Conor come March and today I was very encouraged from what I saw. I think a stronger run race, the galloping Cheltenham track and another run under his belt will favour Our Conor over the Fly and considering how well Danny Mullins got his mount today during a race which would have suited the Fly more. Today the Fly had to give Our Coner 2lbs and come March they will be off level weights but I still fancy Dessie Hughes' charge to give us a new Champion Hurdler.
Thats all for this weekend, thanks for reading!
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