Lexus Chase
This year's renewal looked a
competitive affair on paper; we had the reigning Lexus Chase Champion
Bob's Worth, Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere, 2nd placed
On His Own, Grade 1 winner Boston Bob, the improving Sam Winner and
the new kid on the block Road to Riches all lining up at
Leopardstown. After Silviniaco Conti had impressed the Kempton
faithful with his authoritative win in the King George Chase on
Boxing Day could we see a horse in this field who could stamp their
claim to the Gold Cup in March in a similar manner?
Well quite frankly I do not think we
did. The field was taken along by On His Own, who lost ground at most
fences jumping out to his right, and Road to Riches, before they were
joined swinging into the home straight by most of the field. However
it was Sam Winner who joined the front two where it mattered as they
closed in on the winning line, and Road to Riches was the one to
stamp his class on the race, staying on nicely to score by 1.5
lengths from On His Own. If anything though this race only served to
strengthen the claims of Conti to the Cheltenham stayers Crown come
March as the position of Sam Winner back in 3rd place
somewhat holds this form down in my opinion. I also think On His Own
could well have won had he jumped a bit straighter and although R2R
is undoubtedly a talented animal quotes of around 8/1 in places will
not be tempting me in as a win bet. I was far more impressed by
Nicholl's Gold Cup favourite at Kempton on Boxing Day and even this
far out I'd rather take the 3/1 still going on Silviniaco finally
tasting glory on the Friday of the Festival.
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| Bryan Cooper on board Road to Riches - now firmly on the Road to Cheltenham (Photo Patrick McCann (Racing Post)) |
A huge disappointment in the race was
Bob's Worth, who never threatened and finished last of the finishers;
he is now a 20/1 shot for the Gold Cup but to be honest this doesn't
look the same horse who so marvelously win the 2013 Gold Cup, or even
the 2013 Lexus. Lord Windermere, the reigning Gold Cup holder, also
ran poorly but he ran badly all of last season before winning where
it mattered so do not write him off yet, although I was expecting a
better showing here to be honest and wouldn't be touching him
ante-post either. Overall this was a race that simply served to strengthen the position of Conti at the head of the market rather than introducing another horse into my Gold Cup thinking.
Christmas Hurdle
On the same say as the Lexus Chase we were also treated to the Christmas Hurdle, a 3 mile Grade 1 Hurdle race; would we see a horse come out and stamp their hoofprint on a wide open World Hurdle market in this event? At Fishers Cross was sent off favourite here, however once again disapointed with his jumping and was well beaten before the final flight. It was left to Liutenant Colonel and the front-running Jetson to slug it out as they pulled well away from the field, and eventually it was the Sandra Hughes trained Liutenant Colonel who came out victorious by 3/4 of a length.
Both winner and runner up came out of this one with enhanced reputations I thought, Jetson took the field along and was only narrowly denied while the winner showed a great attitude and staying ability that will stand him in good stead come March. Indeed Liutenant Colonel is now 12/1 (Jetson 16/1) for the World Hurdle, a far more appealing price that More of That, who heads the market at 4/1 in my estimation. At Fishers Cross needs to sort out his jumping but he is quickly becoming a very disappointing horse while Briar Hill will have to come on an awful lot for this outing if he is to justify his tall reputation. Indeed many will now have to question if he is the same horse after that heavy fall at Cheltenham last season which left his poor cheekbone smashed to pieces apparently.
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| Liutenant Colonel and Jetson jump the last together, and both came out of the race reputations enhanced |
Finally Noel Meade must be pleased with Monksland who was making his first appearance on the track for 2 years. He ran well to finish 3rd, never threatening the leading pair, but certainly looks to retain some of his ability and it will be interesting to see where he goes next. The Christmas Hurdle though was all about the front two who will almost certainly be in the World Hurdle shake-up if they turn up to Cheltenham in March in this kind of form.
Ryanair Hurdle
I must be honest and admit now; I absolutely love Hurricane Fly and didn't need any financial interest at all in this race, a 2 mile Grade 1 Hurdle over at Leopardstown on the closing day of their winter festival to be cheering the house down in support of this magical horse. He was sent off favourite for the Ryanair Hurdle which was effectively a match with Jezki , the pair in the market at 5/6 and 11/8 respectively. Arctic Fire and Tiger Roll were the only other horse in the betting at smaller than 66/1.
Prior to the race I though the Fly would win here but this could well be the last time he confirmed superiority over Jezki as come Cheltenham, if the Fly even went to the festival, the track there and also likely way the race would pan out would massively favor Jezki. However on his traditional home turn, with his excellent Leopardstown record, the Fly had to be the one here. And that was how the race panned out, Jezki and Hurricane Fly coming over the final flight together before Ruby managed to get his mount up to taste his 21st Grade 1 victory; what a stunning record. Jezki came in 1/2 a length down, with Arctic Fire running superbly to finish a close 3rd.
I secretly hope Hurricane Fly does not go to the Cheltenham Festival and contest another Champion Hurdle (for which he is now a 12/1 shot generally) as we've seen before the track doesn't really suit him. This was fine and dandy when he was at the peak of his powers, but with the mighty Faugheen in opposition I really don't want to see the Fly disappoint at Prestbury Park like he did last year. I'd much rather have Willie send him to Punchestown for the Irish Champion and go out with a bang, a likely victory at the highest level and a fantastic way to end his mighty career.
Jezki on the other had remained unchanged at 11/2 for the Champion Hurdle, you can even get 6/1 in places, and this rates as an absolute corker of an e/w price in my opinion. We know the course suits this reigning Champion, and the likely fast pace and good ground that we will get in March will also see him in a far better light in a race he has undoubtedly been prepared for all season long. If you are feeling really cheeky take some 33/1 e/w on Arctic Fire for the same race as I was really quite impressed by him today. There were claims on social media post-race that he would have got dangerously close to winning this race given a stronger ride...no comment!
Topaz Novices Chase
The 3 mile chase for Novice horses on the same card as the Ryanair looked pre-race to be the best Novices Chase we were likely to see before the Cheltenham Festival; some huge names were lining up. Don Poli was sent off favorite for this hot race where he faced Apache Stronghold, The Tullow Tank, Mala Beach, Lots of Memories, Shanahan's Turn and Very Wood, all of whom you could make a good case for in the run up to the off. It really was a race to savor and one that guaranteed some ante-post reaction in the aftermath in regards to the RSA Chase in particular at Cheltenham.
The field were taken along by Lots of Memories, who lead the field until the home turn. Don Poli then joined the long time leader as the race properly began in earnest. Apache Stronghold drew alongside Don Poli coming over the last but Don Poli's stamina really kicked in and he won impressively in the end, the front two drawing well clear of a top-quality field. The pace of the race wasn't that quick but as I say the front two did draw well clear and you couldn't fail to be impressed, they dispatched some quality horses by some distance and this capped a memorable festive period for Gigginstown Stud and Bryan Cooper.
Don Poli is now 2nd favourite to Kings Palace for the RSA Chase at 8/1, however this could partially be due to the confusion as too his festival target. Patrick Mullins really wants this as his ride in the 4 mile chase, for which he is a 4/1 favorite, but for my money he is miles too classy for this race. Mullins senior has voiced his opinion he has a real Gold Cup contender for future years here, so surely you put him in the best and most prestigious festival race he could win? This is no doubt the RSA, and I'm sure Gigginstown and Bryan Cooper will be favoring the 3 mile chase where the face off with Kings Palace would make for one of the races of the festival! Please Willie, give us an RSA to remember!
Elsewhere
I'll just quickly mention a few other performances of note with a view to the Cheltenham Festival in March. Firstly the victory of Parlour Games in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury was one to note with regards the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle, especially as John Ferguson reckons this horse is the best the stable have ever had. Admittedly he hasn't been training for that long but he has still trained some very nice horses (Purple Bay, Cottom Mill etc) and he is now 14/1 for the 2 mile 5 furlong Novice Hurdle at the Fez. Don't be put off Blaklion for the longer race, the Albert Bartlett, at Cheltenham as he was probably caught for toe here having tried to test the stamina of the field from the front. The longer trip and the Cheltenham hill will play to his strengths and I still quite like his Cheltenham claims.
Fans of the Triumph Hurdle should check out the performance of Top Notch in the opener on the Newbury card, yet another arrow in the bow of Simon Munir for that race! He has a fearsome attack for that race, with Peace and Co heading the market, Bristol De Mai and Vercingetorix already impressing so far this season. Who knows, are any bookies offering odds that he owns the first 5 horses home?!?!
Vigil won the closing bumper at Leopardstown on Monday, and was immediately introduced at 12/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He managed a 5th place in the race last year but with that experience under his belt he could well have improved to go a few better this year. Listeners to the fantastic Final Furlong podcast were alerted to the chances of Vigil by Robbie McNamara as the recently turned professional jockey put this one up as his winner of the Bumper. Well done if you were on before his victory today!
I'm sure again I've missed some performances but I really just wanted to touch on the best of the stuff at Leopardstown as this was a fantastic festival with some great top quality racing. So many ante-post moves being generated and heart strings tugged so please let me know what performances you really enjoyed over the Festive Period.
As always thanks for reading
Alex
Ryanair Hurdle
I must be honest and admit now; I absolutely love Hurricane Fly and didn't need any financial interest at all in this race, a 2 mile Grade 1 Hurdle over at Leopardstown on the closing day of their winter festival to be cheering the house down in support of this magical horse. He was sent off favourite for the Ryanair Hurdle which was effectively a match with Jezki , the pair in the market at 5/6 and 11/8 respectively. Arctic Fire and Tiger Roll were the only other horse in the betting at smaller than 66/1.
Prior to the race I though the Fly would win here but this could well be the last time he confirmed superiority over Jezki as come Cheltenham, if the Fly even went to the festival, the track there and also likely way the race would pan out would massively favor Jezki. However on his traditional home turn, with his excellent Leopardstown record, the Fly had to be the one here. And that was how the race panned out, Jezki and Hurricane Fly coming over the final flight together before Ruby managed to get his mount up to taste his 21st Grade 1 victory; what a stunning record. Jezki came in 1/2 a length down, with Arctic Fire running superbly to finish a close 3rd.
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| Hurricane Fly and Jezki jump the final flight together, however it was the Fly that emerged victorious. |
I secretly hope Hurricane Fly does not go to the Cheltenham Festival and contest another Champion Hurdle (for which he is now a 12/1 shot generally) as we've seen before the track doesn't really suit him. This was fine and dandy when he was at the peak of his powers, but with the mighty Faugheen in opposition I really don't want to see the Fly disappoint at Prestbury Park like he did last year. I'd much rather have Willie send him to Punchestown for the Irish Champion and go out with a bang, a likely victory at the highest level and a fantastic way to end his mighty career.
Jezki on the other had remained unchanged at 11/2 for the Champion Hurdle, you can even get 6/1 in places, and this rates as an absolute corker of an e/w price in my opinion. We know the course suits this reigning Champion, and the likely fast pace and good ground that we will get in March will also see him in a far better light in a race he has undoubtedly been prepared for all season long. If you are feeling really cheeky take some 33/1 e/w on Arctic Fire for the same race as I was really quite impressed by him today. There were claims on social media post-race that he would have got dangerously close to winning this race given a stronger ride...no comment!
Topaz Novices Chase
The 3 mile chase for Novice horses on the same card as the Ryanair looked pre-race to be the best Novices Chase we were likely to see before the Cheltenham Festival; some huge names were lining up. Don Poli was sent off favorite for this hot race where he faced Apache Stronghold, The Tullow Tank, Mala Beach, Lots of Memories, Shanahan's Turn and Very Wood, all of whom you could make a good case for in the run up to the off. It really was a race to savor and one that guaranteed some ante-post reaction in the aftermath in regards to the RSA Chase in particular at Cheltenham.
The field were taken along by Lots of Memories, who lead the field until the home turn. Don Poli then joined the long time leader as the race properly began in earnest. Apache Stronghold drew alongside Don Poli coming over the last but Don Poli's stamina really kicked in and he won impressively in the end, the front two drawing well clear of a top-quality field. The pace of the race wasn't that quick but as I say the front two did draw well clear and you couldn't fail to be impressed, they dispatched some quality horses by some distance and this capped a memorable festive period for Gigginstown Stud and Bryan Cooper.
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| Don Poli lands just in front of eventual runner up Apache Stronghold |
Don Poli is now 2nd favourite to Kings Palace for the RSA Chase at 8/1, however this could partially be due to the confusion as too his festival target. Patrick Mullins really wants this as his ride in the 4 mile chase, for which he is a 4/1 favorite, but for my money he is miles too classy for this race. Mullins senior has voiced his opinion he has a real Gold Cup contender for future years here, so surely you put him in the best and most prestigious festival race he could win? This is no doubt the RSA, and I'm sure Gigginstown and Bryan Cooper will be favoring the 3 mile chase where the face off with Kings Palace would make for one of the races of the festival! Please Willie, give us an RSA to remember!
Elsewhere
I'll just quickly mention a few other performances of note with a view to the Cheltenham Festival in March. Firstly the victory of Parlour Games in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury was one to note with regards the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle, especially as John Ferguson reckons this horse is the best the stable have ever had. Admittedly he hasn't been training for that long but he has still trained some very nice horses (Purple Bay, Cottom Mill etc) and he is now 14/1 for the 2 mile 5 furlong Novice Hurdle at the Fez. Don't be put off Blaklion for the longer race, the Albert Bartlett, at Cheltenham as he was probably caught for toe here having tried to test the stamina of the field from the front. The longer trip and the Cheltenham hill will play to his strengths and I still quite like his Cheltenham claims.
Fans of the Triumph Hurdle should check out the performance of Top Notch in the opener on the Newbury card, yet another arrow in the bow of Simon Munir for that race! He has a fearsome attack for that race, with Peace and Co heading the market, Bristol De Mai and Vercingetorix already impressing so far this season. Who knows, are any bookies offering odds that he owns the first 5 horses home?!?!
Vigil won the closing bumper at Leopardstown on Monday, and was immediately introduced at 12/1 for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He managed a 5th place in the race last year but with that experience under his belt he could well have improved to go a few better this year. Listeners to the fantastic Final Furlong podcast were alerted to the chances of Vigil by Robbie McNamara as the recently turned professional jockey put this one up as his winner of the Bumper. Well done if you were on before his victory today!
I'm sure again I've missed some performances but I really just wanted to touch on the best of the stuff at Leopardstown as this was a fantastic festival with some great top quality racing. So many ante-post moves being generated and heart strings tugged so please let me know what performances you really enjoyed over the Festive Period.
As always thanks for reading
Alex
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