Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Day One
Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Day One
1:30 Stan James Supreme Novices Hurdle Grade 1 2m110y
Cue Card is a worthy favourite judged on his hurdles form to date but whether he is good value at 9-4 in a contest such as this is another matter. A scintillating winner of the Champion Bumper at the Festival last season, he found only Menorah too strong in the International Hurdle over course and distance in December and if he is in similar form here he will surely take all the beating. On grounds of price and the poor recent record of favourites in the race, he should be opposed. Take him on with Spirit Son, trained by Nicky Henderson and unbeaten in three hurdle races to date. Still available at 7-1 with Paddy Power and Bet365, he looks a likely candidate based on his most recent win at Exeter, where he sauntered clear on the bridle to win by 21 lengths. Despite having done all his winning on soft ground, the better ground at Cheltenham is likely to suit and he is one to keep on the right side of. At a much bigger price, the Willie Mullins-trained Day Of A Lifetime catches the eye. An easy winner on his hurdling debut in January, he impressed with the way he travelled and jumped during the race and appeals as the type to show up well in a race like this. Do not let his lack of jumping experience put you off as Mullins would not let him run if he did not think he was up to such a lofty challenge.
Horses to follow - Spirit Son, 7-1 (Paddy Power and Bet365) and Day Of A Lifetime, 25-1 (Coral)
2:05 Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase Grade 1 2m
Finian's Rainbow, Ghizao and Medermit, who head the betting as general 4-1 co-favourites, add plenty of interest into what is a cracking renewal and a wide open race. Finian's Rainbow, who has won three (albeit weak) races over fences this term, looks rank bad value on what he has achieved so far and Ghizao, although impressive over course and distance in November, is not one to be taking too short a price about. Medermit is easily the most interesting of the top three and won a Grade 1 over 2m 5f in fine style at Sandown last time out. His jumping is improving and he has a high cruising speed, two assets which will prove invaluable in a race such as this.
Horse to follow Medermit 5-1 (William Hill)
3:20 Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy Grade 1 2m110y
Binocular, current market leader at 11-4, is strongly fancied to follow up his win last season but looks to have more on his plate this time around in what ultimately is a much better race than the one he contested twelve months ago. Although an impressive winner of the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton in January, he did not look as good at Sandown in his prep race at the beginning of February and there are plenty of viable alternatives at bigger odds. Hurricane Fly, yet to contest the Champion Hurdle despite being widely tipped for the race over the past two years, is back on track and comes into the race in sparkling form. He is a classy individual and though he should not be underestimated, his current price is off-putting for a horse not proven around Cheltenham. Menorah and Peddlers Cross, both progressive and deserving of their place in the field, are serious contenders and are the two against the field. Menorah, a game winner of the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at this meeting last year, has come on in leaps and bounds this season and has looked every inch a Champion Hurdle candidate. He followed up his Greatwood Hurdle win in the International Hurdle back in December, showing a slick turn of foot to score readily from Cue Card. His record over course and distance reads three from three and his trainer Philip Hobbs thinks he has all the qualities to win a race of this nature. Peddlers Cross is another rapidly-improving type and is unbeaten in seven races under rules. Successful in the Neptune Hurdle over 2m5f at the Festival last season, he has plenty of gears and a superb attitude to go with it. Mille Chief, Dunguib and Oscar Whisky ought to find this beyond them, so side with Menorah and Peddlers Cross to lead the charge for the younger brigade.
Horses to follow Menorah, 5-1 (William Hill) and Peddlers Cross, 11-2 (Paddy Power) Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Day Two You Authority Control all Aspects of your Travel Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Day Three Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Day Four Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Jockeys Cheltenham Festival 2011 Guide - Trainers Glimpses of European history with tours of Rome Washington DC, Independent Film Festival March Must Have Skirts For Spring Why Americans Should Look at Long Term Care Problem Seriously? Spend Your Cornwall Holidays at the Beach Celebrities Gossips - Celebrity Gossips - Fun-Gossips Storing Luggage Whilst On Holidays