A fantastic day's racing yesterday and a great advert for the National Hunt game. It's the continuity that makes it so much more entertaining than the 'here today gone tomorrow' nature of the Flat. The racing public and general public get time to identify and form an attachment with quality horses.
Denman became the first horse since Arkle to win the Hennessy twice with a superb display of speed, stamina, jumping and courage under pressure. His awesome victory sets the scene for a great build up to the 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup. With Imperial Commander in the mix and Cooldine another possible top notch steeplechaser it's going to be some race.
Great to see that all is well with my Queen Mother Champion Chase pick Forpadydeplasterer ahead of this Tingle Creek engagement on Saturday. You can read the upbeat bulletin on www.racingpost.com. Forpady is now 14/1 having been recommended here at 20/1.
Binocular's disappointment in the wbx.com Fighting Fifth yesterday adds to my confidence in Celestial Halo for the Champion Hurdle. He is now a best priced 7/1 having been recommended here at double those odds.
My World Hurdle pick Karabak is now best priced 12/1 having been advised here at 14/1 last weekend. Big Bucks, the winning NAP at Festival 2009, put up an awesome display yesterday at Newbury and is surely the one to beat but I'm happy with Karabak as a double figure price each way selection.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
An interview with Andy Clifton of Cheltenham Racecourse
Andy Clifton is Communications Manager for Cheltenham Racecourse. Today I was fortunate to be given the opportunity to catch up with Andy and ask him a few questions about his role, Prestbury Park and the Festival.
JP: What do you enjoy most in your job as Communications Manager for Cheltenham Racecourse?
AC: The best part of my job is being involved in the buzz of the build up to The Festival, a sporting event of the highest class. I am also fortunate to be in and around the winners enclosure as the great champions are led in after the big races, a true privilege.
JP: What was the first Festival you attended?
AC: My first Festival was 1987, when The Thinker won The Cheltenham Gold Cup after it was delayed by a snowstorm! Since then, the only Festival I've missed was 1990 (plus 2001 when Foot & Mouth claimed the meeting), so 2010 will be my 22nd Cheltenham Festival.
JP: When will you start preparing for the 2010 Cheltenham Festival?
AC: We started on the day after the 2009 Festival. Preparations start to reach fever pitch from early in the New Year.
JP: What are the chances of the Gold Cup being held on a Saturday?
AC: We never rule anything out, but at the moment it is nothing more than a slim possibility at some point in the future.
JP: What are your views on the Festival being extended to five days?
AC: I think that is unlikely in the foreseeable future. We don't want to dilute the quality of a great event. It is more likely that all four days will extend to 7 race cards, if there are appropriate races to add to the schedule.
JP: Is there any possibility of horses having to qualify for Championship races in future Festivals?
AC: That is something that has been put forward for discussion by Racing Enterprises Limited, but it remains to be seen how that idea is viewed during the extensive consultation process with owners, trainers, the media, customers and other interested parties.
JP: What horse are you most looking forward to seeing at Cheltenham this year?
AC: I think that Zaynar will be very exciting in whichever race he lines up in, as will Diamond Harry, but I'd have to be unoriginal and say Kauto Star defending his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown. He is the best chaser I've seen in my lifetime.
JP: What is your highlight of Festival week?
AC: From a professional point of view, getting through to Friday evening with no major dramas. From a personal point of view, The Cheltenham Gold Cup has been the highlight of my year for almost 25 years.
JP: What's the funniest thing you've seen during Festival week?
AC: A friend of mine, slightly the worse for wear after a long day at the races, falling into a bush while trying to climb into his lift back to the hotel.
JP: What's the most exciting race you've witnessed at Cheltenham?
AC: Denman's defeat of Kauto Star in 2008 genuinely had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
JP: Who is your favourite Gold Cup winner?
AC: I wish I'd been able to see Arkle in action, but sadly I was only 6 weeks old when he won his final Gold Cup, so that was never going to happen.
JP: It's great to see improvements made to the course and facilities every season. What further improvement are in the pipeline?
AC: We are always trying to react to the needs of the customers and there are lots of subtle changes each year, but any significant building work is likely to have to wait for a year or two until the economy becomes strong again.
JP: Can you give an update on the proposal for Cheltenham Town to have their football stadium on the racecourse?
AC: It is still a possibility, but with Cheltenham Town's performance this season I'm not sure how many people will be queuing up to fund such a project.
JP: I know there are five months to go but who would you like to see win the 2010 Gold Cup?
AC: Kauto Star, or failing that, whichever horse I've backed!
JP: Festival 2010, will be the 30th held under Edward Gillespie's charge. Are there any plans to mark the occasion?
AC: Edward is a modest man and I'm sure he'd be embarrassed by any attention. He has taught me that it is the horses, jockeys and trainers who are the heroes of Cheltenham, not the staff who put the race meeting on. However, with over 5,000 people working at The Festival, it is a huge team effort.
JP: What do you enjoy most in your job as Communications Manager for Cheltenham Racecourse?
AC: The best part of my job is being involved in the buzz of the build up to The Festival, a sporting event of the highest class. I am also fortunate to be in and around the winners enclosure as the great champions are led in after the big races, a true privilege.
JP: What was the first Festival you attended?
AC: My first Festival was 1987, when The Thinker won The Cheltenham Gold Cup after it was delayed by a snowstorm! Since then, the only Festival I've missed was 1990 (plus 2001 when Foot & Mouth claimed the meeting), so 2010 will be my 22nd Cheltenham Festival.
JP: When will you start preparing for the 2010 Cheltenham Festival?
AC: We started on the day after the 2009 Festival. Preparations start to reach fever pitch from early in the New Year.
JP: What are the chances of the Gold Cup being held on a Saturday?
AC: We never rule anything out, but at the moment it is nothing more than a slim possibility at some point in the future.
JP: What are your views on the Festival being extended to five days?
AC: I think that is unlikely in the foreseeable future. We don't want to dilute the quality of a great event. It is more likely that all four days will extend to 7 race cards, if there are appropriate races to add to the schedule.
JP: Is there any possibility of horses having to qualify for Championship races in future Festivals?
AC: That is something that has been put forward for discussion by Racing Enterprises Limited, but it remains to be seen how that idea is viewed during the extensive consultation process with owners, trainers, the media, customers and other interested parties.
JP: What horse are you most looking forward to seeing at Cheltenham this year?
AC: I think that Zaynar will be very exciting in whichever race he lines up in, as will Diamond Harry, but I'd have to be unoriginal and say Kauto Star defending his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown. He is the best chaser I've seen in my lifetime.
JP: What is your highlight of Festival week?
AC: From a professional point of view, getting through to Friday evening with no major dramas. From a personal point of view, The Cheltenham Gold Cup has been the highlight of my year for almost 25 years.
JP: What's the funniest thing you've seen during Festival week?
AC: A friend of mine, slightly the worse for wear after a long day at the races, falling into a bush while trying to climb into his lift back to the hotel.
JP: What's the most exciting race you've witnessed at Cheltenham?
AC: Denman's defeat of Kauto Star in 2008 genuinely had the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
JP: Who is your favourite Gold Cup winner?
AC: I wish I'd been able to see Arkle in action, but sadly I was only 6 weeks old when he won his final Gold Cup, so that was never going to happen.
JP: It's great to see improvements made to the course and facilities every season. What further improvement are in the pipeline?
AC: We are always trying to react to the needs of the customers and there are lots of subtle changes each year, but any significant building work is likely to have to wait for a year or two until the economy becomes strong again.
JP: Can you give an update on the proposal for Cheltenham Town to have their football stadium on the racecourse?
AC: It is still a possibility, but with Cheltenham Town's performance this season I'm not sure how many people will be queuing up to fund such a project.
JP: I know there are five months to go but who would you like to see win the 2010 Gold Cup?
AC: Kauto Star, or failing that, whichever horse I've backed!
JP: Festival 2010, will be the 30th held under Edward Gillespie's charge. Are there any plans to mark the occasion?
AC: Edward is a modest man and I'm sure he'd be embarrassed by any attention. He has taught me that it is the horses, jockeys and trainers who are the heroes of Cheltenham, not the staff who put the race meeting on. However, with over 5,000 people working at The Festival, it is a huge team effort.
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Take Karabak to be King of the World
I thought Karabak put up a great trial for the Ladbrokes World Hurdle this afternoon and am putting him up to join Forpadydeplasterer and Celestial Halo in my Cheltenham Festival 2010 portfolio.
It was a great day's racing yesterday with the highlight being Kauto Star's narrow (very!) victory over Imperial Commander at Haydock. Great to watch although I'd backed the second horse. Kauto Star was eased slightly for the Gold Cup but this was a far better performance in this race than last year so he's the rightful favourite. He must also have every chance of winning a fourth King George.
Also at Haydock, Diamond Harry put up a tremendous performance under top weight in the fixed brush hurdle and must enter the reckoning for the World Hurdle but that's assuming he stays hurdling. It's entirely possible that he will go chasing as he has the make and stamp of a chaser.The one I like for the World Hurdle is Karabak who finished second at Ascot to another impressive winner Zaynar, who goes for the Champion Hurdle. It's worth remembering that Diamond Harry was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Karabak at the Festival.
Karabak will be better suited to a longer trip than yesterday's 2m 3f where he will really come into his own. It was encouraging to see how well he travelled yesterday, a useful asset when it comes to a Championship race at the Festival. Also encouraging is that the King stable has not been in form and have generally needed a run so against that backdrop this was a good performance.
He has great Cheltenham form having won a novice hurdle at the Boylesports meeting last year and then running a good second in the Ballymore Hurdle to the brilliant Mikael D'haguenet after a troubled run. It's worth noting that Diamond Harry was a further 3 3/4 lengths behind Karabak in third so on Cheltenham form he has the measure of Diamond Harry. Time and time again we see that Cheltenham form is important.
Karabak is trained by Alan King who knows what it takes to win the World Hurdle having won it with My Way De Solzen in 2006. He was also assistant trainer to David Nicholson when the Duke won it with shock winner (I can remember the total silence!) Anzum in 1999.
You can be sure that Karabak's season will be geared to winning on 18 March 2010 as Alan King has flagged the horse as a potential World Hurdle hope in recent interviews and stable tours.
The going is likely to be good or good to soft at the Festival and this is the ground that Karabak has won on.
In summary Karabak has the following going for him:
It will be tough to beat Big Bucks but ante-post betting is all about value and making judgements when not all the facts and the runners are known. The rationale behind the selections on this blog is to find horses that are each way value and at 14/1 Karabak fits the bill.
As stated it's important to take the recommended prices in this blog as if the horses get to their respective races they will almost certainly be shorter in the betting so act now! totesport are a standout price on Karabak so they won't hold it for long.
Recommended bet: 1 point ew Karabak 14/1 - totesport
It was a great day's racing yesterday with the highlight being Kauto Star's narrow (very!) victory over Imperial Commander at Haydock. Great to watch although I'd backed the second horse. Kauto Star was eased slightly for the Gold Cup but this was a far better performance in this race than last year so he's the rightful favourite. He must also have every chance of winning a fourth King George.
Also at Haydock, Diamond Harry put up a tremendous performance under top weight in the fixed brush hurdle and must enter the reckoning for the World Hurdle but that's assuming he stays hurdling. It's entirely possible that he will go chasing as he has the make and stamp of a chaser.The one I like for the World Hurdle is Karabak who finished second at Ascot to another impressive winner Zaynar, who goes for the Champion Hurdle. It's worth remembering that Diamond Harry was beaten 3 3/4 lengths by Karabak at the Festival.
Karabak will be better suited to a longer trip than yesterday's 2m 3f where he will really come into his own. It was encouraging to see how well he travelled yesterday, a useful asset when it comes to a Championship race at the Festival. Also encouraging is that the King stable has not been in form and have generally needed a run so against that backdrop this was a good performance.
He has great Cheltenham form having won a novice hurdle at the Boylesports meeting last year and then running a good second in the Ballymore Hurdle to the brilliant Mikael D'haguenet after a troubled run. It's worth noting that Diamond Harry was a further 3 3/4 lengths behind Karabak in third so on Cheltenham form he has the measure of Diamond Harry. Time and time again we see that Cheltenham form is important.
Karabak is trained by Alan King who knows what it takes to win the World Hurdle having won it with My Way De Solzen in 2006. He was also assistant trainer to David Nicholson when the Duke won it with shock winner (I can remember the total silence!) Anzum in 1999.
You can be sure that Karabak's season will be geared to winning on 18 March 2010 as Alan King has flagged the horse as a potential World Hurdle hope in recent interviews and stable tours.
The going is likely to be good or good to soft at the Festival and this is the ground that Karabak has won on.
In summary Karabak has the following going for him:
- Cheltenham and Festival form
- Trainer who knows how to win World Hurdle
- Will improve for the 3m trip
- Travels well
- Should be suited by the ground
It will be tough to beat Big Bucks but ante-post betting is all about value and making judgements when not all the facts and the runners are known. The rationale behind the selections on this blog is to find horses that are each way value and at 14/1 Karabak fits the bill.
As stated it's important to take the recommended prices in this blog as if the horses get to their respective races they will almost certainly be shorter in the betting so act now! totesport are a standout price on Karabak so they won't hold it for long.
Recommended bet: 1 point ew Karabak 14/1 - totesport
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Cheltenham favourites fail to strut their stuff
An interesting weekend with plenty of Festival 2010 clues at the Paddy Power Open and in Ireland. On Sunday Master Minded, although giving away 10lbs could only manage third behind Well Chief when odds on in the Connaught Chase. This was a disappointing run and suggests that Master Minded has a problem and/or is on the downgrade from his lofty perch as highest rated jumping horse in training. Ruby Walsh had to give him a tug of the reins to the left on several occasions as he lugged and jumped out to the right. All is not well with this great horse. Best available price is now 7/4 but those judges taking these odds after this performance would not make the X-factor panel.
It was great to see Well Chief back in the winner's enclosure again for the first time since 2007 and whilst this was a good performance I can't see him winning the Champion at his age and given his history of leg problems. Big Zeb was impressive when winning the Fortia Chase at Navan and jumped a lot better than usual. He has to be a contender but as a 9 year old he would be an older than usual winner. It all adds to my confidence in Forpadydeplasterer being the one for 2010. Generously, Paddy Power still go 16/1 and this is well worth taking if you not already on at the 20/1 advised.
Over at Punchestown, the favourite for the 2010 Champion Hurdle, Hurricane Fly was also turned over at odds on by the impressive Aintree winner Solwhit who has now won six of his last seven races. Unlike, Master Minded though I think Hurricane Fly's performance didn't detract too much from his chances at Cheltenham. He was running against older horses for the first time, looked to need this reappearance, made a mistake at the last flight and Paul Townend was easy on him when his chance was gone. He will improve for this and is now a more realistic stand out 11/2 chance with Paddy Power. Solwhit has to be a contender now having beaten the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi at Punchestown on 1 May and the current favourite today on the same course. Unlike Celestial Halo though, he hasn't yet run around Cheltenham. My selection Celestial Halo, having been advised here at 14/1, is now down to a best price 8/1 with Ladbrokes, and is still value at that price. Binocular is now the new favourite but he's a false favourite and I can't see him maintaining this position for long.
No tips on the Arkle yet but Sizing Europe, Tataniano and Jered all put up impressive trials at Cheltenham and Punchestown respectively. It's gonna be some Arkle!
On Saturday, Dunguib absolutely dotted up in Ireland and I think this horse is something special. He has a great presence about him and travels so well. It's going to be fascinating and exciting to see how his career develops. Very short at this stage for the Supreme Novices but 5/2 could turn out to be a value price as it's quite easy to imagine him storming up the hill to a tumultuous Irish reception at around 1.35pm on Tuesday 16 March 2010.
Finally, I was quite taken by Poquelin's performance in the Paddy Power on ground he would've hated and carrying a fair bit of lead. Given he's only been raised a pound by the handicapper, there must be a race or two in him and he should also go onto the shortlist for the Ryanair.
It was great to see Well Chief back in the winner's enclosure again for the first time since 2007 and whilst this was a good performance I can't see him winning the Champion at his age and given his history of leg problems. Big Zeb was impressive when winning the Fortia Chase at Navan and jumped a lot better than usual. He has to be a contender but as a 9 year old he would be an older than usual winner. It all adds to my confidence in Forpadydeplasterer being the one for 2010. Generously, Paddy Power still go 16/1 and this is well worth taking if you not already on at the 20/1 advised.
Over at Punchestown, the favourite for the 2010 Champion Hurdle, Hurricane Fly was also turned over at odds on by the impressive Aintree winner Solwhit who has now won six of his last seven races. Unlike, Master Minded though I think Hurricane Fly's performance didn't detract too much from his chances at Cheltenham. He was running against older horses for the first time, looked to need this reappearance, made a mistake at the last flight and Paul Townend was easy on him when his chance was gone. He will improve for this and is now a more realistic stand out 11/2 chance with Paddy Power. Solwhit has to be a contender now having beaten the reigning Champion Hurdle winner Punjabi at Punchestown on 1 May and the current favourite today on the same course. Unlike Celestial Halo though, he hasn't yet run around Cheltenham. My selection Celestial Halo, having been advised here at 14/1, is now down to a best price 8/1 with Ladbrokes, and is still value at that price. Binocular is now the new favourite but he's a false favourite and I can't see him maintaining this position for long.
No tips on the Arkle yet but Sizing Europe, Tataniano and Jered all put up impressive trials at Cheltenham and Punchestown respectively. It's gonna be some Arkle!
On Saturday, Dunguib absolutely dotted up in Ireland and I think this horse is something special. He has a great presence about him and travels so well. It's going to be fascinating and exciting to see how his career develops. Very short at this stage for the Supreme Novices but 5/2 could turn out to be a value price as it's quite easy to imagine him storming up the hill to a tumultuous Irish reception at around 1.35pm on Tuesday 16 March 2010.
Finally, I was quite taken by Poquelin's performance in the Paddy Power on ground he would've hated and carrying a fair bit of lead. Given he's only been raised a pound by the handicapper, there must be a race or two in him and he should also go onto the shortlist for the Ryanair.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Celestial Halo on course for Cheltenham Festival 2010
Although away for the Breeders' Cup it was great to read that Celestial Halo won on his reappearance at Wincanton in the Grade 2 Elite Hurdle, where he confirmed his credentials as a leading contender for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival 2010.
Carrying top weight Celestial Halo galloped on strongly to assert in typically willing fashion up the straight, beating Mamlook by ten lengths. I love the toughness of this horse and I reckon this is pretty good form. It will be interesting to see how Mamlook performs in the coming weeks, starting with the Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday.
Next stop is likely to be the Bula Hurdle in December at Cheltenham, where he runs so well.
Having been advised here at 14/1 he now trades as low as 6/1 although 8/1 is still available with Paddy Power and others. I think this is still a fair price and won that will contract further if he wins again at Cheltenham in December. Celestial Halo beat Binocular at Cheltenham in last year's Champion Hurdle and yet the latter is trading at a best price 9/2, despite not having made his reappearance. In all probability Binocular has trained on but at least with Celestial Halo we now that for sure.
Carrying top weight Celestial Halo galloped on strongly to assert in typically willing fashion up the straight, beating Mamlook by ten lengths. I love the toughness of this horse and I reckon this is pretty good form. It will be interesting to see how Mamlook performs in the coming weeks, starting with the Greatwood Hurdle on Sunday.
Next stop is likely to be the Bula Hurdle in December at Cheltenham, where he runs so well.
Having been advised here at 14/1 he now trades as low as 6/1 although 8/1 is still available with Paddy Power and others. I think this is still a fair price and won that will contract further if he wins again at Cheltenham in December. Celestial Halo beat Binocular at Cheltenham in last year's Champion Hurdle and yet the latter is trading at a best price 9/2, despite not having made his reappearance. In all probability Binocular has trained on but at least with Celestial Halo we now that for sure.
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