Day 3 Cheltenham 2009

What a day!!

Karabak held his own to keep us on an even keel, and Ruby done us a nice turn when hacking in on Cooldine, but at around ten past 4, when Paddy Flood pushed out Ninetieth Minute to win the Coral, Wednesday night instantly became a write-off!!!

Hope you all got on, and hopefully we can pick up on Day 3 where we left off...

It's traditionally the weakest day's racing of the week, and for the moment, I'm going to concentrate on the two Grade 1's and the Freddie William Festival Plate until I can do some serious study on the other handicaps.

2.40 Ryanair Chase

One of my two bankers of the week runs in this "2m5f Championship" in the shape of Voy Por Ustedes. Former winner of the Arkle and Champion Chase here, he comes into his own at Cheltenham and particularly in the Spring. After being put in his place by the reigning two-time Champion Chaser Master Minded last season he emphatically reversed form at two and a half miles around Aintree. He ran very well for around this trip in the King George behind Kauto Star, and was ultra impressive in Ascot's Commercial First Chase last month in his prep. The only worry is that those runs at 2 and a half were around flat tracks, and its not 100% he'll get the trip around Cheltenham. Its only a slight concern though and he should still come out on top.
For all I can see nothing can touch "Voy Por" in this and represents a decent bet at 11/10.

For those of you who aren't partial to a bet at such a tight price, each way alternatives include Tidal Bay, Imperial Commander, and last years winner Our Vic.
The latter will wear the blinkers again and his connections will hope they do the trick again-but he's 11 now and will find it very tough to beat Voy Por Ustedes.

Imperial Commander has a course and distance win under his belt, and if back to his best, he could trouble the selection. The form of the yard is still a concern even tho they had a winner in Tricky Trickster on Day 3 in the 4-miler (been one of the only Twiston Davies horses to run with credit through the yards bad patch). Im still not convinced and would think Voy Por will have Imperial Commanders measure.

The real danger for me is Tidal Bay. He won last years Arkle and is in this to avoid Master Minded. Howard Johnson has struggled to finf=d his right trip but this looks his ideal distance, and if he puts his best foot forward he has real claims. For me tho the one to be on is Alan Kings Voy Por Ustedes, while Tidal Bay is more of a sporting price as an alternative.

Voy Por Ustedes @11/10
or Tidal Bay each way @ 8/1

3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle

The second banker of the week goes here in the shape of Kasbah Bliss, who was a close 2nd to Inglis Drever in last years renewal and has since shown bags of improvement on the flat, winning the Prix Gladiateur at a canter and beat Yeats in the Cadran on Arc day. Trainer Francois Doumen is extremely bullish about his chances, stating that Kasbah Bliss is even better than dual winner of this race Baracouda. He showed his wellbeing when absolutely bolting up in the Rendelsham at Haydock on his last start and in my humble opinion he should be a 4/6 shot, such is his class.

The dangers are Punchestowns, who has done nothing wrong this season, winning the Long Walk Hurdle, and narrowly going down to Big Bucks in the Cleeve whan conceding 8lbs to his rival. Nicky Henderson has reported his charge in great form and has been napped by Jim McGrath in a preview night in Maynooth (take note). He doesnt possess Kasbah Bliss' class though and shouldnt be good enough to beat the selection.

Big Bucks is also a danger but he wouldn't want to hit his customary flat spot at the top of the hill with Kasbah Bliss around. He may well be a staying chaser in the making but i cant see him having the class to trouble Kasbah.

If the forecast 5/4 is too tigh, then stump for Punchestowns but I will be shocked if he beats Kasbah, and this represents my biggest bet of the week.

Kasbah Bliss @5/4 (nap of the week)

4.00 Freddie Williams Festival Plate

Tom Taaffe, when giving me Ninetieth Minute, was also pretty sweet on the each way claims of Finger on the Pulse in the Festival Plate. At last years Festival "Finger", won the Jewson Novices chase over the same course and distance as this, with the likes of Barbers Shop and Big Bucks behind him. Taaffe told me he's in great form and has been laid out for this race. It's a huge thing for a horse to have winning form at the festival, as they go off 'lickety split', around a unique undulating course, and so far the trainer is 100% at this years festival!!! He hasn't got too much weight to carry and hopefully he could run in to a place at the least.

Ping Pong Sivola rates a huge danger, as he slammed yeasterdays winner Tricky Trickster over course and distance and gets in here off a feather weight. As I have said before, course experience is crucial and I wouldnt put anyone off a saver on Venetia Williams' charge at 11/1.


Finger on the Pulse each way @ 11/1
Ping Pong Sivola saver @ 11/1

In the opener, one that fits the stats is the Jonjo O' Neill trained, JP McManus owned, Tony McCoy ridden Kia Kaha. He won on his fencing debut this season, and brushed aside a fall on his penultimate start to win well last time out. He jumps well, travels well and stays well, and has a fine racing weight of 11 stone 1 pound. 7 year olds have won all 4 renewals of this race, and he handles the course, having won here before. At 9/1 he represents a sporting each way chance. Tranquil Sea rates a huge danger if he can revert back to last springs Grade 1 winning form, but hasn't looked like he's in love with the chasing game. If he puts his best foot forward he could go very close.

Kia Kaha each way @9/1 (small bet)

In the Pertemps Final (2.05) the ex-Godolphin inmate Scriptwriter could go very close, as he has been running with credit in defeat, and off 10"8', he could be a dot on the handicap. This horse was third in the Ebor behind Purple Moon and was rated 104 on the flat. If Howard Johnson has ironed out the little mistakes that have cost him he could be a major player at 14/1.

Scriptwriter each way @ 14/1

Happy Punting,
Ian