Fifty minutes after the Grand Annual Dundalk gets underway on Friday evening. A two mile maiden; one of the worst you’ll see. That’s one way to throw cold water on festival punters who are trying to get over that it’s 361 days until Cheltenham and they will never see AP McCoy at the festival again.
But what a week it will have been. Un de Sceaux wins the Arkle by a distance, Annie Power cruises to victory in the mares and Jezki triumphant again on Day 1. Don Poli goes fav for next year’s Gold Cup after an awesome display in the RSA. Sprinter Sacre hits 1.01 in the Champion Chase before finding nowt and Sire De Grugy imperious once more. Toutancarmont wins the Cross Country to the delight of Kingbet Cheltenham Preview goers and a 4th string of Willie Mullins wins the bumper.
Tony Martin followers can’t decide which horse is better handicapped in the Pertemps so back them all but emergency services are needed when Call the Cops strays them up the hill. Ryanair is the first time we’ve seen a dead heat for 6 horses at the festival and At Fishers Cross overcomes the dozen ailments that have stopped him jumping in the past to give AP McCoy a shock win in the World Hurdle. A combination of a holiday in Limerick, the curing of ulcers and plastic shoes are said to have worked the oracle.
Peace and Co is made favourite for next year’s Champion Hurdle after not coming off the bridle in the Triumph, Hawk High repeats last years Fred Winter win in the County. Co. Meath is in clover after Road to Riches proves to be the new kid on the block in the Gold Cup and Noel Meade promises the wife a longer honeymoon live on Channel 4 afterwards. McCoy’s ride goes off 10/11 in the Grand Annual but is brought down at the first and the one he had the choice of riding wins.
Dundalk will have its biggest audience of the year Friday. Do you think it matters that the quality isn’t great, not a bit of it. Tails are up and the blood is flying through the veins come 6pm Friday and turnover on the 9.05pm can be more than the Triumph in my experience. It looks a ferociously competitive card to boot. Viaduct Joey should eventually get off the mark in the first, a dreadful heat but will be short enough.
Farmleigh House is an interesting entry in the 6f handicap. The 8yo has a 33% strike rate on the all-weather and the handicapper has given him a chance here by dropping him 8lb since his last run. The W Martin trained gelding won a handicap off 104 here in 2013 and now runs off 89. If at all refreshed after his break he could be the class act. Bubbly Bellini should reverse the form with Almadaa and Pencil Hill should run much better on its 2nd start of the season.
I Will Excel is sure to be popular in the betting for the Elusive Pimpernel Race. Rated 90 the Michael Callaghan trained colt has some eye-catching form in the book but worries me he can be a weak finisher and hold his head high. Wychwood Warrior has run two good races in Meydan and looks a nice genuine horse that is hard fit from Dubai and ready to run well. He had a wide trip behind Mastermind when keen first time in UAE and then ran into a couple of 100 rated rivals in the Meydan Classic on the 26th of Feb. If making the trip back he is my choice from the Halford yard. Muaraabit was eye-catching the last day and is worth noting in the market for in form David Marnane stable.
Gold Cup Day is a right day to have a gamble. I suspect this may be the plan with Burren View Lady. The 5yo Denis Hogan trained mare is down to a rating of 57 from 75 when he started to train her back in September. A flyer is taken here as the literal formbook wouldn’t agree with me but if you see market support for this one I’d join in. She’s won 5 races from 32 starts including off a mark of 79. Freshened up since her last run, she showed enough behind Indian Landing here under a negative ride to suggest ability is still there.
The apprentice handicap contains a load of old favourites but Reckless Lad ran a blinder here for a comeback a fortnight ago. Pivot Bridge I feel has more room for improvement on a sound surface on the flat to mirror the progress over jumps and may be wise to catch fresh in the 12f race. A chance is taken with Little Arrows in the last that caught the eye last time staying on over a mile and is down to a dangerous mark.
Warning events at Cheltenham preceding Dundalk may or may not have happened. Have a great week.
