We are at the halfway point of the Cheltenham Festival. Thankfully and mercifully, the wonderful exploits of Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap Chase on day one and Il Etait Temps in Wednesday’s Champion Chase will ensure that this column finishes the week in profit.
These really big meetings can be quite testing for those that tip horses to the public arena that aren’t short prices. Variance dictates that it is very possible to go through a meeting the length of the Cheltenham Festival or Royal Ascot without threatening the judge. Trust me, I’ve been that guy!
So, the feeling of relief to have hit on an early winner at a big price, and then to follow up on day two, for those that follow this advice is very palpable. Hopefully, it proves to be the start of what proves to be a great week.
3.20 – Stayers’ Hurdle
This race is a competitive and wide-open renewal of this race. The front end of the market is to be respected, but I’m not sure they warrant taking up as big a segment of the market as they do. I’m drawn to the horses at double-figure prices and while I was tempted my old friend Home By The Lee at a huge price, I’m going side with the Nicky Henderson-trained Impose Toi.
Impose Toi is Kevin’s selection for the Stayers’
The eight-year-old had been marching relentlessly forward this season until defeat in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham last time, but I think that is forgivable and I’ll tell you why. Impose Toi is naturally a very exuberant traveller and the concern with him when he stepped up to three miles was always going to be whether he relaxed well enough to give himself a chance of getting the trip.
With that in mind, Nico De Boinville has been riding him beautifully all season, riding him with exaggerated patience and confidence to preserve him until the latest possible stage. Those tactics were undone by a very steady pace in the Cleeve Hurdle which made it very difficult to execute, so I am forgiving of his defeat.
While this race isn’t dripping with potential pace on paper, the bigger field is sure to help Nico return to the patient tactics that showed Impose Toi to such good effect earlier in the season. There will be no pressure on him, so don’t expect him to arrive on the scene until late in the day. Such a ride will maximise the chance of him at least hitting the frame and hopefully he’ll make a bold bid for victory.
4.40 – Pertemps Network Final
This is always one of the most fascinating handicaps of the meeting and it is a race that I am particularly fond of trying to unravel. The one I picked out from the race as my nap on the At The Races Cheltenham Preview night a couple of weeks ago was the Ruth Jefferson-trained Lavida Adiva and while the 50/1 she was put up at has long gone, she still represents value at 20/1+.
The seven-year-old has been brilliantly placed over hurdles to win two Listed races and get Grade 2 black type, but those races don’t necessarily suit her style of running the best. She is a hold-up performer that would ideally have plenty of cover and pace in front of her, but she hasn’t been running in many races that have that set of circumstances.
She ran a very likeable race in the qualifier for this contest when fourth to C’Est Different having paid for making a big move from the rear to challenge. This bigger field with more pace will allow her to be ridden with more patience and I could see her working her way into serious contention in the straight. She is a really interesting contender.
5.20 – Kim Muir Challenge Cup
The final race of interest on the day is the Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase – another one of my favourite handicaps at this meeting.
The gap between the best and worst amateur riders is a significant one and having one of the better amateur riders on your side is a big help. That is the case with my selection the Henry de Bromhead-trained Waterford Whispers, who will be ridden by Alan O’Sullivan.
The eight-year-old has been bubbling up really nicely this season and I loved his run when a close third in the Leopardstown Handicap Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. He very much looks ready for this step up in trip and while I am really reluctant to select Irish-trained horses in handicap chases at this meeting due to how harshly they have been treated by the British handicapping team, I feel that he is potentially well handicapped enough to overcome this.
Kevin Blake’s tips
3.20 CHELTENHAM, THURSDAY – PADDY POWER STAYERS’ HURDLE
IMPOSE TOI (10/1)
4.40 CHELTENHAM, THURSDAY – PERTEMPS NETWORK FINAL HANDICAP HURDLE
LAVIDA ADIVA (20/1)
5.20 CHELTENHAM, THURSDAY – ROSCONN GROUP FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHALLENGE CUP AMATEUR JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP CHASE
WATERFORD WHISPERS (4/1)
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