Timeform Weekend Review
Even the most eagle-eyed observer wouldn’t have spotted many clues for the big races at the Festival in some of the high-class action which took place over the weekend. The ante-post markets remained largely unaltered, with no earth-moving performance to truly shake things up. This can largely be attributed to the fact that the horses that were expected to do their job did it, and without much fuss.
“Dunguib remains a most exciting prospect and will be very hard to beat in the Supreme.”
The most impressive and perhaps influential performance of the weekend was that of Kalahari King, who carried top weight to victory in the Blue Square Handicap Chase at Doncaster. Connections were adamant that they had left something to work on with the nine-year-old, but he looked fit enough, and after a near ten month lay-off he won with something to spare. Kalahari King is now vying for second-favouritism in the Champion Chase market, and if he improves again he may well give Master Minded something to think about next month.
Nicky Henderson had a mixed weekend with two straight-forward successes, but he also suffered two head-scratching defeats. Nothing was learnt about Binocular, other than his well-being, as he didn’t have to be within a stone of his best to see off his two rivals in the Contenders’ Hurdle. He soon settled things and won hard held, but he will need to show a better effort than anything he has produced this season to go close again in the Champion Hurdle. Punchestowns duly obliged in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase, despite suffering a huge scare at the seventh fence when he sprawled on landing. Barry Geraghty held him together, though, and he jumped the final eight fences well to dismiss a useful rival with the minimum of fuss. He remains the ante-post favourite for the RSA Chase and the yard will look to get one more run into him before the Festival to put him spot on. According had been well backed for the Triumph Hurdle before his debut at Sandown, his good form on the Flat and the fact that he is in a top yard possible reasons for the plunge. He was sent off the 11/10 favourite, and although hitting the second he travelled well into the race, before tying up badly in the straight. It’s possible he didn’t handle the testing conditions, and despite this disappointing reverse, he still remains one to look out for. Mad Max had always looked the type who would relish tackling the larger obstacles, and after an impressive debut over fences he was sent off the 6/4 favourite in the Lightning Novices’ Chase at Doncaster. He lacked the fluency of jumping on this occasion however, and he could only manage third. Mad Max should be capable of winning some decent races over fences, but this has put a large dent in his Arkle hopes.
Over in Ireland, Captain Cee Bee cemented his place at the head of the Arkle market with an emphatic if routine success. He made a mess of the last again, but otherwise produced a solid jumping display and looks a worthy favourite for that race.
Dunguib hardened in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle market with an effortless success in the Deloitte Novices’ Hurdle on Sunday. Although not jumping so fluently as in his previous starts, he cruised into contention in the straight and won without his rider having to move a muscle. Dunguib remains a most exciting prospect and will be very hard to beat in the Supreme.
Cooldine showed that he was almost back to his best, when just going down by a neck to Joncol in the Hennessy at Leopardstown, jumping well as he was allowed his own way in front, and looking the only genuine Gold Cup contender in the field. The winner looks likely to be aimed at either the Ryanair at Cheltenham, or the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown.
Elsewhere on the card, Citizen Vic (RSA Chase) and Pittoni (Triumph Hurdle) booked their tickets for Cheltenham with impressive victories in Grade 1 contests.
Carlito Brigante further enhanced his Triumph Hurdle claims with an impressive win in the Scottish equivalent at Musselburgh, running out a six- length winner.
