2010 Cheltenham Festival Review - Day 3

Jewson Novice Handicap Chase

Copper Bleu jumps the last ahead of Othermix

Winner - Copper Bleu

. Was always thought to have scope to be a chaser

. Ran his best race over hurdles at the course in the Supreme last year

. Was running off a 4lbs lower mark than he would over hurdles, on hurdle ratings he was 2nd best at the weights - once again showing hurdling form is relevant to a degree over hurdles

. Had a tongue tie on the first time

. Step up in trip was sure to suit on breeding

Failure - Rivaliste

. Wasn't overally well handicapped on form - up 6lbs for a 2nd, and up 13lbs on a win

. By far the quickest ground he'd ever un on

. Only a 5 year old

Conclusions

. Look for first time aids, especially tongue ties

. Once again - hurdle form is relevant to a degree in novice chases

Pertemps Final

Buena Vista finally gets his deserved win at the festival

Winner - Buena Vista

. He was back to his favoured conditions - 1) Back on quicker ground 2) Headgear On - all his runs that season he'd either had the headgear off or the ground had been soft. Now back on good ground with blinkers on, he was always going to improve on this seasons form massively

. Was back to the same mark as last year 133 - that day he found one too good, Kayf Aramis, who was now running off a 20lb mark, yet he was allowed to run of the same mark. Another example was, Pause and Clause who won the Martin Pipe. He ran off the same mark as he won off, when a close 3rd in the Coral Cup (arguably a stronger race) over the same C+D one year earlier.

. Also he had a useful 3lb claimer on Hadden Frost - which means he was actually running off a 3lb lower mark than when he was runner up

Failure - Alfie Sherrin 

. Was said to always need time between his races

. Still very inexperienced for one his age with only 3 runs over hurdles and 4 runs in total over rules

. Had a massive 12lb hike in weights for last race

Conclusion

. Once again look for those who have form around their handicap mark - especially over the course and perhaps even more at the festival 

. Check for reapplication of aids


Ryanair Chase

Albertas Run clambers over the last

Winner - Albertas Run

. Great course form - 2 wins from 3 over fences, including a RSA win

. Would love the quick ground - form on good ground since going over obstacles was 112113231. Included in those defeats was a second to Kauto Star in the 2008 King George.

. From a handicapping perspective off level weights he was very much up there. 4 of the 13 runner field were above him but there were some possible reasons why you could disregard most of them. Deep Purple - Best on flat tracks according to trainer pre race and said earlier in season he felt he'd be 'forced' into a cheltenham entry by the owners. Voy Por Ustedes - Looked badly on the downgrade, hammered at Newbury last time. Petit Robin - Had achieved it in one run over 2 miles.

Failure - Tranquil Sea

. You'd have to put his defeat down to the ground - most his form had come on softer ground

. Also he had flopped at the two previous festivals

. Was only 9/13 on handicap marks - yet was 2nd favourite

Conclusions

. Check handicap marks in grade 1s

. Course/Festival form is a bonus

. Look for those who will be suited by better ground

World Hurdle

Big Bucks retains his World Hurdle Crown

Winner - Big Bucks

. Not much that needs saying, won it the year before and held all before him in the current season

Byrne Group Plate

Great Endeavour provides Dany Cook with a maiden festival win

Winner - Great Endeavour

.  Another one who was running off a lower handicap mark than he would over hurdles - however, in this case it was only 1lb.

. Was always seen as a chaser by connections, being a PTP winner.

. Had been outspeeded in small field races over the winter, and a stiffer test was always going to suit him better.

. Had one bit of good course form when 3rd behind Lie Forrit at the open.

. Could have been argued better ground was going to suit him - had won 3/4 previous starts with the word 'good' in the going.


FWKM

Ballabriggs clears the last before faltering up the hill

Winner - Ballabriggs

. Had won 2/2 this season over fences - both extremely easily and was only up 10lbs for the later win.

. Connections had won the race previously with Cloudy Lane.

. Although he was 9, he was one of the least exposed horses in the field. He'd run 10 times over fences but only two of those had been in the past 2 years