Thursday, March 18, 2010
WELL, Master Minded certainly fluffed his lines yesterday and was never going to win the Champion Chase.
He didn’t jump, travel or give me any sort of feel. I wouldn’t say he’s finished or anything like, but this was disappointing.
I am looking at the drying ground as a possible reason for what was a dreadful performance. He simply wouldn’t let himself down on it.
Only Sanctuaire, in the Fred Winter, lived up to expectations, but at least we strongly recommended him here yesterday.
Quel Esprit – he runs again on Friday – just stepped into the second hurdle and fell, Deutschland never went a yard, while poor old Citizen Vic broke his neck when still in contention in the RSA Chase.
I suppose you could describe Cheltenham today as low-key, at least by the magnificent standards of this Festival, but I still have two cracking rides in the Grade 1 races.
Big Buck’s is going to be a short price in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, but is entitled to be tight, as he’s the best stayer around at the moment.
My only worry about him is the ground, as he’s never run on anything as quick as this before. I believe he will handle it, but you can never be sure until they go out and prove such thinking to be correct.
There are a number of front runners in the race, so the likelihood is we will not be short of pace. This season Big Buck’s has not been as quirky as in the past and is easier to ride. He used to pull himself up in front, but doesn’t do that any more.
People say he can hit a flat spot, but all three-milers are capable of that and it doesn’t worry me. As long as he isn’t inconvenienced too much by the drying ground, and granted normal luck, Big Buck’s should win.
Poquelin has a great chance in the other Grade 1, the Ryanair Chase. There are no concerns with him on the ground, he will love it. He is schooling and working really well and has improved out of all recognition this season.
At the meeting here a year ago, for instance, he couldn’t even get in a blow in the Grand Annual.
I know he has plenty to find with Tranquil Sea, on their running at Cheltenham in the Paddy Power. But the ground was far too soft for my horse that day and I’m hoping the much quicker surface is going to make the difference. Anyway, Paul Nicholls really fancies Poquelin.
I start the day on Rivaliste, who hasn’t been seen since early December, in the Jewson Handicap Chase. He did it really well for us first time up at Newbury, but then made mistakes when collared late by Doctor Pat at Sandown. He has done lots of schooling since and has loads of pace, which is a big help.
He’s fit and well and we expect him to run a big race, but whether he can win or not, I just don’t know.
The handicapper thinks AlfIe Sherrin should take the final of the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle. That’s the theory anyway. He is due to go up by 7lbs next week, but I’m not totally convinced the handicapper is as clever as all of that.
There are a number of horses who may well have got in under the radar and this is the final and not one of the trials leading into the contest.
The positive aspect to Alfie Sherrin, though, is that we have always liked him and he could well be better than this level!
Gwanako is up against it in the Byrne Group Handicap Chase. He’s a small horse, out of form, who has to hump 11-8. To hold out any hope, he will have to repeat his effort when fourth in the Ryanair a year ago.
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