If Annie stays, she wins
To put it mildly he was impressive. He jumped superbly for most of the contest, but then made a few niggling errors in the closing stages.
But I am more than confident those mistakes will be eradicated in time. Don’t have any doubt about it this is a proper horse.
You could argue I made too much use of Ballycasey in the RSA Chase, but we don’t come here to be placed and there was no point finishing third from behind and finding out nothing. We now know he doesn’t stay.
I thought I was going to end the afternoon on a perfect note aboard Shaneshill in the Bumper, but it was not to be. I had a great run, but Silver Concorde was just too strong and was a good winner at the line.
When you get beaten you are always looking for a reason and, in hindsight, perhaps I should have made more use of my horse.
I am really looking forward to crossing swords with Big Buck’s aboard Annie Power in the World Hurdle today.
I enjoyed many great days on Big Buck’s and obviously have great admiration for the horse. But time moves on and now I am in a different camp to Paul Nicholls’ outstanding stayer.
Big Buck’s is an 11-year-old and so there is little possibility he is on the upgrade. He returned from injury at Cheltenham in January when third to Knockara Beau and At Fishers Cross. I think that performance was a long way short of the Big Buck’s I know. Knockara Beau is a solid horse, but certainly not a Grade One performer.
Annie Power has been bombproof since the day she first set foot on a racecourse and her record speaks for itself. Regular readers of this column will be well aware I have never hidden my admiration for her.
She has answered every question posed by Willie Mullins, but there is, of course, one major imponderable on this occasion and that is will she get three miles? The furthest she has gone is two miles, four and a half furlongs and you can never be sure about a horse staying until they go and prove it.
My gut instinct is that she will and her pedigree, by Shirocco out of an Old Vic mare, screams stamina.
She travelled well to Cheltenham, has settled in without a bother on her and we are very happy with where Annie is right now. If she stays, she wins.
I had a choice between Felix Yonger and Djakadam in the JLT Novices’ Chase and have gone with the former. I really like both horses, but my reasoning is simple. There are two factors working against Djakadam.
First off all if this race was run in Ireland, he would be in receipt of a generous 9lbs allowance but that is not the case here. As well as that the drying ground is not in his favour.
In contrast, it is a major plus for Felix Yonger. Remember, in the early part of the season, on reasonably good ground, he was able to beat Defy Logic and Trifolium and that represents form of the highest order.
Oscar Whisky, a high-class hurdler, will have his supporters. He jumps fences alright, but to me isn’t in love with the game.
I ride Boston Bob in the Ryanair Chase. This will be his first venture over fences since falling at the Punchestown Festival in April.
Prior to Punchestown, he looked like winning the RSA Chase here only to fall at the last.
Boston Bob was last seen over flights at Cheltenham in January, when he could only manage sixth.
The drying ground will work in his favour, but Boston Bob has been disappointing and I am no more than hopeful. I know Paul Nicholls’ Al Ferof well, but think his last two outings would also qualify as rather disappointing.
I think Tony Martin’s Benefficient is the one we all have to beat. He scored over course and distance last year and arrives now on the back of a fine effort at Leopardstown at Christmas.
I must give a mention to Willie’s Balnaslow in the Kim Muir Chase. He ran a cracker when fourth in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park on ground that was all wrong for him. He loves good ground and track and trip are made to measure. I believe he is Willie’s best chance this week of a winner in a handicap.
I was on the gallops at Cheltenham yesterday morning and things couldn’t be better with Willie’s team.
All his horses are here now and they look in great shape and in rude health.
