Ambobo can take on the World
He’s still the yardstick for the race and whoever beats him will win. And I think that will be another French horse, Ambobo.
Ambobo was favourite for the SunAlliance last year but missed out through injury and they’ve given him just a couple of quiet runs in France since. But they’ve targeted this race throughout. His last race at Cheltenham was in January 2005 and he was seriously impressive. Barry Geraghty will team up with him here today.
Mighty Man is another to have been mentioned, but he’s a bit of a worrier, and I think he’s on a downward spiral rather than upwards. He’s very highly strung and I think the occasion will get to him.
Golden Cross has a chance and the fact that Flat jockey Johnny Murtagh will ride him should not take away from its prospects. He’s a top class rider but I’d rather Ambobo because of his win at Cheltenham and the way he just jumps so professionally.
My old partner in crime Impek is the one for me in Ryanair Chase. The ground was drying up last night and I was praying it didn’t rain overnight.
If it has stayed dry then he’s the one to beat. Jim Lewis is a very lucky owner, as anyone who backed Best Mate will testify, and Impek has improved no end this year, most probably because they’ve found a decent jockey for him at last!
Fondmort has strong claims but, while both horses are seasoned campaigners, Impek has progressed, while I can’t say the same about Nicky Henderson’s horse.
Our Vic was last year’s beat favourite and he’s done very well but that was in handicaps and off good weights and I can’t justify backing Hi Cloy.
In the Racing Post Plate, over two miles five furlongs, I’ll go for Bannow Strand, especially at the each-way price he’s at. He won a handicap here last November and absolutely skated it. Martin Pipe is such a professional he’ll have him spot on for this and it’s difficult to see past him.
My vote in the National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup for amateur riders goes to the favourite Basilea Star. On his last run at Exeter last month, he was off the bridle from a long way out and he’s crying out for the four-mile trip this race provides.
Tony McCoy rates him highly and wants to ride him in the Scottish Grand National. That’s high enough recommendation for me.
As to more future pointers, the Royal & SunAlliance Chase is often looked on as a yardstick for the following year’s Gold Cup and Star De Mohaison’s comprehensive victory yesterday will boost his credentials.
But was it really that good? If I were putting a small bet on the 2007 Gold Cup today it would be on Tuesday’s William Hill Trophy Handicap Chase winner, Dun Doire.
I also wouldn’t read too much into Back In Front’s fall two from home yesterday. I spoke to jockey Paddy Flood afterwards, who said it was an unlucky fall and that he had loads of horse under him before then.
Essentially, he’s still a good jumper and should not be discounted in the future.
