No reason why Big Buck’s bandwagon shouldn’t roll on
Big Buck’s will be seeking his 15th success in-a-row, in the Cleeve Hurdle, and it is a real pleasure to be associated with such a wonderful horse.
His record is an open book and time and again he just does what comes naturally to him, putting the opposition to the sword.
He was quite superb at Ascot last time and one of the horses he beat then, Dynaste, will have to sprout wings to get anywhere near him.
Willie Mullins sends Mourad, a horse I know well, over to challenge and that’s obviously going to add interest to the contest.
Mourad is at his best when arriving from behind off a strong pace and has never had things fall right for him at home this season.
The likely strong gallop will work in his favour, but he does have a a fair bit to find with Big Buck’s on their running at Cheltenham in March.
Anyway, I regard Big Buck’s as a class apart from any other stayer, this track will suit him better than Ascot and you have got to think he will deliver.
Pearl Swan surprised Paul Nicholls when winning easily at Taunton, in the hands of Daryl Jacob, and now steps into Grade 2 company in the opening juvenile hurdle.
It is a long way from Taunton to Cheltenham, however, and it’s a big step-up in class. I was on Hinterland when Baby Mix, who is also in this race, beat us at Cheltenham and I doubt Pearl Swan is in that league!
That’lldoboy is an each-way possibility in a handicap chase. He would probably have finished second behind Our Mick at Kempton, but for falling two out.
The six-year-old will travel strongly and probably look like winning running downhill to the home turn. But he does his best work on the bridle and just how he will come up the hill remains to be seen.
I think Aerial has a great chance in the other handicap chase, having won a graduation chase at Ascot by ten lengths.
He is improving and has a grand weight on his back. One word of warning, though, the better the surface the better his prospects.
I suppose you could describe Tidal Bay as a trifle enigmatic, but he is having a go in the Argento Chase. He’s had problems and Paul was struggling to get him right.
But Paul was very happy with Tidal Bay before he ran well over hurdles at Cheltenham, so we’re not without hope. He is an Arkle winner at the course, but it still requires a leap of faith to believe him capable of winning now.
The same can be said of Polisky in a novice hurdle. He ran a stinker at Newbury and, until getting back on track, I couldn’t encourage anyone to back him.
Hinterland, the only four-year-old in the field, completes my day in a handicap hurdle. He is a mature ex-French horse, so his age is not a concern.
Hinterland was a bit disappointing when Baby Mix ran all over him at Cheltenham, but got wound up that day and ran too free.
He will learn plenty here and I’ll be dropping him in a little. His true vocation, of course, will be jumping fences and I see him as an Arkle horse for next season.
If Unaccompanied, Thousand Stars or Oscars Well are to ever beat Hurricane Fly then it will be in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
They have all had a couple of outings so far this season, whereas Hurricane Fly is only getting the show on the road.
Hurricane has won his last six and everyone knows how good he is. He showed how tough he is when beating Peddlers Cross in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham and then produced unbelievable gears at Punchestown subsequently.
He has a lot of work done and if the horse arrives in his usual professional manner will be hard to beat,
Tennis Cap, who will stay further than two miles and is as fit as a flea, won’t be far away in the first, a maiden hurdle.
The Arkle Chase should prove a cracking Cheltenham trial and, with Gift Of Dgab and Flemenstar in the field, there will no hiding place.
I’m on Blackstairmountain and he was impressive when scoring at Leopardstown at Christmas. Flemenstar was too good for me and Lambro at Naas and if we beat him then, I’d imagine, we’ll win.
Willie runs two highly promising horses in the Grade 2 novice hurdle, Boston Bob and Make Your Mark.
I’m with Boston Bob, while Davy Russel partners Gigginstown’s Make Your Mark. I fancied Boston Bob when he won a Grade 1 at Navan and if he can give 10lbs and a beating to Make Your Mark then I will definitely be with him come Cheltenham.
I end the weekend on the Tramore winner, Vast Consumption, in a handicap hurdle, but this is wide open and I’d only be hopeful.
