Bookies braced for festival Hurricane
The Willie Mullins-trained superstar will be the first of four horses putting their titles on the line in the championship races at the Festival, with Champion Chase favourite Sizing Europe, World Hurdle ’good thing’ Big Buck’s and Gold Cup hero Long Run completing the quartet over the week.
It is far from inconceivable all four could collect, a thought that has the layers quivering on the eve of the Prestbury Park jamboree.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “We can’t remember a Festival where so many fancied horses were in action, especially in the big championship races, and these reigning champions, along with the likes of Quevega and Sprinter Sacre, will be written on thousands of betting slips.
“Wins for all these hot favourites would ensure bookmakers endured their most painful payout since Frankie Dettori went through the card at Ascot 16 years ago, a day that saw £40m returned to punters.
“It’s fair to say we are approaching this year’s Festival with more than a little trepidation, as the age-old battle between bookie and punter is likely to rage fiercely over the next four days, hopefully we’ll still be standing at the end of it.”
Mullins was on course at Cheltenham to watch Hurricane Fly go through the motions and is confident his charge is in the same form as when making a hugely impressive seasonal return in the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown in January.
“He travelled over well, he rode out nicely this morning and seems in nice form,” said Mullins.
“He seems much more relaxed on the gallop over here than he was last year.
“They are watering the track at the moment, which I think is a good thing. They are calling the ground good, good to soft in places but after walking the track this morning, I’d say there is a lot of good.
“I think he’s just holding his form and I’m happy with that.”
The Irish champion trainer also saddles Zaidpour, who is unbeaten in his last four starts.
“The ground is probably too dry for him, but he has Grade One form over two miles, so we have to give him his chance to do it,” Mullins said.
“He wasn’t right last year coming to the Festival and we think he’s in good order this year.”
Connections of Binocular are expecting a big run from the 2010 winner, who was unable to defend his crown 12 months ago.
The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old landed the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton before supplementing that with victory in the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton last month.
“I know AP (McCoy) came back happy after Wincanton and I was thrilled. He looked like his old self the way he jumped,” said trainer Nicky Henderson.
“He has got to be back where he was (to win), but it was the positive vibes that told us he was something near the same horse. It has put us right in the mix.”
Binocular’s regular partner Tony McCoy was also delighted with the Wincanton performance and is looking forward to taking on Hurricane Fly at Cheltenham.
“He jumped very well at Wincanton. At times he has never given the impression he’s the same horse that won the Champion Hurdle,” said the champion jockey.
“His run at Kempton (in the Christmas Hurdle) was better but he gave me a better feel at Wincanton.
“I think he’s got a long way to go to beat Hurricane Fly, he’s an exceptional horse who has won 10 Grade Ones and never looked like getting beat.”
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is responsible for four of the 10 runners as he seeks to win this race for the first time.
Zarkandar, who lifted the Triumph Hurdle last year, is the pick of his quartet thanks to victory in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
“Zarkandar won at Newbury and is in really good form. He’s four from four and you wouldn’t know how much improvement he might make,” said Nicholls.
“Rock On Ruby is a great price seeing how he ran against Binocular and Cheltenham will suit him better.
“I don’t think there’s much between the two, but maybe Zarkandar has more room for improvement.
“Celestial Halo didn’t run his race last time and was quiet for a few days afterwards. He doesn’t want the ground testing.
“Brampour isn’t a forlorn hope of picking up some crumbs and getting placed. He had some hard races before Christmas but is back to form now.”
Jessica Harrington believes the expected fast pace will suit Oscars Well, who she feels is coming to hand at the right time.
“Oscar has been improving with every run this year and I feel he has improved again since his run at Leopardstown.”
