Cheltenham Festival 2012: Day 4

DAY 4                  March 16, 2012

Triumph Hurdle      2m 1f 4yos

I try to avoid having a bet in the Triumph, although in the past two years my selections in Soldatino and Zarkandar have obliged at generous odds.

Shortlist:

Grumeti                                               4

Pearl Swan                                         4

Sadler’s Risk                                      4

Baby Mix                                             4

Darroun                                               4

Ranjaan                                               4

Selections:

1) Pearl Swan             2) Baby Mix     3) Grumeti       4) Darroun

VOB County Handicap Hurdle Grade 3 2m 1f

Starluck will be hard to beat at a big price racing off 150.

Shortlist:

Starluck                                               7

Moon Dice                                          7

Ted Spread                                        5

Raya Star                                            6

Selections:

1) Starluck e.w.           2) Raya Star

AB Novice Hurdle 3m

Shortlist:

Boston Bob                 ?                      7

Mount Benbulben                                7

Rocky Creek                                       6

Selections:

1) Boston Bob       2) Mount Benbulben      3) Rocky Creek

Gold Cup Grade 1 3m 2½f

Favourites have won six of the past 10 renewals and the biggest priced of the other four was 15/2. 7, 8 and 9yos do the best by far in this. Kauto Star and Tidal Bay may be getting a bit long in the tooth for this, but represent a good standard by the old guard. Long Run looks to have a compelling chance and Midnight Chase may be good enough to make the frame this time at the expense of Kauto Star. The likes of Burton Port, Quel Esprit, What A Friend, Weird Al and Captain Chris could be interesting propositions for a place.

Shortlist:

Long Run                                                        7

Kauto Star                                                     12

Grands Crus                                                   7

Midnight Chase                                            10

Burton Port                                                      8

Tidal Bay                                                        11

Weird Al                                                           9

Synchronised                                                   9

Quel Esprit                                                       8

What A Friend                                                 9

Selections:

1) Long Run 2) Midnight Chase 3) Burton Port 4) Kauto Star  5) What A Friend/Quel Esprit

Previous winners                                               

2011 Long Run                        6                              7/2           fav
2010 Imperial Commander      9                              7/1
2009 Kauto Star                       9                              7/4           fav
2008 Denman                          8                              9/4
2007 Kauto Star                       7                              5/4           fav
2006 War Of Attrition               7                              15/2
2005 Kicking King                    7                               4/1          fav
2004 Best Mate                        9                              8/11         fav
2003 Best Mate                        8                              13/8         fav
2002 Best Mate                        7                               7/1

Foxhunter Steeple Chase

The amateur jockey’s Gold Cup. Age no barrier to this with all ages from 7 to 13yos winning in the past 21 renewals. Earthmover won the race in 1998 and again in 2004 (at the respective ages of 7 and 13)

Shortlist:

On The Fringe                                     7

Chapoturgeon                                     8

Salsify                                                  7

My Flora                                              8

Barbers Shop                                   10

Selection:

My Flora

c Steve Miller 2012