By @redgameracer
Please note that most of this blog was written before Moon Racer was confirmed for the Champion Hurdle, so apologies for any inaccuracies in that.
In a piece that will probably end up far too long for anyone to bother with reading, I'm looking ahead to the opening day of the 2017 festival. This year's festival has been blighted by a large number of stars being absent due to injuries or retirements or sadly even their passing, but there's still plenty of top notch racing coming up and plenty of good horses will be on show.
Supreme Novices' Hurdle
It all kicks off with the Supreme which is still a very muddled picture indeed. Melon (4/1) is the current favourite, but he has plenty of questions to answer with regards to his experience and how good he really is. Sure, he bolted up on the bridle on debut, but he's only had one run in public. Also, Broken Soul hasn't exactly franked the form in behind. At the same time, he was visually impressive, moved well and jumped well and his time, I'm told, has worked out well on the clock. Ballyandy (5/1) is next in and he should be suited by the type of race the Supreme is. While many may think you need a speed horse for this, it's actually all about stamina. It's run at a ferocious gallop and especially for young horses that can be tough to keep up. Ballyandy should be well suited to a Supreme as he has stamina and put up his best performance in the Betfair Hurdle, a race ran at a good gallop. Too short for my liking though.
I don't like Moon Racer (6/1), I think he's a fragile horse and I don't believe he's got the stamina to win a Supreme. Connections might be better off chucking him in the Champion Hurdle, although I wouldn't fancy him there either. Neon Wolf (6/1) is more than likely to go for the Neptune unless it turns up especially soft. Bunk Off Early (7/1) would not appeal to me at all on pedigree as a jumps horse and I dread to think how he'll feel at the bottom of that hill.
At bigger prices, it might pay off to look at something like High Bridge (16/1) or Crack Mome (16/1). High Bridge was 6th in last year's bumper behind Ballyandy and has since notched up a three-timer over hurdles. He probably hasn't beaten much, but he seems progressive and could have more to come. Crack Mome won on debut before being denied in the Moscow Flyer by Any Second Now. He made a mess of the last, but rallied to finish second and you can certainly make a case that if he'd jumped it better, he would've won. The winner has let the form down since, but the third has won again and I think Crack Mome will improve for the better ground that we're likely to get. It would also say that him having run in the Moscow Flyer is a significant pointer. Mullins is a creature of habit and the previous four winners of the race have been Min, Douvan, Vautour and Mozoltov. The latter didn't go to Cheltenham, but the other three have all pitched up in the Supreme and won or gone very close. A lot will depend on jockey bookings to see how far up the pecking order he is, but at 16/1, he's a fair price.
Selection: Crack Mome 16/1 (Various)
Arkle Novices' Chase
Since the withdrawal of Min, this all revolves around Altior (1/3). If he stands up, he wins, simple as that really. He's already shown that he's capable in open company, beating Fox Norton thirteen lengths in the Game Spirit and it would really surprise me if he doesn't run away with this one. But there's still value to be had in the race for second. Yorkhill (4/5 w/o) is unlikely to turn up here, although if he did, he would be the one to challenge the favourite. He'll almost certainly head for the JLT though. Charbel (3/1 w/o) is a good jumper and should set a decent gallop, but you'd have to worry he burns himself out setting the pace. Royal Caviar (9/2 w/o) is a solid contender and would probably have won the Irish Arkle if he'd stood up at the last. He's a sound jumper, but coming into the festival on the back of a fall is a worry though and it's something that hasn't worked well for a lot of contenders in recent years. So I'll swerve him as well.
The value, for me anyway, here lies with the two contenders from the North, Forest Bihan (15/2 w/o) for Brian Ellison and Cloudy Dream (11/2 w/o) for Malcolm Jefferson. The latter won very easily at Haydock at the Betfair Chase meeting before being denied by Buveur D'Air giving away a chunk of weight. He then went to Doncaster where he found Forest Behind too good, giving him three lbs. He jumps well and travels smoothly and he'll have no problem sitting of the pace and coming to challenge late. Forest Bihan has a similar profile, although a bit more exposed, but he came home very strongly that day at Doncaster to claim the spoils. He might find that a bit harder here off levels and that's why I would side with Cloudy Dream in the without market.
Selection: Cloudy Dream 11/2 W/O Altior (Betfair)
Ultima Handicap Chase
Our first handicap for this year and it's usually a pretty competitive affair. It's also a race that the Irish don't do well in with just the two winners since 2003 and none in the 38 years before that. Something to bear in mind. There's a maximum field of 24 and that would leave two horses near the top of the market out of it at the moment. Both Singlefarmpayment (9/1) and Champers On Ice (14/1) will need defections to get into the race. The former would certainly be interesting off a mark of 142, having won a Novices Chase over C&D here in December. He was brought down when travelling well here over slightly shorter and if that hasn't left a mark, he's entitled to do well. He would be near the bottom of the weights if he does manage to sneak in, so he'd have a fair chance. You'd imagine he'll be shorter on the day if he does get in, so perhaps taking the price now wouldn't be such a bad thing.
The one that really catches my eye though is Holywell (14/1). He's got C&D form, having won this race a couple of years ago and finishing second to Un Temps Pour Tout last year. He's been a complete no-show this season, beaten a cumulative 273 lengths in his three completed starts, but as a result, his mark has now slid to a very workable 148. He won this off 145 in 2014 and was off 153 last year when second. Again, his second last year was his only good performance all year, having been beaten a total of 56 lengths in his two completed starts. Jonjo obviously likes to target this race for him and off this mark he should have another big race in him.
At a big price, you'd have to look at Kruzhlinin (40/1), who was fifth in this race last year off two lbs higher. He was second to Our Kaempfer at Kempton in January, making a bad mistake two out and then didn't show up too well in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. You'd imagine the National is his target again this year, but he wouldn't be the first to take in this race on the way there. He's not been in too bad form this year, winning the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock and coming third in a Pertemps Qualifier and on his best form, he's got a lot more chance that 40/1 would suggest. There are questions on whether he will turn up here, having also got entries in the Pertemps final and the Kim Muir, but at 40/1 with the non-runner no-bet concession he seems a big price.
Selections: Holywell 14/1 EW (365) & Kruzhlinin (40/1 32Red & 888Sport)
Champion Hurdle
The big race on day one may well turn out to be a sub-standard renewal. Whoever gets on the honour roll, they won't quite be the class of Faugheen or Annie Power, but let's not dwell on that.
I'm struggling with this race in that I don't like most of the ones at the top of the market. I'm not convinced by Yanworth (3/1) and probably never will be, but this race seems on the short side for him for me. He's also a pretty sloppy jumper at times and I don't think he's got the Faugheen engine to get away with it. Sure he's been grinding it out and kept winning, but he just don't scream Champion Hurdle to me. Buveur D'Air (9/2) has only just come back to hurdles having been chasing at the start of the season and while he won his only hurdles start with any amount in hand, it's hard to assess the form of that race. He will appreciate any give in the ground and that may well be his best chance of winning, but he's not for me. Petit Mouchoir (6/1) has done well this season and bring the strong form from last year's Supreme to the table, but again he hasn't really impressed. Sure, he has improved this year, but I don't think he's good enough to claim even this weakened Champion.
Vroum Vroum Mag and Moon Racer (both 12/1) are not certain to turn up and I'd have my reservations about either of them winning this race. Moon Racer, we've touched upon in the Supreme, but for me, he's too fragile. VVM has not sparkled this year and while I like her, I don't think two miles is her best trip. She only ever does enough, so there may be more to come, but I just couldn't back her. The New One (14/1) could go close, if he's raced prominently enough, he could finally have his year, but he's been here plenty of times without winning that I'm happy to let him pass by as well.
I've already put up My Tent Or Yours (18/1) in my antepost blog here at 50/1, along with Wicklow Brave (40/1) at 33/1 and I'm quite happy to stick with those two. I'd love to see Cyrus Darius (50/1) go close and I'll probably have a sentimental 50p E/W on him, but I really can't see him winning.
Selections: My Tent Or Yours 18/1 EW (365) & Wicklow Brave 40/1 EW (Various).
Mares' Hurdle
Mullins has a truckload of mares ready for this, having also entered most of his novices, but the focus here will be on the few at the front of the market. Limini (11/8) has been backed into favouritism as is as short as odds on in places after she was not supplemented for the Champion Hurdle. I'm not sure the 2m4 around Cheltenham is her best trip, but she put away Apples Jade (3/1) convincingly at Punchestown last time out, in ground that probably wasn't optimal. She's got winning festival form, having won the Mares Novice race last year and if Vroum Vroum Mag (9/4) doesn't turn up in this, she's the one to beat.
If Vroum Vroum were to turn up here instead of any of her other engagements (and she's got a few), she's the one to beat. She's best suited by this trip, won this easily last year before taking the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. The concerns would be that she hasn't sparkled of late and only narrowly won at Doncaster before returning ill. She's also entered in half the festival races, so could turn up anywhere, if you do back her, make sure you have NRNB.
Apple's Jade was a very good juvenile and has mixed the very good with the very bad this year. She just beat VVM in the Hatton's Grace, after finishing behind Irving in the Fighting Fifth and then was easily held by Limini the last time. On that form, she's not good enough to beat either of these and you'd struggle to make a case for her here again.
If you're looking for something from the home front to perhaps pick up the pieces, you couldn't go far wrong with Lifeboat Mona (12/1). She beat Midnight Jazz (25/1) last time out by three lengths and that one was only denied a head by Vroum Vroum Mag at Doncaster. While the Mullins mare wasn't in top shape that day, it's still a decent enough form line. She also had subsequent winner Desert Queen behind that day and Briery Queen who won a handicap here in November over C&D, so she's one to be with from an each way perspective.
Selection: Vroum Vroum Mag 9/4 Win (PP/BFSB NRNB).
National Hunt Chase
The gruelling test of four miles at Cheltenham is one that often throws up decent horses and last years renewal looks particularly strong with the first two in the race both in this year's Gold Cup fancies.
With this being an amateur event, it pays to pay close attention to the jockey bookings. You want the likes of Derek O'Connor or Jamie Codd on your side in these races. Neither of them have nailed their colours to the mast yet, so it's a bit of guesswork at the minute. A Genie In Abottle (5/1) is the current favourite and he's one of the potential rides for Jamie Codd. The price seems way too short for me to get involved though. Edwulf (7/1) is second favourite, but I wouldn't trust him to jump one fence, never mind all of them over four miles. He's not really the greatest of jumpers and although he's managed a couple of wins this season, he's not for me. In fact, I could also make cases against the others at the top of the market. Champers On Ice (10/1) and Arpege D'Alene (14/1) are both just too slow, even over this marathon trip. Beware the Bear (10/1) has some decent form in the book and could run a big race here.
If I had to pick two here though, I'd have Martello Tower (14/1) and Battle of Shiloh (40/1). The former hasn't performed too badly this season, beating the current favourite at Fairyhouse over a much shorter trip, but hasn't been at his best since. He is however, a previous festival winner, claiming the Albert Bartlett in 2015 and that's the sort of experience that'll stand you in good stead. The only other festival winner in the field is Tiger Roll (25/1), who won the Triumph and on a going day would be one to be reckoned with. Those days have been few and far between though, so I'd rather take a punt on the 40/1 chance Battle of Shiloh. Tom George's charge had notched up four wins on the bounce over hurdles and fences before coming down on the home run at Chepstow when beaten. I think he'll improve for the step up in trip and if he can put in a clean round of jumping he's got a chance of being involved.
Selections: Martello Tower 14/1 E/W & Battle of Shiloh 40/1 E/W
Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase
The final race of the opening day is the 2m4f Novices' Handicap Chase. I say handicap, but the spread of the weights is likely to be less than half a stone. It's a tricky race to read in that half the top end of the market won't actually get into the race as it stands. Romain De Senam (8/1), Brother Tedd (14/1) and Squouateur (14/1) would be balloted out if all the others stand their ground.
There's three in this race that I like. We'll start with Burtons Well (20/1), who does need four to come out in order to get into the race. He was well beaten on his return this season, by the exciting Waiting Patiently, but that was over the minimum trip. He was seven lengths behind, but he was coming of a 600 days break and shaped a much better next time out when he beat Pistol Park over 2m4 at Uttoxeter. That was in heavy ground and he does seem at his best with a bit of cut. He finished fourth at Cheltenham subsequently, not jumping fluently that day, but if he gets it together and sneaks in at the bottom, he could make amends for that.
Nearer the top of the weights and guaranteed a run is Double W's (16/1). He placed at Cheltenham back in November 2015, albeit over hurdles, but he's improved quite a bit over fences. Brian Hughes has suggested this is his best chance of a winner all week and at the prices, he's one I'd like to be with. He's not raced over this distance over fences yet, but he shouldn't be inconvenienced by the step up in trip and has a great chance to add to Malcolm Jefferson's festival honours.
Finally, another who will probably be best suited by a bit of cut is Bun Doran (20/1). He was third behind Pobbles Bay on reappearance, in what is probably one of the strongest races for form this season. Of the thirteen horses that ran in that race, ten have come out and won since, four of those more than once. Bun Doran followed up by winning at Newcastle by five lengths and ran in a Grade Two race after that, won by Waiting Patiently. Although he pulled up when beaten, he shaped well for a long way in tough company.
Since Bun Doran & Double W's are the two that will certainly get in, I'll make them my selections, but should Burtons Well get in, he'll have a good chance
Selections: Double W's 16/1 EW, Bun Doran 20/1 EW
I don't like Moon Racer (6/1), I think he's a fragile horse and I don't believe he's got the stamina to win a Supreme. Connections might be better off chucking him in the Champion Hurdle, although I wouldn't fancy him there either. Neon Wolf (6/1) is more than likely to go for the Neptune unless it turns up especially soft. Bunk Off Early (7/1) would not appeal to me at all on pedigree as a jumps horse and I dread to think how he'll feel at the bottom of that hill.
At bigger prices, it might pay off to look at something like High Bridge (16/1) or Crack Mome (16/1). High Bridge was 6th in last year's bumper behind Ballyandy and has since notched up a three-timer over hurdles. He probably hasn't beaten much, but he seems progressive and could have more to come. Crack Mome won on debut before being denied in the Moscow Flyer by Any Second Now. He made a mess of the last, but rallied to finish second and you can certainly make a case that if he'd jumped it better, he would've won. The winner has let the form down since, but the third has won again and I think Crack Mome will improve for the better ground that we're likely to get. It would also say that him having run in the Moscow Flyer is a significant pointer. Mullins is a creature of habit and the previous four winners of the race have been Min, Douvan, Vautour and Mozoltov. The latter didn't go to Cheltenham, but the other three have all pitched up in the Supreme and won or gone very close. A lot will depend on jockey bookings to see how far up the pecking order he is, but at 16/1, he's a fair price.
Selection: Crack Mome 16/1 (Various)
Arkle Novices' Chase
Since the withdrawal of Min, this all revolves around Altior (1/3). If he stands up, he wins, simple as that really. He's already shown that he's capable in open company, beating Fox Norton thirteen lengths in the Game Spirit and it would really surprise me if he doesn't run away with this one. But there's still value to be had in the race for second. Yorkhill (4/5 w/o) is unlikely to turn up here, although if he did, he would be the one to challenge the favourite. He'll almost certainly head for the JLT though. Charbel (3/1 w/o) is a good jumper and should set a decent gallop, but you'd have to worry he burns himself out setting the pace. Royal Caviar (9/2 w/o) is a solid contender and would probably have won the Irish Arkle if he'd stood up at the last. He's a sound jumper, but coming into the festival on the back of a fall is a worry though and it's something that hasn't worked well for a lot of contenders in recent years. So I'll swerve him as well.
The value, for me anyway, here lies with the two contenders from the North, Forest Bihan (15/2 w/o) for Brian Ellison and Cloudy Dream (11/2 w/o) for Malcolm Jefferson. The latter won very easily at Haydock at the Betfair Chase meeting before being denied by Buveur D'Air giving away a chunk of weight. He then went to Doncaster where he found Forest Behind too good, giving him three lbs. He jumps well and travels smoothly and he'll have no problem sitting of the pace and coming to challenge late. Forest Bihan has a similar profile, although a bit more exposed, but he came home very strongly that day at Doncaster to claim the spoils. He might find that a bit harder here off levels and that's why I would side with Cloudy Dream in the without market.
Selection: Cloudy Dream 11/2 W/O Altior (Betfair)
Ultima Handicap Chase
Our first handicap for this year and it's usually a pretty competitive affair. It's also a race that the Irish don't do well in with just the two winners since 2003 and none in the 38 years before that. Something to bear in mind. There's a maximum field of 24 and that would leave two horses near the top of the market out of it at the moment. Both Singlefarmpayment (9/1) and Champers On Ice (14/1) will need defections to get into the race. The former would certainly be interesting off a mark of 142, having won a Novices Chase over C&D here in December. He was brought down when travelling well here over slightly shorter and if that hasn't left a mark, he's entitled to do well. He would be near the bottom of the weights if he does manage to sneak in, so he'd have a fair chance. You'd imagine he'll be shorter on the day if he does get in, so perhaps taking the price now wouldn't be such a bad thing.
The one that really catches my eye though is Holywell (14/1). He's got C&D form, having won this race a couple of years ago and finishing second to Un Temps Pour Tout last year. He's been a complete no-show this season, beaten a cumulative 273 lengths in his three completed starts, but as a result, his mark has now slid to a very workable 148. He won this off 145 in 2014 and was off 153 last year when second. Again, his second last year was his only good performance all year, having been beaten a total of 56 lengths in his two completed starts. Jonjo obviously likes to target this race for him and off this mark he should have another big race in him.
At a big price, you'd have to look at Kruzhlinin (40/1), who was fifth in this race last year off two lbs higher. He was second to Our Kaempfer at Kempton in January, making a bad mistake two out and then didn't show up too well in the Grand National Trial at Haydock. You'd imagine the National is his target again this year, but he wouldn't be the first to take in this race on the way there. He's not been in too bad form this year, winning the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock and coming third in a Pertemps Qualifier and on his best form, he's got a lot more chance that 40/1 would suggest. There are questions on whether he will turn up here, having also got entries in the Pertemps final and the Kim Muir, but at 40/1 with the non-runner no-bet concession he seems a big price.
Selections: Holywell 14/1 EW (365) & Kruzhlinin (40/1 32Red & 888Sport)
Champion Hurdle
The big race on day one may well turn out to be a sub-standard renewal. Whoever gets on the honour roll, they won't quite be the class of Faugheen or Annie Power, but let's not dwell on that.
I'm struggling with this race in that I don't like most of the ones at the top of the market. I'm not convinced by Yanworth (3/1) and probably never will be, but this race seems on the short side for him for me. He's also a pretty sloppy jumper at times and I don't think he's got the Faugheen engine to get away with it. Sure he's been grinding it out and kept winning, but he just don't scream Champion Hurdle to me. Buveur D'Air (9/2) has only just come back to hurdles having been chasing at the start of the season and while he won his only hurdles start with any amount in hand, it's hard to assess the form of that race. He will appreciate any give in the ground and that may well be his best chance of winning, but he's not for me. Petit Mouchoir (6/1) has done well this season and bring the strong form from last year's Supreme to the table, but again he hasn't really impressed. Sure, he has improved this year, but I don't think he's good enough to claim even this weakened Champion.
Vroum Vroum Mag and Moon Racer (both 12/1) are not certain to turn up and I'd have my reservations about either of them winning this race. Moon Racer, we've touched upon in the Supreme, but for me, he's too fragile. VVM has not sparkled this year and while I like her, I don't think two miles is her best trip. She only ever does enough, so there may be more to come, but I just couldn't back her. The New One (14/1) could go close, if he's raced prominently enough, he could finally have his year, but he's been here plenty of times without winning that I'm happy to let him pass by as well.
I've already put up My Tent Or Yours (18/1) in my antepost blog here at 50/1, along with Wicklow Brave (40/1) at 33/1 and I'm quite happy to stick with those two. I'd love to see Cyrus Darius (50/1) go close and I'll probably have a sentimental 50p E/W on him, but I really can't see him winning.
Selections: My Tent Or Yours 18/1 EW (365) & Wicklow Brave 40/1 EW (Various).
Mares' Hurdle
Mullins has a truckload of mares ready for this, having also entered most of his novices, but the focus here will be on the few at the front of the market. Limini (11/8) has been backed into favouritism as is as short as odds on in places after she was not supplemented for the Champion Hurdle. I'm not sure the 2m4 around Cheltenham is her best trip, but she put away Apples Jade (3/1) convincingly at Punchestown last time out, in ground that probably wasn't optimal. She's got winning festival form, having won the Mares Novice race last year and if Vroum Vroum Mag (9/4) doesn't turn up in this, she's the one to beat.
If Vroum Vroum were to turn up here instead of any of her other engagements (and she's got a few), she's the one to beat. She's best suited by this trip, won this easily last year before taking the Punchestown Champion Hurdle. The concerns would be that she hasn't sparkled of late and only narrowly won at Doncaster before returning ill. She's also entered in half the festival races, so could turn up anywhere, if you do back her, make sure you have NRNB.
Apple's Jade was a very good juvenile and has mixed the very good with the very bad this year. She just beat VVM in the Hatton's Grace, after finishing behind Irving in the Fighting Fifth and then was easily held by Limini the last time. On that form, she's not good enough to beat either of these and you'd struggle to make a case for her here again.
If you're looking for something from the home front to perhaps pick up the pieces, you couldn't go far wrong with Lifeboat Mona (12/1). She beat Midnight Jazz (25/1) last time out by three lengths and that one was only denied a head by Vroum Vroum Mag at Doncaster. While the Mullins mare wasn't in top shape that day, it's still a decent enough form line. She also had subsequent winner Desert Queen behind that day and Briery Queen who won a handicap here in November over C&D, so she's one to be with from an each way perspective.
Selection: Vroum Vroum Mag 9/4 Win (PP/BFSB NRNB).
National Hunt Chase
The gruelling test of four miles at Cheltenham is one that often throws up decent horses and last years renewal looks particularly strong with the first two in the race both in this year's Gold Cup fancies.
With this being an amateur event, it pays to pay close attention to the jockey bookings. You want the likes of Derek O'Connor or Jamie Codd on your side in these races. Neither of them have nailed their colours to the mast yet, so it's a bit of guesswork at the minute. A Genie In Abottle (5/1) is the current favourite and he's one of the potential rides for Jamie Codd. The price seems way too short for me to get involved though. Edwulf (7/1) is second favourite, but I wouldn't trust him to jump one fence, never mind all of them over four miles. He's not really the greatest of jumpers and although he's managed a couple of wins this season, he's not for me. In fact, I could also make cases against the others at the top of the market. Champers On Ice (10/1) and Arpege D'Alene (14/1) are both just too slow, even over this marathon trip. Beware the Bear (10/1) has some decent form in the book and could run a big race here.
If I had to pick two here though, I'd have Martello Tower (14/1) and Battle of Shiloh (40/1). The former hasn't performed too badly this season, beating the current favourite at Fairyhouse over a much shorter trip, but hasn't been at his best since. He is however, a previous festival winner, claiming the Albert Bartlett in 2015 and that's the sort of experience that'll stand you in good stead. The only other festival winner in the field is Tiger Roll (25/1), who won the Triumph and on a going day would be one to be reckoned with. Those days have been few and far between though, so I'd rather take a punt on the 40/1 chance Battle of Shiloh. Tom George's charge had notched up four wins on the bounce over hurdles and fences before coming down on the home run at Chepstow when beaten. I think he'll improve for the step up in trip and if he can put in a clean round of jumping he's got a chance of being involved.
Selections: Martello Tower 14/1 E/W & Battle of Shiloh 40/1 E/W
Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase
The final race of the opening day is the 2m4f Novices' Handicap Chase. I say handicap, but the spread of the weights is likely to be less than half a stone. It's a tricky race to read in that half the top end of the market won't actually get into the race as it stands. Romain De Senam (8/1), Brother Tedd (14/1) and Squouateur (14/1) would be balloted out if all the others stand their ground.
There's three in this race that I like. We'll start with Burtons Well (20/1), who does need four to come out in order to get into the race. He was well beaten on his return this season, by the exciting Waiting Patiently, but that was over the minimum trip. He was seven lengths behind, but he was coming of a 600 days break and shaped a much better next time out when he beat Pistol Park over 2m4 at Uttoxeter. That was in heavy ground and he does seem at his best with a bit of cut. He finished fourth at Cheltenham subsequently, not jumping fluently that day, but if he gets it together and sneaks in at the bottom, he could make amends for that.
Nearer the top of the weights and guaranteed a run is Double W's (16/1). He placed at Cheltenham back in November 2015, albeit over hurdles, but he's improved quite a bit over fences. Brian Hughes has suggested this is his best chance of a winner all week and at the prices, he's one I'd like to be with. He's not raced over this distance over fences yet, but he shouldn't be inconvenienced by the step up in trip and has a great chance to add to Malcolm Jefferson's festival honours.
Finally, another who will probably be best suited by a bit of cut is Bun Doran (20/1). He was third behind Pobbles Bay on reappearance, in what is probably one of the strongest races for form this season. Of the thirteen horses that ran in that race, ten have come out and won since, four of those more than once. Bun Doran followed up by winning at Newcastle by five lengths and ran in a Grade Two race after that, won by Waiting Patiently. Although he pulled up when beaten, he shaped well for a long way in tough company.
Since Bun Doran & Double W's are the two that will certainly get in, I'll make them my selections, but should Burtons Well get in, he'll have a good chance
Selections: Double W's 16/1 EW, Bun Doran 20/1 EW
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