Tuesday 19 March 2019

Cheltenham eye-catchers - Day 2

Little rain since the first day and a strong wind helping to dry out the ground, it looked pretty much like good to soft throughout.

Ballymore

Ask Dillon; A really lovely individual who should make into a fine staying chaser, didn't run up to form here but one to keep an eye on next season.

Battleoverdoyen; Came over with quite a reputation but this huge horse is simply too big to make a name for himself over hurdles and he was never able to lie up with the pace. Put a line through this - he's a staying chaser through and through.

Beakstown; Another strapping individual who will come into his own over fences, another that didn't really act on the day for whatever reason.

Bright Forecast; Quietly fancied in some quarters on his first attempt at 2m5f and ridden to get home, picking up the pieces when staying on all the way to the line. Still quite unfurnished, he can do even better.

City Island; Compact and strong sort, looked really revved up for this with two handlers in the paddock, but had things under control and knuckled down really well on the run-in.

Sams Profile; Form tied in with Battleoverdoyen and like him is a real strong chase type who will come into his own once sent over fences and with a stiffer test of stamina.

Seddon; Not a particularly well made horse with a 'spidery' gait, he's run to a similar level all season and while 3m ought to see him in better light, my money's on him failing to make the grade at this level, and he could be a 140-horse at best.

RSA

Topofthegame; Trained to the minute by Nicholls, a lovely strong type that should continue to improve granted softish ground.

Santini; Loads of size, very likeable staying chaser. He didn't look 'tight' around the girth and the lasting impression is that connections have next season very much in mind for him.

Delta Work; Athletic, without having the size of the other two, and lost ground at a few fences. Travelled very well and last year's Pertemps winner might have been better served being allowed to stride on when leading three from home.

Coral Cup

Cracking Smart; A really nice sort with loads of solid form behind him, was asked to do too much in the first two-thirds of the race and didn't get up the hill. Given more of a chance over 3m, this chasing type can take another leap forward.

Canardier; Looked really well and came in for support off a five-month absence, flattering to deceive at the last before staying on for a place. One to keep an eye on in similar events.

Champion

Politologue; Still wears a hood but looks a more complete horse nowadays, having often undermined his performances by getting worked up beforehand. Admirably consistent and a fine jumper, he goes to Aintree with high hopes again.

Bumper

Envoi Allen; One of the nicest looking horses on show all week, his quality shone through in the paddock and appears to have the temperament and the engine to go with the looks. Heavily backed into favouritism and could go all the way.

Blue Sari; Went down by less than a length but handsome is as handsome does, and this Flat type clearly has loads of ability. You'd like to see him grow a bit though before making similar comments about his longer term prospects.

Thyme Hill; Rested since finishing second in a very good Listed race here before Christmas that worked out very well, he looked really fit and is a thoroughly likeable prospect for hurdles and, in time, fences.

Some Detail; A nice chasing type, rather unfurnished at this stage, however outran his odds with a big run and is one to keep an eye on over hurdles from a less fashionable yard.

Master Debonair; Won that Cheltenham bumper on Greatwood Hurdle day but he was really forward that day and didn't look in the same form beforehand here, on his toes beforehand and far too keen in the race, having done his running a long way out.

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