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BALLYOPTIC can spring a minor surprise in the Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30).This is a horse who hasn’t been finishing off his races as well as he was doing last year, but he’s had a breathing operation since last seen, he returns to good ground – on which he thrived last spring – and he got the closest to giving Unowhatimeanharry a race before falling at the last in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December.
Richard Johnson, who rode the horse on that occasion, was of the belief that the horse’s wind was just catching him towards the end of that race and that may have contributed to his fall. It’s an unusual theory, I agree, but one that ought not to be ignored from the champion jockey and I think Ballyoptic can run well at a decent price here.
The two Willie Mullins horses are very interesting alternatives. Shaneshill has a super record here at the festival but I’m more interested in Nichols Canyon who is the choice of Ruby Walsh. Let’s not forget that he is a multiple Grade 1 winner and if he sees out this trip, which he could very well do, then he’s a huge danger to all.
The day gets under way with the JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30) and, unlike some, I have no concerns about YORKHILL, I simply think he’s the best horse and should win. Top Notch is an admirable little horse who was very good at Sandown last time and Flying Angel could go well at a price, but Yorkhill should simply prove too classy for his rivals.
I’m backing a couple of horses in the Pertemps Final (2.10), one of which is IMPULSIVE STAR who was very impressive at Exeter last time. The other is the Philip Hobbs-trained FOR GOOD MEASURE who is a full-brother to Balthazar King but has achieved more at this stage of his career. He’s been put away with this race in mind for a while and subsequently gets in here off a potentially lenient mark.
I see that EMPIRE OF DIRT has been left in the Gold Cup but providing he does run in the Ryanair Chase (2.50) then I expect him to win. I think the ground may be a little quick for Un De Sceaux and I think that Uxizandre had everything go his way when he won this race two years ago. If you want one at a decent price to run well, it could be Vaniteux, who was in the process of running a big race in last year’s Arkle before falling two-out and although you can’t trust him to finish the race as well as some, I do trust him to be bang there between two out and the last, which could be enough to see him hit the frame.
I think BARON ALCO will go well in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate (4.10). His form when splitting Top Notch and Le Prezien at Sandown last time looks strong, he’s run well at Cheltenham before and he’s a bold jumper. As long as he doesn’t get into a burn up on the front end, he could take some catching.
The Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle ought to go the way of LET’S DANCE who has looked super talented this season. She would have been a big player if allowed to take her chance against the males, so although she’s going to be a restrictive price, I don’t really want to take her on.
The Kim Muir isn’t a race I have a particularly strong view but SOUTHFIELD ROYALE could be interesting. James King is a very talented rider, he remains a young, lightly-raced horse and that run behind Minella Rocco in last year’s National Hunt Chase gives him excellent prospects in this.
Recommendations
- 1.30 YORKHILL 5/4
- 2.10 IMPULSIVE STAR 17/2 10Bet & FOR GOOD MEASURE 15/2 10Bet
- 2.50 EMPIRE OF DIRT 5/2 10Bet
- 3.30 BALLYOPTIC 14/1 10Bet
- 4.10 BARON ALCO 12/1 10Bet
- 4.50 LET'S DANCE 6/4 10Bet
- 5.30 SOUTHFIELD ROYALE 15/2 10Bet
