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At times, I thought Sean Bowen got the tactics all wrong following the strong pace set by the Nicholls' horse, but what do I know?
The horse jumped for fun and just had enough in reserve up the hill to fend off the Irish challenger.
Sean was all action inside the final two furlongs, and he booted the horse home. I thought that was an impressive performance by Alnilam. I don't think he's a world beater, but he's clearly talented.
The other runner on Friday, Last Rodeo, suffered massive interference before turning for the back straight. His race was pretty much over from that point. He did well to finish ninth.
Springs A Girl 12/1 (1pt) – Cheltenham 1.10
At this point, it's becoming a bit of a joke just backing horses with Sean Bowen on top, but that's the way it goes these days over the jumps.
Cairnzy is a massive fan of Sean, and I think everyone is in that camp. There's nothing this lad can't do in the saddle, and I can't sing his praises enough.
I think his ride in the opener has a superb chance of winning, despite this being a much tougher race than the one he encountered on chasing debut at Worcester.
The Worcester fences compared to Cheltenham are like chalk and cheese, so I'm not 100% certain on how he'll cope. One thing I know is that Martin Keighley is a cracking trainer which chasers, so he'll have him schooled very well.
His run on debut over fences was a very good effort considering it was over a much shorter than ideal trip. His best form over hurdles was over a similar trip to today's.
He was six lengths behind the winner before jumping the last, but his stamina kicked in and he managed to whittle it down to just a length defeat. The step back up to 2m 4f is a huge positive, and I think, off a low weight, he's dangerous to overlook.
Back it with Tote (no fixed odds)Anyway 3/1 (1pt) – Cheltenham 4.05
I thought it was interesting that David Kenneth Budds was persisting with a career over three miles with Anyway, after he put in a lacklustre effort in the Kerry National a month ago.
David hasn't sent many runners to the UK, but Anyway shaped much better than his odds of 125/1 at the Cheltenham Festival in March when finishing second to a subsequent Grade 1 winner, Caldwell Potter.
On that day in March, he shaped like a stayer, so I think he deserves another chance at this type of trip.
This isn't the deepest of Novice Chase races you'll see at Cheltenham, so I think he holds every chance of winning this if his stamina holds up.
Back it with Tote (no fixed odds)Totesport Placepot from Newbury
- 12.50 – Letmebetheboss
- 13.25 – Proof
- 14.00 – Caim
- 14.34 – My Ophelia
- 15.10 – Stellar Sunrise
- 15.45 – Hamish
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