FESTIVAL SEE-HOW-THEY-WON FROM SATURDAY’S TRIALS: Is Saturday’s Cheltenham trials day a good guide to the festival itself? Daqman sets the ball rolling by checking out the who-won-what of five of the races on the card.
DAQMAN ON TOUR: DAQMAN has three bets on Tuesday at each of the venues. Leicester, Newcastle and a NAP at Kelso.
HENDERSON HUNT FOR FIVE-TIMER
12.40 Cheltenham, Saturday (Triumph Trial) Winners of this have finished in the Triumph Hurdle frame five times from seven to qualify in the decade, with two wins: 2-030-1-14.
Nicky Henderson, who has won four of these trials from the last six, could saddle Adjali, always on the premises in five starts, and beaten only a neck in a Grade 1 over Christmas.
1.15 Cheltenham, Saturday The horse successful in this race has gone on to provide winner, two seconds and a third in festival handicap chases in the decade.
The one to do the double was last year’s winner of this, Mister Whitaker (trained Mick Channon), who followed up his trials-day success by beating 18 others at Cheltenham in a fine ride by Brian Hughes.
1.50 Cheltenham, Saturday This column latched on to last year’s winner of this Grade-3 handicap chase, Frodon, who is still one of my Fortune Cookies, winning the Winter Gold Cup at Cheltenham last month.
The star of this race was no doubt The Giant Bolster (2012 winner) who went on to be a famous 50-1 runner-up in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
3.00 Cheltenham, Saturday (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle) This race produced the Albert Bartlett winner, At Fishers Cross (2013), but it’s also famous as the launchpad of subsequent Gold Cup hero, Bobs Worth.
3.35 Cheltenham, Saturday (Cleeve Hurdle) An absolute galaxy of staying stars have won or appeared in this race, most notably Big Buck’s, Thistlecrack and Unowhatimeanharry.
’Harry’ plus last year’s winner, Agropart, are both declared for this race again. The winner must be followed.
WORKING HAS THE CLASS
3.10 Leicester Falcon Sun looks to be faced with a tougher task than his course and distance success in December and he’s up 7lb.
Working Class might well be a viable alternative. He put in a good shift at Wincanton last time out when third to Texan Nomad and 7lb conditional rider Harrison Beswick is again onboard.
The Gary Moore trained Thounder won his first two races but has gone off the boil since, unseating here last time out. He’s lightly raced and could be a danger if back in a good mood.
A WIN WOULD BE SIMPLY MAHLERVOUS
3.25 Kelso Two defections, so we are down to five runners but it still looks wide open – as indeed it should do for a handicap hurdle worth £20,000.
Warren Greatrex couldn’t be in better form with 9 winners from his last 28 runners and he could easily land this with the youngster of the party Mahlervous.
After a good second at Cheltenham to Speedo Boy in November he was subsequently a little disappointing when sent off favourite at Aintree but by comparison this looks a lot easier and the good ground will suit him well.
STONE LOOKS ROCK SOLID ALTERNATIVE
5.45 Newcastle A decent class 2 conditions race with £30,000 up for grabs which lightens up an otherwise mediocre day for the sport – not helped by the two novice chases earlier in the day both attracting only three runners.
The terms of this race favour Encore d’Or who is returning after a break, having run a superb race last time out in the Group 3 Mercury Stakes at Dundalk when a half length second to Hit The Bid.
Two things would concern me about backing the current BETDAQ favourite (2.8).
The Robert Cowell yard are badly out of form – 0 winners from 29 runners over the past couple of months.
Secondly, Encore d’Or needed a few runs after his last significant break.
He’s got the class and he’s got 4lb and upwards on the rest of this field on official ratings but can’t be a bet for me today with the mitigating points.
I prefer the chance of Stone Of Destiny who is also back from a break but does come from a stable in cracking form. Andrew Balding has had 5 winners from his last 16 runners.
Stone Of Destiny made a winning debut here at Newcastle and later last season ran an incredible race to finish a 50/1 fourth in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. With his stable in such good form I think there is every chance he could be wound up enough to figure in this company.
DAQMAN’S BETS (staked to win 20 points)
BET 4.2pts win WORKING CLASS (3.10 Leicester)
BET 12pts win (nap) MAHLERVOUS (3.25 Kelso)
BET 5pts win STONE OF DESTINY (5.45 Newcastle)
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