SHAMROCK AT CHELTENHAM 2015: SHAMROCK previews all seven races on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival when surely there has been no bigger single day for the maestro trainer Willie Mullins?
Given the competitiveness of the Cheltenham Festival it takes something awesome for one man to grab the limelight but that’s exactly what Willie Mullins has done on the opening day.
FOUR short priced favourites for the County Carlow based trainer including rising stars Faugheen in the Champion Hurdle and Un De Sceaux in the Arkle.
1:30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 110y, 12 runners)
However calm and relaxed Willie Mullins outwardly appears, this is one massive day for him, the biggest ever and his nerves will be calmed by a win in the opener. He certainly means business by saddling a third of the 12 strong field as he bids to win the race for a third consecutive season after Champagne Fver in 2013 and Vautour last season. Douvan is very much the ‘chosen one’ this year with Ruby Walsh onboard and was promoted to favouritism after an impressive success in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last time out. It’s impossible to knock his potential but it can be argued that his price is too short in a race full of depth. That may, in part, be down to layers and bookmakers taking a very nervous approach on the start of ‘Mullins Day’. I can back another Mullins runner, Shaneshill, at slightly BETTER odds on the BETDAQ place market and have two extra places up my sleeve for a return. We know Shaneshill is a class horse as he was second in the Champion Bumper last season before going on to win the Punchestown Champion Bumper. He is back over the two mile trip for the first time over hurdles and I think that is a real positive.
2:05 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m, 11 runners)
Western Warhorse popped up at 33/1 in this last year to pip Champagne Fever but it will be a mighty surprise if Un De Sceaux tastes defeat. He booked his passage with an effortless success in the Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown last time out where he brushed aside two decent previous winners Clarcam and Gilgamboa with absolute contempt. He did fall on his chasing debut at Thurles so that has to be in the back of your mind if you are trading the short odds and he’s also unlikely to get things all his own way today with Vibrato Valtat, in particular, expected to put him under some kind of pressure. He’s my day one NAP to give Willie Mullins a first ever success in the Arkle.
2:40 Ultima Business Solutions Handicap Chase (Grade 3) (5yo+, Class 1, 3m 1f, 24 runners)
The Tony Martin trained Gallant Oscar certainly has place prospects here. He has impressed since being sent over fences, winning the Leinster National Handicap Chase at Naas and not being disgraced in fourth when favourite for the Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park last time out.
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3:20 Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 110y, 8 runners)
Irish trained runners have won three of the last four runnings and the domination of the day one feature is expected to continue today. It’s a superb race to look forward to and the obvious starting point has to be Faugheen who Ruby Walsh has chosen in preference to Hurricane Fly who would bring the house down if winning the Champion Hurdle for a third time and become the first horse in history to reclaim the prize – twice. Stablemate and new kid on the block Faugheen looks exceptional though. He is now unbeaten in eight starts including the Neptune at the Festival last season and on his most recent start on Boxing Day at Kempton when he sauntered to an eight length success in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle. On the negative side you can say he has yet to meet opposition of this calibre and is still prone to the occasional error but I fully expect him to step up to the mark. Grand old Hurricane Fly could only finish fourth in this last year but is back – seemingly as good as ever this season and has already added another three Grade 1’s to his outstanding CV. I’ve given up trying to predict him but it would be wonderful to see him finish in the first three which, on his current form, suggests is a very likely.
4:00 OLBG Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 4f, 15 runners)
Annie Power was always going to be a short price for this one. How short may well depend on how well the previous Willie Mullin’s runners have fared. If the big three have already gone in then you could be looking around 1/3 as liabilities stack up. With superstar mare Quevega (winner of this for six consecutive years) now retired Annie Power bids to continue the Mullins domination. She just came up short in the World Hurdle last season but this is an easier contest to win and she has plenty in hand on official ratings.
4:40 Toby Balding National Hunt Chase (Listed Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase) (5yo+, Class 1, 4m, 17 runners)
A strong Irish challenge of which the best looks to be the Noel Meade trained Very Wood who bounced back to form when winning the Grade 2 Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan last time out.
5:15 CHAPS Restaurants Barbados Novices’ Handicap Chase (Listed) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m 4f 110y, 20 runners)
An impossible looking finale. If you are still in search of a winner, wait for day two!
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
1.30 SHANESHILL (place)
2.05 UN DE SCEAUX (nap)
2.40 GALLANT OSCAR
3.20 FAUGHEEN (next best)
4.00 ANNIE POWER
4.40 VERY WOOD
5.15 No Bet
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