More commonly known as The Sun Alliance by racing enthusiasts due to the Insurance Company’s long sponsorship in the past, this Grade 1 contest is run on the second day of the Festival over 2m5f.
Three times Champion Hurdle winner Istabraq won this race back in 1997 and it is a race that has thrown up many a top class performer.
So who will take this year’s prize in a race that looks to have the Irish banker of the Festival running in it? Beware though, last year’s Irish Hotpot, Pont Alexandre failed to win and the same connections provide this year’s so called “Festival Banker”.
Two unbeaten horses come into this race over hurdles, so someone is going to lose that tag. The two unbeaten sorts are Faugheen and Red Sherlock. Of the two we start with Red Sherlock.
Trained by David Pipe, has never won this race, the 5-year-old has been impressive in his first three starts over hurdles after graduating via Bumpers, were he won three out of three. The question is has he more in the locker from what we have seen on the racetrack?
In the gelding’s last outing, he beat the Willie Mullins trained Rathvinden by two and a half lengths at Cheltenham, so handling the track will not be an issue. In doing so Willie Mullin’s probably got a good yard stick as Rathvinden gave 3lbs to the winner that day and is not thought to be in the same league as his other contender Faugheen.
Red Sherlock is game even allowing for his tail swishing antics, but Rathvinden is near double his price and going in here on level terms, the Mullins second string is better value to turn the tables.
The Mullins trained “Hotpot” Faugheen is the choice of stable jockey Ruby Walsh, which has to be respected. The 6-year-old has won over various distances ranging from 2m4f to 3m, so trip will not be an issue.
The problem is the Irish bred has beaten absolutely nothing in his three hurdle outings. It is all reputation from a hurdling prospective and his jumping has been less than fluent, so what’s all the hype?
Well, his bumper victory in May 2013 when slamming Josses Hill by twenty two lengths, if taken at face value is frightening form, and if that level of form is translated to the smaller obstacles this race is at his mercy.
Ex bumper horses have won this race 13 out of the last 15 runnings, so that is also a plus for the Mullins contender. If the mount of Ruby Walsh improves his jumping for going at a quicker pace, the 6-year-old is the one to beat.
With Captain Cutter looking likely to take his place in the Albert Bartlett, what else is in contention? The Nicky Henderson trained Royal Boy is representing the stable in Captain Cutters place, but to me it seems to be an afterthought, considering they shelved the 7-year-old’s chasing career at the start of the season.
His form when winning the Tolworth Hurdle reads well, but he beat his stablemate Josses Hill that day with the Liquidator running no race, so form is probably not up too much. There also has been only one winner of this event aged more than six in the last forty years, so history is against the son of Lavirco.
Of the others, Deputy Dan may go for the Albert Bartlett, as the 6-year-old has a preference for soft ground and with ground drying out, I doubt he line up here.
Lieutenant Colonel is the other one to consider. Trained by Dessie Hughes in Ireland the son of Kayf Tara is interesting. The 5-year-old has been beaten by both of Willie Mullins’ fancies in the Supreme over 2m and this step up to 2m5f may well suit.
At a decent price, the Michael O’Leary owned gelding could run into a place.
Summary
I feel the Irish will dominate proceedings here. With 4 winners from the last 8 running’s it is a race they are strong in. The problem is which one?
Rathvinden is fancied to turn the tables with the Pipe contender Red Sherlock, but Mullin’s other star Faugheen is very hard to ignore. If translating his bumper form to hurdles, all lines through Josses Hill point to him been the best horse in the field and land the Irish “Hotpot” tag.
7-year-olds’s have an awful record in this race, and Royal Boy is confidently dismissed.
The Dessie Hughes trained contender Lieutenant Colonel is chosen to make it a clean sweep for the Irish, as he represents the best each-way value in the race.
Waggaman’s Verdict
Faugheen.
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