Cheltenham Festival - RSA Chase

Cheltenham Festival (Day 2, Race 3)

RSA Chase (2.40)

Pick: Jessies Dream (each/way)

Aiteenthirtythree: Showed a lot of promise last season when coming third, second and second again over hurdles; Unbeaten in two starts over fences at Newbury, trashing decent opponents by 17 and 50 lengths respectively; Top class chaser in the making but hasn’t faced anything near the test that he’ll face here.

Bostons Angel: Was a wide margin winner of weak novice chase but well beaten in Drinmore Novice Chase; Improved massively for the step up to a testing three miles when winning the Fort Leney Novice Chase and confirmed that when winning the PJ Moriarty Chase last time out; Faster ground in this case though, must been seen as a potential spanner in the works.

Elysian Rock: Improving for each run (and also raising in trip), having won his last 2 on the bounce; Got a handy weight concession when winning 3 starts ago and been well shown up in Grade 1’s at Leopardstown the last twice.

Jessies Dream: landed a bumper and both starts over hurdles in 2008/2009, and never quite reached that potential for the Mullins team; Has already begun fulfilling that potential in his second season over fences however, bolting up in good novice chase at Galway before winning the Drinmore in good style(despite the last fence fall of Mikael D’Haugenet clouding things); Second and fourth have won Grade 1’s at better trips for them since; Beaten at long odds on in trial at Leopardstown but asked to make up large amount of ground on heavy going giving weight to very useful slogger in Magnanimity and every chance on good ground here.

Magnaminity: Was a grade 2 winner over hurdles last season and learned the hang of chasing very quickly when winning second time out over fences; Beneficiary of fine tactical ride (admittedly did jump well) when turning over Jessies Dream a Leopardstown; Did get a big head start and 7lbs on that occasion and also behind Bostons Angel on last run(albeit useful).

Master Of The Hall: 4 from 6 since appearing in Britain, and looked promising when winning at Sandown and Newbury on his first two starts over hurdles; Made a good chasing debut (last fence error apart) and although well beaten in the Dipper bounced back in good style at Huntingdon; Easy winner of the Reynoldstown (becoming a better trial in recent years) but main market rivals mistake ended race as a Contest and has a lot to do.

Mikael D’Haugenet: Developed really well over hurdles in 2008/9, winning all six starts after being brought over from France, including Grade 1s at Navan, and Punchestown, before he was injured; Looked set to win Drinmore on return from injury but for overpitching on the last fence, but disappointing immediately afterwards when one paced fifth here at the Christmas Meeting; Bounce factor blamed but just looked plain slow/weak at finish when third behind Bostons Angel and can’t be backed with any confidence.

Quel Esprit: Impressed when landing Grade 3 over hurdles with ease but didn’t go on over hurdles after that, disappointing when beaten here in Grade 2 and not making impact at the Cheltenham Festival; Only had two chase starts but very impressive when beating useful Torphichen with ease and not beaten when falling in the PJ Moriaty last time, although stamina for three miles around here (festival record as well) doesn’t enthuse.

The Giant Bolster: Proved an absolute revelation when sixth in the Neptune and was crying out for the longer trip on that evidence; Made excellent start to fencing when winning by 11 lengths and was still well there when falling in good race here; Made miles of ground up to win competitive novice handicap chase last time and not ruled out here.

Time For Rupert: Quickly transformed into one of leading staying hurdlers of last season, coming second in the Cleeve and World Hurdles; Two from two over fences, having come home clear on both starts here; Rated as the clear standout here although he’s not run in graded company or this year thanks a bad scope which made him miss a key trial in the Aregnto; The one to beat.

Wayward Prince: Did very well over hurdles, bolting up at Doncaster, coming close second to Wymott in Grade 2 at Haydock and then winning Grade 1 at Aintree National Meeting; Made perfect start over fences, bolting up on debut and making hard work of tough race here before doing the same with the Towton; Can improve again for a stamina test.

Wymott: Grade 2 winner over hurdles last season (with a Grade 1 winner behind in Wayward Prince) who has made perfect start to fencing this year, beating useful field with ease at Bangor and then being able to give a stone in weight to next time out winner Shalimar Fromentro and subsequent winner Adams Island in third; Showed tremendous speed to land three runner races over 2mm4f and likely to make bold bid here.

VERDICT: Time For Rupert is the one they all have to beat but he’s only run over fences twice and comes here without a recent run, so he’s not unbeatable for all that whatever beats him may well win the race. JESSIES DREAM has shown a lot of talent on all three chase starts this season and is expected to improve hand over first for a switch to good ground. His form stands out as well. Wymott is preferred of the rest.