Cheltenham Festival - World Hurdle

Cheltenham Festival (Day 3, Race 4)

Ladbrokes World Hurdle (3.20)

Picks: Big Bucks (win) & Zaynar (each/way)

Any Given Day: Took well to hurdling last term and made full use of race fitness when runaway winner of Silver Trophy at Chepstow; Good fourth in Greatwood and excelled himself when second in the Reelkeel and when behind Oscar Whiskey (gave weight); Well beaten on heavy ground last time, and has too much on plate in all likeliness.

Ashkazar: Improved massively for first run at three miles when taking very good handicap here on New Year’s Day from well off pace; Still potential for improvement but inconsistency a big problem and this massive step up.

Berties Dream: Last year’s winner of the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle but not hit same form since, getting well beaten in the World Series Hurdle before failing to fire over fences; Well beaten on nearly all starts since and hard to fancy here.  

Big Buck’s: Unbeaten on all ten starts since switching back to hurdles, having won this race twice and taken just about every single major staying hurdle inbetween; Made easy work of beating inferior rivals in the Long Walk Hurdle last time and the one to beat in his quest to land a hat – trick here.

Celestial Halo: High class hurdler (second and fourth in Champion Hurdles) who was the top rated chasing recruit this season until a fall and lacklustre third ruined things on that front; Ran a perfectly satisfactory race in the Reelkeel Hurdle and again behind Oscar Whisky; Continued revival when pushing Mille Chief to a head in the Kingwell Hurdle (should have won) and bolted up in National Spirit Hurdle last time out; As good an outsider as any.

Cross Kennon: Has been in great form this season, winning well at Cheltenham before travelling very nicely when being brought down next time; Ran a cracker behind Mr Moonshine in the Pertemps Qualifier and stole the Rendlesham from the front last time; Needs more than that on better ground to get involved.

Fiveforthree: Won the Neptune at the 2008 Cheltenham Festival and career best on only run at this distance when slamming opposition with ease to win World Series Hurdle by seven lengths; Only one run since but showed his class, versatility and speed when landing conditions hurdle over 2m with ease; Bounce factor to worry about but all class.

Grands Crus: Has improved hand over first for the step up in trip this season, bolting up in two good handicaps, the first here and the second at Haydock; Put in one of most impressive performances of season when routing the Cleeve Hurdle field, scooting 15 lengths clear between last two flights without rider having to ask any serious questions that day; This step up in class but easily main contender to Big Bucks.

Mourad: Ever consistent and never out of the first 4 last season running might race when winning Grade 3 by 13 lengths before running third in the World Series Hurdle; Beginning to grow up this season, having hacked home in Grade 2’s at Leopardstown and Gowran; This big step up but no doubting that he has the class to make a bold bid.

Powerstation: Classy and consistent staying hurdler who had golden moment last year when winning Grade 2 in 2009 and was third in last year’s renewal afterwards; Hasn’t been in same form since and maybe age finally catching up with him.

Restless Harry: Became one of most likeable horses in training last season, dotting up in smart Cheltenham Novice Hurdle before running titanic race in Albert Bartlett (dotted up last time seen last year); Ran a very pleasing race considering that he was left 10 lengths behind at the start (beaten only 11 & ½ lengths in the end) in Silver Trophy; Was a well beaten third behind Big Bucks and maybe crucially, even more well beaten behind Grands Crus; Will be staying on hard when others have cried enough.

Rigor Back Bob: Was very progressive over hurdles last term, winning 5 times including 3m Grade 3 at Punchestown in April; Looked set for much of the same this season after easy win on reappearance but had run miles below form before winning the Tara Hurdle and outclasses here anyway.

Souffleur: Not been seen since finishing a close but flattering second to Big Bucks at Aintree, and that a major negative even allowing for the fact that he faces a miles bigger task.

Zaynar: Unbeaten in three starts as a juvenile (one here, won Triumph) and came into Champion Hurdle picture with impressive win in this race last year; Won Reelkeel doing handstands and performed with credit when third in Champion and Aintree Hurdles, looking like 3 miles would be ideal distance; Never going yard in Ascot Hurdle but travelled ominously well in Reelkeel Hurdle before emptying; Had win operation since and has a lot of talent here, certainly enough to figure prominently.

VERDICT: A classy renewal with a big match up for all to feast their eyes on and plenty of useful rivals to be in the shake -  up. This is one of the toughest tests that BIG BUCKS has ever faced over hurdles but he’s passed every single one with flying colours and can beat Grands Crus off to take this prize just like he beat Punchestowns two years ago. ZAYNAR has always had enough talent to mix it with the best hurdlers and is as good as any if brining his A – Game here over three miles and is well worth backing for a place. There are many plausible winners but the biggest threat is Mourad from where I’m standing, although Fiveforthree could be just as good. Celestial Halo is also given a chance.