Thursday, 15 March 2012

Cheltenham Festival 2012 (Day 3) - Other races


2.05 (Pertemps Final) - OUR FATHER has been raised 19lbs for his Ascot win and never run on ground better than soft, but he’s a horse of such potential that the 6/1 offered about him here is taken. A deeply impressive winner of his hurdling debut - in a race that worked out well for the grade- he was beaten twice after, although both times he was carrying a penalty and on the last occasion it was evident that some physical growth would do him good.

Back after a long absence, he was sent off just 8/5 for a competitive handicap hurdle at Ascot but under a nearly perfect ride from Timmy Murphy, he closed a gap of more than 10 lengths towards Shoreacres (who has since been second in two good handicaps since) with ease and has been kept for this since, so a 19lbs rise in the handicap might be negated with only 4 runs under his belt. The David Pipe team are yet to have a winner here this week but Kazilan and Balgarry both ran big races but for being sent on far too early and they’ve had at least one placed winner in seven of the last 10 renewals.

Speaking of Pipe, last year’s winner Buena Vista has clearly been readied for a repeat so a big run wouldn’t be a surprise, while the two four time runners Sonofvic and Sergent Guib’s looks set to go well, with preference for the former given his good ground form when getting within hailing distance of Grands Crus at Newbury earlier on this season.

Thehillofuisneach is an interesting runner for a yard who retained this with Creon in 2004, as he may have found things too heavy for his liking and if he handles the better ground here then he could go well at a price.

Advice: 1 pt win, 1 pt place Our Father (6/1 Bet Victor for win, 11/8 Paddy Power to place)


Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase  (4.40) - BEACUASEICOULDN’TSEE wasn’t beaten when falling 2 out in the Paddy Power Chase and with a past festival run to his name – albeit over 4 miles – he makes a lot of appeal in a race which has turned into a slog in the past, despite the Irish having not won since 1983.

 His prep run at Fairyhouse is good enough to set him up for this and a mark of 140 seems tractable enough for him to make his mark here, despite the presence of several other horses – Up The Beat, Sunnyhillboy, Faasel, Midnight Appeal, and Mostly Bob -  in a race that looks a better contest than most years.

Advice: 0.5 pt each/way Becuaseicouldntsee (12/1 general) 

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