Cheltenham Festival 2012 - Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase

Cheltenham Festival (Day 2, Race 1)

Diamond Jubilee National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders Novices Chase) (1.30)

Advice: 1pt each/way Alfie Spinner (9/1 general), 1 pt Teaforthree to beat Soll (evs Hills)

 

Alfie Spinner: Useful hurdler last year; Becoming at least as good over fences, with only one wins although he’s been pitched in against some pretty good horses, running twice in Graded company this year and posting good effort when third in Reynoldstown at Ascot; Winner was highly regarded beforehand (third in Grade 2) and second (Grade 2 winner) as short as 4/1 for RSA Chase later today, so with extreme test of stamina looking like it would suit based on Chepstow win, has to be respected.

Aleee Garde: Most impressive when making a facile debut at Down Royal, although he only won one race over hurdles afterwards (well beaten in better company); Best chase form in the field based on his Leopardstown third behind First Lieutenant and Last Instalment,  although he disappointed a little last time; Excuses for that though and should make a bold bid.

Ben’s Folly: Showed that stamina was his strong suit when winning at Ffos Las on Boxing Day, outstaying rest of the field to win heavy ground handicap hurdle; Since beaten in weaker race than this and pulled up last time so passed over.

Blenheim Brook: Ran in 6 chases and yet to be out of the first two; Stamina always looked like his strong suit and creditable the way he turned around earlier form with Lie Forrit; Could well improve for the step up in trip and wouldn’t be without a chance for all that it seems like he’d want more cut in the ground.

Bob ‘N’ You: Would have a better chance than odds suggest if at his best (130 over hurdles) and didn’t do too badly on chasing debut, for all that he needs much more here and may bounce after long (2 years) layoff latest.

Cottage Oak: Back from a long break latest but ran a shocker at Navan latest and his last chase win nothing much to shout home about, so hard to see him taking a big hand here.

Court Red Handed: Two from six over fences, although those wins came in weak races and then again been beaten since, finishing miles behind Alfie Spinner when they last met headgear brought him back to form last time but he has much more on his plate here.

Daffern Seal: Very unexposed, with just the four starts to his name (only two chases); Quite a taking winner when beating Traffic Article by 5 lenghts easily at Galway (that form promising) but beaten into fourth when headed last time and not seen since then, so too many questions to answer.

Four Commanders: Made several bold jumps on second chasing start when winning well at Down Royal and since done well for himself in Graded company, coming close to gaining 1^st win over trip that was a little short for him last  time out; Step up in trip should suit so interesting, although he does seem well held by Allee Garde on Naas form.

Harry The Viking: Ante post favourite for this who has always shaped like out and out stayer, especially when beating Grimthorpe winner Ikorodu Road last time out at Doncaster; That form gives him a big chance and does always seem to keep finding for pressure.

Iron Chancellor: Moderate in half his chase starts, beating beaten a long way by Roalco De Farges before getting better of two rivals at Southwell; More needed here today based on his latest effort and passed over.

Leggy Lad: Convincing winner at Down Royal and in no way beaten when falling six out when travelling well in the Troytown handicap chase, but has since failed to repeat that form and now has a lot to prove.

Lively Barron: Wide margin winner at Southwell in a giveaway race but better form when behind Harry The Viking at Doncaster; Disappointing that he couldn’t turn around that form later that month and big task here for all that he looks an out and out stayer.

Our Island: Still a maiden over fences but barring one start, been largely very disappointing; This is the test he wants but well held by Alfie Spinner on his last start at Ascot and passed over on that basis.

Soll: Improved form despite easy hurdle win at Newcastle for previous yard on his 1^st start for Willie Mullins and while he has much easier task next time out, still disposed of his one and only decent rival in good style; Sure to love this trip and jumps well, so big chance if handling the quicker ground.

State Benefit:  Impressive the way he put the race to bed at Exeter in January but not looked as good (or indeed and out and out stayer) since, being left behind by Our Mick at Haydock before running a below par race at Market Rasen.

Strongbows Legend: Looked a chaser with a future when winning at Hereford by a wide,  margin but not quite lived up to that since, although his third in the Classic Chase would have to give him a decent chance; Worry that he was pulled up latest.

Teaforthree: Useful over hurdles last season and since improved going chasing, winning well at Chepstown in heavy ground before trying too hard to take the pace out of the Feltham Chase; Nothing to do on his warm up but looks sure to go well and should be hard to beat even without the juice in the ground he’s thrived on over fences.

Universal Solider: Lightly raced under rules but the ablity’s there based on his 15 length win over 3 miles at Chepstow (handicap hurdle but still impressive) and hard not to be impressed with his jumping latest; This a big step up on all of that but the trip will suit and contender.

Our Victoria: Has decent mares form in Ireland (behind Knockfierna and Shop DJ the last twice over fences, although she was being ridden along when falling behind Blazing Tempo: Stamina to prove and up against it here.

VERDICT: A race that’s won by a slogger with a touch of class. The Mullins pair of Soll and Alee Garde should have their supporters and for good reason although it’s hard to rule out a big run from ALFIE SPINNER, who was third in a good renewal of the Renyoldstown last time and seems sure to stay all day for Sam Waley-Cohen, one of the best amateurs in the business and a previous winner of this race. TEAFORTHREE could be described as a horse who wants softer ground but there’s no doubting his ability following some good efforts on the course earlier this season and he seems like a reasonable each/way shout too. Four Commanders and Harry The Viking both have solid shouts too, with the step up in trip the basis behind their challenge.