3.20 Cheltenham
Bobs Worth: Top class as both novice hurdler/chaser, gaining
second Cheltenham Festival win in two tries (1111 here, 8-8 left handed) when
battling to get the better of First Lieutenant in RSA Chase at the end of
eventful season (testament to his ability that he won); Only seen once since
but so convincing when winning Hennessy, beating Lexus Chase winner Tidal Bay and
First Lieutenant with style and panache; Slight concern that he missed his prep
but goes so well fresh and the one to beat without a doubt.
Cape Tribulation: Cape Tribulation: Pulled terrific handicap
double at big festivals over hurdles last year and continued in the same vein
judged upon his wide margin win at Wetherby on Boxing Day; Won Argento Chase in
battling style here in January but this a much classier contest and others make
far more appeal today unless ground seriously deteriorates.
Captain Chris: Not been the most coinstent since winning
Arkle of 2011 but still has the talent and showed all that in abundance when only
just beaten by Long Run in King George at Kempton; That form gives him big
chance and defeat in Ascot Chase doesn’t look so bad now although race ending
mistake two out underlines chinks in armour; Long Run just preferred of the
two.
Long Run: Not hit the heights of his tremendous campaign of
two seasons ago, winning just two of 6 races since his 2011 Gold Cup win; Called
upon all his reversed to beat Captain Chris in King George, but that renewal
had a few holes in it (first tow only proper stayers on the day) and beaten
fair and square in last year’s Gold Cup, and again behind Silviniaco Conti in
Betfair Chase; Still entitled to be right there at finish but exposed now and
would want rain to fall.
Monbeg Dude: Winner of Welsh National but fine ride off
featherweight won him that day and no chance here.
Silviniaco Conti: No chasing form around here but fail to
see how that’s a negative for one so uncomplicated, and high-class Grade 2
hurdle form in his only start here; Much better chaser, seeing off Long Run and
The Giant Bolster at Haydock (3m, soft) and doing same to The Giant Bolster at
Newbury; Has much to recommend him.
Sir Des Champs: Much like Bobs Worth, won at the last two
festivals, late charge needed to take Martin Pipe over hurdles in 2011 and
clear-cut winner of the Jewson 12 months ago (2m4f, good); Not as impressive in
any of four runs since but deep ground done him no favours (3-3 on good/yielding)
and building up to this from very moment he won the Jewson; Further the better
for him and cracking chance for yard with 5 winners already this week.
The Giant Bolster: As talented as any staying chaser around
when it all falls right for him, as shown by Gold Cup second (beat Long Run
into third); Good reappearance when third in Betfair Chase but well beaten by
Long Run and Silviniaco Conti; Will improve for today’s ground if it stays
quick on top and not to be dismissed, for all that he has it to do on form.
Wayward Prince: Readily brushed aside by Silviniaco Conti at
Wetherby in November and no reason for that to change.
Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (Class 1) (5YO plus)
Winner £313,225
Advice: 1 pt win Sir Des Champs (4/1 general)
Bobs Worth: Top class as both novice hurdler/chaser, gaining
second Cheltenham Festival win in two tries (1111 here, 8-8 left handed) when
battling to get the better of First Lieutenant in RSA Chase at the end of
eventful season (testament to his ability that he won); Only seen once since
but so convincing when winning Hennessy, beating Lexus Chase winner Tidal Bay and
First Lieutenant with style and panache; Slight concern that he missed his prep
but goes so well fresh and the one to beat without a doubt. Cape Tribulation: Cape Tribulation: Pulled terrific handicap
double at big festivals over hurdles last year and continued in the same vein
judged upon his wide margin win at Wetherby on Boxing Day; Won Argento Chase in
battling style here in January but this a much classier contest and others make
far more appeal today unless ground seriously deteriorates. Captain Chris: Not been the most coinstent since winning
Arkle of 2011 but still has the talent and showed all that in abundance when only
just beaten by Long Run in King George at Kempton; That form gives him big
chance and defeat in Ascot Chase doesn’t look so bad now although race ending
mistake two out underlines chinks in armour; Long Run just preferred of the
two.Long Run: Not hit the heights of his tremendous campaign of
two seasons ago, winning just two of 6 races since his 2011 Gold Cup win; Called
upon all his reversed to beat Captain Chris in King George, but that renewal
had a few holes in it (first tow only proper stayers on the day) and beaten
fair and square in last year’s Gold Cup, and again behind Silviniaco Conti in
Betfair Chase; Still entitled to be right there at finish but exposed now and
would want rain to fall. Monbeg Dude: Winner of Welsh National but fine ride off
featherweight won him that day and no chance here. Silviniaco Conti: No chasing form around here but fail to
see how that’s a negative for one so uncomplicated, and high-class Grade 2
hurdle form in his only start here; Much better chaser, seeing off Long Run and
The Giant Bolster at Haydock (3m, soft) and doing same to The Giant Bolster at
Newbury; Has much to recommend him. Sir Des Champs: Much like Bobs Worth, won at the last two
festivals, late charge needed to take Martin Pipe over hurdles in 2011 and
clear-cut winner of the Jewson 12 months ago (2m4f, good); Not as impressive in
any of four runs since but deep ground done him no favours (3-3 on good/yielding)
and building up to this from very moment he won the Jewson; Further the better
for him and cracking chance for yard with 5 winners already this week. The Giant Bolster: As talented as any staying chaser around
when it all falls right for him, as shown by Gold Cup second (beat Long Run
into third); Good reappearance when third in Betfair Chase but well beaten by
Long Run and Silviniaco Conti; Will improve for today’s ground if it stays
quick on top and not to be dismissed, for all that he has it to do on form. Wayward Prince: Readily brushed aside by Silviniaco Conti at
Wetherby in November and no reason for that to change.
VERDICT: The feature race of the week and a worthy renewal
with the fascinating inter-generational battle between the second season
chasers and established chasers from last year’s Gold Cup. Only a fool would
write off The Giant Bolster and Long Run (handily a big winner for us given our hedging before the King George), but they are beginning to look
exposed and in Bobs Worth, Silviniaco Conti and SIR DES CHAMPS they face three
progressive horses of the highest class judged upon last year’s novice form.
Little separates the top 4 in the market, but this has always been the target
for Sir Des Champs and if the ground stays fairly decent, improvement for this
test upon the jumping department looks guaranteed and he should give a
tremendous account. Bosb Worth won’t give up his unbeaten festival record
without a fight, but the lack of a prep run is an uningorable negative for me;
Silviniaco Conti will go well.
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