4.40 Cheltenham Festival (Day 1, Race 5)
Alasi: Grade 2 winner at Wetherby who also was fourth in
2011 renewal; That form gives her decent chance and has shown high level of
form over fences, but behind Une Artiste a couple of times over fences and
needs more to get into the frame here.
Kauto Shiny: Listed runner up and dual winner in weaker
company for this year twice, and Warwick Grade 2 was a creditable enough
considering that the step up in trip might help, but more needed at this exalted
level.
Mae’s Choice: Won Grade 3 in April 2012 at Punchestown
festival (looked to have no chance around 2 out, but find ride got her back
into things) but struggled since to hit the same heights and now looks exposed
to be frank.
Quevega: Looking to achieve festival history by taking this
race for fifth year in a row, and for the fourth time on her seasonal debut;
Not been beaten since March 2010 and on all form is a class above the others,
none of whom can boast of a Grade 1 win in open company either; Hard not to
think that she’s of a different class.
Shadow Elie: Twice scored in manner that suggested place in
this wasn’t impossible back in August, but well below best since and not seen
since failing to make an impact in Grade 2 Hurdle in December.
She Ranks Me: Improved since her defeat at the hands of Une Artiste
and Alasi in November based on two wins (2 and 2m4f) since, both on soft
ground; 25/1 looking fairly generous considering how well she drew clear of field
in Listed hurdle at Sandown and possible each/way chances if not quite there
for win puroposes.
Sirene D’Ainay: Won her last two hurdles in good style,
including a ready listed success ahead of Grade 2 runner up does give her
claims of a place or something better here and sustained market support too
also helped.
Une Artiste: Beaten just once over hurdles when consenting to
start, fairly romping away with the Fed Winter and then a listed novice hurdle over
2m1f; Unbeaten in two runs this season, including when beating Alasi and
Kentford Grey Lady in style at Sandown latest (may have been well placed turning
for home but worthy winner) and leading candidate today.
Cloudy Spirit: Undone by the slow gallop when only sixth in
this last year but had some decent flat form in summer; Not been seen since
August though, and even then he was
Kaffie: Easy dual winner in December 2011 (all the way on
both occasions) but beaten well into fourth in Grade 2, and lots more needed to
take a hand in this event.
Kentford Grey Lady: Second, easily beaten, to Quevega in
this last year, storming late to take second when the race was over as contest
despite slow pace; Been unsuited by slow gallops on some occasions this season,
notably when beaten in Rendlesham Hurdle over some 3m last time, but serious
place chance today.
Lady Kathleen: Can’t envisage backing horse with best RPR of
114.
Miss Milborune: Best RPR of 134 for winning handicap and
finishing second in listed race can’t be considered good enough and then below
form on heavy last thrice; Needs more.
Prima Porta: Form meant little in this context but can’t
deny how impressive she was when winning by 7 lengths at Luidlow, eased down in
latter stages; If coming on again, big run would be no surprise at all here.
Shop DJ: Predominately raced over fences in last two season,
and that form wouldn’t be good enough to have winning claims here to be honest.
Stone Light: Unexposed from France, shaping as if this trip
would suit when winning 5 runner race on debut; Beaten twice since and harder
to like on that basis even with shrewd stable bringing her over.
Swimcombe Flame: Useful mare who has been exposed since
winning 5 of her first 6 races, and last time she ran here he was only ninth;
Ahead of Kauto Shiny, Kaffie and Mae’s Choice on these terms last time and that’s
as good as she is.
Swing Bowler: Living upto her excellent breeding background,
unbeaten in two bumpers and three hurdle races, making plenty of ground from
far back to win in fine style on New Year’s Day at Musselburgh, and then even
better when third behind Cotton Mill and My Tent Or Yours at Newbury in Betfair
Hurdle; That is some of best form in the race and should go well here if
staying the extra trip.
OLBG Mares' Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares'
Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £47,830
Advice: 2 pts win Quevega (5/6 Sportingbet), 1 pt win Une
Artisite w/o Quevega (5/2 general)
Alasi: Grade 2 winner at Wetherby who also was fourth in
2011 renewal; That form gives her decent chance and has shown high level of
form over fences, but behind Une Artiste a couple of times over fences and
needs more to get into the frame here.Kauto Shiny: Listed runner up and dual winner in weaker
company for this year twice, and Warwick Grade 2 was a creditable enough
considering that the step up in trip might help, but more needed at this exalted
level. Mae’s Choice: Won Grade 3 in April 2012 at Punchestown
festival (looked to have no chance around 2 out, but find ride got her back
into things) but struggled since to hit the same heights and now looks exposed
to be frank. Quevega: Looking to achieve festival history by taking this
race for fifth year in a row, and for the fourth time on her seasonal debut;
Not been beaten since March 2010 and on all form is a class above the others,
none of whom can boast of a Grade 1 win in open company either; Hard not to
think that she’s of a different class. Shadow Elie: Twice scored in manner that suggested place in
this wasn’t impossible back in August, but well below best since and not seen
since failing to make an impact in Grade 2 Hurdle in December. She Ranks Me: Improved since her defeat at the hands of Une Artiste
and Alasi in November based on two wins (2 and 2m4f) since, both on soft
ground; 25/1 looking fairly generous considering how well she drew clear of field
in Listed hurdle at Sandown and possible each/way chances if not quite there
for win puroposes. Sirene D’Ainay: Won her last two hurdles in good style,
including a ready listed success ahead of Grade 2 runner up does give her
claims of a place or something better here and sustained market support too
also helped.Une Artiste: Beaten just once over hurdles when consenting to
start, fairly romping away with the Fed Winter and then a listed novice hurdle over
2m1f; Unbeaten in two runs this season, including when beating Alasi and
Kentford Grey Lady in style at Sandown latest (may have been well placed turning
for home but worthy winner) and leading candidate today.Cloudy Spirit: Undone by the slow gallop when only sixth in
this last year but had some decent flat form in summer; Not been seen since
August though, and even then he was
Epee Celeste: Front runner who’s better over fences than
hurdles; Impossible to like then.
Kaffie: Easy dual winner in December 2011 (all the way on
both occasions) but beaten well into fourth in Grade 2, and lots more needed to
take a hand in this event. Kentford Grey Lady: Second, easily beaten, to Quevega in
this last year, storming late to take second when the race was over as contest
despite slow pace; Been unsuited by slow gallops on some occasions this season,
notably when beaten in Rendlesham Hurdle over some 3m last time, but serious
place chance today.Lady Kathleen: Can’t envisage backing horse with best RPR of
114.Miss Milborune: Best RPR of 134 for winning handicap and
finishing second in listed race can’t be considered good enough and then below
form on heavy last thrice; Needs more. Prima Porta: Form meant little in this context but can’t
deny how impressive she was when winning by 7 lengths at Luidlow, eased down in
latter stages; If coming on again, big run would be no surprise at all here. Shop DJ: Predominately raced over fences in last two season,
and that form wouldn’t be good enough to have winning claims here to be honest.Stone Light: Unexposed from France, shaping as if this trip
would suit when winning 5 runner race on debut; Beaten twice since and harder
to like on that basis even with shrewd stable bringing her over. Swimcombe Flame: Useful mare who has been exposed since
winning 5 of her first 6 races, and last time she ran here he was only ninth;
Ahead of Kauto Shiny, Kaffie and Mae’s Choice on these terms last time and that’s
as good as she is. Swing Bowler: Living upto her excellent breeding background,
unbeaten in two bumpers and three hurdle races, making plenty of ground from
far back to win in fine style on New Year’s Day at Musselburgh, and then even
better when third behind Cotton Mill and My Tent Or Yours at Newbury in Betfair
Hurdle; That is some of best form in the race and should go well here if
staying the extra trip.
VERDICT: QUEVEGA has ruled this division for four seasons,
and if fit – and she’s won the last three runnings off an extended break –
should once again be too good for her counterparts. The 4/5 being dangled is
well worth taking, but the 5/6 with Sportingbet can’t be missed. Best of the
rest could be Une Artiste, who has beaten last year’s second Kentford Grey Lady
with ease this season. Swing Bowler should also be there if the trip doesn't bother her.
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