3.20 Cheltenham (Day 3, Race 4)
Ladbrokes World Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner £156,612
Advice: 1 pt each/way More of That, 1 pt each/way Zarkandar (16/1 general)
At Fishers Cross: At Fishers Cross: Was the rising start of
the staying scene after 6 wins on the bounce including Cheltenham/Aintree
double last year; Has had troubles this year, twice in trouble when jumping
killed his chances before improved return in the Cleeve Hurdle saw
Big Buck's: Whatever happens today, to be remembered as
horse who won World Hurdles on the trot and gone 18 races unbeaten since
switching to hurdles following Hennessy fall; Looked set to retain his title
when wiping the floor with Reve De Sivola but tendon injury kept him off track
for 420 days since; Return in Cleeve Hurdle on trials day was an excellent one
in circumstances, kicking on early and being reeled back in last furlong to be
edged out by At Fishers Cross and Knockara Beau; Weighted to turn that form
around convincingly and can make bold bid to regain crown. 
Celestial Halo: As years have become, has made up into an
admirable front runner, second in this last year and then a winner in France
over the summer; Getting better of At Fishers Cross when he blundered chance
away at Newbury and while disappointing last time, this C&D should see him
at best; Much better renewal though than last year.
Medinas: Winner of Coral Cup following Welsh Champion Hurdle
success; Pulled up when upped in class at Aintree but may have been feeling
effects of such a bold effort; After reappearance at Wetherby, improvement
seems plausible from him back on really sound surface and did finish second in
Grade 2 on seasonal appearance but today might be too strong for him. 
More of That: Only the four runs but much better with each
victory and a lot to like about the way he went past Salubrious and drew away
steadily in the Reelkeel when last seen; Would need to improve once again to do
so but sure that he can and will improve for a trip he should get, and if doing
so, not far away from pretenders with best yet to come and Barry Geragthy a
fantastic addition. 
Reve De Sivola: Solid hurdler who revels in soft ground,
fourth in last year’s World Hurdle; On soft/heavy, as good as they get, landing
yet another prize with Grand Prix D’Automne at Auteil, having been outpaced
before flying home to mug Lord Presitge and Gemix; Beaten long way at Newbury
when At Fishers Cross but right back to form when landing in reality, what was
a pretty weak Long Walk Hurdle with At Fishers Cross again disappointing;
Beaten a long way by principal form contenders in Cleeve Hurdle and will do
well to get involved on this ground. 
Rule the World: Second in strong renewal of Neptune Hurdle
last year but then injury struck; Not at best through this season but easy to
forgive both his disappointments and when he took it in his own hands, very
smooth winner at Naas latest; Should go well. 
Salubrious: Convincing winner of the Martin Pipe Hurdle last
year when the rain was well into the ground and he outstayed the rest (Aintree
too quick for him the next time) and good runs here on the first two runs of
the season, although swiped aside by More of That here latest and not expected
to turn the form around; Couldn’t get to Reve De Sivola latest and more needed
even with the ground having changed. 
Zarkandar: Former Triumph winner who has been tried at
Champion Hurdle for 2 years without success but stepping up in trip did the
trick when beating off The New One to land Aintree Hurdle last season; Since
been soundly beaten twice by Annie Power at that trip but giving weight the
first time and hated every step of the ground on New Year’s Day over C&D;
Strange trial for this when second at Wincanton over two miles but ground once
again did for him and been waiting for this trip and 
Annie Power: 10 rules starts and 10 rules wins, more impressive
with each start, landing strong Grade 2 novice before Mares’ event at
Punchestown; Convincing winner of Ascot Hurdle in receipt of weight from
Zarkandar but a far more impressive winner on New Year’s Day here and then when
landing Mares’ race last time; Tremendous form whichever way you look at it but
the question for many is her stamina; No doubts here given how she strode out
at Ascot and here earlier in season and the one to beat.
VERDICT: A mouth-watering renewal both in sporting and
betting terms. Big Bucks’ fifth world hurdle would be an achievement for the
ages to match Quevega earlier in the week and his price is actually a fairly
generous one on talent, but there are issues with the form of his Cleeve Hurdle
third even with the weight he was giving and the chances of fellow market
leader ANNIE POWER are preferred, with no doubts over her stamina and her form
the best in the field on a line through our ante post bet and still each/way
fancy ZARKANDAR, who hasn’t been seen to best effect the last twice and has
more potential to come on good ground over this trip and appeals as being big
at 16/1 given his lack of chances over staying distances. There are many with
chances, but MORE OF THAT, trying this distance for the first time on his fifth
start makes marginally more appeal than At Fishers Cross, Rule the World, and
Salubrious.
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