subject: Cheltenham Preview 2011: Day Three [print this page] Cheltenham Preview 2011: Day Three Cheltenham Preview 2011: Day Three
Big Buck's has won his last 10 starts since unseating Sam Thomas in the 2008 Hennessy Gold Cup and has been odds on for the last 7, but the 3m hurdle division looks much stronger this year and the Paul Nicholls trained star will have to at his very best if he is to maintain his unbeaten run in theWorld Hurdle which is Thursday's feature race at the Festival.
The progressive greyGrands Crus has won his 3 starts this term by an aggregate of 26L and is a real threat to Big Buck's crown with the Mullins' pairMourad andFiveforthree also holding realistic claims. Many have suggested that Grands Crus needs soft ground to be seen at his best but trainer David Pipe isn't convinced and seemed to be more concerned with jockey tactics and which of the four principles would play their hand last up the famous Cheltenham hill.
Fiveforthree won the Novice Hurdle at the Festival over 2m 5f back in 2008, already has a Grade 1 victory over 3m and made a winning reappearance over an inadequate trip at Fairyhouse. Mourad has been plying his trade on soft or heavy ground this winter but is a much better horse on decent ground and having finished third in the Triumph Hurdle behind Zaynar a couple of years ago we know he acts on the track.
Noble Prince looks to have been crying out for a step up in trip and must go close in the openingJewson Novices' Chase over 2m 4f especially with better ground considered a positive by trainer Paul Nolan. Thursday is St Patrick's Day and Irish eyes may well be smiling after the opener although connections ofCaptain Chris have finally woken up to the fact that their horse needs at least this trip and they have aborted plans for the Arkle.
Captain Chris looks a big danger but the worry, apart from the form of the Hobbs' stable, is he may be a better horse going right-handed.Loosen My Load looks a bigger danger especially granted good or faster ground. A winner of a Grade 2 over Hurdles at Cheltenham he has been crying for a step up in trip on better ground over fences and has a 6lb pull with Captain Chris on course form behind Arkle hope Ghizao from earlier in the season.
The Ryanair looks a poor renewal especially with the recent defection of Tranquil Sea following a bad scope. The ground seems to have come right forPoquelin who needs fast ground to be seen at his best but he looks vulnerable to me and is overlooked.
Kalahari King is much respected from the North and looks to have been crying out for a step up in trip. When you consider he won a decent hurdle over 2m 4f at the Punchestown Festival over the trip three years ago it is perhaps surprising to see him plying his trade at the minimum trip for most of the season. Trainer Ferdy Murphy can certainly have them right on the day and he has most to fear from last year's winnerAlbertas Run who is another who will appreciate the good ground.
Trainer Jonjo O'Neill looks to be coming into form at just the right time for Cheltenham andAigle D'Or has been very well supported for theBryne Group Plate although he doesn't have the best of records over fences at the Cheltenham Festival having finished well down the field off a 7lb lower mark in the corresponding last season. Nick Gifford has his string in good heart andNomecheki has always been highly regarded. He gave the impression a step back up in trip would suit at Sandown last month and is another to consider.
David Pipe is very keen on the chances ofJunior in theKim Muir and this wonderfully versatile horse (Royal Ascot winner) has been well backed in recent days.
Donald McCain has won race twice in recent years courtesy of Cloudy Lane and Ballabriggs and hisAlderley Rover possesses an engine but is not quite the finished article. If and when his jumping improves he will win a big handicap butMostly Bob remains a horse to keep on the right side of between now and the end of the season on a decent surface.
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