INPHO/Dan Sheridan
IT’S NOT TOO many sleeps now, racing fans. and for no particular reason, here’s how we’d line up our runners and riders in a 4-4-2.
Goalkeeper: The banker of the festival. The safe pair of hands in which the team revolves around. Sprinter Sacre is just that. A winner of the Arkle Chase at last year’s festival, this seven-year-old son of Network, has been nothing but impressive since making his chase debut back in December 2011. Experience is necessary for a goalkeeper and in Nicky Henderson’s gelding you have one that has been there and done that twice. A two-time winner at Prestbury Park, he is now unbeaten in seven chase starts and this year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase looks another ideal opportunity for him to record another victory. A solid platform from which to build on.
Left back: Fitness and stamina are essential. A player that will run and give all for the team throughout. In steps the Mouse Morris trained First Lieutenant. Although without a win to his name this season, this eight year old has run some good races in defeat. His third behind Bobs Worth in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury looks strong form, with that one heading the betting for the showpiece on Friday. He followed that with a good second in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown beating Sir Des Champs in the process, another at the top end of the betting for the Gold Cup. His target is still undecided but if it be the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, he is sure to run a big race.
Right back: Again fitness and stamina are required, a real team player needed. They don’t come more reliable than the Willie Mullins trained Quevega. Four from four in the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham, this nine-year old mare is a real team player. Only given the opportunity to run twice a year, she never fails to deliver and again this year looks like making it five from five at the festival. Having pleased Willie Mullins in a recent racecourse gallop at Leopardstown, she sets a decent level of form for the rest of the team to achieve.
Centre back: A real hardy player needed for this position. Someone with a bit of class and who is not afraid to take a knock. One who can pick themselves up when things aren’t going their way. Bostons Angel may be a newcomer to this role but he has shown a great liking for the position. A winner of the RSA Chase in 2011, his form took an abrupt decline following that effort. A change of sphere to Cross Country chasing and this nine-year old is a rejuvenated player. Second at Punchestown on his first try over the banks, he followed that with an eye-catching second at Cheltenham in December. His latest effort lacked his usual blaze but with a stiffer test guaranteed at the festival, he can be relied upon to take the odd hit for the team and give his best. He may be a Grand National horse in the making.
Centre back: A strong finisher needed here, someone who gallops his rivals into submission and although he may be inexperienced, Pont Alexandre has been impressive this season. Although only taken to the racecourse twice in Ireland, the fact that trainer Willie Mullins pitched him straight into Grade 1 company, speaks volumes. A combining winning distance of 24 lengths over his two starts, his latest victory at Leopardstown oozed class and has put him on the verge of banker material. Full of determination, everything you need in a centre back. It also helps that jockey Ruby Walsh believes he is one of his best chances of a winner at the festival.
Jockey Paul Townend and Hurricane Fly before last year’s Festival. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Left midfield: Speed is needed for this position and a knack for doing things effortlessly. Although disappointing in last year’s renewal of the Champion Hurdle, Hurricane Fly is the ideal candidate for this role. Flashy as they come, the nine-year old was a good winner of the Champion Hurdle in 2011. He boasts a phenomenal strike rate and has been beaten in just two of his 17 starts over hurdles. As noted he has course form and has looked as good as ever in winning his three starts this year. Ok, Hurricane Fly may not have been at his best on his both runs at Cheltenham but the Champion Hurdle for me doesn’t look the strongest of renewals this year, so he may not need to be at his best to take the beating.
Right midfield: A real hustle bustle player and the first race of the festival gives us an ideal opportunity to find a candidate. My Tent Or Yours would be many people choice but in Jezki you have a two-time winner at the highest level. A more reliable prospect. The second representative from the Jessica Harrington yard in the lineup and he has been nothing but impressive this season. A rise from a maiden hurdle win, to two Grade 1 wins in just four starts has shown his huge progression. He is not the flashiest of performers but with the drying ground in his favour, he arguably goes into the Supreme with the best form on offer.
Centre Midfield: A onetime speedster that has had to rearrange his game with age. If going down the Ryanair route, Sizing Europe can fill this role. When you think of Sizing Europe, you think two-mile specialist and in the past you would have been right. Just under a 50 per cent strike rate in two-mile events – 10 wins from 21 starts, an elegant jumper with speed rather than stamina has been what this horse is all about. There are two main reasons why the Ryanair looks the more suitable race for him this year, rather than the Champion Chase. Firstly, simple. By going down the Ryanair route, you avoid Sprinter Sacre. Secondly, at the age of 11 now, he has given the impression that he has lost some of that natural high cruising speed. His most impressive performance for me this year came in winning the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase over the two-mile-four-furlong trip at Clonmel. A player that has needed to change his game, but one who has the class to do so. A real player.
Jockey Davy Russell onboard with Sir Des Champs clears the last fence to win The Hennessy Gold Cup . Pic: INPHO/Donall Farmer
Centre Midfield: Not sure to be everyone’s favourite but one who may be coming to the top of his game and has been brought along nicely with the Gold Cup in mind. Sir Des Champs a lightly raced seven-year old, has only been beaten twice in 10 starts. Those two defeats have come this season but his last performance when beating Flemenstar in the Hennessey Gold Cup, branded him out as a real Gold Cup contender. The Cheltenham showpiece has been marked out as his target since winning the Jewson Chase at last year’s festival and he has shown marked progression with each run this season. He is two from two at Cheltenham and has been clearly brought along with this race in mind. Like any good central midfielder, he is prone to the odd bad jump/tackle, but he has been brought along nicely for this race and his course form may just prove crucial.
Striker: A role to be filled by a real speed horse. One that can get in behind the defence and also has a bit of class. Our Conor may be the answer. A useful flat performer, the four-year has come into his own over hurdles. Three from three over hurdles, the Dessie Hughes trained gelding was most impressive in winning the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile Hurdle at Leopardstown last month. That was arguably the best juvenile trial held in Ireland this year and although he has no previous Cheltenham form, he goes there with a favourite’s chance. Rolling Star the obvious danger.
Free role: The Leo Messi [Steve McManaman] role – adaptable to most conditions and liable to pop up with some magic after riding the rails – goes to Back in Focus. There were worries earlier in the year that the Graham Wylie-owned mount might miss the festival but they have since evaporated. Any rain before Wednesday’s National Hunt Chase may enhance the winning odds of Back In Focus despite the murmurings of support for Godsmejudge.
