Day Four - 13th March 2020
Weather - A settled day, cloudy with occasional light rain and becoming milder max temp 10C.
Official Going Report - Chase and Hurdle: Soft, Good to soft in places.
2m 1f [13 Runners]
Three hurdle events before our feature chases, we kick off with the 4yo 'Champion' event the JCB Triumph. There are many here with a big chance, coming over the last expecting 3-4 to be battling hard. My first fancy is Goshen from the Moore stable, has a massive engine for a young horse, unbeaten over hurdles and also has winning flat form prior to that so whatever does get past this one (if anything) will win. Allmankind is a strong front runner but this is hard to win from the front and might set it up for something, Paul Nicholls really likes Solo and also runs Sir Psycho here too while JP O'Brien sends the pair A Wave Of The Sea and Cerberus over the Irish Sea.
Result - 1st : Burning Victory 12/1.
Goshen should have won that, was already well clear of the field when stumbling over the final flight, hopefully a big prize can still be won with this exciting prospect.
14:10 The Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle Race
2m 1f [26 Runners]
Hugely competitive handicap now and it's time to get the lucky pin out really to give us a clue, we like the looks of Oakley (Richard Johnson rides) as one that could pop up at a massive price here, has been competitive in his races though might need to be raced little more prominently here. While the Mullins yard runs five in all with Saint Roi (win) the pick of Barry Geraghty.
Result - 1st : Saint Roi 11/2.
14:50 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race
3m [19 Runners]
Many here are trying 3m for the first time so lots of unknown quality around, Fury Road [3rd] though does stay this trip on Soft ground and already a Grade 2/3 winner so one for the short list. Latest Exhibition [2nd] is another too having beaten Fury Road in a Grade 1 event at Leopardstown. The likes of Monkfish [Won] and Thyme Hill should also be thereabouts.
Result - 1st : Monkfish 5/1.
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| AL BOUM PHOTO AFTER WINNING 2019 GOLD CUP |
3m 2½f [12 Runners]
Time for the feature event of the day and indeed for many the entire week, last years winner Al Boum Photo returns again having had a similar preparation and must be taken seriously though there are several here with strong chances too. The Dual King George winner Clan Des Obeaux came back to form in the latest renewal to score by 21L. Has been given a different preparation this time, could well be a different proposition this year and shouldn't discount Paul Nicholls. The one for me is Delta Work and already has a very good Festival record won the Pertemps Hurdle prior to finishing third in last year's RSA. Needed the outing on reappearance, since taken the two Grade 1's (Savills Chase/Irish Gold Cup) jumps and stays well, very much one for the shortlist.
Result - 1st : Al Boum Photo 10/3.
16:10 The St. James’s Place Foxhunter Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
3m 2½f [24 Runners].
And now for the "Gold Cup for Amateur riders" in the shape of the Foxhunters Chase, last years winner Hazel Hill returns again and looks likely to play a leading role in this contest. Paul Nicholls sent out Pacha Du Polda to win this a couple of times and relies on Alcala this time around. Willie Mullins presents Billaway for PW Mullins to ride, and another from Ireland to take an interest is would be Stalker Wallace (E Bolger / JP McManus) lightly raced here having had three years off, so that they persevere with him is worthy.
Result - 1st : It Came To Pass 66/1.
16:50 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase
2m ½f [20 Runners]
Greaneteen bettered his useful hurdles form by going unbeaten in three starts over fences easily confirming the promise shown in first two starts last time. 12lb above his last winning mark fine chance for four-timer. This was won last year by a 66/1 shot Croco Bay, he returns again and shaped as though he retained all his ability despite his age at Doncaster, now 5lb higher than last year it's hard to see him following up but is still an each way price. Jan Maat is another to consider each way in a wide open affair.
Result - 1st : Chosen Mate 7/2.
17:30 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle
2m 4½f [24 Runners]
And so we finish off 2020 Cheltenham with a conditional jockeys handicap where Column of Fire looks the pick from Gordon Elliott's yard, Front View can win in the JP McManus colours and was runner up to festival winner Envoi Allen. Personally a race to watch and close the festival with it's not really one for us to bet in.
Result - 1st : Indefatigable 25/1.
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