Cheltenham Placepot: Friday 19th March

Placepot / Timeform / 19 March 2010 / Leave a comment

The majestic Kauto Star goes in pursuit of a third Gold Cup this afternoon

Today is our final chance to try and crack the Cheltenham Placepot and, while it looks typically tough, we can at least enjoy (and bank on) the superb Kauto Star who looks to have a third Gold Cup at his mercy.

"Kauto Star is undoubtedly the best chaser of his generation, and if Paul Nicholls’ stable star is in the same form as when running away with the King George on Boxing Day then he’s a certainty to secure his third Gold Cup."

1.30 - The Triumph Hurdle is the traditional final-day curtain raiser and if you haven't at least backed a winner by now then you're probably approaching this race (and the following six) with a sense of trepidation and foreboding. A place should be within our capabilities in this, though. Alaivan and Carlito Brigante are just two of several in this with a Timeform 'p', but they also boast the most solid form to date and should get us through.

2.05 - The County Hurdle was for so long the final race of the Cheltenham Festival but due to recent revamping now finds itself in this slot, but that makes it no easier and four are required to get us through. Noble Prince and Any Given Day both stay further than this and will be coming strongly up the hill and go in as our first pair. Also included is Secret Dancer, who looked an interesting prospect when coming third to Loosen My Load in a Grade 2 here in November. The final choice is 2005 Supreme Novices' Hurdle winner, Arcalis, who looks well handicapped nowadays.

2.40 - Willie Mullins' Quel Esprit was well fancied when falling at the second in the Baring Bingham on Wednesday and is the choice of Ruby Walsh in this. However, Mullins' second string, Enterprise Park, arguably has the better credentials of the pair and should be suited by this step up in trip so is selected along with Tell Massini, who is the most solid of the British contingent.

3.20 - Kauto Star is undoubtedly the best chaser of his generation, and if Paul Nicholls' stable star is in the same form as when running away with the King George on Boxing Day then he's a certainty to secure his third Gold Cup. Massive banker.

4.00 - We could go round in circles trying to find something to include along with Roulez Cool, so we're as well off just banking on him. Admittedly, going 'all in' on one in the twenty-four-runner Foxhunter Chase, full of unfamiliar horses and unfamiliar jockeys, is fraught with danger, but Roulez Cool has form (achieved in handicaps) like no other in the field and, granted a safe passage, he'll be very hard to beat.

4.40 - Back to difficult, big-field handicaps for the last leg, though this one hasn't the depth of competition that most have done this week, and we're confident enough to weigh in with just three. Ashkazar, who went close to landing a big bonus in the Fred Winter two years ago, has been hinting at a revival recently, and this looks something of a plan, targeting the race named in honour of Martin Pipe. Joining him, we're going for the Nicky Henderson pair Peveril and Radium, the former progressive and unbeaten this season and the latter involved in some strong form lines (including the likes of Get Me Out of Here and Spirit River).

Selections: 48 lines.
1.30 - 2, 7
2.05 - 4, 10, 14, 23
2.40 - 6, 14
3.20 - 7
4.00 - 18
4.40 - 2, 4, 17

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Tags: Cheltenham, Kauto Star, Paul Nicholls, placepot, Ruby Walsh, Timeform, Triumph Hurdle