Ante-Post Betting / Timeform / 02 March 2012 /

Timeform's Irish team take a look at the main Irish contenders for the final day of this year's Cheltenham Festival...

With Minsk now sidelined the Irish challenge for the Triumph Hurdle looks consideably weaker.

Hisaabaat won a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February by one and a half lengths from Shadow Catcher, but does look the sort who is ideally suited by a bare two miles so makes little appeal at current odds, indeed he could even be a place lay. Shadow Catcher arguably hit the front too soon that day and may still have won with tidier leaps at the last two flights so looks a live each-way contender in a year where nothing has really stamped their authority on the division, while Darroun is another to consider. He found Shadow Catcher too strong at Punchestown on New Year's Eve but has has since won at Leopardstown and should be suited by the extra furlong and uphill finish.

Ireland's main hope for the Albert Bartlett (Spa) Hurdle would be Boston Bob if he turned up, but current prices on Betfair suggest the Baring Bingham is his most likely destination, so it may pay to look elsewhere at this stage. Mount Benbulben hasn't been seen since chasing home Boston Bob at Navan in December and, though he tended to jump out to his right that day, he was turned out quite soon after a hard race over the same course and distance and will be suited by three miles. He has also shaped as if a sounder surface could suit.

Gigginstown House Stud have a few viable contenders, notably Sea of Thunder, Folsom Blue and Ipsos du Berlais. The first-named was in the process of running comfortably his best race when falling at Cheltenham in December, eight lengths up and in control when crashing out at the last (form franked since), and is better judged on that effort than when getting bogged down in heavy ground at Leopardstown last time. Folsom Blue has improved in leaps and bounds this term but has done his winning away from galloping tracks, and at a lesser level, so has a bit to prove in the context of this championship event, while Ipsos de Berlais will be a real contender if the ground turns testing, especially as he has untapped potential at three miles, but may be found wanting for a change of gear otherwise.

The Gold Cup hasn't gone to Ireland since War of Attrition won a substandard renewal in 2006 and that sequence looks likely to continue with Quel Esprit the pick of the Irish contingent after his win in the Hennessy at Leopardstown. He is still a long way off the standard set by Long Run and Kauto Star, though, while his stamina for three and a quarter miles isn't assured.

The last non-handicap event of the Festival is the Foxhunter Chase, and though the entries aren't in for this contest yet, we have a fairly good idea who will head the Irish challenge. Salsify won the Champion Hunter at Punchestown last spring and looked better than ever when scoring at Leopardstown last time, travelling with his typical zest and readily drawing clear. He's probably the best chance for Ireland as it stands, but On The Fringe and Merchant Royal are also contenders. The former came up short last year and was only third behind Salsify on his return earlier in Febraury, but he's got so few miles on the clock an improved showing can' t be ruled out with confidence, while Merchant Royal threw his hat into the ring when successful at Thurles in January, beating Viking Splash by a neck (pair clear) and leaving the firm impression a sounder surface will play to his strengths.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: