Cheltenham Festival Patterns: Open Meeting, Part 2

/ Rory Delargy / 13 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

The weather, as expected, has come into play in a big way at Cheltenham's Open Meeting, and Rory Delargy is looking to unearth some soft ground sloggers to turn a profit from the final two days:

Cheltenham, Saturday:

The Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle will see Barizan go off a short priced favourite, but I'll want to take him on, not least as his form has come on a faster surface, but because his shoddy jumping looks like holding him back, and I would be inclined to chance the Nick Williams trained Pistolet Noir against him. The selection is bred to appreciate underfoot conditions and will improve considerably on his promising debut at Chepstow. He is also sure to trade shorter in-play.

The Servo Trophy over the extended 3m3f trip will take some getting on soft ground and it's quite likely that the enigmatic Zacharova will appreciate the slog off a light weight. Dangers abound however, with stablemate Miko De Beauchene a particularly interesting runner on his first start for Venetia Willams. He is normally a sound jumper but got into the habit of unseating last season and that's a big worry, while Galant Nuit would have a huge chance if happy with the combination of heavy ground and the marathon trip, but that's slightly too big an "if" for me, and he's reluctantly passed over.

Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes landed a first day winner with Lord Ragnar and their Andytown, who won that corresponding race in 2008, has leading claims in the 15:10, the Jardine Lloyd Thompson Handicap Hurdle, although it looks like he's caught an absolute tartar in the shape of Lie Forrit, trained by Hawick based Bill Amos. The Subtle Power gelding relishes heavy ground and looks well treated at present; Campbell Gillies will be hoping to erase the memory of what happened on Lie Forrit at Aintree last time, and this contest should provide a happier ending for the pair.

Cheltenham, Sunday:

Star attraction on Sunday's card is Master Minded and he will take plenty of beating in the Connaught Chase, as will stablemate Tataniano in the Independent Newspaper Novices' Chase, but both will be odds on and are only for the needy and greedy in truth.

The Greatwood Hurdle is the feature race and this early closing event is likely to go to Harry Tricker if he is recovered from his victory over Zabeel Palace at Sandown a week ago. Had the handicapper been able to reassess him based on that run, he would be carrying a lot more weight than the 10'6 he has been allotted here and his current price of 6.6 is more than fair. Not many of the others are guaranteed to enjoy conditions, but one who could take advantage if Gary Moore's charge is below par is James De Vassy. He won on heavy at Wincanton last year and is an improving performer worth saving on. His trainer Nick Williams could land a double when Reve De Sivola bids to emulate stable companion Diamond Harry by winning the Cleanevent (Hyde) Novices' Hurdle at 15:30, and this exciting prospect shouldn't be opposed.

The Open draws to a close with a Listed Bumper where Paul Nicholls' Ghizao will be strongly fancied. I'm not sure whether this test will suit the son of Tiger Hill and Lidar, from the Alan King yard is a more obvious favourite in my eyes. If straight enough, he'll take all the beating, while an outsider to note is the Warren Greatrex trained Chain Of Command who looks likely to derive considerable benefit from his Uttoxeter debut.