Cheltenham Festival Patterns: Open Review Part 1

/ Rory Delargy / 17 November 2009 / Leave a Comment

A stunning weekend at Prestbury Park saw a shake up in the betting for some of the Festival Championship races, but it was the performance of a novice hurdler which really caught Rory's eye. Here's the first part of his meeting synopsis.

Firstly, it must be said that the three days of Cheltenham's Open Meeting were a huge success, and the course executive must be delighted with how the programme played out. For me, there were a number of highlights, capped perhaps by the heartwarming win of Well Chief in the Connaught Chase. Those who attended last March will remember the special reception he received when second in the Champion Chase and he is probably the most popular horse at the track these days. Let's hope he gets to that race in one piece this season.

The meeting started in a low key way and the Gr2 Sharp Novices' Hurdle went in workmanlike style to Loosen My Load, but this looked only a fair renewal. If I had to take one forward from the race, it would be third placed Secret Dancer, who would have gone very close but for a mistake at the second last. He's rated 129 now and may be a dark horse for handicaps.

Saturday's card was spearheaded by the Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle in which readers of this column were advised to oppose favourite Barizan with Pistolet Noir, and the Nick Williams trained runner duly turned the jolly over in decent style. While he's bred to make a chaser in time, Pistolet Noir will surely win plenty more over timber and is no forlorn hope in the Triumph Hurdle itself.

Galant Nuit took advantage of a lenient mark to win the Servo Trophy and has effectively been raised 7lb (was out of the weights there) which doesn't seem excessive to me, and he's the obvious horse to follow from a race full of veterans. The 5yo can only improve too. Don't Push It proved his stamina by coming second and looks an obvious Grand National contender, but he's a rare winner these days.

Tranquil Sea was a most impressive winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup and is an obvious suggestion to emulate last year's winner Imperial Commander by winning the Ryanair Chase at the Festival. Some judges suggested that he had the speed to prove a Champion Chase prospect and it will be interesting if Edward O'Grady gives him a spin at the minimum against the very best. Poquelin defied my expectations by finishing an excellent second, suggesting that there are indeed races for him at this trip on softer ground. The handicapper has taken what I think is a generous view in raising the 6yo by only 1lb, and surely he can take advantage of his new mark of 151 sooner rather than later. Finally, my suggestion for the race Il Duce, who drifted to 130 on Betfair on Friday, ran an absolute stormer until the second last when lack of fitness told. The assessor's decision to drop him 7lb to 138 beggars belief, and he'll be a lot sharper if turned out for the Boylesports Gold Cup next month. His jumping was a joy to behold, and I'll be keeping him onside.