Timeform Notebook: Cheltenham Festival focus

Many progressive and unexposed types clashed in a fiercely-competitive renewal of the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase on the opening day of the Festival, and it appeals as a strong piece of form, the race arguably deserving of graded status. Much of the post-race attention focussed on the interference that was suffered by the runner-up, and the subsequent stewards' inquiry, but the performance of Buywise, the horse that eventually came home in fifth, shouldn't be overlooked as he made a number of significant late errors but still went close, marking himself down as a horse that must be respected next time. 

A winning pointer, Buywise made an absolute mockery of an opening chase mark of 102 when he overcame a number of sloppy leaps to decimate his rivals in a heavy-ground contest at Ludlow, and he proved that he was well ahead of the assessor by registering two further wide-margin successes. Buywise was faced with a much stiffer task at Cheltenham, thrown into a big field against many improving rivals on a faster surface than he had previously encountered, but he confirmed himself as just about the most progressive horse in training with a remarkable display, going close despite some calamitous late errors. Having been patiently ridden, Buywise tanked along and was just starting to make good headway when his progress was halted by errors at four out and the third-last fence, steadying markedly into the latter obstacle. Remarkably, Buywise still had a chance turning for home but he made his most serious effort yet when slithering on landing at the next fence, all but coming to a stop. Buywise had little hope of making up the lost ground, but he ran on strongly, appearing to have plenty left in the tank as he crossed the line, and he is certainly capable of winning off his current mark if cutting down on the errors.

Cause of Causes may have won a Ladbroke Hurdle and finished down the field in last year's Supreme Novices' Hurdle, but he has proven well suited to longer distances since going chasing, and he arguably would have won the Kim Muir at the Festival had he not clattered the last when delivered with a smooth challenge. Held up in the early stages by Nina Carberry, Cause of Causes travelled strongly and made eye-catching headway down the hill, still firmly on the bridle as they swung for home. He had moved into the slipstream of the leader on the approach to the final fence and looked the most likely winner - though the outcome wasn't assured given the manner the winner stayed on - but clouted the obstacle, losing momentum and allowing the eventual winner to grab an unassailable lead. It was still a most promising performance, however, one which indicates that Causes of Causes is every bit as good over fences, and he should be considered wherever he runs next, with the Irish Grand National appealing as a possible target.

Continuing our theme of horses that were cost their winning chance by lapses in the jumping department, Claret Cloak shaped extremely well in the Grand Annual Chase, looking the most likely winner before belting the second-last fence, and he looks a likely sort for the Red Rum Chase at Aintree. Claret Cloak, who was making his first start in a handicap over fences, had his jumping technique fully tested as the front-running antics of Next Sensation, who set a blistering pace, ensured that there was no hiding place, but he largely coped well, making good headway on the bridle and challenging powerfully before blundering. He kept on well in the closing stages, not beaten far in third, and he remains unexposed in this sphere so is likely to make great appeal next time.

Timeform Notebook:

It was a busy week for our Notebook horses last week, with eight involved at the Cheltenham Festival, and the success of Holywell in the Festival Handicap Chase ensured that it was a profitable week. Holywell was well treated based on his hurdles form and had been brought along gradually over fences, peaking on the big day as he stayed on strongly to win going away. The handicapper will make things tougher next time, but he is still open to progress in this sphere and could be worth a try over extreme distances.

Shutthefrontdoor, who was wearing first-time cheekpieces and a tongue strap on his return from 13 weeks off, having also had a breathing operation in the meantime, was seemingly primed to produce a big effort in the National Hunt Chase, but was let down by a shoddy round of jumping, faring no better than sixth. That race, in which his trainer has such an exceptional record, was the big target for Shutthefrontdoor but it was not an encouraging performance and we will remove him from the Notebook. Merlin's Wish was also involved in the same contest but didn't look likely to get involved before falling, and his jumping has proven a cause for concern in the past.

Close House was pulled up in the Rewards4Racing Novices' Handicap Chase, his jumping failing to pass the test, but that was an extremely competitive race of its type, and there will be easier opportunities down the line for David Pipe's charge. Close House is well treated based on his hurdles form and will be capable of cashing in on the lenient mark when he faces a less-competitive scenario.

Many Clouds was brought down in the RSA Chase, but his form took a boost as his Ascot conqueror, O'Faolains Boy, won the race, and Oliver Sherwood's bold-jumping chaser is sure to be of interest in high-class staying handicaps next season. He is retained in the Notebook along with Champagne West who ran creditably in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, and looks likely to make his mark as a novice chaser. Another Philip Hobbs-trained hurdler is also retained as we keep the faith with If In Doubt, despite his slightly disappointing effort in the Pertemps Final. If In Doubt had pushed Fingal Bay close at Exeter - actually shaping better than his stable companion - but he rather raced in snatches at Cheltenham, doing well to get back into contention coming down the hill but failing to see out his race as well as most of his rivals. He remains one to be largely positive about, though.

Like If In Doubt, Tap Night is also owned by J.P McManus and he failed to meet expectations at Cheltenham, not always jumping fluently and struggling badly from the tenth fence in the Byrne Group Plate. He is well handicapped on certain pieces of form, though, and could be one to consider later in the season.

Close House - Has faced some stiff tasks over fences and could yet do better.  
Many Clouds - Likeable type that has some solid form and will continue to give a good account.
Famousandfearless - Seemingly well regarded and type to improve for switch to handicaps.
Champagne At Tara - Shaped well on hurdling debut under considerate ride. Not knocked about last time.
Regal Encore - Has entered handicaps on a fair mark and is sure to progress once stable strike form.
Champagne West - Progressive novice that rattled up a hat-trick in good style and will make a chaser.
Pass Muster - Still potentially well treated over hurdles based on fairly useful Flat form. 
Dungeness - Shaped well under an aggressive ride at Plumpton and there could be better to come.
Benefit Cut - Possibly found run coming too soon at Leicester and worth another go.
Tap Night - Smart chaser who remains unexposed and can win off current mark.
Clever Cookie - Improving rapidly and impressed with the way in which he travelled at Musselburgh and Kelso.
If In Doubt - Lightly raced and unexposed as a staying hurdler. Still improving and boasts solid form.
Chance Du Roy - Shaped well at Ascot and looks likely to give another good account at Aintree.
Holywell - Slowly getting the hang of things over fences and impressed when winning at Cheltenham.
Fond Memory - Shaped well over an inadequate trip at Newbury and remains open to improvement.
Buywise Went close in spite of numerous jumping errors and clearly still fairly handicapped.
Cause of Causes Unexposed over staying distances and may have won without last-fence blunder at Cheltenham.
Claret Cloak Remains open to improvement over fences and would have won without late error in the Grand Annual.