Cheltenham VC and Argento Day - Saturday 26th January 2013

Don't mind seeing the occassional bit of the white stuff, but lets face it we've seen enough and not quite enough of our beloved sport of kings. The national hunt season has suffered in recent days and weeks but a small trickle of light is coming our way in the shape of a fantastic and fascinating Cheltenham card that will shake the core of any real racing enthusiast.

As with all postponements and cancellations we have had a chance to air our views, envisage what may of happened and indeed what may happen in the future. The all weather racing and the sunny climbs of Dubai have kept our heart beating (around the resting heart rate percentage) but it's now about to cruise into our anaerobic threshold where the blood will be pumping and the heart rate will be pounding as we see once again our beautiful thoroughbreds jumping a fence flat out on a cold winters afternoon. Simply breathtaking.

On with the card...

12.10pm JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial 2m  1f (Grade 2) (Class 1)

The classy Grumeti trained by Alan King took what proved to be a stepping stone on his way to finish third in the actual Triumph Hurdle last year. The betting here suggests that the Ditcheat yard and Seven Barrows yard are going head to head as so far as the betting is concerned and that may indeed be the case. Michael Buckley usually has a nice progressive type on his hands and never seems to disappoint with the Nicky Henderson partnership. However, I'm always weary of a juvenile who is yet to run is this country and will be swerving Rolling Star (obvious he could be a potential superstar). The Paul Nicholls trained IRISH SAINT is near the head of the betting for the Triumph in March and who has the right to be there. A grade one winner in France and a debut win at Kempton over hurdles winning by 18 lengths on his last start is going to be my pick. It is an obvious choice but I believe this is a pretty moderate field, he has the best form on offer and looks to be the most progressive type. Quite unoriginal  and uninspiring at the price but the likely winner in the 1st.

12.40pm Timeform Novices Handicap Chase 2m 5f (Class 2)

Interesting handicap with some performers still out of the handicappers grasp. The Nicky Henderson and Sam Waley Cohen partnership we see most seasons now is in force here and you have to respect Radjhani Express. The horse was a facile winner last time out winning by 34 lengths on pretty soft ground over the Christmas period and has obvious claims. However, the handicapper obviously got a little excited and raised this horse a further 13lbs and will be carrying top weight. In my humble opinion I think its a negative plus (I know some racing folk believe Sam Waley Cohen is a good jockey), unfortunately I don't, I think it's luck more than judgement with him most of the time and he illustrated that fact the time before last when this horse fell three from home. No, I'm looking elsewhere and certainly looking for a horse who can handle the conditions, who travels and jumps consistently and a horse who I believe can handle the Cheltenham track. SIZING SANTIAGO, yes your forgiven for believing our friend Henry de Bromhead is coming over from Ireland but it's actually trained in Haverfordwest by Peter Bowen a trainer who is on the cold list at present but this horse might be the start of better things to come. Has kept progressing this year to a mark of 126 and this is certainly his toughest task to date but he'll certainly appeciate the trip and ground the latter was a question mark until I witnessed his run at Kempton last time out, he handled the ground that day but couldnt quite stay the 3 miles. A drop back in trip will certainly see him to the best and I'd give him an each way chance.

1.15pm Murphy Group Chase (Grade 3 Handicap) 2m 5f

BOLD SIR BRIAN is a horse I love because he ticks my favourite boxes. Progressive type, handles the ground, will love Cheltenham (I say this not because he has experience around the track but because Sandown form usually bodes well), he trounced the field on his last two runs and looks like a solid jumper who travels extremely well in his races. BOLD SIR BRIAN will undoubtedly need to step up on his last performance but I see him progressing to a 160+ horse so I see further progress being made by this young 7 year old. Mark my words, he will progress into a fine chaser and could well figure as a Cheltenham festival star in March.

1.50pm Victor Chandler Chase (Grade 1) 2m 110y

The rearranged Victor Chandler chase is quite simply SPRINTER SACRE'S to lose. This magnificient bay gelding (one of the best looking horses I've ever seen) out of Network out of Fatima Lii is quite simply a quick, nimble, athletic monster who will take all the beating. Yet, it would be a shame not to find some value here as he is very short out indeed and as we all know in jumps one bad mistake could prove costly. So, what of KUMBESHWAR at a huge each way price, we have the last two races  of form to draw on, he stayed into second in the Tingle Creek at Sandown finishing 15 lengths behind Sprinter Sacre and then lost a similar margin to Sanctuaire at Kempton. I beg the question, does he have place claims? I believe yes and with Wayne Hutchinson in the saddle, I see the partnership being a huge positive.

2.25pm Argento Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 110y

This card just gets better and better. We see the return of IMPERIAL COMMANDER and what a beast he is. Listening to the JP Festival preview tonight it was great to here from the co-owner Ian Robinson and I'm certain he'll be primed and ready for what is a tough enough assignment on his return run. IMPERIAL COMMANDER has the experience and ability to land this. He likes Cheltenham, wont mind a bit of cut in the ground and is an out and out stayer who will battle all the way to the line. If you look at his mark of 185 back in 2010 then that really speaks for itself and on his best form he would muller these by a wide margin. I still believe that he will hold some of his previous sparkle and will take all the beating. Nigel Twiston Davies can get them ready fresh and he'll be primed for this without question.

3.00pm Neptune Investment Management Novices Hurdle 2m 4f 110y

 I'm repeating myself here I really can't see past another potential superstar in the making. THE NEW ONE looks sheer class. Another horse trained by Nigel Twiston Davies he was visually anxious when he last ran and finds it hard to watch this excellent King Theatre bay gelding show his class over hurdles. He travels, accelerates into his hurdles, strong and athletic and will be very hard to hold back. THE NEW ONE one a bumper on New Years Day last year at the track, he then lost to Champagne Fever who has shown some top level form over in Ireland but since then THE NEW ONE has progressed to a mark of 143 and is still progressing and unbeaten in his last four starts. I'm very keen on this horse and will be following him for the rest of the season.

3.35pm Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) 3m

It's very interesting to see Oscar Whiskey lining up here, trained by Nicky Henderson it seems that trainer and punters alike really can't decide whether he gets the three mile trip at Cheltenham. Consequently, it's taken me a while to solve this conundrum. I see stamina and ground two key variables here as I really dont see Oscar Whisky hosing up or indeed Kauto Stone reverting back to hurdles helping his chances. It's also diffiuclt to gage just how good Reve de Sivola really is, yes we saw an excellent return to form last time out on heavy ground but is Cheltenham really a track that will suit and Nick William's yard haven't quite hit a purple patch yet this season. Consequently, I'm going to tip a real tough, hard, determined three miler who always gives everything at a very big price. CROSS KENNON trained by the fantastic Jennie Candlish has a real chance here, stepping up into better company doesn't worry me, in both his runs this year he has been up in the vanguard and will always give 100%. CROSS KENNON likes it around Cheltenham and when looking back losing by a neck on his penultimate start, then losing by 15 lengths to a very good horse At Fisher Cross both at the Gloucestershire track really arent bad performances. An each way proposition.