Latest News 
/ Adam Brookes / 25 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Current favourite Grandouet, pictured, has Unaccompanied to fear in the Triumph.
"Unaccompanied comes in with the same Timeform Rating as Grandouet, and the verdict is she’s got a very strong chance of proving good enough to win at Cheltenham."
Dermot Weld horses are less frequently seen on National Hunt courses these days, but Timeform's Adam Brookes reckons the multiple Irish Flat Champion trainer could be in the Cheltenham winners' enclosure in March.
Anyone who took the hint when Weld's three-year-old filly Unaccompanied made her hurdling debut on New Year's Eve, wouldn't have been disappointed. Just two months on, she has since added a Grade 1 success at Leopardstown to her Punchestown win, and her owner's yesterday confirmed she's on course for the Triumph, but how does she currently fair for Cheltenham domination?
As things stand, the current ratings-topper is ex-French gelding Sam Winner, who shot to the head of the market after his first two hurdle victories for Paul Nicholls, when romping up the Cheltenham hill before Christmas. Admittedly, the wheels almost came off last time at Chepstow, when he didn't pick up as expected before fading into fourth behind Marsh Warbler, but in front of him that day were subsequent winners Smad Place and Houblon des Obeaux, so the form does looks strong. Connections, and backers, will be hoping that the two-month break he's now enjoying will have revitalised him come Cheltenham, and he returns to the form that allowed him to achieve such a high rating earlier in the season.
Close behind is Grandouet, current favourite for the race and another former French juvenile. From a ratings point of view, the performance that established him as a serious Triumph contender was at Newbury in late December, when giving weight and a comfortable beating to his stable-companion, and subsequent winner, A Media Luz, as brushing aside the fair Two Kisses last time merely confirmed he was in good heart. It remains to be seen whether his current form is good enough to win such a competitive race, but we have garnished his rating with a '+', indicating that he could be better than we've been able to rate him, and, consequently, it comes as little surprise that he's favourite.
The aforementioned Unaccompanied comes in with the same Timeform Rating as Grandouet, and the verdict is she's got a very strong chance of proving good enough to win at Cheltenham. When you consider she's an unbeaten Grade 1 winner, whose form puts her almost at the top of the tree, add in the fact she has the possibility of significant improvement, and it's clear that to see that she's going to be a force to be reckoned with come March. She looks the most likely horse to land the prize for Ireland since Scolardy's win in 2002.
Following the top three is another filly in A Media Luz, who seemed to have curtailed her tendency to pull hard throughout her races when taking full advantage of a straightforward task at Huntingdon last time, impressively coming home 18 lengths clear of her nearest pursuer. She too is capable of better, and is by no means a stable second-string.
Chepstow Grade 1 winner, and conqueror of four of his potential rivals here, Marsh Warbler is in pouncing distance but has to step up a bit on what he's achieved so far. However, despite the fact he has yet to race on ground better than good to soft over hurdles, he acts on good to firm on the Flat, so the ground at Cheltenham isn't likely to be the biggest factor.
A touch behind these come a clutch of horses who seemingly have to improve to get involved. The most likely to do so are the trio of Smad Place, Third Intention and Houblon des Obeaux.
Smad Place and Houblon des Obeaux have both won since finishing behind Marsh Warbler, outlining the fact that he's going to have a struggle to confirm the form over two improving rivals, whilst Third Intention has spoiled his chances of remaining unbeaten so far by being too keen, but remains a capable outsider. The fact that they usually go very quickly in this race could play right into his hands.
Of the others, Local Hero now has a lot to prove whilst Sailors Warn, and more so Fearless Falcon, are exposed and would appear to be not good enough for such a competitive race.
Dermot Weld horses are less frequently seen on National Hunt courses these days, but Timeform's Adam Brookes reckons the multiple Irish Flat Champion trainer could be in the Cheltenham winners' enclosure in March....
The Timeform Radio team took a camera to Barbury Castle this week to get Alan King's views on all his potential runners at the 2011 Cheltenham Festival......
Arkle hopeful Starluck makes his eagerly anticipated chase debut at Huntingdon on Thursday, but will he be able to transfer his hurdling ability to the bigger obstacles, and who does he have to fear most at Cheltenham?...
No comments:
Post a Comment