The Cheltenham Festival 
/ Timeform / 13 February 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Last Instalment and Bog Warrior were a couple of high-profile winners for the Gigginstown House Stud this weekend
"Last Instalment came out on top to extend his unbeaten record in this sphere, but it's hard to see why this warranted a shortening of his odds for the RSA Chase"
Although the pick of the British action was lost to the weather this weekend both Irish cards survived, and there were plenty of pointers for the weeks ahead....
The standout performer at Naas on Saturday was Bog Warrior, who went a long way to confirming the impression he created in the Drinmore when taking the two-mile novice chase, jumping well at the head of affairs and not needing to come off the bridle to beat the useful Slieveardagh by eleven lengths.
Bog Warrior will be a force to be reckoned with wherever he turns up next but he is yet to tackle going firmer than good to soft and it may be that something like the Powers Gold Cup over Easter, rather than a trip to Cheltenham, will be on his agenda.
Moving onto Sunday and the first of four Grade 1 races at Leopardstown was the Spring Juvenile Hurdle over two miles. It went the way of Hisaabaat, who ended a run of seconds to open his account in fine style by a length and a half from Shadow Catcher. Speed is Hisaabaat's primary asset, though, so he makes limited appeal for the Triumph Hurdle over an extra furlong on a stiffer track. On the other hand Shadow Catcher could give a good account at Cheltenham as he possibly hit the front too soon, while he may still have won granted cleaner jumps at the last two flights, the error at the last costing him all his momentum. Further back Ut de Sivola lost his unbeaten record in this sphere but was reportedly struck into behind, so is better judged on earlier efforts.
The Deloitte Novice Hurdle saw a surprise result as Benefficient made all at a Betfair SP of [189.03]. All three previous Grade 1 winners were disappointing to various degrees, however, Captain Conan and Cash And Go (found to be lame and scoped badly) running as if amiss while Sous Les Cieux finished second but didn't jump with a great deal of fluency, so this clearly wasn't a vintage renewal and it's hard to see any of the aforementioned horses playing a prominent role at Cheltenham.
The Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase wasn't as informative as it might have been with Bog Warrior going for easier pickings at Naas, while it was a steadily-run affair to boot, things only really taking shape from two out. Last Instalment came out on top to extend his unbeaten record in this sphere, but it's hard to see why this warranted a shortening of his odds for the RSA Chase, best placed after dictating a steady gallop and showing a tendency to jump out to his right.
Willie Mullins trained the next two home, namely Call The Police and Lambro, and while the former shaped well enough to suggest a graded race should come his way before the season is out, the form of the latter is by no means rock solid and it could be that he's already finished progressing.
The last Grade 1 action was the Hennessy Gold Cup and it was a sub-standard renewal after Synchronised, Jessies Dream and Quito de La Roque were all ruled out earlier in the week.
That left the way clear for Quel Esprit to record his first top-level success and give his trainer an eighth win in the race, jumping well out in front and having everything else off the bridle turning for home. He'll make no great appeal in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, his form a long way shy of the required level, but he would be an interesting runner if pitching up in the Ryanair Chase, while further down the line the Guinness Gold Cup at Punchestown should also be on the agenda.
Bostons Angel now has plenty to prove after the fitting of cheekpieces failed to spark a revival, while China Rock spoiled his chance by refusing to settle, and the evidence is starting to mount up that he's better over shorter.
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Mouse Morris is delighted with how First Lieutenant's preparation is going as he prepares to bid for his second Cheltenham Festival triumph next month......
Bog Warrior justified cramped odds by winning the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase at Naas......
Synchronised will miss Sunday's Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown after failing to satisfy connections in the run-up to the Grade One......
