Cheltenham 18 March 2005
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Howard Johnson's novice hurdlers have taken this meeting by storm and AKILAK shot to the head of the market for this 4yo showpiece when making a breathtaking NH debut over C&D. He made hard work of following up at Haydock but the race wasn't run to suit at the Merseyside track and, with the likelihood of a frenetic pace today, can prove too strong up the hill. Yankeedoodledandy has done nothing wrong over timber but, even though he commands the utmost respect, he has six lengths to find with the selection. Any further rain would bring Strangely Brown and Barati into the equation but the Irish challenge doesn't look as strong as in previous years and the primary danger could come from Penzance. Alan King holds this half-brother to the brilliant Soviet Song in the highest regard and his charge has done little in three races to suggest that opinion is unjustified.
A competitive heat for the inaugural running of this event with plenty of embryonic chasers attempting to make their mark over the smaller obstacles. The Wylie/Johnson team again hold a strong hand in the shape of Bewleys Berry who wasn't troubled to land a Grade 2 at Doncaster and there is more to come. Useful Flat performer Romany Prince is held on that run and is a doubtful stayer, while a similar comment applies to Moulin Riche, but improving handicapper Over The Creek will relish every yard of the stamina test and deserves a crack at this grade. Washington Lad looks the best of the Irish brigade, despite the ground being on the quick side, but preference is for BREWSTER who has the form in the book at this level. His Grade 1 victory came on rain-softened going at Newbury but his two wins on this course were under similar conditions to today's and he sets the standard that his rivals must aspire to.
Not a vintage renewal due to the absence of triple-hero Best Mate and several others but an intriguing clash, nonetheless. Beef Or Salmon runs in the race for the third time and a similar performance to last year's fourth would put him in the firing line. On his day, he is very good but he is prone to the odd below-par effort as he showed in the Irish Hennessy and that tempers enthusiasm. Compatriot Kicking King has been a revelation since tackling 3m but he is stepping into uncharted territory here and a recent setback must be a concern. Martin Pipe bids to end his Gold Cup drought with Celestial Gold who has improved beyond recognition since finishing second in the four-miler at last year's Festival. He will definitely improve for his Newbury run but the same can be said for STRONG FLOW who has been nursed back from injury with this race in mind. His AON Chase effort was a corker considering it was his first outing over fences for 14 months and he will be spot-on for today's assignment. Grey Abbey trounced course specialist Therealbandit in the Pillar Chase here, although he needs soft ground to be seen at his best. Last year's runner-up Sir Rembrandt is another who likes to get his toe in but Tiutchev is a massive price for a multiple Grade 1 winner and could sneak into the frame.
There would be no more popular winner than dual-hero Earthmover and a recent Fontwell victory proved that there is still life in the old dog yet but he is vulnerable to a younger, more progressive rival and stablemate SLEEPING NIGHT fits the bill. Good enough to get within a length of the brilliant Baracouda over hurdles, Paul Nicholls' French recruit hasn't broken sweat in winning his two completed hunter chases and, although his fast and low jumping style is a cause for some concern, he has a class advantage over his rivals. Grand National third Lord Atterbury is being primed for another tilt at the Aintree spectacular and may not be fully wound-up for his second run of the season. Prolific pointer Free Gift was disappointing at Folkestone but has youth on his side, while Lord Of The Turf put last year's second Never Compromise firmly in his place at Leopardstown and the Irish raiders must always be respected in this contest.
Nicky Henderson is going all out to land the race named after his late father and Caracciola would be the pick of his three if recapturing the form that saw him beat Thisthatandtother last season. L'Ange Au Ciel leapt to the head of the betting for this when accounting for Supreme Developer at Sandown but the runner-up did little to boost the form in Tuesday's Arkle and a 5lb rise also tempers enthusiasm. Great Travel may represent Paul Nicholls' best chance of following up St Pirran's win last year and his third to Champion Chase fourth Oneway off this mark was solid. Ground Ball is 2lb higher than when filling the runner-up berth 12 months ago and has been laid out for another attempt but preference is for ALMAYDAN. Richard Lee resisted temptation to run his novice in the Arkle and this rapidly improving young chaser can vindicate that decision by landing this prize.
The presence of Rigmarole at the head of the weights means that stablemate Monte Cinto races from just 1lb out of the handicap and he arrives on the back of a fine third in Saturday's Imperial Cup. However, it could be left to another Ditcheat representative to land the spoils in the shape of PEROUSE. The consistent 7yo has mixed it with the best this season and is 1lb lower than when close up behind Champion Hurdle fourth Accordion Etoile over C&D earlier in the campaign. Bongo Fury excelled herself behind Essex at Newbury and is Martin Pipe's best hope, although Tamarinbleu can't be discounted at his best. He beat King Revo at Sandown but Pat Haslam's 5yo is much better off now and could give the selection most to think about.
