Arcalis in Champion Hurdle
Most of this year’s top-of-the-market runners have met each other before, with honours spread among them, and those who are saying the race lacks last year’s quality will feel justified if one of these ‘usual suspects’ wins narrowly from one of his fellows. But which one? Hardy Eustace is now on the edge of the age limit for past winners; Brave Inca is well exposed this season; that many races in a championship-winning year would be unusual. Where those two are, Mac’s Joy is thereabouts. If Al Eile doesn’t get it soft, he would need further. If Briareus gets it firmish, he would be a factor for a place. If, but, if, but…However, there is one horse who has done nothing wrong, except for being – wisely – pulled out of it in bog-heavy ground last time. His connections tore up the Festival-records book last year and the way this animal won the Supreme Novices was quite breathtaking.So step up ARCALIS and take the crown!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Champion Chase Ante-Post
Cheltenham Wednesday
It’s time to go for a change in the Champion Chase, with old-timer Moscow Flyer ruled out by age. The stats also say that the young pretender, Kauto Star, can’t do it at only six, and he may have to wait another year, good as his recent form is. They also say that the Grand Annual winner (Fota Island) has gone on to win this several times, but the staggering stat is that the last 10 Arkle winners to run in the Champion were ALL placed.. at least! And that means 20-1 shot Contraband, languishing on 42.0 on Betfair as I write, trained by a certain M.Pipe.
