3 minute read
That seems to sum up Cheltenham Thursday.
Shock Horror came in the first, the Marsh Novices' Chase, when hot favourite Envoi Allen fell at the 4th. He's a very handsome boy but anyone can make a mistake and he did, leaving the way clear for horses with names beginning with "M" to come through. The winner was Mrs Milner 12/1 from The Bosses Oscar 10/3, Come On Teddy 10/1 and the other "M" Milliner. Uknowhatimeanharry was going really well until the years took their tolls as they were approaching the last and the swoopers came sailing through. Favourite Imperial Alcazar was injured – looked as if he had been galopped on.
And the "wow" came in the Ryanair when Rachael Blackmore set off on the Willie Mullins trained Allaho and despite an error on the last sailed through to win by 12 lengths from Fakir d'Oudairies and Tornado Flyer, another Mullins, third on 25/1. Min and Melon were both pulled up possibly thrown out of sync by the fast pace.
The Stayers' Hurdle went to Flooring Porter 12/1 for Gavin Cromwell and Danny Mullins. They were 3 ¼ lengths ahead of Sire du Berlais with favourite Paisley Park a further 1 ¼ back in third.
Friday starts off with the Triumph Hurdle Gr 1 with 8 runners. Not much between Zahahiyr and Quilixios with both unbeaten over their last several outings over hurdles however with the way she is riding we would tend to lean to Racheal Blackmore's mount Quilixios. Tritonic looks interesting having done well on both the flat and over hurdles – 3/1.
The County Handicap Hurdle Gr 3 has 26 runners 5 of which come from Willie Mullins's yard. The market has his Ganapathi on top on 9/2 with Paul Townend riding and 5/1 Champagne Road for de Bromhead and Blackmore. We haven't given up on Petit Mouchoir and he may get a bit of our e/w at 25/1.
The Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Gr 1 has 17 headed by another Mullins-Townend runner in Stattler on 9/2. Fakieri is next on 5/1 and we are tempted by Barbados Buck's on 8/1 and Alaphilippe 12/1 who was good to us last time out.
The Gold Cup Gr 1 has 12 runners and it has the makings of a great contests between Al Boum Photo for Mullins-Townend who has won it the last two years, and A Plus Tard for de Bromhead – Blackmore. Champ is on 9/2 and Frodon 12/1 should go into multiples at least.
The going remains good to soft.
