Halftime.
Two down. Two to go. Wind and rain moving in to drape proper chasing weather on top of proper racing. The Willie Mullins train chugs along with three Grade 1 scores, including the small but mighty Il Etait Temps picking up where favorite Majborough left off, birch splintering, frame rocking, in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase Wednesday.
Tough betting yesterday, although, at the end of the day, I realized I hadn’t made a bet. It’s a good place to get caught up in a day’s racing without a penny wagered. Sometimes, you score without shooting. Wish I would have thrown a few quid on my old friend Franciscan Rock at 50-1, but glad I didn’t toss it around on the rest of my misaligned picks. The Yellow Clay still in with a chance when falling three out, No Drama This End never in it, Romeo Coolio the same.
From deep in the Horse and Groom (sounds like a pub in Stow on the Wold), we scurried outside to catch the second, the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. Asked who I liked, I stammered around for a moment and then offered a fan’s view, just simply a fan, watching a race.
“If you want to see something, watch Harry Cobden on Kitzbuhel. Front runner, bold, free…this is going to be a high-wire act.”
Some of the questioners ran to the window but it was more about the spectacle than the score. Kitzbuhel slid into his cape and attacked the 3 1/8 miles of the Grade 1 chase. Off the grey went, forward, determined, head low. Cobden, long leg, light hold, cajoling, coddling, trying to stretch the once-beaten chaser a furlong farther than he’d ever been. His only blemish when blundering early and unseating Paul Townend in his most recent start. There were no blemishes at Cheltenham.
“He’s got to get a short one…long…he wants a short one…long…he needs to get short one…long.”
A Jack in the Box.
Then it was too late for short ones, down the hill, around the bend, into the straight, still in front.
“Now you’ve got to go…long…can’t change it now…long…one more, one more…long.”
Jumps behind him, now the climb, into a new realm, a matter of trust. Stablemate Final Demand got there, through on the inside, but he never got past. Townend on the 7-2 choice he picked over Kitzbuhel. Undeniable.
Harry Cobden and Kitzbuhel. The day the Flying Wallendas came to Cheltenham.
Moving to Thursday …
Race 1. 9:20 a.m. Ryanair Mares’ Novice Hurdle. Grade 2. Registered as the Dawn Run. Winner £59,084. 22 runners. 2 miles, 179 yards.
The Mullins train continues to rumble down the tracks. Bambino Fever looks strong for Townend. Six entries if you’re counting. And if you’re watching, Cobden rides Future Prospect.
The Picks: Bambino Fever, Oldschool Outlaw, Charme De Faust.
Race 2. 10:00. Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase. Grade 2. Registered as the Golden Miller. Winner £64,300. 19 runners. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 127 yards.
Twenty runners. Novice Handicap Chase. Dart meet board. Paint meet wall.
The Picks: Slade Steel, Jordans Cross, The Bluesman.
Race 3. 10:40. Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle. Registered as the David Nicholson. Grade 1. Winner £70,338. 7 runners. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 56 yards.
Just seven line up as the best three took their swings at the Champion Hurdle Tuesday. Wodhooh has the best form and should win but Gordon Elliott has been quiet (for him) so far. Two seconds in 28 runners at Cheltenham so far. No value there.
The Picks: Jade De Grugy, Wodhooh, Feet Of A Dancer.
Race 4. 11:20. Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle. Grade 1. Winner £182,878. 10 runners. 2 miles, 7 furlongs, 213 yards.
Gallant group squares off in the feature. Bob Olinger won it last year and has made just one start since. Ballyburn continues to try to reclaim a career that began to go wrong when chasing here a year ago. Head low, not an easy ride for Townend. American champ Hewick makes his first start since November. Kabral Du Mathan rolls into this fresh off two wins. Teahupoo, second to Bob Olinger last year, rides a three-win streak. A few starts back, I said that Impose Toi would win the Stayers. Here goes.
The Picks: Impose Toi, Teahupoo, Kabral Du Mathan.
Race 5. 12:00. The Ryanair Chase. Registered as the Festival Trophy. Grade 1. Winner £211,013. 9 runners. 2 miles, 4 furlongs, 127 yards.
The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile of the Festival. Fact To File trounced them in this race last year and surely will again. Should he be in the Gold Cup Friday? Of course. But, as Dad says, “You can always train the other guy’s horse.” Jonbon, 20 wins, seven seconds in 27 career starts, stretches a half mile farther than in his Queen Mother second last year. The house will come down if he pulls it off. Banbridge and Impaire Et Passe add to the broth.
The Picks: Fact To File, Jonbon, Banbridge.
Race 6. 12:40. Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle. Winner £61,897. 24 runners. 2 miles, 7 furlongs, 213 yards.
The plots. The plans. The promises. How much time to you have to watch replays?
The Picks: Supremely West, Electric Mason, Minella Emperor.
Race 7. 1:20. Rosconn Group Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup. Amateur riders. Winner £36,233 23 runners 3 miles, 2 furlongs, 70 yards.
Derek O’Connor needs to work his magic aboard Jeriko De Reponet. I’ve always liked Weveallbeencaught, he’s been kept fresh for this and will be a big price.
The Picks: Weveallbeencaught, Jeriko Du Reponet, Road To Home.
