Festival clues

Festival clues aplenty at both Doncaster and Sandown yesterday (2nd February), with some reputations damaged whilst others were enhanced. Here are a few of the positives, negatives and question marks:

Positives:

* Last year’s Champion Hurdle third, Afsoun, put himself back in the picture for this year’s renewal with a battling success in the totesport Contenders Hurdle at Sandown. He has been beaten by plenty of other Champion Hurdle contenders this season, so he may not be good enough to actually win the highlight of day one of the Festival. However, the inevitable fast pace and the stiff Cheltenham track will play to his strengths and he could easily stay on in the closing stages to claim a place, just like last season.

* Rippling Ring and Sentry Duty won the two divisions of the novices hurdle at Doncaster in good style and could clash in the Supreme Novices Hurdle. The important thing to note is that the ground at the Yorkshire track was pretty decent and could be very similar to that we get at the Festival in a few weeks time. Both were high class performers on the Flat, but the time of Sentry Duty’s division was slightly quicker.

* Celestial Halo may have been beaten into second by Sentry Duty, but that may prove in time to be no disgrace and he was well clear of the third. He and Binocular still look like the two biggest threats to Franchoek in the Triumph Hurdle.

* Ringaroses stayed on in eye catching style to take second place on the line in the big handicap hurdle at Doncaster. This horse has always been held in high regard by Henrietta Knight and he is a must for the shortlist of whichever race he turns up for at the Festival. The Coral Cup looks an obvious target, although he may not be out of his depth in the World Hurdle.

* Two horses who weren’t involved in the finish of their respective contests but who look worth keeping an eye on in the future are Grand Schlem and My Immortal. Both stayed on nicely at the end of their races to suggest there might be better to come in the coming weeks. The former may go for something like the Fred Winter at the Festival, whilst there is no end of handicaps My Immortal could be aimed at by his powerful yard.

Negatives:

* There appeared to be no excuses for Straw Bear behind Afsoun at Sandown. He looks to be just below top class, although quicker ground than he encountered here may see him in a better light.

* Despite winning the big novice chase at Sandown, Silverburn’s performance still asked more questions than it answered. He looks quirky and also doesn’t have an obvious Festival target – he seems to struggle to stay the three miles of the Sun Alliance Chase and isn’t quick enough for the Arkle. He could be one to take on at short prices in the future.

* Kalahari King was the big disappointment in Rippling Ring’s division of the novice hurdle at Doncaster. On this evidence he has no chance at Cheltenham.

Question Marks

* The well regarded Ashkazar got his season back on track with a convincing win in the opener at Sandown. He led for most of the way and quickened clear when challenged going to the last. After a hugely impressive debut success over hurdles, the David Pipe four year old had disappointed slightly behind Franchoek last time out, but this was much more like it and he is now 16/1 for the Triumph. However, he may need soft ground to be at his best and his owner isn’t reportedly keen on running him in that race.

* Don’t despair if you took our advice and got on Andreas each way at a big price for the Queen Mother. On the face of it his performance in the valuable Williamhill Handicap Chase at Doncaster was disappointing. However, he suffered a serious injury at Aintree when last seen out and clearly needed the run here. He travelled well for a long way and got tired after clouting the fourth last. He’ll come on a bundle for the run and we just need to hope Paul Nicholls lets him take his chance in the big race.

* Tidal Bay was turned over at long odds on in the novice chase at Doncaster, but the defeat wasn’t as disappointing as it looked. He made two terrible jumping errors, with the one at the last clearly costing him the race. The way he got back into the race after making an awful mistake six out was actually very impressive and I think the effort showed that he does have enough speed for the Arkle. If he jumps better at Cheltenham he could be hard to beat, as he clearly has some engine and no end of natural talent.