1. FESTIVAL BANKER: Another awesome performance from Dunguib, this time in the prestigious Deloitte Hurdle at Leopardstown on Sunday, means the Phil Fenton trained seven year old is surely now the Festival banker…providing, of course, connections opt to go down the novices’ route.
That seems increasingly likely, given that his jumping was rather novicey here. However, that may simply have been because the field wasn’t going fast enough for him - he didn’t have to come off the bridle here and may well not do so at the Festival either.
Like many others, I’d love to see him run in the Champion Hurdle instead.
2. GOLD CUP: With the Gold Cup apparently a two horse race between Paul Nicholls’ superstars, Kauto Star and Denman, and with the ante post market reflecting their dominance, many people will look to the market without the big two for some Festival value.
Joncol’s connections ruled him out of the big one some time ago, and after his victory in the Hennessy at Leopardstown, even a tilt at the Ryanair looked unlikely, so in the aftermath of the race attention turned to the performance of Cooldine – second here and third favourite for the Gold Cup.
Connections made no secret of the fact that he needed this run, so this was a commendable effort, especially after two disappointing performances on his previous starts.
However, he has a mountain to climb to match the Nicholls pair on official ratings and Imperial Commander surely looks the one to be on in the “betting without” market.
Looking to the 2011 Gold Cup, the patience Joncol’s connections are showing will surely pay dividends in the long run and this giant horse could be a serious player in the Gold Cup in a year’s time.
3. HANDICAPS: Continuing our theme of keeping an eye out for possible Cheltenham Festival handicap clues, Fiendish Flame was an impressive winner of a Novices’ Chase at Mussleburgh and, given that he is suited by decent ground, he might be capable of a bold show in the Jewson.
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