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| Nichols Canyon won a Grade 1 last time out at Leopardstown |
One of the more experienced horses in the field is Nichols Canyon,
with 10 fairly successful flat starts to his name before taking to hurdles.
Since winning his maiden he has only run in Grade 1 races (three in total, two
of which he won, unseating Ruby Walsh in the other). His first two runs
featured some slight mistakes and jumping which wasn't quite desirable, while
the jump on his third start which unseated Ruby was shocking. He may well be
learning, however, with the standard of his hurdling improving greatly on his
last start, when he beat Alvisio Ville (who was 7th yesterday in the Supreme) among
other classy types.
The only other Mullins horse in the fields is Outlander, who
won three bumpers last season before finishing 6th in the Champion Bumper at
Punchestown. Since then, he won his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse easily, lost by
a neck to Martello Tower at a Grade 3 at Limerick after Christmas and reversed
this form in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in January, beating some very good
horses in the process.
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| Windsor Park chased home Nichols Canyon in the Grade 1 Deloitte last time out |
These two Mullins horses lead the market and following them
closely is another Irish contender; the Irish-trained raiders have won 4 of the
last 7 renewals of the race and filled up 2nd and 3rd in
two of the other three years, and their good run looks set to continue this
year if the markets are to be believed. Dermot Weld’s charge Windsor Park
chased home Nichols Canyon in the Deloitte in front of some decent horses – it
was his first Grade 1 start after finishing 4th of 7 in a Grade 2 in
January at Leopardstown behind Outlander among others but in front of No More
Heroes.
The best British hope may be Parlour Games, due to receive
some market support due to having AP on board. His recent form is certainly
notable, a Grade 2 win over course and distance followed by a Grade 1 success
at Newbury at the end of December. The course win will be beneficial and he
should like the ground after a bit of watering. McCoy has a good record on him
(2 wins and a place from 3 starts) while he is always seen to his best on a
left-handed track.
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| Vyta Du Roc is rapidly improving |
Vyta Du Roc is Barry Geraghty’s ride in the race but has
form to reverse with Parlour Games last time out in the aforementioned Grade 1
when he was beaten by a neck in 2nd. Prior to this he had four wins
from four starts since arriving on these shores and coming into Henderson’s
stables, breaking his class 5 maiden hurdle with ease, then winning a class 3
with similar ease and warranting a shot at Graded company. He was given a tough
race when winning his first Grade 2 here, with a few jumping issues coming to
the fore against better opposition than he had faced in the past. He improved
when winning another Grade 2 at Sandown and possibly improved again when 2nd
behind Parlour Games – more improvement will be needed but it’s not impossible
by any means.
Ordo Ab Chao is another course winner (one of three in this
field of 10), producing a career best performance last time out to win a Grade
2 on Trials Day in January. He’s improving rapidly and should that progression
continue then he will have a chance today. He hasn’t run at any level higher
than class 3 and completely outclassed Mendip Express last time out which
initially looked like very strong form but whose disappointing run yesterday
would suggest otherwise.
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| Beast Of Burden was impressive in a class 3 last time out |
Beast Of Burden was impressive in victory in a class 3 race
last time out but that’s the highest level he has run at. He definitely
deserves a shot at this, but has more to find with the leading contenders on
bare form. He has also only run on flatter tracks so we have no idea how he’ll
take to Cheltenham. Paul Townend picked up two winners yesterday, though and is
sure to have the wind in his sails beginning day three of the festival.
Noel Meade is having a great season with Road To Riches
heading towards the Gold Cup on Friday. Snow Falcon represents his stable here.
Having never run in a race worth more than 7k over hurdles, this Grade 1 will
be a massive step up in class for him. He has never finished outside the top 2
and is running well this season but in theory should have a lot to find with
Nichols Canyon and the other main contenders.
Warrantor had only run in class 4 and 5 races before
suggesting that he wasn’t up to listed level when 7th in a listed
race at Kempton in January. He ran on soft ground that day which he probably
prefers to today’s ground so he’s hard to fancy today.
Anteros is the rank outsider despite having achieved some
success in Grade 2 races, having finished 2nd in one over 3 miles
here in December. He looks exposed at that class though and it’s hard to see
him perform better in a Grade 1.
Parlour Games is interesting because he seems to be a strong
contender but the trends would suggest that he has a lot to find – a British-bred
horse heavily campaigned this season who has already finished outside the top 2
this term.
Of more interest are Outlander and Vyta Du Roc. Overlooking
a Mullins runner is dangerous as we learned the hard way yesterday, but
Nichols Canyon also has the disadvantage of being British-bred and hasn’t run
over further than 2m 2f. Outlander has never run on quicker ground and may prefer a right-handed track, while we’re
not sure how strong his Grade 2 form is after yesterday.
Vyta Du Roc should be able to reverse the form with Parlour
Game today based on his improvement to date. His jumping has improved and his
progression is consistent so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him land a place
today. He’s not the only course winner in this field but he is a horse which I
feel should be perfectly suited to Cheltenham. 8/1 is a generous price.
SELECTION: VYTA DU
ROC E/W 8/1
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