The Winter Festival meeting at Kempton finished yesterday, and as always some big performances were witnessed on the way to Cheltenham. Simonsig, Darlan and Dynaste all significantly enhanced their reputations whilst Menorah and Sanctuaire also showed there's life left in their claims. Full updates as always to come on Cheltenham Watch 2013. The day also saw Jezki and Sizing Europe win in Ireland, and the Leopardstown meeting continues with 'The Clash Of The Titans: Take 2' as I'm dubbing it the focus today.
13.25 Leopardstown
The big three from the Hatton's Grace Hurdle renew rivalries, with Zaidpour, Voler La Vedette and MONKSLAND all in attendance. The former was a fair winner that day and chalked up respectable quotes for the World Hurdle in light of it at the time. He has already beaten Colm Murphy's mare over 3 miles and whilst she will have her supporters, she doesn't look the same animal this year and is again overlooked. However the step up to 3 miles is expected to suit the selection and bring about further improvement from the young gelding to reverse the form. He rates the value bet in the race, and although I'm not advising him each way, if you can get over 5/1 on the horse, it seems silly not to take it as it's hard to see him being out the top 3. So Young would have to reverse form with all 3 to land this and doesn't look likely to do that. The really intriguing entry is Weapon's Amnesty, returning from over 1000 days off the track, last seen winning the RSA Chase. He's clearly using this as an opener for a season back over fences, but it will be very interesting to see how he fares again to then determine what his potential targets are. He could be worth a place bet. 11/2 Paddy Power, Sky Bet
14.25 Leopardstown
A really cracking renewal of the Novices Chase and there are plenty in with a chance. Willie Mullins saddles two runners in a bid to finally land this prize, and both have claims. Aupcharlie made his successful debut over fences but Back In Focus has always been seen as his trainer's bigger hope in this division and beat a good yardstick in today's rival Lyreen Legend to confirm his promise. Of the two Mullins' horses he is the most favoured, but the field is full of chances and the Gigginstown pair can't be ignored. Tofino Bay may be the second string on jockey bookings, but he is the higher rated horse and enjoyed the step up to 3 miles to win last time out. However it would be almost impossible for the step up in trip today to not bring about improvement from DEDIGOUT. Hammered by Arvika Liegonniere the same day Monksland last raced, he gave his victor far too much room there and with a completely different race this time he is far more likely to succeed. Mount Benbulben also can't be easily dismissed with the step up again likely to enhance his chances. 7/2 Paddy Power, Bet365
15.00 Leopardstown
A truly epic race, with enough strength and depth to rival the King George. Obviously though the attentions come down to Flemenstar and SIR DES CHAMPS, but the other horses need a quick word also. China Rock is in good form according to his trainer, but faces a big task first time out. First Lieutenant will be more suited to today's 24 furlong trip than the Hennessey's extended 26 and is clearly a classy horse, but will hopefully merely be part of a way of demonstrating how the selection can get past Bobs Worth in March. Hidden Cyclone has only been beaten twice in his career, but that was against two of today's rivals including the selection who had to concede 5 pounds that day, and will struggle to reverse form. Pandorama was very well regarded a couple of seasons ago, winning this race on a good run of form, but hasn't been seen since coming 7th in the Gold Cup and is merely watched to see how he reappears. Midnight Chase is always fancied around Prestbury Park and may struggle here, but can act as a further way of comparing form to likely Gold Cup contenders and finally, whilst Tidal Bay is expected to run well, and really give the main two something to think about, they should have enough to beat him and I'm hoping the result becomes enough to convince Nicholls' to send him to the World Hurdle rather than the Gold Cup. This leaves us with the two at the head of the betting, and whilst Flemenstar was impressive when winning the John Durkan, there's no doubt in my mind that Sir Des Champs can return the form. It's not so much the step up to 3 miles that will hamper Flemenstar's chance, in fact I think he should get it easy enough, but rather he now faces a race fit rival, and the John Durkan will have been about getting Sir Des Champs ready for this race. He should be primed and ready to go and should lay down a big marker for the Gold Cup here. His connections also know this is arguably make or break for him and anything less than victory would be a blow to them. 3/1 Sky Bet, Blue Sq, Paddy Power, 888sport, William Hill
Good luck!
The Horse Whisperer
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