Angus Mcnae
Captain’s Blog, March 16
I am in the office bright and early ready for another Cheltenham Festival in the Booth. We are raring to go on Racing UK and in 45 minutes the 3 times Broadcaster of the year, Nick Luck, will get the show on the road. The plan through the week will be to post my Blog every day by 10.00am and then I will send an update at 12.00 with any further thoughts and news.
The Champion Hurdle is the feature event on day 1. If I had a pound for every time a pundit said that the race was wide open then I would be a good deal richer. I am going to jump off the fence with this race and say it is not wide open at all and that the winner will come from one of the following: -
1. Khyber Kim - He has the best form coming into the race, likes the track and has already beaten Punjabi, Celestial Halo and Medermit this year. He has the credentials to be a champion and now that his trainer and jockey have worked out that he should be ridden patiently they have a transformed horse on their hands.
2. Go Native - This guy is blessed with more speed than most hurdlers. The drying ground will suit him and he won the Supreme last year proving that all the talk about whether he will get up the hill is nonsense. He will be delivered late and is sure to be right there coming down to the last. A million pound bonus for his connections if they win this is sure to have focussed their minds.
3. Punjabi – Last year’s Champion Hurdler has been gradually creeping back to his best and his win at Kempton last time showed that he is in fine heart. He needed the run badly when he was beaten by Khyber Kim last time they met at Cheltenham and he will be a more credible oppoonent this time.
Thats it for me, I think one of these three will win, my neck is now firmly on the block and If I am wrong then I will take it on the chin but that is what its all about.
I am leaving the office now Elvis style, and will be in my position in the booth in ten minutes after first visiting the gallery to wish the guys luck and make a coffee. Back in 10 to continue my look at day 1 of the Fez 2010.
In the booth now having taken a box of Roses Chocolates and Heroes for the gallery team. Going on air now Cheltenham is up and running !!
Now what about the other big race of the day – The Arkle. This looks to be a race that can be summed up as Somersby and Riverside Theatre versus the Irish, and I think that the Irish will prevail. I see the main contenders as being the following:-
1. Captain Cee Bee – Let’s not forget he was the best hurdler amongst this lot and is getting his act together over fences. He has Cheltenham form and would be unbeaten except for an unlucky fall at Leopardstown two starts ago.
2. Somersby – He is a good jumper and was impressive when he won the Henry VIII Novices Chase at Sandown. He was third in the Supreme Novices hurdle last year and clearly goes well at the track. The only problem I can see with this fellow is that he did hit a flat spot in the Supreme Novices Hurdle at the bottom of the hill. If he does the same on good ground today he will be lft too ar out of his ground.
3. Sports Line – This guy was second in A grade one chase at Leopardstown last time up and he should have won. Ruby Walsh went too hard out in front (which is most out of character for the mercurial jockey) and he lost little in being beaten into second by a useful type the pair some 20 lengths clear of the rest. Walsh will not make the same mistake again and this horse may well represent the best each way value in the race.
Neck on the block time again. I will not be having a big bet but may have an interest in Sports Line each way. Keep faith in Ruby, he is the Master.
Talking of Ruby, stay with our coverage this morning to catch a fascinating interview with the great man.
I will be back at 12.00 with a few more thoughts.
Today’s Selections
Already Advised Champion Hurdle – Khyber Kim (70/1 each way)
1.30 Cheltenham – Oscar Whiskey (each way 11/1 Victor Chandler)
1.20 Southwell – Punching (15/8 Victor Chandler)
