Tanya Stevenson
Tanya’s Blog, March 18
All seemed so promising yesterday after I had a small each-way on Poker De Sivola, then any celebrations came to an abrupt halt at the second last in the Neptune Investment Management Hurdle when Sleepy Hollow ran out at the second last. Sleepy Hollow a name of a film relating to a headless horseman and that’s what Dougie Costello nearly became. That harsh luck also set the trend for the remainder of the day as I proceeded to lose race after, race after race with most done on Master Minded. Now that reminds me why I don’t back odds-on favourites and how I was lulled in to backing him after Newbury.
At least Notus De La Tour ran a blinder and the better half is overwhelmed by the congratulations messages he has received. Johnny Farrelly was exceptional with his riding and hopefully the pair can team up to go one better at Aintree.
On to today, it kicks off with the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase, Ferdy Murphy has had a winner already in Poker De Sivola and he could double the tally with The Hollinwell. It’s a race he has won before with L’Antartique
The Ryanair Chase looks impossible and as much as I would love to see Voy Por Ustedes come back to form I think this will go to Schindlers Hunt who will finally win the big race he deserves. In the press tipping competition I am languishing in the depths of depression and have tried to get out of it by tipping War Of Attrition in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle, with the results so far this week he should snuggle in quite nicely.
There has been a massive change of plan for Martys Mission, it was all systems go for the Jewson and then an abrupt about turn when he didn’t get in to the race so instead he pops up in the Plate at 4pm. Silly things have happened and he did run a blinder in the hurdle at Ascot behind Beshabar, I will be saving on The Sawyer.
Finally it is the lottery otherwise known as the Kim Muir, I have put up Fred’s Benefit, he looks an unlikely winner but has smatterings of form in France and over hurdles here. Look out to for Burren Legend, he returns from a long layoff and has major chance of sneaking a place.
TANYA’S POINTERS
JEWSON NOVICES’ H’CAP CHASE
Since 2005 23 horses have worn either, blinkers, visor, cheekpieces or a tongue tie, none have won
All five winners had finished first or second last time out
Seven-year-olds have won four of the last five runnings
All winners carried 10-12 or less
PERTEMPS FINAL
Since 1996 there have been 32 runners aged ten or over only one has managed a placing – third
Only one winning five-year-old in 35 runnings (0 from 30 since 96)
Only one winner out of the handicap since 1974
The last six winners have been priced in double figures
Only one favourite has won in
Since 1996 34 horses have worn blinkers managing only two seconds and two thirds
RYANAIR CHASE
All five winners have been priced 6-1 or shorter
All five winners had previously won at Cheltenham which leaves us with Alberta’s Run, Jack The Giant, Poquelin, Tranquil Sea, Voy Por Ustedes
Five winners of the Peterborough Chase and the three winners of the Ascot Chase have been beaten
In four starts at the Cheltenham Festival Voy Por Ustedes has never finished out of the first two
LADBROKES WORLD HURDLE
No Irish-trained winner for 15 years
No 5-year-old has ever won
The last 9 winners no bigger than 8-1
Horses aged 9 and over are one from 68 since 1988
AP McCoy’s last 11 rides have all been beaten including three favourites
BYRNE GROUP PLATE
The last 9 winners were 12-1 or bigger
10 of the last 13 winners carried under 11 stone
Since 1996 The Favourite has won once and been second five times
AP McCoy is one from five on favourites in the Festival Plate
16 of the last 18 winners had previously run at the Cheltenham Festival
Just one Irish-trained winner since 1951
13 runners for Nicky Henderson since 2003 have resulted in, 2 winners, one second, three thirds
