Andy Holding runs through the weekend performances with the biggest bearing on the Festival, as Pied Piper emerges as the one to beat in the Triumph Hurdle.
It was an informative weekend, predominantly surrounding the action at Cheltenham and there were several performances that may have some sort of bearing on the Festival in six weeks’ time.
Pied Piper strengthens Triumph Hurdle credentials
The pick arguably came courtesy of Pied Piper in the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial. On the evidence of what we saw of Gordon Elliott's gelding, he looks the one to beat in the big one itself on the final day of the meeting (best price 5/2).
The way he cruised to the front and quickened away from his toiling rivals was one of the images of the day and his time figure superseded anything that his stablemate Fil d'Or has achieved so far.
Iceo, on the other hand, proved a big disappointment on account of two major factors. Firstly, his inability to settle had a detrimental effect on his end product, but secondly - and maybe just as importantly - he was yet another for the Paul Nicholls stable who underperformed in a major way over the weekend. Back on a flat track and when his yard returns to form, he's probably one not to dismiss totally out of hand next time.
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Champ flops on mixed day for Nicky Henderson
Nicky Henderson had a day of mixed fortunes with Chantry House landing the feature, but both Champ and Balco Coastal failed to deliver the goods after looking as though their respected races were there for the taking.
Once Balco Coastal's main market rival Hillcrest departed the scene early, it appeared he had an open goal, but his inability to stay the trip ended up being the main reason for his defeat. A drop back down in trip seems the most likely outcome after this result.
Champ had to be considered an even bigger flop as he was given a head start of more than 20 lengths by Paisley Park, yet he still failed to get the job done. Although it's always dangerous to write off these old warriors, it's still hard to see him bouncing back enough to win a Stayers' Hurdle.
Back to Chantry House, it's fair to say he was workmanlike rather than brilliant in landing the Cotswold Chase and like many of the winners of that event since Looks Like Trouble in 2000, it seems unlikely he will pull off the double in the Gold Cup (best price 20/1).
Blue Lord the favourite for this weekend’s Irish Arkle
Looking towards this weekend and the Dublin Racing Festival, one star that won't be making the gig is Ferny Hollow, who has suffered a setback according to Willie Mullins. However, Blue Lord is likely to represent the Closutton handler in the Irish Arkle - his dust-up with Riviere D'etel and co should turn out to be one of the highlights of the two-day fixture.
