Architect Tips reflects on the biggest Cheltenham market movers, before explaining why Two For Gold – second to Fakir D’oudairies at Ascot – could see his Grand National price tumble.
After another fantastic weekend of jumps’ racing action and with the Cheltenham Festival now fast approaching, I want to reflect on how the possible market movers from last week’s insight piece fared over the weekend at Ascot and Haydock.
Fakir D’oudairies revels in Allaho absence
Fakir D’oudairies might have suffered the misfortune of seeing the backend of Allaho twice already this term but he returned to winning ways in the Betfair Ascot Chase as the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding made a successful trip across the Irish Sea when wearing down the gutsy Two For Gold to win by a length and a three-quarters and land his third Grade 1 over fences under the guidance of Mark Walsh.
His victory had an immediate impact with bookmakers; Fakir D’oudairies was cut from a best price 20/1 to 7/1 in some places but remains available at a best price 12/1 through oddschecker. The market is still headed by last year’s winner and arch-nemesis rival, Allaho.
Considering it was really testing conditions and David Bass had given the runner-up Two For Gold a peach of a ride, Fakir’s performance can be upgraded as he really had to show his class after a slow leap at the second-last. While he has been beaten by Allaho three times, the pair could lock horns for a fourth time in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham, though connections have hinted that a return to Aintree could come under consideration, where he won the Melling Chase last April.
As for the runner-up, trained by Kim Bailey, Two For Gold’s career-best effort has earned him quotes of 40/1 for the Grand National which is appealing as his jumping has improved enormously since unseating in the Topham last year - his odds are likely to tumble if the going is soft or worse on the day at Aintree.
Can Porticello challenge Triumph Hurdle big-three?
Over at Haydock Park, the leading British-trained Triumph Hurdle hopeful Porticello strengthened his claims for Friday’s feature at the Cheltenham Festival when making light work of his rivals in the Victor Ludorum Juvenile Hurdle.
Ridden by Jamie Moore’s brother Josh for the first time, he was sent off 3/10 favourite and justified favouritism with an easy 17-length success, never looking in trouble at any stage once taking the lead at the halfway stage and jumping boldly throughout. On the back of that impressive display, a couple of firms have shortened him from 10/1 into 8/1 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle.
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Hillcrest halved for Albert Bartlett after relishing step up at Haydock
Later down the card, Henry Daly’s giant of a horse - Hillcrest - galloped his rivals into submission in the Grade 2 Prestige Novices’ Hurdle, relishing the step up in distance under an attacking ride from the front. He was sent off even-money favourite and Richard Patrick made the decision to send him straight to the front from the offset.
As the race begun to take shape, his rivals started to drop out of the television one-by-one and whilst Crystal Glory gave chase, he powered away to win by a very comfortable eight-lengths.
Described by his trainer as “the best he’s ever had” he halved in price for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham from 16/1 into 8/1 (still 7/1 on oddschecker) and while his future almost certainly lies over fences given his size and scope - he’s a major player wherever he goes next, whether it’ll be at Cheltenham or if connections decide to wait for Aintree.
Nicky Richards’ runner-up Crystal Glory ran a blinder to finish second having been only the runner to come from off the pace, who used up all his petrol to get within striking distance of the winner, and he’s clearly a horse with a lot of talent and one to keep note of going forward.
The Galloping Bear overhauls king of Haydock Park
We save the best until last with the Grand National Trial, where the Ben Clarke-trained The Galloping Bear supplemented his Surrey National victory with a high-class staying chase performance. He was given a never-say-die ride from Ben Jones who executed the perfect game plan to eventually overhaul the king of Haydock Park and three-time Betfair Chase hero, Bristol De Mai, on the run-in.
Trainer Ben Clarke, who only took out his licence in September, will be looking to aim him at the Irish Grand National following this victory rather than the English equivalent.
This progressive lightly-raced individual, who has unbelievable stamina in abundance, is now four from four over fences and I am very excited to see if he does go for Irish National glory and carry the flag for a trainer very much breaking through the ranks, though, his participation will only be confirmed if the ground is tacky which will see him to best effect.
As for the second, Bristol De Mai, the popular grey ran an almighty race off top-weight, who had seen off all his rivals entering the home straight bar the well-backed winner who was in receipt of nearly two stone and the veteran has been a credit to the sport and connections over the years.
There are no initial plans for him going forward but he’s clearly still capable of operating at a very high level based on his performance over the weekend whilst enjoying his racing, too, so races like the Scottish Grand National or the Grade 1 Bowl at Aintree might be part of the plan at some point during the spring.
