Andy Holding has his say on the Cheltenham Festival handicap entries, including three horses worth more than a second look in the first day Ultima Handicap Chase.
As is always the case, multiple entries in most of the Festival handicaps make life tricky to assess each race with a clear mind, but there are several who catch the eye all the same.
Ultima Handicap Chase – Who has been a model of consistency this season?
The first handicap for punters to deal with is the Ultima - race three on day one - and of those who are doubly-entered in both that race and the Kim Muir, GERICAULT ROQUE, COMMODORE and MISTER FOGPATCHES are all worth more than a second look.
The former has been a model of consistency in top-quality handicaps this season and his latest effort in the Warwick Classic came in a period when his yard was struggling for form. Prior to that sterling effort, David Pipe's gelding had filled out the same position in the Mandarin Handicap at Newbury and the form of that race couldn't have worked out any better subsequently.
The latter-named pair were first and second in a strongly-run handicap chase at the track back in December and both have to come into the conversation on that form. The former goes particularly well fresh, so the fact he hasn't run since wouldn't be a concern, while Mister Fogpatches has subsequently gone on to run a cracker in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran.
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Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle – One to watch when the weights are revealed
Final plans for the Triumph Hurdle will obviously have a big bearing on the Boodles Handicap field, so it's a hard one to have a dogmatic view on at this stage.
That said, the Spring Juvenile Hurdle at the DRF was easily the best four-year-old contest of the season based on the speed figures and having run well to finish a creditable fourth, THE TIDE TURNS will make plenty of appeal if the handicapper presents him with a reasonable handicap mark when the weight are revealed.
Coral Cup and Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle – Significant entry for Joseph O’Brien
The Coral Cup and Martin Pipe Handicaps - two races over a similar trip - have many horses who crossover, so they are probably best dealt with nearer the time.
However, if pushed for a shortlist, I'd say GOWEL ROAD and DROP THE ANCHOR have enough solid form in big-field handicaps to make them big contenders, while BANBRIDGE has the sort of profile to warrant respect in the boys race. Having won it before with Early Doors, it's significant also that he's Joseph O'Brien's only entry in this year's renewal.
Grand Annual – UK rating to decide route for Coeur Sublime
As ever, novices are always feared in the big Festival handicaps and that's one of the main reasons why COEUR SUBLIME has been popular in the ante-post lists for the Grand Annual. Also entered in the Grade 1 Arkle Chase, his UK rating will determine which route connections go down with Henry de Bromhead's gelding.
Pertemps Network Final – Seven in a row for Ireland?
The Pertemps Final will no doubt turn out to be a keen betting heat with punters trying to figure out which horse has been plotted up the best and it would come as no surprise to see the prize go back to Ireland for a seventh consecutive season.
The source which has provided the raiders with the most success in recent times has been the qualifier at Leopardstown's Christmas meeting and with the likes of WINTER FOG, DUNBOYNE and PANDA BOY all likely to take their chance after securing their places in that competitive affair at the Dublin track, it makes sense to concentrate on that trio if history is a good guide.
Without doubt, STATE MAN wins the prize for the most entered up horse at the Festival with connections pondering five possible targets, so it will be interesting to see how the assessor rates Willie Mullins' novice when the weights our made public this week.
