There were some Festival clues from a bumper day of racing across the UK and Ireland.
Defeated on his UK debut, Quel Destin now has five consecutive victories this season. A six-length victory in the opener at Haydock after going off the odds-on favourite has seen his price for the Triumph Hurdle shorten from 14/1 as far as 8/1 in places.
Mister Malarky – National Hunt Chase
Colin Tizzard’s gelding stayed on brilliantly with an inch-perfect round of jumping at Ascot, fending off a high-class field. Jockey Robbie Power was quick to give his opinion on the six-year-old’s Cheltenham chances, saying the four miler would be the perfect target. He’s now been clipped in from 20/1 to a best price of 16/1.
A field of just three opponents might not have been the stiffest test for Henry De Bromhead’s gelding at Gowran Park, but fending off the challenge of Anibale Fly was impressive enough to see bookies shorten their price for the Ryanair Chase from 7/1 into as short as 9/2. Tipped up by Andy Holding in his Ryanair Chase preview last month!
Not much movement in the Gold Cup market after this win, but the manner of the victory is enough for a mention. The King George winner stalked Terrefort throughout before picking him off with a majestic leap at the last fence at Ascot. With favourite Presenting Percy held back for another week, the market looks wide open and since this afternoon’s race, 71% of bets have gone on Clan Des Obeaux at a best price of 7/1.
Al Dancer – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
Nigel Twiston-Davies’ six-year-old made it four from four over hurdles this season with a fantastic performance in the Betfair Hurdle. He showed good form at Cheltenham in December and today’s win has caused quite a stir on the ante-post markets. His price for the Supreme has come in from 10/1 as far as 4/1, making him the favourite with several bookies.
Cyrname – Ryanair Chase (not declared)
A final mention has to go to Cyrname for the standout display of the day. After bolting up at Ascot last month, any question marks over whether the seven-year-old could do the same in Grade 1 company were answered in the most magnificent fashion with a 17-length victory in the Betfair Ascot Chase. Dismantling a field including stablemate Politologue and Waiting Patiently, Paul Nicholls' charge was said to be a cert not to appear at Cheltenham due to the left-handed track being unsuitable. However, a few bookies have installed him as the 4/1 favourite for the Ryanair Chase all the same.
