Cheltenham Festival 2012
Ante Post updates – horses worth following
Spirit Son – Champion Hurdle Update
Horses to Follow – Three for October
In the lead up to the 2012 Cheltenham Festival I’ll hope to point you in the right direction in the ante-post market. I do realise it’s early, very early to be backing ante-post, but horses will be highlighted here for future reference. If not making it to the festival they should pick up plenty smaller races in the lead up.
Captain Dancer (Charles Byrnes)
A former flat recruit of Barry Hills’, Captain Dancer mad a hugely impressive hurdling debut just over two weeks ago. The son of Danehill Dancer won very nicely under a confident Davy Russell – going on to win easily by one and three-quarter lengths. Jumping with fluency throughout, his rider sent the five-year-old to make his challenge between the last two. Once strongly in contention Captain Dancer quickened well to win very easily.
The form doesn’t look the strongest, but it was the ease of victory which was most striking. Furthermore, he was giving plenty of weight away to his rivals and drifted markedly in the betting, suggesting he will improve for this debut effort. Cheltenham is a long way away, but he may just develop into a Supreme Novice Hurdler – although massive improvement is needed. Soft ground should not be a problem throughout the winter and I feel he is certainly up to winning another one, maybe two hurdle events this winter.
Swapping hands for 22,000 euro this horse will win more races.
Possible Cheltenham Target: Supreme Novice Hurdle
Dylan Ross (Noel Meade)
It’s great to see the Noel Meade yard back in good form. Recent seasons have proved thoroughly frustrating for the County Meath handler, but his yard is currently firing out winners. One horse I’m really looking forward to this year is Dylan Ross. An above average bumper performer, Meade’s charge made a classy seasonal return winning easily at Fairyhouse ten days ago. To be fair, that race wasn’t the strongest, but it may work out better than expected. The third horse of John Kiely’s is no back number and he was comprehensively beaten by a good horse. The son of Shantou’s jumping wasn’t fluent early on due to a lack of pace but, as it lifted; Dylan Ross’s jumping improved four-fold. Meade later targeted races like the Royal Bond and the Champion Novice Hurdle at Christmas for his inmate indicating high hopes. Also, a favourable mention was given to Dylan Ross in Meade’s “team to follow” in this week’s racing post saying “I’ve always thought the world of him. He’s sharp and snappy at his hurdles and has a serious change of gear”. He later stated that two miles four furlongs would be within range, making me think this horse could be a serious contender for this year’s Supreme Novice Hurdle. Still not in the betting, biggish prices may be obtained. I couldn’t go in for less than 33s given the highly competitive nature of this year’s Supreme renewal.
Possible Cheltenham Target: Supreme Novice Hurdle
African Broadway (David Pipe)
Not many would have given African Broadway a chance of making a big name for himself in this game, but this may turn out to be a rags to riches story.
As a yearling he was sold for just 5,000 euro, a figure which would rise by a thousand one year later. After two prominent runs on the Irish point-to-point circuit last spring, the son of Broadway Flyer was again sent to the sales. For a price of 31,000 euro he wasn’t sold, but has since arrived at the prominent stables of David Pipe. Since gracing Pipe’s Devon yard the five-year-old remains unbeaten. Two starts have yielded two very easy wins – one in a bumper with the latter coming in a Chepstow novice hurdle. His Newbury bumper win was run in some of the worst fog recently seen but, passing the post, African Broadway was sixteen lengths clear. A number of winners have come out of that race, albeit in low grades. However, his novice hurdle win was contested by some above average sorts, namely the horses who finished second and third – giving the form a solid look. The third animal is now officially rated 123 and was beaten fifteen lengths in total – for a first run of the season that’s very strong form. Connections have stated chasing will be his game meaning significant improvement may arrive in the meantime. In terms of an ante-post bet for the festival, two races will be on the radar – the Neptune Novice Hurdle (2m 5f) or the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle (3m). African Broadway’s pedigree suggests the two mile five event will suit, but there is a distinct chance the three mile event will be within range. A waiting game will have to be played here but, one thing is for sure, African Broadway will be winning more races this season.
Possible Cheltenham Target: Neptune Novice Hurdle or Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle