Ascot – Worth following for Cheltenham Tips

January’s Ascot meeting may well have provided us with some important clues for the Cheltenham festival in March. The big race was the Grade 1 Victor Chandler Chase, always a reliable guide to the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. Previous winners include Desert Orchid (1989), Waterloo Boy (1992), Viking Flagship (1994), Well Chief (2005) and Master Minded (2010 and 2011).

The market leaders were Finian’s Rainbow, undefeated since finishing runner-up in last season’s Arkle Trophy, and leading novice chaser Al Ferof, trained by Paul Nicholls. A reliable yardstick was provided in the evergreen Somersby who was just touched off by Master Minded here in 2011 and has been campaigning over a longer trip. Although the race looked likely to be a battle between Finian’s Rainbow and Al Ferof turning for home, it was the superior stamina of Somersby that eventually took the prize for trainer Henrietta Knight.

Finian’s Rainbow appeared to have run possibly his best race and may have led a bit too soon. If he is ridden with a little more restraint at Cheltenham, he must have a leading chance of winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Paddy Power have quoted him at 6-1 and Nicky Henderson has quickly confirmed that he will be aimed at that race rather than stepping up in distance. He had been entered in both the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup. Somersby is also entered in the Champion Chase but the obvious choice for him would seem to be the 2 ½ mile Ryanair Chase for which he has been cut to 6-1 co-favourite. Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh declared themselves perfectly happy with Al Ferof’s performance against seasoned campaigners and he remains on course for the Arkle with a latest price of 5-1. Although Finian’s Rainbow always appeared to be going best, Al Ferof jumped safely and put up a good effort against top quality opposition.

Other performances worthy of note at the meeting included a victory for Violin Davis over Kentford Grey Lady in the 3 mile mare’s only novice hurdle. The first two could clash again in the David Nicholson Hurdle at Cheltenham in which they would come up against the formidable Quevega. Another horse who could be Cheltenham bound is Alan King’s Smad Place who put up a useful performance in winning the Grade 2 Handicap Hurdle on the same card. He has been cut to 25-1 for the World Hurdle.