Victor Chandler's PR man Charlie McCann with his personal views for Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the Blue Riband of the Festival but it is difficult to get an angle on the race given the first four in the betting have only run six times between them this season! Imperial Commander was impressive last year and currently heads the market but is the danger new kid on the block the King George winner Long Run or the old guard Kauto Star and Denman?
Long Run didn’t jump well enough on his two previous starts at Cheltenham but he was magnificent in the King George and is the one to beat if his jumping holds up... but that is a big if in my opinion.
Of Paul Nicholls’ old warriors and former winners Denman looks the stables’ number one candidate with the trainer reporting he has had a small operation to improve his breathing since finishing third in the Hennessy.
The current Champion Imperial Commander is 5 from 6 over fences at the track and looks the one to beat. He could hardly be described as impressive in his sole start this term at Haydock but his trainer suggested he left a bit to work on that day and he is the benchmark on a course he obviously adores.
The Irish challenge doesn’t look the strongest but it hardly looks a great renewal and Kempes has been put up by many a judge from across the Irish Sea. He was most impressive in the Irish Hennessy on ground considered softer than ideal and in a sub-standard year he is becoming more attractive by the day.
Zarkandar looked a juvenile hurdler going places when winning at Kempton on his British debut but the Triumph looks a very difficult puzzle to solve. Grandouet was most impressive at Ascot last time but he has 15L to find with Sam Winner on Cheltenham form back in November and the latter has been very well backed in recent days.
The County Hurdle betting was turned upside down with the impressive win of Alarazi in the Imperial Cup on Saturday and he looks the one to beat if he is over Saturday’s exertions. Ebor winner Dirar was given a pipe-opener on the level at Kempton recently and he is another who will appreciate the drying ground.
The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockey’s Hurdle has yet to be won by David Pipe and he suggested Shoegazer may be the one from the yard when I spoke to him earlier in the week. That said Willie Mullins is reported to be very sweet on the chances of Sir Des Champs and he could have be another for the Irish.
If we’re still in trouble by the last we’re probably doomed although I have long had a soft spot for Shoreacres who has run well in two previous Festivals and made a successful comeback on ground softer than ideal at Taunton returning from a twelve-month lay off. William’s Wishes comes here on a four-timer for Evan Williams and remains well-handicapped although it should be noted that his hat-trick has been gained running right-handed and he may not be quite as effective going the other way.
Be Lucky
Charlie
