Will It Be An American Triumph Today?
Today’s card at Cheltenham is jam packed with feature races for punters to sink their teeth into, from the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial, to The Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle and the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, this world famous course has got everything covered to help warm you up on a crisp winter day.
Could the USA Take The Triumph Hurdle Trial
David Pipe is not a trainer to shy away from the big race meetings and that includes the weekend at Cheltenham. Having won the Ryman Stationery Cheltenham Business Club Novices’ Chase with Kings Palace by 7 lengths, his offering in the Triumph Hurdle Trial is definitely one to look out for. That offering is the Impressive three-year-old gelding Stars Over The Sea, whohas two career wins from two starts both over distances of two miles. He dominated the field at Ludlow on his last outing, winning by an impressive 22 lengths despite being one of the top weights on the card. Although a youngster in jumping terms, he has seasoned jockey Tom Scudamore in the saddle to help him safely round today’s course as he has done in previous races. The extra furlong in this two mile one furlong race shouldn’t prove a problem stamina wise as he seemed to have more in the tank during his last race and with the good to soft ground to his suiting, the race is set for him.
Stars Over The Sea is worth a bet this afternoon.
Harry Fry and Rock On Ruby
Nine-year-old Rock on Ruby has touched the hearts of many a racegoer over the past few jumps seasons, battling out wins at Cheltenham and Newbury in the hands of Ruby Walsh. Now in the trusted hands of Noel Fehily he is racing at his preferred distance of two mile four furlongs this afternoon. Just edged out of the Aintree Hurdle back in April by The New One after a gutsy performance, he will be hoping to get himself back on track in the Osbourne House Relkeel Hurdle and show his class to pass the post first. Rock On Ruby isn’t the only chance for Harry Fry to pick up a win at Cheltenham this weekend as he also has Karinga Dancer in the Jenny Mould Memorial Handicap Chase earlier in the afternoon. Both are worth a look.
Tip of the Day
Caid Du Berlais
Caspian Caviar Gold Cup
This Paul Nichols five-year-old will be popular on the Cheltenham course after winning in the hands of Sam Twiston-Davies less than a month ago. He won the Paddy Power Gold Cup by a head to Jonjo O’Neill trained John’s Spirit andshould have the extra stamina as his recent victory was a furlong shorter in distance.
Improving steadily over the season he also finished second in the hands of Harry Derham at Aintree in April. The handicapper could scupper his chances after upping his weight to 11-11 following his last win making the French gelding one the heaviest weights on card, however if his form and class shows, taking victory shouldn’t prove a problem.