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You are here: Home / Archives for Dynaste

The Open Meeting at Cheltenham featuring the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2014

November 12, 2014 by Nigel Keeling Leave a Comment

The Open Meeting at Cheltenham featuring the Paddy Power Gold Cup 2014
Dynaste
Dynaste – Won at meeting in 2012

Cheltenham’s Open meeting is now just days away, with the showpiece Paddy Power Gold Cup taking place on Saturday 15 November 2014. Though the Jump season is still in its early stages, these three days of top-class racing are sure to produce winners that will return as fancied contenders for The Festival in March.

Last year’s meeting saw the likes of Whisper, Balthazar King, Western Warhorse and Sire De Grugy all in attendance. Though plenty of attention will quite rightly be focused on the Paddy Power Gold Cup, along with the Greatwood Hurdle, I’ve decided to take a closer look at Friday’s Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase won last year by Taquin Du Seuil, who defeated Oscar Whisky in a thrilling finish, before going on to take the JLT at Cheltenham in March.

It’s a race that has gone to several top-class novice chasers in recent times. In 2011 the race was won by Grands Crus, who looked set to become a possible Gold Cup contender in years to come. He went on to beat Silviniaco Conti and Bobs Worth in that season’s Feltham at Kempton, before his career sadly tailed away.

In 2012’s renewal Dynaste was impressive in beating Fingal Bay. He also went on to win the Feltham in taking fashion, before coming back to Cheltenham and finishing second in what was then called the Jewson Novices’ Chase. In March he was back at the ‘home of jump racing’ confirming his status as a top chaser when winning the Ryanair Chase.

And so to this year’s race and our search for the next ‘big thing’ in the novice chase division. Clearly the Pipe team are worth a second look after their wins in 2011 and 2012. Their only entrant is Dell’ Arca, and although he is certain to go over fences at some stage in the future, there is every chance that the five-year-old will swerve this engagement, in favour of a run in the Fixed Brush Hurdle at Haydock the following week.

Deputy Dan and Virak look set to renew rivalry after Nicholls’ horse ran out the winner in their last meeting at Fontwell. Both are likely to improve for that run, and the forecast rain will surely suit both. It’s a tough call as to which will get the upper-hand on this occasion.

Philip Hobbs has had a terrific start to the season, and could run Champagne West in this. Another that will appreciate the softer ground, he was terrific in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle on ground that would have been a little too lively. He’s certainly built to make a chaser and has a touch of class. Very closely matched with Deputy Dan over hurdles, they are both sons of Westerner, who is making quite an impact as a National Hunt sire.

Splash Of Ginge is a possible for Nigel Twiston-Davies. He won at the course in October, taking a big step forward from his opening chase effort at Perth. This race looks a lot tougher on paper, and I’m of the opinion that he will struggle over this trip on soft ground.

Urban Hymn will certainly find conditions to his liking if the rain continues to fall. He ran a cracker last time at Carlisle over two miles, which was much too short a trip. If anything, this 2m4f would be the very minimum he is likely to need, and there is just a chance that a horse with more gears will have too much for him. The famous hill will of course play to his strengths, and I’d expect a big run.

Willie Mullins could add further kudos to the race by running either Alelchi Inois or Indevan. The latter has travelled over to Cheltenham twice in the past, and disappointed on both occasions. Alelchi is five from five over fences, though this would be his toughest task to date.

With the final declarations still to be decided it’s pretty difficult to commit to one horse as a potential winner. One thing is for sure, whoever wins the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase, will be a horse to follow over the coming months, and may just become the top staying novice chaser of the season.

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Filed Under: Open Meeting 2014, Paddy Power Gold Cup 2014, Preview Tagged With: Bobs Worth, Deputy Dan, Dynaste, Grands Crus, Greatwood Hurdle, Paddy Power Gold Cup 2013, Paddy Power Gold Cup 2014, Silviniaco Conti

Betfair Chase Grade 1 (CLASS 1) (5yo+) 3m1f Haydock Park: Preview (Updated Saturday)

November 23, 2013 by Graham Richards Leave a Comment

Betfair Chase Grade 1 (CLASS 1) (5yo+) 3m1f Haydock Park: Preview (Updated Saturday)

3:00

HAY

Betfair Chase (Registered As The Lancashire Chase) Grade 1 3m1f

FSF ratings (Weight adjusted)

BOBS WORTH

178

SILVINIACO CONTI

173

TIDAL BAY

175

THE GIANT BOLSTER

169

CUE CARD

174

ROI DU MEE

162

LONG RUN

160

DYNASTE

145

TIMEFORM (Weight adjusted)

Bobs Worth 193

Cue Card 193

Tidal Bay 188

Silviniaco Conti 186

Long Run 184

Roi du Mee 183

Bobs Worth goes well fresh, holds all his rivals on form, and tops the ratings. With an extra furlong to run this year, (switched to the well-used flat track) stamina will be the deciding factor. Silviniaco Conti fell three from home in the Gold Cup. Although he had travelled well up to that point, who knows what he would have found when the button was pressed? Stayed on strongly to take this race last year and shows his best form at this time of the year. Tidal Bay is a star. He retains all this enthusiasm at an age when most horses would be chomping grass happily in a field. Second to Imperial Commander in 2010, he should not be discarded from your final thoughts. If it does becomes a gruelling stamina test, history suggests he will be finishing strongly. I felt Cue Card was disappointing on his reappearance even allowing for lack of full fitness. Yet to prove he stays this far, his “gung-ho” style of racing suggests stamina will be stretched to the limit. Long Run returned home with a problem after a disappointing run at Wetherby. He is reported back on song but looks held on Gold Cup form. The Giant Bolster is consistent if just below what is needed at this level. Roi Du Mee bolted up at Down Royal recently. However, Sizing Europe failed to stay while Mount Benbulben appeared to be going equally as well when departing the fun at the third last. Dynaste has it all to do on FSF ratings. Improvement can be expected, and he has a big win over the “Fixed Brush” hurdles at this track to his name.

Perhaps, a race to savour, rather than getting financially involved.

Filed Under: Betfair Chase 2013, Preview Tagged With: Betfair Chase 2013, Bobs Worth, Cue Card, Dynaste, Haydock, Silviniaco Conti, The Giant Bolster

The Full SP – The Paddy Power Gold Cup

October 30, 2013 by Jonathan Pollinger Leave a Comment

The Full SP – The Paddy Power Gold Cup

Exactly a week ago, 6 of us gathered at Prestbury Park on a beautiful Autumn day to record our Jump Season Preview Video. Obviously on video you are limited with regards to time, so seeing as we now have the entries for the Paddy Power Gold Cup – watch video preview – these are my full thoughts on the race. Over the next week my thoughts on the Hennessy Gold Cup – watch video preview – will appear along with the entire transcript of my Snog, Marry and Avoid selections – watch Snog, Marry and Avoid!

The Paddy Power Gold Cup

Over the last seven days, Johns Spirit has been supported from 16/1 to 10/1. This comes as no surprise; as I said on the video I think he is thrown in. Yes, he is up ten pounds for his rather stylish victory at the Cheltenham Showcase meeting but I think he is still way ahead of the handicapper on a mark of 139. The underfoot conditions will not inconvenience him, he is equally at home on good or soft. He’s tough and takes his racing in his stride, plus the blunders of last year seem to be ironed out. Richie McLernon gets on particularly well with him and it’s worth noting that seven years ago, Jonjo O’Neill won this with another 6 year old off a mark of 139 – Exotic Dancer. At his peak Exotic Dancer reached an OR of 177. Obviously it’s hard to predict at this stage whether John’s Spirit can replicate that achievement but make no mistake, he is still seriously well in.

Of the Pipe entries, it is Salut Flo that I fear the most. He was bang in contention in the race that keeps getting renamed in December 2011, before making an almighty blunder and coming home in 12th. He then ran away with the Byrne Group Plate of 2012 (don’t even talk to me about Glam Gerry). Ballynagour is a talent but he bursts and is a trait that has been with him since his early life in the Irish Pointing field, through his spell in France and the problem rose to haunt him again in the Byrne Group Plate at the Festival. Mixed vibes are again surrounding the star turn that is Dynaste and he has the King George to aim at. Grands Crus has become an enigma with all sorts of problems and question marks hanging over his beautiful head.

Of the Green and Gold contenders, I’ll be watching Tap Night with interest at Carlisle on Sunday. It seems fitting that he should run hours after the celebrations of the Breeders Cup as he is of course US bred. Last year I fancied him for the Jewson, only to see him line up in the Arkle. Kid Cassidy is also of interest but I think his target may come when the bluebells again begin to sprout in Queens Wood, under the all seeing eye of Cleeve Hill. It all depends which head he has on too, a point that is rather overplayed, but for those of you old enough to remember Worzel Gummidge, he always reminds me of that.

My friend and colleague Rory Delargy is very keen on Rajdhani Express, in fact he even said that he wanted to snog him? Anyway, I understand why he would be keen on him for this contest; an emphatic winner of the whatever you call it on the Tuesday of the Festival, he jumped exceptionally that day which was in stark contrast to his visit to Cheltenham on Trials Day. He then slammed Tap Night by 15 lengths at Ayr. The problem that I have is that he is on 155. Of course he is I hear you cry. Well, I feel that Johns Spirit is capable of running to a mark of 150+ so therefore when I take everything into consideration, I still come back to the fact that Johns Spirit is a major blot on the handicap.

I just took a quick look at the betting and to see that Johns Spirit is a short as 15/2 with sponsors Paddy Power (affiliate link).

Picture by Francesca Altoft @Riosrider2
Picture by Francesca Altoft
@Riosrider2

Filed Under: Paddy Power Gold Cup 2013, Preview Tagged With: Ballynagour, David Pipe, Dynaste, Johns Spirit, Jonjo O'Neill, Kid Cassidy, Paddy Power Gold Cup 2013, Paddy Power Open, Radjahani Express, Salut Flo, Tap Night

Cheltenham Festival – Post Mortem from a leading layer

March 20, 2013 by Geoff Banks 9 Comments

Cheltenham Festival – Post Mortem from a leading layer

Bankers. We used to count the banker material in the car with my Dad on the way down to Cheltenham. It was our benchmark to success at the meeting. And that was the word- success, because losing at the Festival was a non runner for Bookies such as John Banks. The environment has changed. I don’t use betting exchanges to price up my book, I value opinion over trading between Bots and the numpties. I’m very much in the minority. Modern day Bookmakers can’t see past exchanges, trading every penny they take, offering a very poor service to the customer, which starts with uniformity of odds. We have to thank Rob Hughes, casting vote chairman of the Levy Board for introducing exchanges to rings – now decimated. Bookies have become their own worst enemy. Me? I expect to win by taking the aggressive line. No, I didn’t offer ten pound bets on Sprinter Sacre at Evens, but then I’m not running a casino. I don’t study a yard of form pre-festival. It clouds my plans. If I sat up all night studying form, I’d surely end up with the same book of hotpots as the punters do. Dynaste, Quevega, Hurricane Fly, Bobs Worth and Simonsig. My job is to get them beat. Tuesday rolls in, starting well for the Books, with the hard pulling My Tent Or Yours looking assured for victory, outbattled by Champagne Fever. Last year we started poorly and never looked back. This year was more muddled. Wins for Simonsig, Hurricane Fly and Quevega placed the straight bat layers behind the 8 ball. We lost- solidly. The bright spot? Handicaps. Result after result all week penned the punters back.. Wednesday, gloomy lot of Bookies clutched defeat from the jaws of victory in the first, with Back In Front rallying. Groans and queues around the Centaur for payouts. I employ 3 people to just pay out the cash, which by nature is more time consuming than accepting a bet – it wasn’t enough! The office rang – running up bets onto Irish wonderhorse- Pont Alexandre in the next. This from multiple bets onto Back In Focus and yesterdays ‘heroes’. How much do we have it for I ask? ‘Don’t ask’, says my senior trader, we’re behind the sofa in here. Talking horse-not wonderhorse. And it kicks off panic with the punters. They barely scrape a return in another race for two days. Who cares about Sprinter Sacre? Not the Bookies-they ignore him. Ooh aaah, well done, move on. Round after round to the Bookies continued through Thursday. Had you asked me to write down my own set of results, I couldn’t have penned a better set of results. It was embarrassing, – well almost embarrassing. Thursday night we celebrated, care of the Richard Power firm in Cheltenham. Smiles all round and stories of derring do and how what looked on paper a punters festival, had turned so much to us. We were well in front. Friday. Hmmm. I remember thinking I would coast round, secure that even if the results were similar to Tuesday, we couldn’t finish behind on the meeting now. That’s not to say I intended backing off and hogging the pot. Oh No! not my way at all. I’m too daft to do that..Punters on the ropes and down. I was going to put my heel gently on their necks. Hard to remember a thought proven more wrong, as result after calamitous result ensued. The worst of which for me was Salsify in the Foxhunters. Backed in from 9/2 long term to 2/1. It was a catastrophe. It’s fair to say I was totally stunned at the manner of his victory. Iiterally speechless at the turn of events- and the noise in the Centaur was unbelievable! It didn’t surprise me to watch McCoy boot home the last favourite home. I was numb. The punters deserved their day. How much did the Festival cost the firms? Well, my firm lost double on Friday what it had reaped on Wednesday and Thursday. Those are traditionally quieter betting days. I’m not crying, I have a track record of winning long term. Overall, the Cheltenham bash cost the Bookies big time. More with the large offshore concerns, who outdid each other with one moronic offer after another. These days they seem to treat the whole event as an opportunity to pad their online products with lovely names and addresses. And the dimmies queue up to sign up as if it’s Christmas. Is that a fair comment? I believe so, because every tenner laid at evens on Sprintre Sacre usually gets ploughed into something else. I mean who deposits a tenner and goes through the rigmarole of withdrawing it the next day? It’s ploughed into some other product and Bobs your uncle. Whilst everyone from the BHA downward is clapping themselves on the back at producing another showcase event – and it was, I offer a word of caution. I listened to the great Micky Fitzgerald on the excellent Morning Line, a show I’ve been lucky to participate in, eulogising about his former boss producing the horse in tip top condition to wrest the big prize of the Gold Cup. And I congratulate my friend Nicky for his skills. However, the last time I saw the great Bobs in action was November. He wasn’t the only one of course. A number of top jumping stars rested from December onwards. Fine, the weather was poor in January, but there were still opportunities to be had, rejected by stable stars with owners rich enough to take the gamble and lie low for months. In the meantime viewers on telly, and worse attendees on course endured uncompetitive events and ‘match races’ for months. There have been 23 grade one events this season. 16 won by the favourite, and 6 by the second favourites. It highlights the predictable nature of jump racing these days, and hardly pads the Levy.It’s not good enough in my view. I don’t care who wins the Gold Cup, it’s a great institution, and whatever lifts the little cup, Dessie or Nortons Coin, is going to be big news. Micky Fitz was right to congratulate the great one, but he forgets the intervening months have become drab and boring. Might I remind those looking in- Desert Orchid ran 8 or 9 times a year. He was an athlete and so are today’s horses. It disproves the current lame excuse given for horses languishing in their boxes, that they’re not ‘capable’ of winning top races if they race in February. And if you’re Newbury or Kempton? You’re doing the industry no favours by permitting quiet gallops for top stars after racing. Ask Fontwell who provided 50 grand for a five runner race how they felt at the lack of ambition? Simonsig? Beatable. Dynaste beaten. Where was the inventiveness of connections then? Small fields for Championship races at the Festival? An alarming development for Racing. As for Quevega? Group class in a seller, just leaves me cold. There’s only one horse who cannot be bested these days. One. Let them race. By Geoff Banks  

Filed Under: Cheltenham Festival 2013, Review Tagged With: Back In Front, Bobs Worth, Cheltenham Festival, Desert Orchid, Dynaste, Geoff Banks, Hurricane Fly, Nortons Coin, Pont Alexandre, Quevega, Salsify, Simonsig, Sprinter Sacre, Tony McCoy

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