Saturday’s Trials Day meeting at Cheltenham will hold plenty of clues as to the outcome of a few of the big races at the festival. We’ve taken a look at the main four graded races with some selections and thoughts – including a view against the mighty Big Bucks who makes his hugely anticipated return to action in the Cleeve Hurdle.
JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (Registered As The Finesse Juvenile Hurdle) (Grade 2) (Class 1)
VICENZO MIO produced an excellently slick round of jumping at Kempton last time when winning impressively and Paul Nicholls’ French import can take another step on the ladder here with that under his belt. He needs to reverse placings with a couple of these following a below-expectations run at Cheltenham on his debut, but he stripped a different horse last time and should go very close here.
Le Rocher won the Future Champions Finale at Chepstow in decent style but the form of the race is questionable and he needs to brush up his jumping a bit. Jonjo O’Neill’s Goodwood Mirage is a talented flat type who was workmanlike when winning on his debut at Kempton. He is difficult to weigh up but it would be folly to say he isn’t a big player.
Argento Chase (Registered As The Cotswold Chase) (Grade 2)
Rocky Creek has had a slowly-slowly-catchy-monkey campaign so far and hasn’t been seen since a fine second in the Hennessy. He is a short price for this and in truth he is the up and comer who could make his mark on the staying division – but unless you’re a real fan he is rather short and surely there is a better value fun bet to be had?
Houblon Des Obeaux is next best for the in-form Venetia Williams yard, but can he take the step up to this company in his stride? He is talented but it is a stiff ask. Champion Court has already showed that he struggles to get home over a flat 3m so 3m1f around here poses a real problem for Martin Keighley’s stablestar.
The Giant Bolster looks to be entirely regressive nowadays and couldn’t be backed with any confidence, but the one who is worth backing is Kim Bailey’s HARRY TOPPER, who remains fairly unexposed at this level and should appreciate this track and going better than Sandown where he was third on unideal good ground last.
The form of his Charlie Hall win has been knocked owing to 50/1 Wayward Prince running him so close. But that horse was primed for that particular target and whatever way you judge the form, the fact is he still had Long Run, Benefficient and Unioniste well beaten in behind.
Bailey thinks the world of the horse and he should put up a good display here, albeit under a penalty.
Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Classic Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 2)
Aubusson has been a surprise winner on his last two starts including here on New Years’ Day after a cracking ride from Liz Kelly. He is a contender again but all told will be vulnerable to the classy types in the race – namely Rathvinden who fell at Chepstow latest when fancied to beat Deputy Dan and the likely favourite here RED SHERLOCK, who should be mightily hard to fend off.
David Pipe made no secret of his regard of the horse in his pre-season stable tour and he brings some valuable course form to the table following his bumper win here.
galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2)
Big Bucks will take a world of beating here and it is a joy to have him back on the track. But are you willing to wade in a odds-on?
He definitely suits for a Saturday acca or two, but if you’re looking for the horse to come second, then give [AT FISHER’S CROSS]() one last chance to show his true colours. The plain fact is, his jumping hasn’t been up to scratch owing to a physical ailment which Rebecca Curtis will no doubt have left no stone unturned to get fixed since that Ascot disappointment.
He is 7/1 here which definitely underestimates his chance if he has turned a corner. Boston Bob won well over hurdles latest and is a fascinating contender – but he still has questions to answer and 4/1 looks a bit shabby. Reve De Sivola is such an admirable horse but he may just have had his day in the sun at Ascot latest and this is far tougher.
Advice: Back At Fisher’s Cross E/w at 7/1 generally
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