Cheltenham Day 1 Review
Well there we have it, what a start the festival, and what a
day for Jewtips! In the battle of punter vs bookmaker I think the punter will
happily claim the first round here with Simonsig, Hurricane Fly, and Quevega
all winning favourites. The main question today came in the Champion Hurdle and
would Hurricane Fly be good enough at the age of 9; the answer was a resounding
yes! We’ll claim big profits from Simonsig and Quevega (NAP & NB) and each
way placing of Fruity O’Rooney.
In the Supreme the money kept coming for ‘The Tent’ but in a
favourite’s graveyard the most backed horse of the morning Champagne Fever led
from start to finish and saw it out best to take the spoils under Ruby Walsh.
MTOY and Jezki both looked to be closing in but in the end neither had the
speed or stamina to overtake the Fever! Our EW tip Dodging Bullets didn’t have
the speed or class to keep up with these which was our main worry but as
mentioned last night on the blog Champagne Fever was the best pick of the rest!
On to the Arkle and our NAP Simonsig lived up to the hype
bringing in £80 profit (Boylesports offer). He just looked a class above the
rest winning when not jumping at his best. Last night on the blog I mentioned
how I thought the race would be run and it turned out exactly that. Overturn couldn’t
stick the pace as Simonsig reeled him in and took his chance when Overturn
crashed into the fence 3 out. Comparisons to Sprinter Sacre will be made but I don’t
think he’s in that bracket yet. Winning NAP for us thank you very much
Boylesports.
In the JLT it was bottom weight Golden Chieftain that
ploughed up the hill and pulled away from the rest. Our Mick ran a cracker in
second showing his class but I think the handicapper will claim victory with
that one. Our small each way tip Fruity O’Rooney brought in a small profit if
you were on with Boylesports paying 5 places.
The Champion hurdle served up an absolute classic and
Hurricane Fly summed up once and for all he is still the best Hurdler out there
and last year was just a one off! He looked like he was struggling at the top
of the hill, but clawed his way back into the race when not travelling well
showing class is permanent and although Rock On Ruby arguably ran a better race
than last year it just wasn’t enough this time around. After regaining his
crown is there another championship left in him?
Wow, just wow! What can you say that hasn’t been said about
Quevega? So much ground needing to be made up as they turned for home, it
looked like the dream was over but in the end the result was inevitable, she
makes it 5 years in a row and makes festival history!
A classic handicap to finish, as noted last night it was
going to be tough but Radjani Express carrying top weight saw them off under
Sam Waley-Cohen. Perfect example why we don’t like handicaps at Cheltenham, it’s
a lottery as shown today with two races and winners at 20/1 and 16/1. On to
tomorrow for round two!
Preview coming later…
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