Sunday 17th November
By SP2A Analysis
Cheltenham 3.30 Greatwood Hurdle - Handicap Hurdle - Class 1 - 2 miles 1/2 furlong - 16 run - Good
This will be run at a frenetic pace on the ground and therefore fast and accurate jumping will be vital as any loss of momentum will be very difficult to recover from.
For this reason I am comfortable in taking on the favourites at the top of the market, Dysart Enos and Burdett Road. An ex Flat horse and a Bumper horse who have yet to conclusively prove that they are decent jumpers of a fence and however fast their pure flat speed is I do think this race and track needs something more than just core speed.
Be Aware for the Skeltons is third favourite with form figures of 1-2-2-2- but off a 7 month break and upped in Class, is one I'm also happy to oppose. Emmet Mullins sends over a pair of flat types who do have some Hurdles form in the shape of Toll Stone and Jacovec Cavern and my irish sources tell me that both will be fit and primed but again the intensity of the contest may ask them questions we don't yet know the answers to, but Emmet Mullins is a priven master at delivering on the day. Black Poppy has good solid Course form on both tracks here but may just need the run too and I was left with a short list of 4 of the 16 runner field.
I reluctantly therefore leave Fiercely Proud out of my top 3 but would have no doubt in investing if one of the selections was a non runner as the form is very solid and my only niggle is confidence after a fall a couple of weeks ago at Ascot when bang in contention.
GO DANTE won the Imperial Cup and then won on this Course later on, he needed a run a few weeks ago and has had a minor wind operation since, I don't think they would come here if he had missed any appreciable work and I think he has a great chance. UNDER CONTROL was touted as a possible Champion Hurdle horse a year ago. A few below par and disappointing runs put paid to that but lets not forget that the Henderson yard went in to a really low spell from around December to March last year with various bugs and ailments, so I think we can confidently expect a number of his horses to run far better in that period this season than they did last. If there is one at big Odds who could run an enhanced place then I very much believe it may be TINTINTIN a Course winner in Class 3 and a Distance winner, placed in Class 1 too and off a mark of 126 with a 3lbs Claim looks overpriced to me at 33/1-40/1 and we know all the Yards horses are as tough as teak! (Robin)
-------
Cheltenham 2.55 - Handicap Chase - Class 1 - 3 miles 3 and 1/2 furlongs - 12 run - Good
I have 3 of these to tip and/or mention and I do think HYMAC is the win tip NAP of the Meeting and will take all the beating here and I will back for the win accordingly. DOES HE KNOW has excellent Course and Distance form and is confidently tipped each way and for a reverse forecast. If you want a dabble at a Tricast in the 12 runner field then Ballygriffin Cottage fits the bill perfectly (RJ)
--------
Navan 1.55 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 6 and 1/2 furlongs - 24 run - Yielding
A big field and whilst the Good ground might not suit a fair few of these it may just help a few who are competent at two and a half miles to stay the extended trip a little better, although this remains one of the toughest stamina testing tracks in Ireland on any ground.
Anna Bunina is fit and in form and not lightly discounted, the track definitely plays to the stamina credentials of Dorans Law and Penny Jar just missed an investment as 5th best rated being fit from the Flat and very well handicapped.
My top 4 though in preference order with some excellent enhanced places on offer are; SA FUREUR who looks like a plot job from Elliott back over hurdles on a reduced mark from Chasing. NEWTOWN RAMBLER is a very progressive ex 3 mile P2P horse from the very much in form De Bromhead yard and these pair at the top end of the market are confident selections.
Equal confidence to run enhanced places and to outrun bigger odds are WA WA who is a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 96, a Distance winner off a mark of 100 one who is race fit and hardened and certainly not a no hoper at 28-33/1. My 4th rated is FENWAY PARK who gets his ideal ground for the Cromwell team and who looks unexposed and progressive off a mark of 121. (Sean)