CHELTENHAM: THE SHOWCASE SUMMARY

Sam Twiston-Davies kicked off Friday with a spectacular win on The New One in the Neptune Novices’ Hurdle. Village Vic tried his hardest to catch up with the evens money favourite but 

unfortunately couldn’t catch up.

The NH season is officially back and what a wonderful sight it was to see horses galloping once again around Cheltenham track.

 Carlito Brigante is one on watch for me. Davy Russell led the horse to a comfortable win but if Go All The Way and Kingsmere hadn’t fallen at the last then perhaps we would have seen a different result. Nevertheless Gordon Elliott’s winner is one to keep your eye on. Perhaps the trainer is looking to enter him in the Festival again, if so make sure you are there to back this fella.

Now, if there was one horse that really put the wow factor into Cheltenham, it is Action Master. At 20/1 Hughes’ horse steamed ahead and caused an upset in the Handicap Hurdle. No doubt this one had the biggest result of the day. If a horse can produce series of gasps around the track

then you know you have done your job as a trainer or jockey. Sam Twiston-Davies again performed well and almost reached the winning post in first position but Bryan Cooper proved too strong on the master of the race. Watch this horse go from strength to strength now.

Ruby Walsh finally got a win on Sire Collonges in the Bruton Knowles 150th Anniversary Novices’ Chase with the 11/8f Sea of Thunder finishing in second. Davy Russell rode the Flat horse well and pushed with all his might to beat Walsh. Despite not winning, Sea of Thunder 

should be carefully watched throughout the season. Definitely one to back again.

However, the next race really did annoy me. Not because it was bad or anything like that, but because I was going to back the winner but put my money on someone else. Court Minstrel pulled off a stylish win in the Lemington Maiden Hurdle and with a SP of 6/1 I could have brought back

a profit! Never mind. Will definitely make sure I place my winning bet on him next time!

Sam Twiston-Davies continued his spectacular form again the following day (Saturday). He won the first race of the day, the Edward Gillespie Hands Over The Reins Novices’ Hurdle, on According To Trev at 6/1 beating 9/4 f Our Vinnie. What a fantastic name for a race – Gillespie will officially step down at The Open in November and it is lovely to see the racecourse praising the work he has done throughout his time at the track.

The Masterson Holding Hurdle looked to be a good race. Baby Mix was back at the track and sure is a favourite here. At 9/4 the horse was heavily backed but again failed to perform to high standards. The horse weakened towards the end of the race and I would like to have seen more push. But I will definitely keep my eye on this one in the future – has the ability to go far.

However the winner of the day was Balthazar King, a horse that loves this track more than anyone. Richard Johnson did immensely well to ride to victory and proved that he shouldn’t be doubted at this course. Hold On Julio was my choice and finished well in third. Galaxy Rock is another that enjoys the track but 2011 winner Balthazar King showed that he shouldn’t be messed with at Cheltenham!

It has been a great weekend for racing: Cheltenham is back with the Festival countdown already starting again and Frankel pulled off an astonishing 14/14 win. Simply the best? Well, I suppose he could be.

But all I can say now is…. Bring on The Open!!

MIDNIGHT CHASE STORMS AHEAD IN THE ARGENTO CHASE

MIDNIGHT CHASE has won the Argento Chase (Registered as the  (Grade 2)  Cotswold Chase) today beating favourites Diamond Harry and Tidal Bay.

The horse was ridden fantastically by Dougie Costello and kept hold of the lead throughout the race.

The 11-2 horse produced a brilliant performance by jumping fluently and travelling well, even when Tidal Bay was hot on his hooves.

But Walsh was unable to catch up with Costello as he powered past the post.

Diamond Harry was disappointing given his odds and Captain Chris was pulled up early on in the race.

Midnight Chase is now priced at 25-1 for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Definitely worth an each-way bet.

MY SELECTIONS FOR CHELTENHAM - SATURDAY JANUARY 28 2012

12:55 - Baby Mix
Currently on form and with Paddy Brennan on board the horse will be difficult to beat.

13:10 - Reverse Exacta: That'lldoboy
                                        Charminster

14:10 - Chance Du Roy
Fancy a outsider for this race. Horse been travelling well and with Johnson as jockey the horse should be capable of producing a good performance.

14:35 - Midnight Chase
Has won at Cheltenham before and in for a fair chance. Travels well over fences so should be given a second look.

15:10 - Broadbackbob

15:40 - Big Buck's
Can he win for the 15th consecutive time? In a competitive field but with the pace he's producing this should be ideal for him. Horse to beat.

16:10 - Hinterland
Ruby Walsh on board and the horse has run well previously. In for a good shot.
            Feeling Lucky? Koup De Kanon for the exacta.

NOBODY PUTS BABY IN THE CORNER

BABY Mix made a superb British debut today in the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial Juvenile Hurdle as he beat favourite Hinterland.

Ruby Walsh put Hinterland in an early lead in the first race at Cheltenham, but Baby Mix stormed ahead along the final furlong, beating Walsh and five other rivals.

Paddy Brennan jumped the last hurdle fluently, leaving the 2-7 favourite firmly behind as he charged ahead by seven lengths.

Baby Mix won at 14/1.

HENDERSON AND GERAGHTY WIN TREBLE AT CHELTENHAM

JOCKEY Barry Geraghty produced a fantastic performance at Cheltenham today by pulling out a treble win for trainer Nicky Henderson.

Henderson, who celebrated his birthday today, got the final leg of the treble when Geraghty won the last race of the day with Oscar Whisky.

Oscar Whisky powered round the circuit as he took the race in his merciful stride, making Henderson drunk with excitement.

In the Gold Cup Handicap Chase, Quantitativeeasing was given a masterful ride by Geraghty but was overlooked by many in favour for Sunnyhillboy.

Great Endeavour, ridden by Timmy Murphy, was also heavily backed in the race as the horse ran well at Cheltenham last month.

Pipe's horses, Great Endeavour and Salut Flo, ran and jumped fluently  until Murphy crashed out on a fence.

Quantitativeeasing rhythmically took the lead alongside Medermit (Robert Thornton) and Calgary Bay.

The three horses were neck-to-neck on the final furlong, but Geraghty powered past the post in prime position.

Medermit was eating at Quantitativeeasing's heels which created a thrilling race for the punters, yet Thornton was not able to overcome the horse's stride.

The next race, The International, started off with Overturn as favourite yet Grandouet placed himself firmly in the frame.

Overturn led the pack at the beginning with Grandouet racing strongly behind.

With the final two hurdles to go, Geraghty made his move and leapt ahead of Brampour and Overturn.

The final three plucked ahead of the others and Grandouet was able to pull through and win the race for 61-year-old Henderson.

Even with Gergahty bringing home two major Chase titles for his stable, Henderson was over-the-moon.

With Oscar Whisky, the shortest priced out of all three winners, finishing the Unicoin Homes Relkeel Hurdle in first position, Henderson celebrated his birthday in style.

It seems that both trainer and jockey will celebrate with a glass of whisky tonight.

CHELTENHAM - DECEMBER 9 - DAY ONE

Cheltenham racecourse looks all set for a busy weekend as horses, jockeys and trainers prepare for The International.

Favourites such as Fair Along, Mon Parrain, and Edgardo Sol return in form for the weekend.

My Predictions:

12.00
Solix: Won his last race in a Chase at Ascot when 4/5F beating Duke of Lucca by 12l.
Sam Winner: Successful in two hurdle races on good to soft ground.

12.35
Edgardo Sol: Has won at Cheltenham and Aintree this season. Successful in a hurdle race and a chase on good and good to soft ground.
Golden Gael: Has won at Chepstow this season. She has two hurdle races and a NH flat race.
Dancewiththedevil: Winner of five hurdle races and a NH flat race.

13.10
Nudge and Nurdle: Each-way bet as last win was over two years ago. Well beaten in last run at Wincanton.

13.45
Mon Parrain: Well-beaten behind Great Endeavour on his last outing in a Grade 3 chase at Cheltenham last month.
Shakalakaboomboom: One of my favourite horses out tomorrow. Won at 14-1 in a chase at Punchestown on his previous outing in May.
Fair Along: A Cheltenham favourite. Worth backing each-way.

14.20
Garde Champetre: Has two hurdle races and 10 chases. However was beaten by Uncle Junior on his previous outing last month so needs to up his game tomorrow.

14.55
Di Kaprio: Won at 11-1 in a hurdle race at Newbury last month. Worth backing even within his      company.
Garton King: Last outing was in October last year where he beat Royal Collonges by 4l.

15.30
Balding Banker: Ruby Walsh riding this horse so definitely worth looking at. Second out of 24 on his hurdling debut at Wincanton last month.

Attention All Racing Fans!

The International at Cheltenham racecourse is happening this week (9th and 10th December).

Cheltenham is my favourite race course and I am going to be attending the fixtures this year.

Watch this page for articles on the winners and losers; trainers and jockeys; and my predictions.

If you want to tell me what horse you will be backing, tweet me @abby_rugg