COUNTDOWN TO CHELTENHAM
Martin Pipe was a master at plotting a horse for one of the big handicaps at Cheltenham and his son David is following in his footsteps. The one I can see shortening markedly over the next few days is I’MSINGINGTHEBLUES in the Grand Annual. He hasn’t won for over two years, but this has been his target all season and I’d be surprised if the current 11.0 isn’t nearer 6.0 on the day.
The Albert Bartlett is very competitive but another who has the potential to shorten dramatically over the next few days is BOBS WORTH. Nicky Henderson’s runner has been at the head of the Neptune Investment market for the past few months, but he could go for the longer race
and there certainly won’t be any 10.0 available on the day if he switches.
Henderson has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal and I wouldn’t be surprised to see AIGLE D’OR be the subject of strong support in the coming week for the Byrne Group Plate. He was a ready winner on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury and if JP McManus backs him he’s going to go off much shorter than the current 9.0.