Festival fever is hitting the City once again
Patrick Callaghan reports from City AM’s Unibet-sponsored Cheltenham Festival Preview at The Brewery
THE CHANNEL 4 triumvirate of Mick Fitzgerald, Tom Lee, and the glamorous Gina Bryce, as well as our racing editor Bill Esdaile, made up the panel at City AM's Cheltenham Festival Preview sponsored by Unibet on Friday afternoon.
The jump racing extravaganza kicks off tomorrow with three Grade One contests, and the experts assembled at The Brewery were all in agreement that Hurricane Fly, 11/4 with Unibet, would win the Champion Hurdle
Fitzgerald believes trainer, Willie Mullins, and jockey, Ruby Walsh, feel the dual-Champion Hurdle winner has never been given the respect he deserves in the UK.
The world record 19-time Grade One victor has “never really shown what he can do over here, but that will change on Tuesday. He will win”, said Fitzgerald.
The two-time leading Festival jockey got many a giggle when asked by Bryce if, at 10, Hurricane Fly might be too old? “Many a good tune has been played on an old fiddle, Gina”, was his reply.
Esdaile had Hurricane Fly as one of his best bets and Lee pointed out Our Conor had his chance at Leopardstown, but saw Walsh pull out more on the champ.
Lee also told those thinking of backing My Tent Or Yours to “put their money in a shredder.”
In the opener, the Supreme, Fitzgerald suggested bookies would try and take on Vautour. Acknowledging he’s smart, Fitzgerald reasoned that many of the Irish horses will be running in alien conditions, “different ground, bigger fields and a stronger pace”. He liked Gilgamboa with AP McCoy on board.
Lee thought punters would collect on Vautour and questioned the form of Irving.
Quevega goes for an incredible sixth straight win in the Mares’ Hurdle, but Esdaile put up Cockney Sparrow as a value alternative with McCoy in the saddle for the first time a big positive.
Fitzgerald and Lee were firmly in the Foxrock camp for tomorrow's best bet. The latter accepted that the 4/1 with Unibet was short for a race like the National Hunt Chase but asked “would you rather have a 4/1 winner or a 25/1 loser?”
Pendra in the finale tomorrow “won’t be beaten” according to Esdaile.
The Champion Chase has an open look to it due to Sprinter Sacre’s defection, and there was little enthusiasm for favourite Sire De Grugy.
“Every horse has his price”, said Esdaile, “and at 11/4 he’d be value, but at 9/4 he’s not”. On pure achievements this season he should have enough to win, but the 33/1 for Wishfull Thinking was “too big”.
Lee thought the enigmatic Kid Cassidy was a decent substitute for Sprinter Sacre and 10/1 with Unibet was fair.
Fitzgerald remains close with his old boss Nicky Henderson and said if Captain Conan could get his act together – because “no-one can work with him at home” – he'd be a big player.
Bryce pointed out that the time of Hinterland’s Henry VIII Sandown win, on the same day and over the same distance, as Sire De Grugy’s Tingle Creek success, was significantly quicker, so at 14/1 he “must be worth an each-way bet”.
Lee was sweet on the chances of Carlingford Lough in the RSA at around 8/1. Unlucky last time, he has “lots of ability and could step up”.
Katgary for Nicholls was the tip from Fitzgerald in the Fred Winter. This one has a similar profile to Nicholls’ previous winner Sanctuaire and he agreed about Carlingford Lough.
No one would take on the unbeaten Annie Power in her much-touted World Hurdle clash with Big Buck’s on Thursday.
Her jockey had told Fitzgerald “any gelding in racing would struggle to give Annie Power 7lb”. Big Buck’s will improve on his comeback run but not enough at the age of 11 to trouble her.
“Beware of matches” was Esdaile’s advice. There’s no value in Annie Power’s price and she could drift on the day, even if he expects her to win. Rule The World could be the dark horse as supposed two-horse races rarely turn out like that.
The Irishman informed us Richard Johnson had told him Fingal Bay “is a stone below his real mark” in the Pertemps and was his best chance of a winner, despite carrying a big weight.
So, when Lee quipped that Johnson had told him just that week that Cheltenian in Friday’s County Hurdle was his banker, there were laughs from the audience. However, Fitzgerald agreed that one had a massive chance and “was 20s when I backed him!” He’s 10/1 now.
Briar Hill looked the Irish certainty in the Albert Bartlett, according to Esdaile. Backed down from 9/2 to as short as 2/1, he could go off even shorter.
Everyone was keen on Calipto for the Triumph, particularly with drying ground meaning second favourite Le Rocher mightn’t line up.
The Gold Cup on paper is between the top two, reigning champion Bobs Worth and Silviniaco Conti. And the latter was friendless.
Fitzgerald delighted all with the story of how Geragthy used to own Bobs Worth. He was bought out of pity by current connections as they didn't want him to be stuck with “the little horse” that has gone on to win five from five at Cheltenham.
He has “no peers in the race”, Fitzgerald continued, “but, while he’s the most likely winner, he’s too short now. Triolo D’Alene worked the house down on Friday and the 16/1 might tumble before the off.”
“Bobs Worth is so hard to oppose. He’s nine from nine when hitting the front and unbeaten at Cheltenham,” added Esdaile. “I have to side with him, although if the ground contiues to dry out, Last Instalent won’t run. First Lieutenant could switch from the Ryanair and, at 12/1, he would be the bet.”
That brought groans from Lee who had earlier confessed to “piling on First Lieutenant for the Ryanair all winter” and now feared his banker would go for Friday’s showpiece instead.
Esdaile was keen on the chances of Caid Du Berlais in the Martin Pipe at 14/1 and eyes were raised at the end when he was asked for his NAP of the Festival. “If First Lieutenant goes for the Gold Cup, I’ll have my biggest ever bet each-way on him!”.
Make sure you pick up a copy of City AM every day this week as we’ll be reporting live from Cheltenham.
THE PANEL’S FESTIVAL NAPS
Mick Fitzgerald FOXROCK
(National Hunt Chase, Tuesday, 4/1 with Unibet)
Tom Lee FIRST LIEUTENANT
(Ryanair Chase, Thursday, 6/1 with Unibet)
Gina Bryce RED SHERLOCK
(Neptune Novices' Hurdle, Wednesday, 9/2 with Unibet)
Bill Esdaile PENDRA
(Rewards4Racing Novices’ Handicap, Tuesday, 7/1 with Unibet) /FIRST LIEUTENANT e/w (if goes for Gold Cup, Friday, 12/1 with Unibet)