Cheltenham Festival - Thursday Racing Preview
13:30 Jewson Novices' Chase
Unbeaten over fences, David Pipe has nominated this as stable star Dynaste's Cheltenham Festival target rather than Wednesday's RSA Chase and it looks a wise move.
The drop in trip is unlikely to bother the impressive gray and he easily brings the best form to the race.
Dynaste's victory in the Grade 1 Feltham Chase at Kempton last time out reads very well and, crucially, has already proved his liking for the track.
Second in the Cleeve Hurdle over wood to the mighty Big Buck's last January, it will be a big surprise if Dynaste does not return to the winner's enclosure and anything around 7/4 looks very fair indeed.
14:05 Pertemps Final
Trainers and owners alike have their eyes on the Pertemps Final throughout the National Hunt season and Paul Nicholls could not hide his delight at the mark awarded to favorite Sam Winner.
Sent off at 4/1f for the Triumph Hurdle in 2011, Sam Winner returned to action this year with a pleasing bumper win over Peddlers Cross at Kempton and, provided the step up in trip is no problem for Ruby Walsh's mount, he should run well.
Course successes over the likes of Grandouet indicate that Sam Winner will be treated leniently off 140 and he could have upwards of a stone in hand over the majority of his rivals.
14:40 Ryanair Chase
The best renewal of this relatively recent addition to the Cheltenham Festival running order, and many of those who line up come here instead of Wednesday's Champion Chase; scared off by sprinter Sacre.
Riverside Theater cannot be discounted as it looks to retain its crown, but this is a tougher task than holding off Alberta's Run 12 months ago, and top honors may go to First Lieutenant.
Mouse Morris' Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner found only Bob's Worth too good in the RSA Chase and the drop in trip should play to his strengths.
First Lieutenant was good enough to win the Grade 1 Neptune Novices' Hurdle over a similar distance in 2011 and can add to his excellent Cheltenham record at the expense of Cue Card.
15:20 World Hurdle
No Big Bucks due to injury in 2013 and a wide open contest with almost everyone in the field getting some sort of chance.
Oscar Whiskey would have been a confident selection but for the soft ground, which may just push his questionable stamina to the limit, while Get Me Out Of Here will be hoping to improve on three second places at the Cheltenham Festival if he can see out the trip.
Reve De Sivola is sure to relish this grueling test, but Peddler's Cross is a chance to take. Donald McCain's horse took Hurricane Fly all the way in the Champion Hurdle two seasons ago and is top class on his day.
Two recent runs suggest he is back to his best and the extra distance may help Peddlers Cross get into a better rhythm as he looks to repeat his Festival success of three years ago.
16:00 Byrne Group Plate
David Pipe saw Ballynagour up a whopping 21lb for an easy British debut win and while he will not be dismissed lightly, it may be just enough to prevent him from following up.
It may pay to take the hint with Cantlow, who was sent here after holding numerous handicaps throughout the week.
Paul Webber's novice is very lightly raced and looks to be one of leading owner JP McManus' best chances of the week.
Providing Cantlow jumps with enough fluency he surely has a handicap in him off just 143.
A victory for top weight Hunt Ball and owner Anthony Knott would raise the roof after his success in the 2012 Novices' Handicap Chase.
16:40 Kim Muir Challenge Cup
The fact that trainer Donald McCain was considering a crack at the Grade 1 RSA Chase for Super Duty earlier in the week suggests he should be very close here and he looks to have a rock solid profile.
Not out of the first two from four Chase starts this season, Super Duty was a very honorable second to Simonsig over hurdles at Aintree last April.
This doesn't look like the strongest handicap of the week and if Super Duty doesn't fire, Alfie Sherrin could pick up the pieces.
Winner of the Festival Handicap Chase last season, his recent poor form can easily be excused as success at Prestbury Park is his number one objective for trainer Jonjo O'Neill.