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 back in trip is unlikely to inconvenience the impressive grey and he brings easily the best form into the race.
Dynaste's win last time out in the Grade 1 Feltham Chase at Kempton reads very well and crucially has already proved his liking for the track.
Second in the Cleeve Hurdle over timber to the mighty Big Buck's last January, it will be a major surprise if Dynaste fails to return to the winner's enclosure and anything around 7/4 looks very fair indeed.
14:05 Pertemps Final
Trainer and owners alike have their eye on the Pertemps Final throughout the National Hunt season and Paul Nicholls has been unable to hide his delight at the mark allotted to favourite Sam Winner.
Sent off 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, providing the step up in trip is no bother for Ruby Walsh's mount, then he must run well.
Course successes over the likes of Grandouet indicate Sam Winner is leniently treated 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 plenty of those lining up come here instead of Wednesday's Champion Chase; scared off by Sprinter Sacre.
Riverside Theatre cannot be discounter as he looks to retain his crown but this is a tougher assignment than when holding off Alberta's Run 12 months ago and top honours can go to First Lieutenant.
Mouse Morris's Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner found only Bob's Worth too good in the RSA Chase and the drop back in trip should play to his strengths.
First Lieutenant was good enough to land the Grade 1 Neptune Novices' Hurdle over a similar distance in 2011 and can enhance his excellent Cheltenham record, at the chief expense of Cue Card.
15:20 World Hurdle
No Big Buck's due to injury in 2013 and a wide open contest in which nearly all of the field are given some sort of chance.
Oscar Whiskey would have been a confident selection but for the soft ground, which may just stretch his questionable stamina to the limit, while Get Me Out Of Here has hopes of improving on three Cheltenham Festival second place finishes if seeing out the trip.
Reve De Sivola is sure to relish this gruelling test but a chance is taken on Peddler's Cross. Donald McCain's horse pushed 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 approaching his peak once more and the extra distance can help Peddlers Cross settle into a better rhythm as he looks to follow up his Festival success of three years ago.
16:00 Byrne Group Plate
David Pipe saw Ballynagour raised a whopping 21lb for a facile British debut victory and while he is not dismissed lightly, it might just be enough to prevent him following up.
It can pay to take the hint with Cantlow who has been sent here having held numerous handicap entries over the week.
Paul Webber's novice is very lightly raced and looks to be one of leading owner JP McManus's 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 his owner Anthony Knott would raise the raise roof following his success in the novices' handicap chase in 2012.
16:40 Kim Muir Challenge Cup
The fact trainer Donald McCain was weighing up a crack at the Grade 1 RSA Chase earlier in the week for Super Duty suggests he should be going very close here and he looks to have a rock solid profile.
Not out of the first two in four chase starts this season, Super Duty was a very honourable second to Simonsig at Aintree over hurdles last April.
This doesn't look the strongest of handicaps during the week and if Super Duty fails to fire then Alfie Sherrin might just pick up the pieces.
Winner of the Festival Handicap Chase last season, his recent poor efforts are easily excused as success at Prestbury Park for trainer Jonjo O'Neill is his number one objective.