2017 Kim Muir

One of my favourite races of The Festival, and also one of my most successful, with 5 winners, and one very unlucky runner up in the last 8 renewals (as usual with an opening line like that, I will balance that out by pointing out there are many races where my record is brutal). I was hesitant to start another thread this year, as my luck is sure to run out in this.

It goes without saying that jockey bookings in this race are crucial, and an Ante-Post punt can come undone if you don’t get the right man on board.

I really will struggle though to top last year, with Cause of Causes romping to victory. Quite simply, last years race is one of my favourite races of all time, as not only was he my 20-1 Nap of The Festival, I had to introduce him to the market myself, he also became my 2nd biggest ever winner, and he received what was undoubtedly the best ride of 2016. With that in mind, I have to be slightly careful what I do this year, as there’s the temptation to try and replicate that emotion once again, and you can try too hard to repeat it………….but try I will. Entries aren’t revealed for another couple of weeks, so I will re-visit once they are published, but there are a few that catch the eye.

Another Hero – He was a very strong fancy of mine for The Irish National last year, but he fell early doors, and I was determined I would get that money back. Ever since his seasonal debut at Chepstow in October, where he was very tenderly ridden, I’ve been banging the drum for him on here, and he did me proud at 50’s in The Lavazza Silver Cup at Ascot, and he also ran very well for me in The Skybet, where conditions were very much against him. He doesn’t want it too soft, but there’s a fair chance the ground will be very much in his favour round here in March. Also in his favour is that he represents the JP/Jonjo combination, and in a race they clearly target, he’s at the top of my list, and very much my #1 at the moment. Not out of the question that they could have the assistance of Jamie Codd, and I’ve had a few quid at 22’s on the exchange, and 20’s each way. 20-1

Shutthefrontdoor – Has he gone at the game or is he a plot job?? It takes a leap of faith to believe it’s the latter, he really has been poor, but he’s finally getting some respite from the handicapper, and should he get an entry, then it would take a brave man to write him off. He scrapes in off his current mark, and if being trained for this, he would be absolutely chucked in. NQ

Pendra – Not had his troubles to seek, but he’s being brought back for a spring campaign, and his trainer, Charlie Longsdon, has had a decent start to 2017. He’s another who would just scrape into this, but at his best, he could easily figure here off of top weight, though with his injuries, he’s not one to rush into. NQ

Fayette County – Another representing JP, and he ran very well here at The Open Meeting, where he just seemed to bump into a very good winner. Despite looking a tricky ride, he went straight into my notebook for this after that race, but he rather blotted his copybook next time at Newcastle. Not sure if he just had his own ideas, or ran out of gas, or even a combination of both, but regardless, he certainly threw away certain victory that day, coming to a standstill on the run in. Questions to answer then, and that run certainly tempered my enthusiasm for him, but I just can’t bring myself to write him off him, and a top jock would be essential for him I think. 33-1

Top Wood – Like Jonjo, David Pipe clearly targets this prize, and Top Wood was going to make things more difficult for Cause of Causes last year, but for falling four out. Jumping can be sketchy, and he would also have went close in The Scottish National when he was cruising before taking a spill. Next to no chance of getting in off of his current mark, but don’t rule out him winning before the weights are published to get him in on a nice mark. Was brought down here in November when in the process of running a big race (he hasn’t had much luck). Current wellbeing unknown, but I hope to see him out soon. NQ (Not Quoted)

Doctor Harper – Another from the Pipe yard, and not one to write off lightly. I suppose he can be a bit in and out, but he did run very well here in November, looking the winner before losing a shoe, and then on New Years Day here, he was just edged out by the very well handicapped Tour Des Champs. The Classic Chase at Warwick next time was a strange choice for him, and no surprise to see him fail to figure. I’ll happily put a line through that run. He did also flop somewhat in this year off 2 lbs higher, but I just feel that his 2 runs here this season have showed an improved horse, and he’s very much shortlist material for me. He’s got upcoming entries at Exeter & Haydock, and good runs there will see him potentially too high in the weights for this anyway, but I’ve taken a chance at the 14’s & 16’s. 16’s

Champers On Ice – Another one from the Pipe yard, and looks just the type they like to lay out for one. Been very popular for The 3 Miler though in the last week, so that may speak volumes as to where he’ll go. Very much one to consider if he does line up here. 16’s

The Crafty Butcher – A late bloomer from The Willie Mullins yard, but has been running well over the bigger obstacles this term, including an excellent second in The Paddy Power at Leapordstown over Christmas. This looks like an ideal target for him, and no surprise to see him near the head of the market. A shade low in the weights, but he should sneak in.14’s

Pleasant Company – Not only is he another to represent Mullins, but his owner, Malcolm Denmark is no stranger to a runner in this, so I’ve a feeling he’ll head here. Very attractively weighted, and after a very impressive win at The Punchestown Festival, his seasonal debut in The Thyestes, really caught the eye. Not quoted yet, but I’ll be very hopeful he gets an entry. This really does look perfect for him. NQ

Ned Stark – Formerly promising sort with Alan King, before losing his way. Now with Gordon Elliott, who’ll clearly be plotting a few up for this, and no better man to get this horse back on track. Not surprisingly challenging for favouritism, though would have to see him get an entry first, as he was a surprise withdrawal from The Paddy Power, with no explanation. 14’s

Potters Cross – Has came from nowhere this season, and when in the mood, pretty decent. Did me a proper turn at Newbury in January, before disappointing badly in The Skybet. I think he’s better than that though, and has a couple of very solid runs to his name at Chepstow this term. On a nice mark, and trainer rarely leaves here empty handed, so not out of the question that he can provide Rebecca Curtis with another Festival Success. 20’s

Lamb Or Cod – Got the better of Potters Cross in one of those Chepstow runs, and although he has a patchy record round here, he has won at the track. A win never looked likely here on New Years Day, but I can’t get that Chepstow run out of my head, and I don’t think he’s weighted out of this, and reckon he just didn’t fancy this the other day. His owner Terry Warner likes his runners here, so at 33’s, there seems a good chance you’ll get a run for you money, and at a price. 33’s

Mall Dini – Winner of last years Pertemps Final, and having looked a real prospect for something like The RSA, he’s quickly become something of a “talking horse” for another of the handicaps this year. Which handicap remains up in the year, but he’s had an interesting prep, and is very much one to consider. I’m surprised he’s still available at 25’s. 25’s

Thunder and Roses – The 2015 Irish National Winner, and he could easily be the one for Gigginstown here. Not done that much since his day in the sun at Fairyhouse, but he’s had a couple of nice runs, and the opportunity to be re-united with Katie Walsh here, could make all the difference. NQ

Prince of Scars – Ran no sort of race in The Thyestes, but he still looks well treated on his Irish Mark, and a similar assessment here would make him of strong interest if it came up soft. Not one for a long term Ante-Post punt though. NQ

Wrath of Titans – Seems a long time since he brought the house down (well my house anyway) in The Kerry National earlier in the season, but I haven’t forgotten it, and he’s another who could represent Gigginstown here. His 2 subsequent runs have been nothing to write home about, but he’s very much one to take note of, should he get an entry. He did win well that day at Listowel, and he could easily be re-united with Lisa O’Neil here. On an attractive looking mark, and from the Gordon Elliot yard, he could be one for late money. If he gets an entry, and you like him, maybe one to fire in early with.

Definite Ruby – Another Gordon Elliott inmate, and a nice winner last time over hurdles, and she knows her way round here. I’m not quite sure why, but after that win over hurdles, this is the race I had in mind for her. Far too low in the weights at the moment, but holds an entry at Naas over the weekend. A very very dark horse then, and even suggesting her for this could look stupid after the weekend, but I had to give her a mention. NQ

Vintage Clouds – Trevor Hemmings likes a runner in this, and would be great if this guy could sneak in off of 134. Ran a decent enough race before falling close home before Bristol De Mai last time, and I think this Sue Smith runner has the right kind of profile. 20’s

Cloudy Too – Another possible runner from the Sue Smith stable, and although getting on a bit, he has won over hurdles this season. He normally manages one big run a season at the very least, and despite being a shade disappointing at Sandown, would it surprise anyone if the trainer could get one last hurrah at Cheltenham for him. The ability has always been there, and only 3 years ago he was lining up in The Gold Cup, where he wasn’t disgraced. NQ

What’s Happening – He’s not been seen for over a year, but I’ve been keen to see him back, and he holds an entry at Exeter on Sunday. If he shows enough at the weekend, then give him some serious thought for this. Loves it round here, and assuming all is well with him, he’ll only be a lb higher for his last win at the track. NQ

I think that’s enough for now, with no entries to chew over, but I just had to have an early go. Loads to like then, and no doubt more to like once those entries are revealed, not to mention the very obvious ones that I’ll have forgotten to include lol.

For now, I think Pleasant Company really fits the bill, while Wrath of Titans could be something of a forgotten horse, for powerful connections, and although not quoted, and certainly not considered so far, it could be an interesting weekend for Definite Ruby & What’s Happening.

Too much to happen between now and March 16th though, and I’m very happy to have Another Hero, and Doctor Harper on my side. I promised myself not to do a book on any of the handicaps this year, but I could easily break that promise with this race, and I’ll play it by ear. What is for certain, is that I’ll be having another go.

Another Hero 20’s ew & 22’s
Doctor Harper 14’s & 16’s

GL