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Fist
Kalahari King might have a problem applying pressure to Master Minded – particularly from 20l behind.
Good bet for 2nd though.BA
Twist Magic had no problem with Cheltenham in the Arkle – just the last bit, much the same as he will tomorrow.Tomorrow the Royal Crown will sit firmly on the head of the King.
Master Minded’s latest win is meaningless other than to tell us he still has 4 legs can jump and run.
Think Haydock think pressure think defeat.
When Kalahari King pors it on and applies pressure I expect Master Minded to fall apart.
I doubt if he will be in the first 3.
and my AP double with Binocluar has my cash going onto him at 20/1.
That was before what I saw this season and I tell you now MM will not win.
Kalahari King
Yep i can see Kalahari winning tomorrow as well. MM will fold i think. Theres plenty more to come with Kalahari.
Master Minded was ultra-impressive on his latest start and whilst he looks the most likely winner, I don’t think he’ll have things all his own way.
Many appear to have dimissed the chances of his stablemate,
Twist Magic
, based on the false assumption that he fails to act around Prestbury Park.
I don’t buy that for a second. He fell two out in the Arkle a couple of years ago when going as well as anything and came into this race last year on the back of a fall in the Tingle Creek and an awful effort at Kempton.
This year, he comes to Cheltenham on the back of two hugely impressive victories at Sandown, where he claimed his second Tingle Creek, and Ascot, where he destroyed the very useful Petit Robin.
Even more impressive because he wasn’t supposed to like Ascot, either!
Paul Nicholls now trains this quirky character differently and believes that he has grown up both mentally and physically as a result – his recent performances certainly support this opinion.
Tactics will be very interesting. Twist Magic is revelling in his new role from the front (another factor behind his newly found consistency) and with no obvious pace in the race, he may just be given an easy lead on ground he will enjoy.
A lot will depend on how he handles the prelims. If the occasion doesn’t get the better of him, he has the ability to mix it with Master Minded.
I wouldn’t begrudge Master Minded a third Champion Chase, but I tackled Dunguib successfully yesterday and I’m quite bullish about Twist Magic going close.
Kalahari King put up a great weight carrying performance at Doncaster and is another who will enjoy the conditions. This stiffer contest is unlikely to unfold as kindly, but I’d be very surprised if he wasn’t placed.
Master Minded is the one to beat, but if his stablemate survives the prelims, he could surprise a few.
Well Chief is nowhere near the horse he was but I think he still retains enough ability to run into a place at a big price. Bar his fall in the 2007 Champion Chase his record around Cheltenham is fantastic.
I’ve never bought the Cheltenham Festival Guide before, but it’s interesting to read the horses rpr for right and left handed..Twist Magic is 159, left and 172, right. Quite a difference.
Flat out Kalahari King will find his jumping under pressure 1/2 a mile out. Twist Magic will last a furlong or two more then he also will capitulate. Master Minded will not have to do much as the other two will beat themselves.
Queen Mum:
Master Minded
showed signs of coming back to form last time. Make no mistake, his Newbury run was not anywhere near his best. Mahogany Blaze was second who made two howlers, Voy Por not at his best either, Fix The Ribb not able to lead. However, even that form should be good enough and should improve on that form.
Kalahari King
looked an improved performer at Donny, despite many paddock judges thinking he needed it. Won with a turn of foot and better not tired at the finish. Acts well on a sound surface.
Twist Magic
has been suited by front running in his last two starts, Ruby at pains to do so. Still think he has his quirks and don’t be surprised if he plants himself at the start. Was against him strongly at prices a month ago, now getting to near value. Cheltenham has not been his course in the past but think the front running is even more important.
Big Zeb
in his two runs in Britain has run awful. That may be the major thing. Has form on good but may be at his best on softer these days. They might go too fast for suspect jumping.
Other Irish horseGolden Silver
looks over priced on form but doubt he will act on the ground.
ForgetMahogany Blaze
, is not good enough.
Forpaddytheplasterer
is not good enough to win if others run to form. But acts well at Cheltenham. Never run on the ground. Disrupted preparation not ideal.
Oh Crick is flattered in the VC. Twist and Petit Robin went too fast.Well Chief
has been beaten by quite a few of these this year, but has been given a short break. Looks to be on the downgrade. Goes well fresh and at Cheltenham. First time cheek pieces. If (big IF), but at 54/1 worth at least a saver.
Already on Kalahari King 6/1 (ew) and (saver) Master Minded Evens.Value Is EverythingTalk of KK liking this ground, Master Minded has been untouchable under such conditions, infact, he’s generally untouchable unless he’s got a broken rib
Ask yourself how far would Master Minded have beaten Free World giving him 5lbs? 4lengths…. yeah right
Master Minded to continue dominating. Love 2 mile chases and this promises to be a really good spectacle, will watch with no cash down and enjoy.
That jump at the last was pure brilliance too.
Well done to the horse too, proved a lot of people wrong, and he travelled superbly.
Ah boy the Zeb!
Highlight of the festival so far. Proved his doubters wrong and rewarded those who have kept the faith.
What a horse!!
The Irish are reigning supreme today in the big races that’s for sure, must be fate on Paddy’s Day! The Bookies are surely having their best ever festival – didn’t see the race, but sounds as if the wheels have come off MM – that mistake at the last at Newbury must still be taking its toll. Only had ew on KK, didn’t really forsee Big Zeb bouncing back to be honest, Forpady ran a big race too.
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