Saturday 25 March 2017 10:41, UK
Sky Sports News HQ presenter Alex Hammond reflects on a tremendous Cheltenham and has some early Grand National picks.
What was your highlight from last week's Cheltenham Festival?
Personally it was backing three winners on Gold Cup day including Sizing John and Rock The World. I was fortunate to interview Davy Russell on Sky Sports News on Thursday and when I asked him about his views on the Gold Cup, he was so convincing about Jessica Harrington's Gold Cup runner that I couldn't let him run without me. It was with mixed emotions though as I'd already backed Native River some time ago; my ante-post portfolio didn't fare particularly well. I wished I'd listened to Davy about Presenting Percy, but you can't be greedy! It was a top day on Friday, which was the only day I was able to attend the festival, but the best really was saved until last and my group of friends all went home thinking I was a champion! They will soon get brought back down to earth. All in all though, an enjoyable and profitable week.
If you had to have one bet for the 2018 Cheltenham Festival, what would it be?
Well if I was forced I guess you could do worse than back Altior in the Champion Chase, although he's already 6/4 favourite with Sky Bet. So, from a value point of view then maybe Neon Wolf in the RSA Chase. Harry Fry's Neptune runner up looks like he will make a smashing chaser next season. He's currently 14/1 second favourite for the three-mile Grade 1 (he's also 10/1 for the Arkle). We don't know which race these horses are going for in the days before the race, so I won't second guess his trainer on which is the most likely destination, but he's a horse I like a lot and he promises to be even better over fences.
The Randox Health Grand National is on the horizon, what's on your ante-post radar for the big race and the meeting itself?
Well, it was disappointing to hear the news that Gold Cup runner up Minella Rocco misses the race. It's a real shame as Jonjo O'Neill's horse looked tailor made for the National. I've always been keen on Ucello Conti (16/1 with Sky Bet) and Blaklion (14/1) and I don't see any reason why I should change my mind. Gordon Elliott was a revelation at the festival and I thought his Ucello Conti ran a reasonable trial in the Leinster National when plugging on to finish in 4th with Aintree in mind. Blaklion finished second to Vieux Lion Rouge in the Haydock National Trial under Willy Twiston-Davies, but poor Willy suffered a heavy fall at Cheltenham and has since had surgery on two damaged vertebrae. Trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has been quick to move to snap up an excellent replacement and he couldn't have done much better than book Noel Fehily after his clutch of big race wins at Prestbury Park. There is plenty of talk about the Brian Ellison trained Definitely Red who looks well weighted given his win in the Grimthorpe at Doncaster after the weights for Aintree were announced. He saw off last year's National runner up The Last Samuri in South Yorkshire and he carries 12lbs less than Kim Bailey's horse at Aintree.
I'm also looking forward to seeing Un De Sceaux again if he lines up in the Melling Chase. What a beast he was at Cheltenham, travelling like a steam train, but with the grace of a deer when it came to getting from one side of the fence to the other. He will take some pegging back at Aintree and it looks like he will finally get the superstar status he deserves.
The Dubai Carnival draws to a conclusion on Saturday with Arrogate the star performer. Is he your idea of the World Cup winner and is there anything else in Meydan we should be taking a look at?
Arrogate has been drawn in stall 9 of 14 for the $10m contest on Saturday and I'm not sure any draw would have put me off him at Meydan. His price reflects that though, he's currently 4/11 favourite for US trainer Bob Baffert. His trainer has described him as "the dirt version of Frankel in the States" and it will be a shock if the World's highest rated racehorse can't add to his win in the Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream in January. I can't see anything that will give Baffert the hint of a sleepless night and I'm looking forward to seeing this colt hopefully gallop the rest into submission.
Elsewhere on the card there is plenty of interest and more attractive betting propositions. The Dubai Gold Cup is a fascinating race with some smart European stayers lining up for the two-mile Group 2. Sheikhzayedroad should strip fitter for his reappearance run at this track last month and has a good chance of getting a first World Cup night winner, but at 8/1 with Sky Bet offers a bit of each way value.
I'm pinning my hopes on Ribchester though in the Dubai Turf for Richard Fahey and William Buick. The Godolphin-owned four year old was top class over 7f and one mile last season, but the step up to nine furlongs isn't expected to be a problem. He's 5/2 second favourite to give my fellow sportinglife.com columnist another big winner for his in form Yorkshire yard.
Domestically the mares take centre stage at Newbury, what's caught your eye in Berskhire?
It's that time of year when the focus is about to switch to the Flat and this is Newbury's final jumps meeing of the season. There are some smart mares entered for the feature Grade 2 but with final declarations still to be made it's hard to make a confident selection. However, Alan King's Tara View is on a roll having won all three starts over hurdles to date and is sure to be popular. She is progressive and beat a good yard stick in the former Sky Sports News racehorse On Demand, at Ludlow last time out and has been kept for this race. The ground should be suitable as she wouldn't want it too soft.
