Raring to go for Bumper bid
Tuesday 15 March 2011 23:35, UK
Top jockey Wayne Hutchinson looks ahead to day two of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival, including his Bumper bid on Knight Pass.
Top jockey Wayne Hutchinson looks ahead to day two of the 2011 Cheltenham Festival - including his bid for Champion Bumper glory aboard Knight Pass.
I had just one ride at Cheltenham on Tuesday aboard Blazing Bailey in the Andy Stewart Family Spinal Research Handicap Chase and things just happened too quickly for him really.
They went a fast gallop and he is not as quick as he used to be and it wasn't really for him.
He has jumped away nicely and come home in his own time - he is wise enough to know a bit better and he didn't enjoy it.
But it was fantastic to see Bensalem win for the Alan King yard and prove to everyone that he is the horse that we thought he was.
I have three rides on Wednesday and they start with Trenchant in the Coral Cup, who ran well behind Celestial Halo last time at Fontwell.
The only slight concern is if this comes a little bit quickly for him after that but he is a tough individual and has acted around Cheltenham before as I finished fifth on him in a Triumph Hurdle.
He could be vulnerable off a mark of 149 to something more unexposed.
Alan also saddles Walkon and he is in really good form.
The feeling after his run at Newbury was that he was flat but he has shown plenty of sparkle at home since.
Obviously Alan feels he is well enough to take his chance.
I ride Jubail in the Fred Winter and I would like the ground to be quicker for him in an ideal world.
He is in the race on a mark of 119 which is a handy weight but I am not sure if he will be good enough - if he runs into a place he has done well.
I rode Looks Like Slim last time at Doncaster and I feel he could go well at a big price.
He is tough and jumps well and could be suited by the better ground as it was too soft for him last time.
I am obviously looking forward to riding Knight Pass in the Champion Bumper and I was in at Warren's (Greatrex) this morning to do some schooling.
I saw Knight Pass and he looked a picture as he went through his routine canters so I can't wait to get on board him in the race.
Looking at the two big races, I have been very impressed with Time For Rupert ahead of the RSA Chase and I love his attitude and the way he goes about his business.
He has got plenty of class and I think in time he will turn into a Gold Cup horse - he has an outstanding chance on Wednesday.
I think that Aiteen Thirtythree could give him the most trouble as he has done nothing wrong while Mikael D'Haguenet is Ruby' Walsh's choice for Willie Mullins in the race.
This is a tough test for young horses but I think that Time For Rupert can take it in his stride.
Master Minded looks as good as ever to me ahead of the Queen Mother Champion Chase and I have been very impressed with him.
Somersby got very close to him last time at Ascot but AP (McCoy) blamed himself for that after kicking on too soon.
Master Minded definitely is the horse to beat with Big Zeb his biggest danger as he loves this time of year and the better ground.
They are the top two in the market and should be fighting out the finish.
I feel that Somersby was probably flattered at Ascot and I still have my reservations whether he is a speedster and a two-miler.
