Cheltenham Preview - Day 3

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by Barry McEneaney

2.40 Ryanair Chase, 2 miles 5 furlongs

Poquelin has been all the rage for this race since his success in the Boylesports here back in December and prior to that he finished second to Tranquil Sea in the Paddy Power Gold Cup.

Connections believe he will improve for the better ground and he has every chance.

Tranquil Sea won his recent prep on heavy ground at Leopardstown with the minimum fuss and trainer Edward O'Grady believes, contrary to popular opinion, that he too will be seen in a better light on good ground.

Tranquil Sea may edge the battle between these two.

Schindlers Hunt looks a solid place bet who ran a blinder last time out on unsuitably soft ground, but he could find the finish a little too energy-sapping and that compromises his chance of victory.

Albertas Run is also an interesting contender based on course form and a preference for lively going.

But if one horse screams 'value' in the true sense of the word it has to be Voy Por Ustedes. This great horse has won a hatful of top races over the years and quotes of 16-1 are an insult. He's been placed in 20 of his 24 chases, winning 11 of them, and at his best he'd rout this lot.

Bookmakers and the public have underestimated his chances for a number of reasons, primarily his recent form.

His last run came on soft ground over too short a trip when he finished fourth of five (beaten 18 lengths) behind Master Minded. Prior to that he was beaten 21l behind What A Friend in the Lexus Chase over 3m on soft ground at Leopardstown.

Today, for the first time this season, he gets his optimum trip and ideal ground.

It's difficult to know how he will react to the application of first-time blinkers, but if they help him eradicate his recent jumping errors his rivals better watch out.

Maybe he is on the downgrade, but at 16-1 you can afford to find out.

3.20 Ladbrokes World Hurdle, 3 miles

Following favourites this week has proven a costly habit this week, and while Big Bucks is a worthy favourite there are a number of contenders that have strong place claims, one of whom has a good chance of toppling the reigning World Hurdle champion.

The four to focus on could well be Time For Rupert, Karabak, Sentry Duty and Tidal Bay. It's hard to split them, despite what their odds imply.

Time For Rupert is a progressive young horse with no stamina doubts who could easily hold on to a place. I say 'hold on to a place' because his prominent style of racing will make it incredibly difficult to last home against a number of talented rivals.

Backing both Karabak and Tidal Bay each-way isn't the worse strategy in the world, but the latter could prove the strongest candidate.

In nine starts over hurdles Tidal Bay has never been out of the first two, winning five of his race over the smaller obstacles. A career over fences was aborted when it became clear that he wasn't in love with chasing. His course form is superb and he'll love the prevailing ground. His hurdling return last time out marked him out as the main danger to Big Bucks and he has to be backed.

However, Sentry Duty could ruin the best laid plans. Nicky Henderson's charge doesn't take his training or his racing well and must be fresh. Anyone who saw his last start couldn't fail to be impressed, but there are two huge negatives. He's more than capable of throwing in the odd clunker and his stamina is a major doubt. If he comes of the bridle further than a furlong from the winning post he probably won't last home and could tire dramatically. That means he can't be recommended each-way. It's all or nothing, but at his price he's a cheap form of insurance.

A staking plan for this race is listed below.

Selections
1.30 The Midnight Club, Rivaliste
2.05 Alfie Sherrin, Cross Kennon
2.40 Voy Por Ustedes (Win & ½ win stake place)
3.20 Tidal Bay (2 points each-way), Karabak (1 point each-way), Sentry Duty (3/4 point win only)
4.00 Sunnyhillboy
4.40 Ballabriggs