Get your own Free Home PageTriumph Hurdle- Zafarabad appears to hold the aces here following his impressive display over the course when he sprinted away from the last before following up at Newbury where Rainwatch was held when he fell at the last. However 4-1 looks no value in this notoriously difficult 4yo championship. Charlie Swan has expressed his disappointment at losing Rainbow Frontier to Martin Pipe which suggests the Irish form of Darapour and the rest is slightly inferior. With Mr. Pipe likely to have upwards of six runners it could pay to side with Tony McCoy's choice although if Rainwatch is their number one there appears to be nothing to stop Zafarabad. Executive Decision who would almost certainly be leading Irish contender on the form book is almost certain to miss the Festival.
Stayers Hurdle- This race looks wide open although Paddy's Return was very impressive at Ascot earlier in the season. He has shown his liking for the course which is very important but there has to be slight doubts over his ability to stay the trip following his defeat last time and his run in this race last season. Having said that he is reportedly much stronger this year and the fact that he was forced to make his own running at Haydock counted against him. The only conceivable danger to him would be the ultra tough Ocean Hawk and with nothing from Ireland in the class of Doran's Pride 7-2 seems a fair price. Nocksky is probably too inexperienced for the race this year but bear him in mind for next year.
Gold Cup- The festival showpiece looks a fascinating clash this year and with the ground firming up Doran's Pride is confidently expected to confirm last seasons superiority over See More Business. If it wasn't for his disappointing run at Naas he would be a shorter price and he showed he had bounced back from that defeat with an impressive victory at Leopardstown, the form of which has been franked since by Anabatics win at Gowran Park. Another to consider is Suny Bay who seems to run well when fresh so has been rested recently. He disappointed behind See More Business at Christmas and may have done his winning for the season but he ran a blinder in the Grand National on fast ground last year.
Foxhunters' Chase- Elegant Lord will be many peoples idea of the banker of the week. He has shown he retains all his old ability(he won this race in '96 before a year off) with fluent wins at Slanemore and at Leopardstown where he beat Wilbar and Irish National winner Flashing Steel. He is unbeaten under Enda Bolger and it is nearly impossible to see that record changing here. The main English hope appears to be The Bounder. 15-8 is a short price to be taking ante-post about a horse who has had a leg injury but only a fool would bet against him.
Cheltenham clues will be thin on the ground from here on but Stormtracker ran excellent grand National trial behind the ill-fated Domaine de Pron at Newcastle and proved he stays 4 miles well. He should improve for the run after a 70 day break and should put up a bold front running show at Aintree.
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