Cheltenham Racecourse Showcase Meeting Preview Night

Good morning all,

Like many of you, myself and Tom tuned in last night to the “Cheltenham Showcase Meeting Zoom Preview Night”, hosted by the Racing Post’s Joshua Stacey, and featuring panellists including NH trainer and cake devourer Fergal O’Brien, Clerk of the course at Cheltenham Simon Claisse and the recently retired ex-jockey Barry Geraghty.

Straight away, Josh turned the focus of the preview night to the previous few months at Cheltenham for Simon and his team, with regard to the build-up to a meeting that will be the first to be held at Prestbury Park since Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Festival. This had provided Simon and the team with “a bit longer to do routine maintenance.. although the weather has been bizarre.” Indeed, Claisse revealed that for the first time in history, Cheltenham had taken to watering the course in June, such as the dry 7-8 week spell the course endured over the summer period. He added that despite the bizarre weather, the team at Cheltenham had done “a terrific job”, and also mentioned the measures the team had gone to, in providing safe areas for all professionals to operate in, such as the “Green Zone” referred to as hosting the professionals.

Simon then made a mention of the current ground conditions leading into the weekend’s racing, with the ground being described as Good last weekend, resulting in a “bout of irrigation” being applied to the course on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Despite the extra irrigation, Mother Nature decided she would like to put a thorn in the side, by turning her own taps and providing 15mm of rain on top of the irrigation at 7am on Thursday morning. The current going at Cheltenham is Good, with the potential for some showers at lunchtime on Friday. Claisse expected the ground to be “Good at kick-off, with a showery Saturday on the forecast”.

Josh thanked Simon for his contribution to the evening, and the brief appearance by Claisse was concluded at this point, although one does not think Claisse had a lazy evening tonight; no doubt he was up before dawn to make sure conditions on the track are absolutely perfect for their opening meeting of the season. Introduced next onto the agenda was Ravenswell trainer Fergal O’Brien, resplendent in his rather warm looking gilet sporting his yard’s two major sponsors in Dunraven Windows and bookmaker Unibet.

Josh asked Fergal about how the previous few months had been for the Ravenswell outfit, with O’Brien stating that the team had “all been in the same boat (as other yards), nobody knew what was going on with regards to the pandemic”. What Fergal does possess however is a very good landlord in Rupert Lowe, and this has allowed his yard to thrive in the uncertain circumstances. Regarding the racing this weekend, Fergal was very quick to reveal to all those viewing that his horse in the opening race of the Meeting, Global Fame, is not likely to run, owing to the quick ground expected. Despite praising the team at Cheltenham for their efforts on getting the ground to be what it is, Fergal stated it was “too quick” for his horse, “who needs genuine good-to-soft ground”.

The final panellist to be introduced by Josh is no stranger to a Preview Night or two; Barry Geraghty’s appearances on the Final Furlong Podcast’s Cheltenham Festival Preview Nights of recent years have always provided concise, methodical reasonings behind horses’ chances, with a sprinkling of comedy to boot. This time, as newly-retired from the saddle, it seemed Barry had an agenda to begin with. Not only was sitting in front of frankly the finest cabinet, filled with sparkling silver trophies, enough to go by, but Barry was quick to mention his autobiography, entitled “True Colours”, being due to for release very soon. I’m sure I speak for a lot of the racing community when I say “on the reading list”. When asked by Josh about how this year had been different to most in terms of preparation for the season ahead, Barry was straightforward. “I’ve been a sort of part time Dad for 12 years, so it’s been great to catch up on that”, as well as mentioned he had been kept busy by “the yearlings at home”.

One thing that has been mentioned, and something I was hoping would be mentioned on the platform, was that the britches Barry wore to ride at his last Cheltenham Festival, and gain his final 5 winners at Cheltenham, are being auctioned for charity, specifically the Irish Injured Jockeys’ Fund. We hope a great deal of money is raised for such a worthy cause; as a side, we might bid for these; slowly building up a mismatch of sporting memorabilia, with a Leicester City shirt signed by Robbie Savage and shorts worn by Scottish rugby union player Stuart Hogg currently in our inventory.

As mentioned previously, when Josh began the focus on the weekend’s racing, Fergal was quick to mention the likely non-participation of Global Fame. O’Brien heaped praise on the horse, stating he was “uncomplicated, not exuberant on the schooling gallop… nor flashy on the gallops”, and hoped he would turn into a 3-mile chaser in the future. Having been to see him at the yard, we certainly feel this will be the case with him. Fergal does very well with these types of horses, and Global Fame can certainly be held in the same praise, hopefully. Barry was quick to mention that Ditcheat’s Paul Nicholls will almost certainly have his horses fit (which must be the case for a trainer currently running on a 38% strike rate), so his representative in Ask For Glory will certainly have a few peoples’ eyes on him.

Fergal was then asked about another of his representatives at the meeting, and a horse who runs in the 2:25 tomorrow, the Matchbook Better Way to Bet Novices’ Chase, over 3 miles, Ask Dillon. “He should have gone chasing last year, but he had a splint bone behind” mentioned O’Brien, who also stated that his chance in the Stayers’ Hurdle last season was effectively ended 3 out when he made a bad mistake. Fergal also viewed the Gordon Elliott-trained Galvin as being the one to beat in the contest. Having said that, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained Mossy Fen is also a very worthy adversary, so the race is shaping up to be one hell of a contest.

As a final word on the contest, despite Paddy Brennan riding Ask Dillon, heaps of praise was ushered by Fergal upon Connor Brace, a jockey who is set to have some decent rides at Prestbury Park this weekend, including Lungarno Palace and Benny’s Bridge (who Fergal said might go over fences this year) on the Friday and veteran Perfect Candidate on the Saturday. Barry added that Cheltenham was a tricky place to ride, and that “everyone is ultra-competitive at the Festival”, so it will be great match practice for the young jockey to ride at Prestbury Park this weekend.

The 4:10 on Friday, the Catesby Estates Maiden Hurdle, over 2 miles, features another of Fergal’s horses, Art Approval. Paddy Brennan is lined up to ride, and the race is being used to, as to quote O’Brien, “give him (Art Approval) a great experience, and to also find a lot out. I’m looking forward to seeing him run.” He would have faced very stiff opposition in Champagnesuperover, the Olly Murphy-trained gelding having impressed on his debut at Ayr before running a good race in a Listed contest at Newbury. However, that horse is ground-dependent, and would like it a lot softer than forecast, hence no surprise in him being pulled out this morning. It still has all the hallmarks however of being a very intriguing contest. Fergal also revealed, in answer to a question from a viewer, that Petite Power would be aimed at a 3m 2f handicap chase at the November Meeting.

Fergal was also delighted with the run of Quick Grabim against Fusil Raffles, who runs in the 4:45, the Two Farmers Crisps Novices’ Chase over 2 miles. The 4-runner race is an intriguing duel between Fusil Raffles and Getaway Trump. The betting favours Nicky Henderson’s charge, and Barry was clear about the chances of Nicholls’ somewhat frustrating gelding. “He didn’t live up to expectations. Fusil Raffles strikes me as a horse with real potential over fences.. lot of scope.” Barry did however note that he had his issues throughout last season after the Elite Hurdle, so this novice chase will surely provide us with some clues to see who has shook off the demons of last season the most.

Moving on to Saturday, Josh noted that the 2:05pm, the 2-mile Masterson Holdings Hurdle, is his race of the day. The question set to Barry; was this race a good starting point for both Botox Has, of the Gary Moore stable, and Allmankind, star of the Dan Skelton string? Barry was quick to point out that Allmankind had been very impressive in what he had done last season, especially with his hard style out front. He had been surprised in the Grade 2 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial at the November Meeting (Allmankind beat Botox Has and Mick Pastor, Barry’s mount) with the finish that Allmankind showed, especially after going so hard early on.

However, Barry was cautious about how Allmankind might find things this year, stepping up into open company. “If you are a good novice hurdler, you take a couple of lengths at a hurdle. You don’t do that against experienced horses, you only hold your spot.” Personally, we feel that if Allmankind shows the same devastating pace he showed at Chepstow when winning the Grade 1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle, he will be very hard to beat on Saturday.

One of the feature races on Saturday, the 3m 1f Matchbook Betting Exchange Handicap Chase at 3:50pm, sees the return of a fan favourite; Frodon. Paul Nicholl’s 8-year-old seems to have been around forever, so the fact he is only 8 is somewhat remarkable. What is interesting to note is that this time last year Frodon was being prepared to run in the Old Roan Chase at Aintree; this weekend, that race is being run, but Frodon is declared for this race.

Fergal, whose own runner Perfect Candidate is not likely to run, possibly owing to ground, likes the chances of Manofthemountain, trained by Emma Lavelle. Whilst Frodon is, in Fergal’s words, “keeping everything out of the handicap”, Lavelle’s charge arrives at Prestbury Park on the back of 4 wins out of 5 runs; the only blemish in that sequence being an unseat at Taunton in November 2019. Having already run this season, and won, her charge will have a fitness advantage over most, though is running from 1lb out of the handicap. Just above him in the handicap is Noel Williams’s runner Sensulano, to be ridden by Paddy Brennan. Barry fancies the chances of this mare, which can be somewhat explained by the fact that Barry won on her in December 2018. Her weight (10st), course form and trip will no doubt suit her, added Geraghty.

Barry was then asked 2 questions from the viewers; one of which related to his last winner at Cheltenham, Saint Roi, evolving into a Champion Hurdle fancy, and whether Champ was Gold Cup material. Of Saint Roi, Barry stated he was progressive, but that Epatante was still the horse they all had to beat, and that Abracadabras, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2nd, was developing to a potential challenger. As an aside, Sire du Berlais was mentioned as potentially Stayers’ Hurdle bound; Geraghty stated he was “not the biggest horse in the world, and if he’s not good enough he will be found out”. Of Champ, Geraghty confirmed that he “has all the potential (of developing into a Gold Cup horse), and has showed his quality winning the RSA Chase.” Barry did note however that his jumping is not as good as it could be, but he had no doubt that he has the class and stamina, so if Henderson can iron out his issues, Champ can be taken as a serious Gold Cup contender. After all, he was bought to do specifically that, was he not?

Towards the end of the evening, Fergal was asked about any of his horses he would like to put forward to the viewers as “Ones to Follow”. “Imperial Alcazar looks a lovely horse.. Silver Hallmark only had 2 runs last year but it was great to beat McFabulous (Chepstow) last year.” And we all know how McFabulous has developed! O’Brien then brought out his best chance of a winner of the whole meeting; he identified Polish (4:25pm, Saturday) has his best chance of a winner. This son of Teofilo was previously trained by Roger Charlton, and has already run in 31 races. He is stepping up to 2m 7f for this 6-runner contest, so surely deserves his chance. When asked by Josh about 1 horse punters should be siding on, Barry actually put up 2; the aforementioned Fusil Raffles and Galvin. Of Galvin, Josh is “reminded of Cubomania”, a horse we at JTW saw win at Cheltenham 2 seasons ago. Sadly, he is no longer with us.

For the season ahead, all 3 of the panel gave a horse to follow for the season. Josh set the ball rolling with his shout, Lord of Kerak. The Diana Whiteley owned, Olly Murphy trained 5 year old has run in one bumper at Uttoxeter on 16th October, finishing 2nd by 3 lengths to Wilde About Oscar, from the Dan Skelton stable. Fergal’s horse to follow was Liosduin Bhearna, a winner at Doncaster over 3 miles on heavy ground. When this horse goes over a fence, staying will be his game, following in the hootprints of stable stars such as Chase The Spud and Alvarado. Finally, Barry’s guess was, unsurprising one would say. The J.P.McManus owned, Nicky Henderson trained, full brother to Sprinter Sacre, Flinteur Sacre. His performance at Kempton, powering clear with a furlong to go, was an exciting watch, and as a result, he can be expected to be prominent in the betting for the major races in the coming spring at both Cheltenham and Aintree.

Interestingly, of Sprinter Sacre, Fergal provided one of the quotes of the evening. When Josh stated that he had a poster of Sprinter Sacre in his bedroom when he was but a tall child, Fergal responded with “Most 12 year olds have Pamela Anderson on their wall, you have Sprinter Sacre!”

And on that note, there was just a couple of things left to do; thank the panel for their time and contributions on the evening, and introduce Lara Telfer, Cheltenham Racecourse representative and winner of “Furlong Factor”, to play out the final couple of minutes, with her rendition of “Times Like These” by Foo Fighters, from her album “Reined In”, being sold to raise money for charity.

A thoroughly enjoyable evening, we look forward to the racing this weekend. Though we cannot be there in person, we wish everyone who can be there all the best, and hope to be at the racecourse in the not-too-distant future.