The Cheltenham Festival 2011 has somehow been and gone and now sits firmly in the form books!
It's safe to say it was not my finest 4 days of punting but you learn to roll with the punches in this game.
Like everyone else either watching at home or at the track itself I stood and applauded the mighty Kauto Star and Denman after they had went to war against the up and coming French machine that is Long Run. Boy did the 2 old warriors give it one almighty, valiant effort to try and reclaim their crown. The sight of L'Extraterrestrial and The Tank going toe to toe up the Cheltenham hill will live long in my memory, it's why we love the game and it's why we just can't get enough of it.
Out with the 2 old boys there were plenty of other top class performances to drool over and the following 3 are a trio that I feel will have plenty more to give us over the coming seasons.
GRANDS CRUS
Perhaps a rather obvious one to start with but this 6yo strikes me as a potential superstar chaser in the making. Tom Scudamore gave the Pipe hurdler a supreme ride in Thursdays World Hurdle but the facts are he simply is not good enough to beat Big Bucks over Hurdles (who is!!). What has always struck me is that Grands Crus 'jumps' his hurdles as opposed to Big Bucks who 'hurdles' his hurdles (to be honest Big Bucks barely breaks stride during a race), a sure sign that fences and not hurdles will be where we ultimately see the DOM ALCO gelding at his best. From what I can pick up from David Pipe's comments post-race they are undecided exactly which route to take next term although it does seem to me that fences are the preferred option.
The grey looks like he would be a natural over the bigger obstacles and in time he could potentially make into a Gold Cup contender. Put him away for the season and bring him back next term for a shot at chasing glory please David.
Potential 2011/12 targets: RSA Chase - Mildmay Novices' Chase
SPRINTER SACRE
This Horse has always been considered a chasing type by the yard so his 3rd in Tuesday's Supreme Novices' hurdle was a particularly impressive display. He appeared to settle considerably better than in any of his previous hurdle starts and at one stage turning for home looked to be going best of all. He looks for all money to have the size and shape of a horse that will relish chasing and there is already word that he will be the Henderson Arkle horse for next season.
He is already marked down in my book as an exciting novice chaser for 2011/12.
Potential 2011/12 targets: Wayward Lad Novices' Chase - Arkle Chase
SALDEN LICHT
The Alan King trained 7yo put in a bold display under top-weight in Friday's County Hurdle to finish a gallant 2 length 5th (closing in on the leaders as the line approached). It's easy to forget that was only his 7th start over hurdles and there is plenty of decent form lines already on his CV (he also looked to be running a Big Race when brought down 2 out in this seasons Totesport Gold Cup). Alan King has always held this fella in high regard and it seems only a matter of time before he bags himself a big race.
Potential 2011/12 targets: Scope to move from handicaps into conditions races
Feel free to leave your own eye-catchers in the comments box below.
Ben (NTF)
