The Off The Fence panel have cut up opinions for the upcoming Stayers’ Hurdle on the Cheltenham Pageant, with Barry Geraghty and Tony Keenan siding with totally different runners for the Prestbury Park showdown.
Teahupoo heads the marketplace for the upcoming Stayers’ Novices Hurdle, regardless of disappointing from a 9/4f begin in final 12 months’s Stayers’ Hurdle. He’s set to be joined on the cardboard by Irish Level and Crambo – two horses arriving at Prestbury Park on tune after Grade One successes this winter.
All to play for within the Stayers’ Hurdle…
“I really like Teahupoo who has been very good in the Hatton’s Grace in the last two seasons,” mentioned Barry Geraghty.
“He was only beaten by three-quarters of a length in last year’s Stayers’ Hurdle as a six-year-old and to me that’s a big factor. He’s coming back a seven-year-old – he’s a proper stayer now and he’s going to love the three miles this year.
“Impaire Et Passe was very eager and he outstayed him, so he is bought the resilience wanted to win a Stayers’. He is confirmed his class and to me towards the opposition he units the best customary with the Hatton’s Grace wins.
“Of the opposition, Irish Level gained a slowly run race on the DRF however a gradual tempo exaggerated his superiority. He is a six-year-old however so was Teahupoo was final 12 months, perhaps he can win a Stayers’ however my cash is on THP to beat him. Likewise, Crambo gained the Lengthy Stroll Hurdle beating Paisley Park in a very good efficiency, however he was crushed off 139 by Slate Lane at Haydock on his final begin, albeit slightly of the tempo.
“He’s rated 18lb higher now and if you’re 18lb in hand you’d want to be winning regardless of how far off the pace you were at Haydock. He is a progressive type but I’m not sure he’s of the standard yet. Noble Yeats beat Paisley Park a short head getting 6lb off him on Trials Day so he’d have a chance, but I don’t think he’s a standout either.”
Tony Keenan mentioned: “This would be a no-bet race at the current price. Teahupoo is a little bit of weather bet for me, he’s gonna need soft-heavy. I don’t even know if English soft is bad enough for him, he wants Gowran soft or heavy. The other thing is I think Davy Russell was riding him on one arm last year and on another day he could have won, but he’s not that far clear of an ageing Sire Du Berlais and Dashel Drasher and if there’s an improvement in it, he’s a little bit vulnerable. I do take the point that the fresh angle could be a gamechanger, and maybe he is better than last year.
“I’ve had two bets towards Irish Level this season and he is made me look a idiot, I am actually impressed with him really. He beat Magical Zoe, he was race match and will have been suited by two miles. She’s not a Grade One mare however day by day she turns up and runs her races, being very constant over that journey. It was an excellent efficiency at Christmas and he was so sturdy available in the market it prompt there have been no doubts from individuals he would keep, so Irish Level could be one I might have a look at.”
Cheltenham Handicap selections?
Tony Keenan said: “There was one horse that jumped off the web page and his value is beginning to transfer – and that is Waterford Whispers within the Martin Pipe. He began out at Easter final 12 months at Fairyhouse and ran an honest race first day out over hurdles, after which went to Galway and gained a really steadily run race – beating Ataboycharlie. He was second within the massive handicap within the DRF however his massive efficiency was Fairyhouse within the Hatton’s Grace assembly, the one time he is gone right into a correctly run race – and he gained that.
“The bare margin of victory doesn’t reveal his superiority because he had to be switched wide, and was probably worth three or four times the winning margin. Answer To Kayf in second ran a really solid race and he’s gone on to make the grade at Limerick and won again at Naas.
“Waterford Whispers has had one run in a Novices Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown, solely narrowly crushed by a well-ridden Champagne Admiral. I simply assume all his kind has labored out and he is a completely unexposed horse that tends to swimsuit the Martin Pipe. He is constructed up a little bit of handicap expertise and if you happen to’re a well-handicapped novice, that is most likely one of many races you are aiming at.”
Barry Geraghty looked towards the Ultima Handicap Chase for his selection, and for a horse that is no stranger to Grade One success at Novices’ level.
He said: “One I’ve to say is Apple Away for Lucinda Russell. She’s gained the final two Ultimas with Corach Rambler and she or he’s adamant Apple Away could make it a hat-trick.”
He added: “She’ll have to enhance on what she’s performed so far over fences. She’s been 14 lengths behind Gray Dawning twice and was two-and-three-quarter lengths behind Henry’s Good friend within the Reynoldstown, however Lucinda is adamant that there is potential for enchancment there. One to pay attention to at a pleasant value. She’s down from a mark of 141 to 137 so that may make it slightly extra interesting.”
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