DAY THREE PREVIEW:MOUSE MORRIS'S famously prolific cigarette usage has been known to accelerate in direct proportion to how much he fancies one of his horses, so it could pay to keep an eye on how many the Tipperary trainer is puffing before China Rock runs in the opener today.
Five Irish runners are among the 21-strong line-up for the Jewson Novices Handicap Chase, and they include a pair of Noel Meade Grade One winners in Jered and Nicanor, the latter who was a memorable 2006 festival victor over Denman.
Injury has plagued Nicanor ever since and it has taken him quite a few attempts to win over fences. In the context of this Listed event, he is approaching the veteran stage.
The Midnight Club was Grade One-placed over hurdles here last year behind Weapon’s Amnesty, but that was on ground softer than he will get today.
The going, however, looks like playing right into China Rock’s hands. Morris’s seven-year-old does have form on heavy ground, but the trainer resolutely believes a sound surface is best for China Rock, who ran a fine race over hurdles here last year when fourth to Mikael D’Haguenet.
“He’s in great form and I just hope it doesn’t rain,” Morris said yesterday. “He’s a lot better on good ground and I hope he has a decent chance.”
Paul Nicholls supplied something of a handicap snip for the 2009 Jewson in Chapoturgeon, so another ex-French runner, Rivaliste, will be carefully watched by bookmakers. But he faces a dangerous rival in China Rock.
Today’s other Grade One feature, the Ryanair Chase, includes an even more fancied Nicholls runner in Poquelin, who clashes again with the principal Irish hope, Tranquil Sea, after chasing home that horse in the Paddy Power Gold Cup here last November.
Nicholls and Ruby Walsh are confident better ground can help Poquelin reverse that form.
“I would say he is better than my two previous winners of the race, as he has loads of speed and stays,” said Nicholls. “I don’t know why he is a better horse this year, probably just maturity. But his form has worked out well and he’s one of my best chances of the week.”
Edward O’Grady was in no mood to talk down Tranquil Sea’s prospects, however, and clearly fancies his chances of following in Imperial Commander’s hoofprints who landed the Paddy Power last year before winning the Ryanair.
“I know Ruby is confident of his horse on the ground, but my fella is a Grade One-winner over hurdles on the ground, so I am equally confident,” he said.
Willie Mullins throws three at the race, with Paul Townend opting for Scotsirish, but there could be even more Irish interest in Schindlers Hunt, who ran a blinder here last year.
It looks an ultra-competitive Grade One, and those looking to take the each-way route might do worse than side with Tony McCoy’s mount Albertas Run, who appears here rather than in the Gold Cup and who has a proven Cheltenham pedigree with an RSA Chase under his belt.
Grand National winner Venetia Williams has a superb record in the Byrne Group Plate, having scored with Idole First in 2007 and Something Wells last year. She looks to have an interesting contender again this time in Atouchbetweenacara, whose last two runs have been less than brilliant but whose course win last April was significantly impressive on quick ground.
Finger Onthe Pulse was a Jewson winner in 2008 and now carries JP McManus’s colours in the Kim Muir, a race in which last year’s Jewson runner-up, Isn’t That Lucky, could be one to keep an eye on.
On the ground, however, Shillingstone makes some appeal. The Alner runner wasn’t beaten far at Sandown last time out and he should improve for a sounder surface.
Alfie Sherrin is another major fancy for the Walsh-Nicholls team in the Pertemps Final, but this always fiercely-contested handicap could see a return to form by Rocco’s Hall, who will hardly know himself with 10st 3lbs on his back.
The O’Grady runner is proven at the trip, should relish better ground and can help China Rock’s rider, “Slippers” Madden, to enjoy a memorable Cheltenham afternoon.
1.30: China Rock (Nap)
2.05: Rocco’s Hall
2.40: Albertas Run
3.20: Sentry Duty
4.00: Atouchbetweenacara
4.40: Shillingstone (Double)
