Halfway at the Festival and a winner has eluded me. I thought I had a little chance going round the final bend in the opening race yesterday when Parlour Games got up behind Windsor Park but then he got away from us.
If In Doubt might have been third had he jumped better in the RSA but Mr Mole was out of his comfort zone in the Betway Champion Chase and made niggly mistakes.
Barry Geraghty came in and said his race was over three out on Sprinter Sacre. He was brilliant in his prime, a true great, and is certain to be well looked after if his connections decide to retire him.
Today, I start off with Colour Squadron in the JLT Novices’ Chase (1.30). He’s run well at the Festival in the past but the fact that he’s not won since 2011 tells you that he likes to follow horses, rather than go past them.
On his best form, he would have a small each-way chance, but that’s probably as far as it goes.
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Vautour and Apache Stronghold would be the main pair to concentrate on. Vautour started off really well, had a blip, then won well enough last time. He’s strongly fancied by the Mullins team and the way the stable is going I could not put anybody off him.
The Pertemps Network Final (2.05) revives memories of one of my favourite Festival moments, when Unsinkable Boxer turned the race into a procession in 1998.
He was a grade one horse running in a handicap that day and Martin Pipe told me he was one of the biggest certainties that ever walked out on to a racecourse as he legged me up. Martin was rarely wrong.
I wish I had a similar partner this afternoon but Regal Encore is one of the favourites and has a good chance in an open race.
He was a fluent winner at Exeter last time but, unfortunately, the handicapper has pushed him up 10lb and that will make life tougher. For instance, Big Easy was not far behind him that day and gets an 8lb pull.
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Uxizandre, my ride in the Ryanair Chase (2.40), seems to have good and bad days. He’s been disappointing on his past two starts but on his very best form he’d have a chance. Alan King is trying him in a visor.
Ma Filleule, a good second to Holywell last year and with the benefit of her mares’ allowance, is the one I like most among the opposition.
If At Fishers Cross were to reproduce the form of any of his runs at the backend of last season, when he was placed at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown, then he would have solid claims in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle (3.20).
However, he’s been disappointing all year and I’m afraid I give him little chance.
The race is a real grind and, for that reason, I prefer Saphir Du Rheu and Reve De Sivola, both stout stayers, to Zarkandar, who perhaps is not.
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Finally, I’m on Un Ace in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Handicap Chase (4.00) and will be keeping my fingers crossed that there is no rain overnight because he appreciates decent ground.
Underfoot conditions are presently much better than when he was a very good second to Champagne West at Cheltenham in December — it was really tacky that day — and Kim Bailey, his trainer, is enjoying a great season.
I still haven’t made my mind up between Ned Buntline and Eastlake in the final race of the meeting tomorrow. I’ll probably end up on the former but it has not been an easy choice and I reserve the right to change my mind overnight!