'It's hard to believe he's still 25-1' - five Cheltenham clues from last week
The countdown to the Cheltenham Festival has well and truly begun and there were plenty of clues over the weekend with Trials day unearthing quite a few.
Each Monday our Deputy Ireland editor David Jennings will look back on the previous week and pick out five potential contenders for the big banquet in the Cotswolds.
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Edwardstone
There is a suggestion Saturday's rescheduled Clarence House Chase provided more questions than answers but I disagree. Edwardstone was the best horse in the race and should be outright favourite for the Champion Chase. I find it hard to believe there is still 5-2 available with Boylesports.
Don't forget he was coming into the race on the back of an early exit at Kempton in the Desert Orchid so restoring confidence would have been the primary objective.
Tom Cannon tracked Paul Townend on Energumene throughout but that meant he had to work very hard to make up half-a-dozen lengths on Editeur Du Gite from the second-last. He did all his running to get to him and had nothing left inside the final 50 yards. Alan King reckons there is more to come and so do I.
His Tingle Creek win combined with this fine effort in defeat makes him the one to beat in March. That 5-2 with Boylesports is big.
Found A Fifty
I'm not sure where he will go at Cheltenham, or even if he will go to the festival at all as he doesn't hold a Supreme entry, but Found A Fifty produced a performance right out of the top drawer in the 2m maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Saturday.
His slick jumping was very easy on the eye and the way he put Parmenion to bed after the second-last was quite striking.
Both Parmenion and Tag Man had solid form from Leopardstown maiden hurdles over Christmas and Found A Fifty beat them out of sight.
I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up a genuine Grade 1 performer, even if this year's festival comes too soon. He could be a big player at Cheltenham next year in the Arkle.
Unexpected Party
Stage Star is a proper graded performer and was a joy to watch in the 2m4f handicap chase at Cheltenham on Saturday but it was hard not to have your eye drawn to Unexpected Party, who shaped with significant promise and has the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase at the festival written all over him.
He is still a 25-1 shot with Paddy Power for that but if he goes straight there I would expect him to be a good bit shorter on the day. He was a bitter disappointment in last year's Coral Cup but the New Course might be more to his liking and, off a mark of around 140, he should be a massive player.
He remains unexposed over fences, having only had four starts, and I thought he jumped nicely.
Might I
If Might I escapes with a penalty of 3lb or less for his near miss in the concluding 2m1f handicap hurdle at Cheltenham on Saturday he must have a massive chance in the Martin Pipe and 16-1 looks a tasty price for that.
As many will know, I have long been a big fan of Stattler's half-brother. He let me down badly at Haydock in November but he was too keen there. Lorcan Murtagh settled him beautifully on Saturday and produced him perfectly. He really should have won, but he didn't.
That might prove to be a blessing in disguise, though, as he might sneak into the Martin Pipe where Murtagh would be a big asset. That track and trip would be ideal for Might I.
This is a good horse, a more talented one than his current mark, and it is great to see him finally getting his act together. There is always the Coral Cup if his revised mark is more than 145 but I feel the New Course at Cheltenham would suit him better than the Old one as his jumping can sometimes leave a bit to be desired.
Three Card Brag
The Albert Bartlett is one of the most open races of the entire festival but Three Card Brag must have a massive chance and I'm surprised Paddy Power are still offering 10-1.
Connections have confirmed that will definitely be his target in March and the further he goes the better he is going to be. He is an out-and-out galloper who will be coming home stronger than anything.
The New Course will be right up his street and even at this early stage he looks a cracking each-way bet at 10-1. It is hard to envisage him finishing out of the frame.
Read these next:
Clarence House: more questions than answers as Editeur Du Gite edges out Edwardstone
Cotswold: 'Dad would be proud' - Russell dedicates Ahoy Senor's brave win to late father
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