Bet on Baron for Follow Up Success
It’s a pity that we won’t get to see Laurina at Cheltenham this afternoon. I was really looking forward to seeing how Willie Mullins’ wonder mare would fare in the Unibet International Hurdle. Last season, she ruled supreme over her own sex and while she has yet to face a rival of any great ability, she would appear to be Buveur D’Air’s strongest source of opposition in his bid for a third straight Champion Hurdle.
In her absence, we are subjected to a rather underwhelming Grade Two event with the star attraction being Supreme Novices scorer, Summerville Boy. On that occasion, he absolutely clouted the second-last and in doing so, he lost valuable momentum at a crucial stage. At the point, he looked a spent force before staying on powerfully up the hill to nab Kalashnikov on the run-in. On that evidence, Summerville Boy should be more than capable of defeating today’s opposition, which includes the likes of Old Guard, The New One, We Have A Dream and Silver Streak, but his bitterly disappointing seasonal comeback in the Fighting Fifth is worrying.
Given Laurina’s no-show, the race that I am most looking forward to is the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. It promises to be an enthralling spectacle should it bear resemblance to the BetVictor Gold Cup here a few weeks ago. As anticipated, the Caspian Caviar line-up is strikingly similar to the BetVictor Gold Cup a few weeks back. The first and second in the BetVictor Gold Cup, Baron Alco and Frodon respectively, both put seriously impressive performances that day. The pair jostled for the lead throughout, set a rip-roaring gallop, jumped aplomb and fought out a thrilling finish.
The favourite that day, Rather Be, lines up again and yet again, he is most popular with the punters. He was travelling menacingly well in last month’s contest when unshipping his rider four from home. Unlike his two aforementioned rivals, Rather Be hasn’t been penalised by the handicapper and from a handicapping perspective, it’s easy to see why punters have continued to latch onto him the past few days. All the value has been swallowed up, however, but it will be interesting to see how this potentially well-treated second-season chaser goes in this seriously competitive handicap.
Instead, I am much more content in siding with Baron Alco, who shouldn’t be as big as 6/1 in the betting. The Gary Moore trained French-bred received 6lbs for his BetVictor success and off a mark of 152, he still looks to have a few pound in hand. A talented sort, this sublime jumper finished second to Road To Respect at the Festival here in 2016 after which he suffered an injury missing the entire of last season.
Thankfully, in his two starts since his return, he appears none the worst. In fact, he appears to have improved so much so that he could easily end up being a leading contender for the Ryanair in March. At 6/1, he strikes me as somewhat of a bet to nothing. He’s a high-class, well-handicapped sort with an ultra-consistent race record.
I am also willing to take a chance on Roman De Senam, who has been completely ignored in the betting. Despite being frustrating to follow, he is on a seriously low mark of 137. Lest not forget that he has won off 139 in the past and in last years’ renewal of this, he finished fifth of 145. Provided the ground stays good, he should have little difficulty belying his odds of 14/1.
He unshipped his rider at the first in the BetVictor so we can dismiss that run, but before that he ran well in third behind War Sound at Aintree especially when you consider how freely he raced early on. War Sound may have won that with consummate ease, but as a consequence, Philip Hobbs’ charge will have to overcome a 10lb rise. Granted, Roman De Senam has been expensive to follow recently, but I am convinced that there is a big day in him. Let’s hope that it’s sooner rather than later.
Cheltenham 13: 55
1/2 Point Each Way
Baron Alco
13/2 William Hill 7 places else 6/1 Paddy Power 6 places, use BOG bookies
1/2 Point Each Way
Roman De Senam
14/1 Paddy Power 6 places or else 12/1 William Hill 7 places, use BOG bookies