PR & TOTF

Here are the weekend’s performance ratings:

DELOITTE NOVICE HURDLE – Pandorama 70

MORIARTY NOVICE CHASE – Cooldine 76

HENNESSY GOLD CUP – Neptune Collonges 89

REYNOLDSTOWN NOVICES’ CHASE – Carruthers 76

ASCOT CHASE – Voy Por Ustedes 88

RENDLESHAM HURDLE – Kasbah Bliss 85

GOLD CUP HANDICAP CHASE – Rambling Minster 75

KINGWELL HURDLE – Ashkazar 77

Some seriously impressive ratings recorded, with Kasbah Bliss boasting the highest ever for the Kingwell Hurdle, just a shame he’s so short for the World Hurdle. However, one who is still a nice price is Ashkazar in the Champion Hurdle.

David Pipe’s progressive hurdler recorded a career best on Saturday and enters the equation for Cheltenham as he is one of several that are still open to plenty of improvement and have yet to reach the ceiling of their ability.
The Kingwell has been a serious guide in recent times, and while Ashkazar is still a five-year-old, he may emulate Katchit from Wincanton in 2008, who bucked the age trend at the Festival.

I don’t construct speed figures of any kind, nor do I pretend to be an expert, but it was interesting to note that Ashkazar clocked the best Topspeed Kingwell figure in the last 12 years – the figures below have been taken from the Racing Post website.

2009 Ashkazar - 157
2008 Katchit - 143
2007 Straw Bear – 124
2006 Briareus – 152
2005 Inglis Drever – 122
2004 Rigmarole – 134
2003 Rhinestone Cowboy - 129
2002 Hors La Loi III – 136
2001 Azertyuiop – 131
2000 Hors La Loi III – 96
1999 Grey Shot – 115
1998 I’m Supposin – 129
1997 Dreams End – 129

My gut instinct is that Ashkazar may fall just short in the Champion Hurdle, but with three Kingwell winners following up at Cheltenham and three others making the top three, he rates a decent each-way punt at 16/1.

Also make a note of the Kingmaker Novices’ Chase from page 94 of the book that was abandoned on 7 February but is to be staged this Friday at Sandown – another key future pointer.

Some of you may also be interested in some comprehensive Cheltenham trends work on the Guardian website this week, put together by my colleague, Chris Cook. They cover the big events at the Festival and are well worth a look at http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/feb/17/horseracing-horse-racing-tips


TOP OF THE FORM

An acceptable spell last week with several winners from the Top 20, though Mr Chocolate Drop was disappointing from a nap perspective. I have to admit I never backed it as Adam Kirby was strangely jocked off and it drifted from 6s to 14/1. He stayed on quite well, though, in a slow-run race and is still one to be with if Kirby makes the saddle.

Here is the updated list of eyecatchers:

All For The Cause
Another Brother
Berry Baby
Castano
Decider
Dragon Eye
Edgeover
Emirates Sports
Everybody Knows
Glamorous Spirit
Golden Pool
L’Homme De Nuit
Leceile
Mr Thriller
Oberon Moon
Parisian Gift
Pedregal
Perange
Piscean
Riguez Dancer
Silver Kate
Steel City Boy
Takeover Bid
The Cayterers
The King Of Angels
Toy Gun
Zaynar

I'll be blogging again later in the week with a Grand National fancy that is already getting the Myers' household excited!