I’m very sorry that Invictus has broken down badly after last Saturday’s Hennessy. Such a promising horse but, like so many, fated not to achieve his potential.
This horse had everything going for him including wins over Bobs Worth, Alfie Spinner, Silviniaco Conti and Baile Anrai and was a superb chaser in the making. Commiserations to all connections
It seems that we may not see the best horse in training this Saturday since Sprinter Sacre is doubtful for the Tingle Creek and may therefore be kept for the Victor Chandler (or whatever it is now) at Ascot in January. Thankfully this setback appears to be relatively minor and a final decision will be made just prior to final decs on Thursday.
In human terms it could be seen as a bit of a cold (you know that you’re not quite right and the advanced checks on horses can now identify this sort of thing) and, for me, he will be the deserving star of Cheltenham 2014 in the same way that Master Minded was in March 2009. It’s hard to believe that it was that long ago!
However the reopened Henry VIII at Sandown on Saturday looks a cracker with entries including Balder Succes (left), Grandouet, Hinterland and Taquin du Seuil all possibles. If they all turn up I’d favour Balder Succes, having taken very well to jumps notwithstanding his fall at Cheltenham. In like manner I think that Grandouet’s unseated was unlucky and he should come on very well for his first outing. If they all turn up I fancy Balder Succes, Grandouet and Hinterland in that order but I know that Taquin du Seuil could mess that up. All in all, let’s hope that they’re all there for a classic renewal.
Over at Aintree both races over the big fences are looking like proper events, as they should be with £150,000 for the Becher and £70,000 for the Grand Sefton. If the key entries stand their ground then both will provide serious pointers for next April over the same fences (not just the National), particularly with the predicted good to soft, good in places. The £30,000 1.00 3m 1f Chase over the Mildmay also looks interesting with nearly all entries interesting. I will qualify what I’m going to say about the entry of Battle Group because I’m not the trainer and I don’t know how well the horse is but he was reported as having pulled back muscles when pulled up in the Paddy Power so I couldn’t understand why he was entered at Newbury last Saturday (refused) and equally can’t understand why he’s entered in this. Maybe the trainer knows something that I don’t.
Attention turns to Ireland on Sunday with Briar Cross and the unbeaten Faugheen entered in the Grade 3 1.15 at Cork. Arvika Ligeonnaire and Flemenstar are entered in the 2m Grade 2 at 2.20 as well as in the more likely (at least for the latter) Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown, along with Sir Des Champs and Toner d’Oudairies.
All in all a superb weekend in prospect.
In case you haven’t seen it yet (source: www.goracing.ie) the Willie Mullins preview of likely Christmas runners from Horseracing Ireland is well worth a read. I have a feeling that this analysis from Willie Mullins could be borne out well and truly at the end of the season.
Two big moves for the Becher Chase: On His Own 8/1:6/1 and Across The Bay 20/1:12/1. Latter more interesting.