Djakadam
Well, Jamie Codd won the banks race, Labaik was a naughty boy, Un de Sceaux was beaten fair and square by Fox Norton who has confirmed his credentials as a top speed chaser, Rapid Escape failed to live up to the hype (but I’ll forgive him that over two miles on ground that may not suit) and Disko saved the day in terms of selections if not betting.
On to day two. Just three races to look at today.
4:20 2m 4f Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle (4yo+)
This is one of the lesser races but I have a strong preference (again) for Battleford** (7/4), one with loads of potential although we have to overlook his run in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham. Another of interest, whose Cheltenham run also has to be overlooked (at 100/1 in the Albert Bartlett and now over a better distance), is C’est Jersey* who could well run into a place at 8/1.
4.55 3m Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (4yo+)
Penhill*** (11/4) was the most inconvenienced of all with a very wide and interfered with run and last to first win in the Albert Bartlett, with Monalee a highly creditable second in a race in which both were comfortably the best. Penhill must have a hell of an engine to come from where he did and is a confident choice, particularly since he didn’t look overly exerted. Presenting Percy put in a similarly impressive performance in the Pertemps but without the same hindrances. Unlike the previous race today, both have emerged with great credit from Cheltenham and can improve but I’m siding with the Grade 1 winner who, from where he was, shouldn’t have been able to win, yet did.
5.30 3m1f Coral Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1) (5yo+)
Just six of them contest this but that makes it nonetheless intriguing. I’ve just watched the Cheltenham Gold Cup again. Champagne West patently didn’t stay and wasn’t in any case good enough. Djakadam** (100/30) was all over the winner when blundering at about three miles at the second last. Sizing John, somewhat bizarrely given his campaign until then, turned out to be the better stayer over 3m 2 1/2f. His only other win over a similar distance was over Empire of Dirt who has singularly failed to deliver. This race is over 3m 120y on good ground (they’re watering tonight because it was drying). It’s perfectly arguable that, even though winning, Sizing John had a less knackering race than Djakadam but I like this profile for the latter:
Travelled well most of way, tracked leaders, challenged after 4 out, narrow advantage when mistake 2 out, soon ridden and headed, kept pressing for held 2nd from last, no extra close home (op 11/4 tchd 10/3, 7/2 in places).
I’m also happy to discount Coneygree, Flemenstar and Outlander, so it’s Djakadam at a course where his recent form is 1212, two of those on good/yielding.
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