Five Horses From The 2012 Classic Generation To Watch Out For

With the UK flat season due to officially get underway this coming weekend, it seems only right to delve in to what promises to be one of the most exciting seasons yet for the summer discipline.

2011 was all about one horse, the mighty Frankel, and whilst we should count ourselves very lucky that Henry Cecil’s “freak” is returning to the track this year as a four-year-old, there are a number of horses from this year’s classic generation that also look hugely exciting.

I’ve picked out five three-year-olds from across the globe that if you don’t already know you really should, as between them they look set to dominate racing around the world in 2012 and beyond…

We’ll start across the Atlantic in the good old US of A with a colt that has already made his race course return this year, but looked even more impressive in doing so than he did last year when he nearly went through his juvenile season unbeaten.

UNION RAGS was, by all accounts, very unlucky to lose his unbeaten streak when a marginal second to Hansen in the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs back in November, travelling much further than his conqueror and one could argue being left too much to do as the front-running Hansen, no slouch in his own right, got too far in front of the chasing pack.

Prior to that, a brilliant display in the Champagne Stakes (Gr1) at Belmont had marked Union Rags as something special indeed and his return last month in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr2) confirmed he has retained his brilliant ability and then some.

Cappa Bleu – Grand National 2012 – Ante-Post

With Cheltenham now firmly in the rear view mirror as we navigate our way along the rather bumpy highway of the jumps season, it’s now time to turn attention towards Aintree and the Grand National, which is now just a matter of weeks away.

The Grand National is without a doubt the biggest, and most important, race of the season in either discipline and there’s a certain cache to be had from finding the winner.

I’ve had a strong ante-post pick for the race for some time now and that is the Evan Williams-trained Cappa Bleu, currently available at 20/1 for the big race.

Cappa Bleu jumps a fence beautifully and although he’s never had a taste of Aintree’s big, incomparable fences he came from point to points and won a competitive Foxhunters at Cheltenham on his first start under rules, so I don’t think the hustle and bustle and often reckless nature of the Grand National should trouble him.

Following his impressive Foxhunters win back in 2009, Cappa Bleu was next sent to the Hennessy for which he was well fancied but he failed to complete for the only time in his career; falling after looking good for quite some way, in a race that will go down in history for Denman’s heroics.

Considered good enough to run, and run well, in the most competitive of handicaps, Cappa Bleu is clearly a talented horse, he has had a number of problems since that Hennessy fall – a season over hurdles didn’t really bring out the best in him and culminated in him being horribly tailed off in the Albert Bartlett at the Festival – but a return to the larger obstacles after a lengthy absence seems to have brought him right back to his best, as you would expect for an out and out stayer and all round solid jumper.

Cheltenham 2012: Day 4, Gold Cup Day Tips & Preview - The Big Punt

Can the legendary Kauto Star regain
the Gold Cup crown for a second time?

It seems a lifetime ago that we heard that famous roar as the Supreme Novices' Hurdle got underway on Tuesday.

But here we are, Gold Cup day 2012 and a fourth fantastic day of racing is in store. Prior to Kauto-Long Run V in the Gold Cup there is the small matter of the Triumph Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett featuring the hugely promising Boston Bob.

It's the Gold Cup that is at the forefront of everyone's minds though and the 2012 renewal looks like really being one for the ages as Kauto Star attempts to defy history, stats and records by landing the Gold Cup a third time. He's up against it though and you can hear The Big Punt's preview of Day 4 along with our tips for every race on the card by following the link below and downloading our final mini-pod of the week. 

Download Friday's Big Punt mini-pod HERE

You can also check out our daily festival tips for Friday by following @thebigpunt on twitter.

Cheltenham 2012: Day 3 Tips & Preview - The Big Punt

The mighty Big Buck's is the main attraction
on Thursday as he has bids to win the
World Hurdle for a 4th time.

Day 2 of Cheltenham 2012 was a bit of a shocker by all accounts from a betting point of view but was still a fabulous day of racing. You may feel exhausted but we're only at the half-way point!

A great day looks in prospect for Thursday with a cracking renewal of the Ryanair, an intriguing Jewson and of course the return of the beast that is Big Buck's to defend his World Hurdle crown.

The Big Punt mini-pod previewing all Thursday's action and offering tips for every race is available for download now HERE
You can also check out our daily festival tips by following @thebigpunt on twitter.

Cheltenham 2012: Day 2 Tips & Preview - The Big Punt

Sizing Europe bids to retain the Champion
Chase crown on Day 2 of Cheltenham 2012 

After a great start to the 2012 Cheltenham festival thanks to Cinders And Ashes (advised at 16/1 on the podcast back in January) in the very first race, The Big Punt's Day 2 mini-pod is available for download now.

Each of Wednesday's races is covered as Sizing Europe bids to retain his Champion Chase crown and the hugely talented Grands Crus bids to cement his position as the pretender to the throne in the 3m division in what looks to be a cracking second day of the festival.

You can download the day 2 preview HERE

You can also check out The Big Punt on twitter for daily festival tips by visiting @thebigpunt

Cheltenham 2012: Day 1 Preview - The Big Punt

After months of waiting, Cheltenham is finally here!

The incomparable Hurricane Fly is
the star of Day 1 of Cheltenham 2012



Sam and I have slaved over the form and will have previews for each day of one of the sporting calendar's greatest weeks of the year.

Our Cheltenham 2012 Preview for Day 1 of this year's festival is up now along with our special festival yankees.

You can download The Big Punt mini-pod for Tuesday HERE

Cheltenham Festival 2012: A-Z - What Culture

With Cheltenham now only days away, I've compiled an A-Z of the 2012 festival for What Culture.

You can read my alphabetised guide to this year's 'greatest show on turf' by following the link below:

Cheltenham Festival 2012: A - Z