World Hurdle Preview - Festival Focus

I've Got The Power - Annie Power can beat the boys in the World Hurdle

I had thought about delving in to the World Hurdle before the weekend when there was inevitably going to be some fluctuation in the market with four of the main contenders for festival Thursday’s showpiece locking horns.

Alas time got the better of me but my thoughts haven’t really changed in the aftermath of the Cleeve and Annie Power’s run at Doncaster – if Annie Power takes her chance in the World Hurdle she can win it.

With her going over two miles at Doncaster many were convinced that was an indication that she will run in the Champion Hurdle rather than its longer companion. However Willie Mullins already has two for that race (including the favourite) and though Annie Power is with different owners I can’t imagine they’d make Ruby Walsh get off her – which he surely will if it’s a choice between her and Hurricane Fly.

He’s also unlikely to abandon Quevega in her bid for further Cheltenham history in the Mares race which really only leaves one option and with Boston Bob running an absolute shocker in the Cleeve that leaves Mullins with no real contender for the World Hurdle too, so step forward Annie Power.

Festival Focus - Albert Bartlett

Gree-t Expectations - Coneygree looks massively overpriced for the Albert Bartlett

The Albert Bartlett is the pre-cursor to the Gold Cup on the final day of the festival, but over the past few years the race has thrown up a few horses that have gone on to mix it in Gold Cup company down the road, not least this year’s ante-post favourite for the Gold Cup Bobs Worth who took the race in 2011.

Last year saw the ill-fated Brindisi Breeze gallop his opponents in to the ground and it is highly likely we could see a similar sort of display this year too.

Like so many festival races many of the perceived leading protagonists in the race could end up elsewhere yet, and more so than many of the other races there looks a very real possibility that the Albert Bartlett could completely fall apart.

Pont Alexandre looks more likely to go for the Neptune (for which he is a short priced favourite) as does Taquin Du Seuil. Champagne Fever would too seem an unlikely contender at this point as in spite of getting his career back on track recently with another Grade 1 win last year’s Champion Bumper winner has seemed better suited to two and a half miles.

I absolutely adore Gevrey Chambertin and although I would love to see him contest this I have my suspicions that he may be aimed at one of the more valuable handicaps during the week, several of which he holds entries in.

If Grands Crus’ full brother were to line-up here I’d give him an outstanding each-way chance, as he has always looked a future superstar but I’m going to proceed on the basis he does go down the handicap route.

My idea of the winner of this race has always been Coneygree and I’ve backed him for the race at considerably shorter than he is now.