Second Day At Cheltenham

The stable runners again performed creditably yesterday on the opening day of Cheltenham's new season.  Raslan ran a cracker in the competitive handicap hurdle to be beaten just under three lengths under Danny Cook.  I get the impression that the handicapper might just have him in his grip from a mark of 142, even so, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him stick another few pounds on his back after this performance.  Battle Group (the 6/1 joint favourite) finished just behind him and is another to have performed well without looking like he is obviously well-treated by the official assessor.

In the amateur riders' handicap chase, Swing Bill once again ran a solid race to finish second under Tom Weston (who I have to say, looked very professional).  This was possibly his best run so far and he could be up to winning again before too long.

We have just the one runner at Cheltenham this afternoon, the progressive Frosted Grape.  She goes in the handicap chase from a career high mark, so she will need to improve again, although she does receive the age and sex allowances.  It also marks the first ride for our conditional jockey Conor O'Farrell for the stable, and I am sure that there will be plenty of people taking a keen interest to see how they get on.

Frosted Grape en-route to victory at Hereford

*****

I know that we have a fine card at Newmarket this afternoon with the Champion Stakes and Cesarewitch topping the bill, but the race I am most looking forward to is the clash of the two year old's in the Dewhurst.  Henry Cecil is represented by Frankel, who he claims is the best two year old he has had for a very long time - if he is correct he will take the world of beating, but David Simcock takes him on with Dream Ahead (already rated 128),who won the Group One Middle Park Stakes by no less than nine lengths.  Godolphin also throw Saamid into the mix, and this one also has a very tall home reputation - all three of them are previously unbeaten, so something has to give - I can't wait!

Picture courtesy of Racing Advertiser Ltd.  www.thejockey.co.uk