Early Festival Fancies

It is now just over a week until the big one gets under way and as bookmakers are now non runner no bet on all races I have been having a look at the handicap and non graded races. There are a couple very interesting contenders that look well treated with solid form in the book, and best of all they are both very nice prices. If you are looking for the green light on whether to lump on Min or to pile on Annie Power you are in the wrong place, but for those who like an each way flutter at very fancy prices...read on. First up is the lucky last on the first day, the Novice Handicap Chase and I also have another selection for the Martin Pipe on the final day.


DAY 1-CLOSE BROTHERS NOVICE HANDICAP CHASE

My NAP of the opening day last year, Thomas Crapper, was a gallant second in this race last year off 134, and his trainer has plotted a course that has enabled  him to arrive here off just a pound higher this year. However, while he is sure to run a big race he is a short enough price for a horse that has yet to win a chase from 10 attempts, and at much juicier odds I reckon Katachenko is worth a second look.

This 7yo son of Kutub has been handed a mark of 134 for the race and it will be touch and go as to whether he gets in. However, if he does he looks a very interesting contender, especially if the ground is anyway decent. He is still relatively unexposed over fences, and his owner Trevor Hemmings has a canny knack of picking up useful chasers. Donald McCain trains him and he returned this season with an impressive win on his handicap chase debut at Wetherby (15f soft) off a mark of 128.

He is a previous point to point winner on good to firm and he hit the frame in a couple of bumpers before hosing up on his second maiden hurdle run at Musselburgh (19.5f soft). He followed that up with another victory in a novice hurdle, and after that 7l romp he was beaten when dropped to 16f on soft ground at Perth under a double penalty. Instead of heading down the handicap hurdle route he was sent straight over fences and after a poor run on his first go he was much better next time in a first time hood at Kelso, just losing out to Pair Of Jacks, who incidentally hacked up on his handicap debut next time out off 130.

Katachenko was a close second to Baltimore Rock, who holds an Arkle entry, on his last run at Doncaster (16.5f soft) and that good effort came off 133. The trip was plenty sharp enough for him that day and the 20.5f around Cheltenham should be right up his street. A couple of year's ago Peddlers Cross and Overturn catapulted Donald McCain into the spotlight but he has had a tough few years since then. He will be hoping that Katachenko can put his name back on centre stage and at odds of 33/1 I think he is worth a couple of quid each way if he makes the cut and the ground is decent.

STEVOS' SELECTION: KATACHENKO E/W 33/1 

DAY 4-MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONALS' HURDLE

Gordon Elliott has always tried to target this race at the festival and he has had a couple of very near misses over the years. He learned his trade with Martin Pipe so it is very much a personal goal of his to try and win this race. He has a host of entries this season, and one that there hasn't been a huge amount of talk about has caught my eye. Tycoon Prince has been handed a mark of 139 for his handicap debut, and this 6yo son of Trans Island could be very well treated on that mark.

He has won four of his seven starts under rules and he was 4th to subsequent Cheltenham bumper hero Moon Racer on his debut at Fairyhouse, beaten just over 11L. He made amends by winning his next three bumper runs on ground ranging from good to soft, and he was mightily impressive on his hurdling debut at Punchestown (16f good), landing the odds in a weak enough maiden with the minimum of fuss.

He was sent off an odds on favourite for his next run, a 16f Grade 2 at Navan and he was beaten into 3rd on ground that would have been far from ideal. He was only 4Lbehind Thomas Hobson in that race, and he has since gone on to win the Neptune Trial at Warwick. Tycoon Prince found only
proven Grade 1 performer Bellshill too good on his next run at Navan, this time on heavy, and on the back of those efforts the handicapper has given him a mark of 139. I think that could massively underestimate this horse's ability and back on good ground he has the potential to be top class. With non runner no bet your money will be safe if he doesn't make the cut, but if he does I think he could run a huge race at his odds of 16/1.

STEVOS' SELECTION: TYCOON PRINCE E/W 16/1 NRNB