The greatest show on Earth | Brian Barry and Jordan McCarthy
March is here and Students’ Union election flyers are everywhere; that all can only mean one thing… Cheltenham is upon us! The buzz around campus is heating up as we ponder who will take home the big prizes.Here two members of UCC Horse Racing Society take a closer look at the feature races in the week ahead. The society are also running a Cheltenham Discussion night on Monday the 11th, details to be confirmed; keep an eye on Facebook for more. All are welcome to come along to offer opinions or just listen in on the eve of the greatest horse racing show on Earth. Champion HurdleIt is hard to look past the Willie Mullins trained Hurricane Fly. The 2011 champion has got over the disappointment of finishing third last year, and looks in top form after two composed wins at Leopardstown. Ruby Walsh has picked to ride him ahead of Zarkandar, and that surely must be a clear sign for punters that there is value at the 7/4 which most bookmakers are offering at the moment. Odds for last year’s winner Rock on Ruby are shortening, currently trading at around 5/1, while some sneakily fancy Binocular to do it again after failing to live up to the hype after winning this race in 2010 under AP McCoy. Grandouet is still recovering from an injury, and is not expected to launch a serious assault on the frontrunners. Hurricane Fly is the best hope the raiding Irish have for a big win at the festival, and don’t expect him to disappoint. The Champion ChaseSprinter Sacre looks unbeatable at the moment and is currently a 2/7 shot to land the race. Nicky Henderson’s gelding beat a very talented group of novices when he demolished the field in last season’s Arkle. His jumping is exquisite and he travels superbly. 2011 champion Sizing Europe looks a cracking bet at 5/1. Last year’s winner, Finians Rainbow, has failed to deliver this season probably owing to bad ground. Sanctuaire has failed twice to threaten Sprinter Sacre so far this season. He does have ability but it is his temperament that cost’s him. Somersby, a Victor Chandler winner, is another talented individual and is available at 20/1. Mail de Bievre could be another to mount a challenge. This French bred looked impressive at Newbury and a shorter trip could suit. He looks a good each way bet at 14/1. Cue Card at 8s is a solid each way bet also. Can they topple the favourite? All will be revealed in a week’s time but perhaps each way is the way to approach this year’s race. The World HurdleA World Hurdle without Big Bucks! Seems bizarre doesn’t it? As a result, this race is very open this year. Reve de Sivola was second, albeit a distant one, to Big Bucks earlier this season. Big Bucks won at a canter that day, which he normally does. Certainly Reve de Sivola is no Big Bucks. However, he was most impressive in running away with the Long Walk at Ascot and following up on that victory with a win in the Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham. Oscar Whiskey is better over a slightly shorter trip. Looking elsewhere Monksland could be a lively contender. He did defeat of Zaidpour in December. This race could also be the target for Peddlers Cross, another classy sort. He has been deemed a spent force by many but cannot be ruled out. Bog Warrior has been rejuvenated since his return to hurdles and has a chance. It is unlikely that Quevega will take her chance here. Reve de Sivola looks the best bet at 9/2. Gold CupIt comes as a surprise that the two former winners in the field aren’t generally fancied; Long Run and Imperial Commander at 7/1 and 16/1 respectively. The favourite, Bobs Worth, has only had one outing this season when he won the Hennessy Gold Cup in Newbury, and is bidding to be the first horse since Dawn Run to win the Gold Cup on his second outing of the season. Sir Des Champs recovered from a weak showing in the Lexus Chase to win the Irish Hennessy Gold Cup, but may find the step-up in standard tough to cope with, even on harder ground. Silviniaco Conti is fancied by many too after an impressive win in the Denman Chase in February. But you can never rule out the winner of the King George; Long Run, unlike Kauto Star last year, looked fresh in closing out the feature on St Stephens Day, and seems well able to go the extra quarter mile for a repeat of his 2011 success.