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Cheltenham 2021 - Review

The week belongs to Henry De Bromhead, Rachael Blackmore and Jack Kennedy. Minella Indo won the Gold Cup having lost the RSA on the line this time last year. Everyone loves a comeback story and this is one because following that defeat there was a fall at Leopardstown at Christmas and a very ordinary run in February. I thought he was very overrated and even though he fit the age range  (the last 3 winners of the race were 7 or 8 years old), I over looked him for Al Boum Photo. Funnily enough it had the feel of when Al Boum Photo won in 2019 because there wasn't a lot of talk about him. I still expected him to be beaten even when he flew the last but A Plus Tard couldn't run him down. He proved me and the doubters wrong today by adding the top prize in National Hunt racing to that narrow second last year and the Albert Bartlett two years ago. What a Cheltenham record! Fantastic for Jack Kennedy as well. He's had some week too - Black Tears beating the hot favourite Concertis

Smiling Eliza 2m4f Mares Hurdle at Navan Preview

Water Sprite was 8th in a 2m4f at Gowran in January and was a long way behind The King Of Brega at Thurles in a 2m before that. This is easier but could struggle carrying top weight.

Stucker Hill fell at Punchestown last but won at Tramore on heavy carrying 11/6 and at Punchestown on good over longer beating Isabels Gold on both occasions. Chances

Bridge Native was second in a 2m3f at Clonmel on good and second in a 2m at Gowran to Ar Eagla na hEagla who was a long way behind Clementina in a 2m at Fairyhouse. Clementina was well behind Smiling Eliza at Leopardstown recently. Behind Viscount Wilson last in a 2m at Naas. Down 9lb for that.

Isabels Gold was second at Thurles to Rain in Spain who was about 15L behind Sassy Diva in a 2m. Has plenty of 2m4f experience finishing second and fourth behind Stucker Hill but higher in the weights in those but 3lb lighter today so will look to reverse that.

Song Of The Sky was 4 lengths behind Liffeydale Dreamer in a 2m on yielding but was carrying a stone more. has won at Navan on the flat as a 3 year old.

Alohamora ran on all weather at Dundalk latest and has ran over 2m4f twice but never in the reckoning 6L behind Ask Nile in one of those. Down 1lb for last run.

Gliondar Mo Chroi won last time over 2m4f carrying 11st at Punchestown on good. Steps up in grade here.

Smiling Eliza was 5th in a 2m2f last about 11L behind Sassy Diva. Steps down in grade but up in trip and has won here before.

I'm Not Alone was behind Bridge Native at Gowran in 2m. Also behind Pats Oscar in that. Up against better here and unknown how will cope with going up in trip. 5lb claimer on board.

Liffeydale Dreamer beat Smiling Eliza at Aintree and has run well in some decent 2m hurdles. Similar situation to our horse

Iknowwhereiamnow was second in a 2m4f at Punchestown well ahead of Alohamora. Fell since carrying 11/3 over 2m.

Dragon Houdini well behind Clementina at Fairyhouse and no previous over this distance.

Elzaa is another with only 2 mile form but best was probably at Thurles in October when staying on behind Apparition and Mitchouka.


Verdict:
This looks to be between Stucker Hill, Song Of The Sky, Liffeydale Dreamer and Smiling Eliza. Sticker Hill has won at further than this twice. Song Of The Sky was 4L behind Liffeydale Dreamer carrying a stone more but carrying the guts of that weight difference here again. LIFFEYDALE DREAMER is low enough in the weights again to be a big threat with 6lb on Eliza and was 25L ahead of her on soft at Aintree. Both have adapted well to hurdles but unknown at this trip though Eliza has the experience over longer with the last run 2m2f.














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