The pick of the prices on Day 1 at the Cheltenham Festival....

Monday, 11th March 2024

The pick of the prices on Day 1 at the Cheltenham Festival….

WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT at 12s & 11s is my pick of the prices for tomorrow’s Ultima (2.50)….

He was sent off favourite for the 3m1f novice chase at Cheltenham’s December meeting….

…. a race that’s been a relatively informative guide to the Ultima in recent times….

Corach Rambler won both races two years ago….

…. Happygolucky won the December race before finishing second in the Ultima in 2020….

…. and Singlefarmpayment was second in the 2017 renewal of the Ultima after winning the race at Cheltenham the previous December….

Of course, Weveallbeencaught didn’t win the December race….

…. he finished last of the six runners beaten 22-lengths….

But he did lose a fore shoe on the day – a negative….

…. he clearly wasn’t himself – something was amiss….

…. and use of a first time tongue strap tomorrow suggests a breathing issue might have been the factor holding him back….

But he was fancied to take a step forward that day….

…. and he’s clearly considered a serious prospect at home….

He cost connections £210,000 and trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies is on record saying he’s worth way more than that….

…. that he was bought as a Gold Cup horse….

…. and that he’s very similar to Imperial Commander….

Those are big words and so far the 7yo has paid back very little of his purchase fee….

…. but that could well change tomorrow….

He’s lightly-raced….

…. yet to show his full hand….

…. and on a mark of 134….

…. he’s one of not too many in tomorrow’s race with the scope to improve on the same scale as previous Ultima winners have had to do….

He won’t mind soft ground either….

…. and I reckon he’s a fair bet at the price….

• ‘…. a proper swing of the bat….’

I’m having a proper swing of the bat and backing ZARAK THE BRAVE at 20s in the Champion Hurdle (3.30)….

In the absence of Constitution Hill, State Man is a banker for plenty of punters – but he makes no appeal to me as a betting proposition at 1/3….

It’s interesting that Zarak The Brave is here at all – running for the same trainer as State Man….

He runs for different owners, of course – and they might just fancy a runner in the big one….

…. or like the idea of bagging almost £25k for finishing fourth….

But I’m mindful that Mullins referred to the horse as a ‘Champion Hurdle contender….’ after he won the Galway Plate as a 4yo last summer….

…. and I’d suggest he’s here on merit….

He had no other entries at the Festival – which says something….

…. and his recent run at Naas suggested that whatever was ailing him the time before at Tipperary has been sorted out….

That last performance was clearly a long way short of what’s required to win a Champion Hurdle….

…. but he was always doing enough that day….

…. he was never going to be fully-tuned….

…. and I expect massive improvement tomorrow….

I just think he could prove a LOT better than the market thinks – and he’s worth a swing at a big each-way price….

• Finally….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow with my analysis and selections for Day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival….

Meantime – Contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd