Quick Jack Favourite For Festival`s Vincent O`Brien

Day four of the Cheltenham Festival sees the running of the Vincent O`Brien County Handicap Hurdle. This Grade Three event sees a field of 26 runners take to the track, battling over 17f and taking on eight hurdles. This year`s favourite for the title is Quick Jack for the Tony Martin team. The John Breslin owned charge can be backed at a price of 7/1 to seal a first 2015 Festival victory for his trainer. This 7/1 price is still available at 32red and 888sport.

Quick Jack has had just two runs this season, an early July victory in a 2m flat race in Galway preceding his third place finish in a big field in Newbury`s Cesarewitch over 18f. Whilst it will be difficult to take much from these two flat outings into this Festival hurdles challenge, one thing that can be gleaned from these performances is the horses ability to do the business in big fields. Quick Jack was one of 20 at Newbury whilst he was up against another 32 in the Cesarewitch.

This is something that continues throughout his positive hurdles form of the previous season. Whilst he has only raced in this medium twice, he scored a first place finish in a 2m handicap here back in the November of 2013, completing two-and-a-half clear of Deep Trouble in second. On his only other run over hurdles at Leopardstown, the Footstepsinthesand-sired six-year-old finished third in a Grade B at 16f in what was something of a blanket finish. This horse should also be noted for his compatibility with the expected going tomorrow and should be one to watch.

The Game Changer is Quick Jack`s nearest market rival and is available at a price of 10/1 at most bookmakers. What is in this horse`s favour is the fact that he is a much more experienced hurdler, rated 141 after picking up three wins at around 2m. The only representative of Gigginstown Stud in this race, The Game Changer has appeared five times already this season, scooping a win in a Kilbeggan Grade C handicap at 17f prior to a third place finish in a Grade A in a big field at Galway.

Whilst the son of Arcadio`s experience will work in his favour, he has already been a beaten favourite twice this season and consistency isn`t really his forte. He should be ticked due to the number of times he has won on good ground and, like the favourite, is no stranger to the hurly burly of big fields. Gordon Elliott`s entrant is well weighted and will be ready to pounce.

Most bookmakers have Princely Conn as an 11/1 chance, the six-year-old just one of three runners for owner JP McManus. The horse has failed to make a blistering start to his hurdles career after being transferred from the flat, recording just one win in four starts over obstacles. That win came at 2m at Punchestown when carrying 11st12lb.

What should be said, however, is that this horse always tends to be aimed at high quality graded races and could find himself among comparatively inferior company in this handicap. There is potential that he might struggle in his first run in mainland Britain whilst he will also have to learn the cut and thrust of these large events. A lover of drying ground, Princely Conn could be McCoy`s best chance of the day.

Chances at bigger prices include Rich Coast at 22/1 (32red, 888sport, Betvictor, Skybet), Hawk High at 25/1 (Numerous) and Orgilgo Bay at 40/1 (32red, 888Sport, Skybet).

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12/03/2015     © Frixo 2026