Cheltenham Festival - Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Preview

A race for four-year-olds who fall just below Triumph Hurdle class, the Fred Winter Handicap should be an excellent contest in its own right this year due to the tremendous depth in juveniles that have surfaced throughout the season.

The lack of obvious racing evidence for the handicapper is likely to provide a narrow, compressed handicap, which could prove inaccurate for many runners who have improved dramatically ahead of the Festival or have simply not yet fulfilled their potential.

Paul Nicholls’ Ulck Du Lin may well fall into this category, as the French Bred has not yet run on British soil.

An unknown quantity is not necessarily a bad thing for punters however, especially coming out of such a top stable – and the vibes from Ditcheat and likely partner Ruby Walsh indicate that Ulck Du Lin could be a good thing.

He will slot in around midway in the handicap and may prove to have a lot in hand over his rivals. One horse who has already advertised his credentials is Kazlian from the David Pipe yard.

After a promising debut at Market Rasen, Kazlian went on to slam a poor field by 50 lengths at Ffos Las in December before following up in stronger company at Leicester.

Although a tilt at the Triumph was considered, Pipe’s ability to produce and improve handicappers gives Kazlian a real chance of Fred Winter success – and he could be another runner to make a mock of his handicap mark.

Alan King has delivered an excellent crop of juveniles this campaign and Secret Edge looks like being one of two representatives in the race from Barbury Castle.

After beating the useful Countrywide Flame at Wetherby, Secret Edge has gone on to record sound place efforts behind Hinterland and Batonnier – two leading fancies for the Triumph Hurdle.

King’s charge will have to carry a big weight due to the form he has posted however he could well defy such a burden in this company which will arguably weaker than what he has experienced before.

But it is King’s other horse, Vendor, who appears to have the best chance in the eyes of the bookmakers. Now a solid 7/2 favourite for the race, Vendor looks well capable of building on a good December win at Newbury shouldering a mere 10st 4lbs.

King will have also tinkered with Vendor’s long term Festival target however the Fred Winter now appears the definite goal and he is likely to be popular with punters due to the stable’s form and the level of talent which King is producing at juvenile level.

Tom Taafe’s Argocat may be Ireland’s best chance of victory however Edeymi and Bat Masterson also deserve a check should they make the final line-up.

From the remainder of the home contingent, Nicky Henderson’s Soliwery make the step forward from a decent second at Sandown in January – a race for which he was a well backed favourite.

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09/03/2012     © Frixo 2024