Morebattle Hurdle, Grimthorpe Chase and Greatwood Gold Cup day preview

The annual dose of Cheltenham Fever is well and truly here. The weights for the Festival’s unique handicap puzzles dominated this week’s talking points, leaving people sweating over ante post bets with final confirmations yet to be made.

My attentions turn to the weekends action which see’s the racing road show head in three separate directions. Kelso’s biggest Raceday takes centre stage in the form of the Morebattle Hurdle card as well as a solid Grimthorpe Chase card at Doncaster and the wonderful annual Newbury fixture dedicated to the superb Greatwood Charity.

We begin at Kelso with a competitive renewal of the listed Premier Chase at 2:40. Itchy Feet takes my fancy here. Olly Murphy’s eight year old has been a tad frustrating since winning the Grade One Scilly Isles Novices Chase in 2020.

A catalogue full of near misses have since followed with six of his last nine starts since reading 322322. The first time blinkers are fitted in an attempt to spark a revival. Itchy Feet chased home Champion Chase bound Allmankind in cheek pieces back in October at Aintree which suggests that headgear has proved a welcome aid for the Brooks family owned horse.

Itchy Feet’s latest start in the Fleur De Lys Chase I felt was eye catching. Gavin Sheehan dropped him out early and attempted to creep into the race hoping to pick up the pieces. The form since has substance with the winner Two For Gold running valiantly in the Grade One Ascot Chase only beaten 1 3/4 lengths by the very talented Fakir D’oudairies and the third Bristol De Mai finishing a creditable second in Haydock’s Grand National Trial, with Nigel Twiston-Davies grey ultimately outstayed by The Galloping Bear.

Itchy Feet is guaranteed a run in this years Grand National which makes it very intriguing to see if connections decide to head in that direction after this race.

The Morebattle Hurdle comes up at 3:15. This contest see’s the former dual Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air make a return to the racecourse after eleven months off.

Now in the twilight of his career, the JP McManus owned eleven year old was last seen finishing fourth over 2m4f in the Grade One Aintree Hurdle last Spring. A return to Aintree is well and truly on the agenda, with this contest appearing to be a pipe opener for the Aintree showpiece itself. I’d expect this trip to be a tad sharp for Buveur D’Air nowadays and it remains to be seen just how much pace he retains off the back of a couple of injuries that have seen racecourse appearances few and far between. Buveur D’Air is very much a watching brief in this for me.

The horse who gets the nod in this for me is Metier. The Harry Fry trained six year old seemed to have slightly lost his way since a disappointing effort in last years Supreme Novices Hurdle at Cheltenham. However, a creditable fourth in the Betfair Exchange Trophy at Ascot in behind the talent Tritonic suggested that Metier’s talents were not on the wane. The enigma that is Goshen was down the field that day and Gary Moore’s stable star has since gone on to notch a pair of Grade two successes at Sandown and Wincanton respectivel.

Metier subsequently followed that Ascot effort up with a gutsy win at Lingfield during the lucrative Winter Million weekend, fending off the challenge of Gowel Road by 1 1/4 lengths. Should this talented gelding take out this contest, it will be very interesting to see where future engagements will take him.

This years renewal of the Grimthorpe Chase (3:30) is slightly disappointing in terms of field size, with only eight declared for this valuable contest.

The Tim Vaughan trained Le Milos is on course for a hat trick. This seven year old was last seen in an absolute thrilling Masters Handicap Chase at Sandown where he gallantly repelled the late thrust of Deise Aba to win by a head. Talented chaser Five Star Getaway was in behind that day, although he ran rather disappointingly in last weeks Coral Trophy. Le Milos did jump fractionally to the left throughout his last effort, but it’s evidently clear that stamina is in abundance and he could well end up making into a possible Welsh National contender next season.

I am firmly in the Storm Control camp for this race. The Kerry Lee trained nine year old gave a bold display in last months Sky Bet Chase when he was agonisingly ran down late by the fast finishing Windsor Avenue. Windsor Avenue himself lines up at 2:40 in the listed Premier Chase at Kelso. I’ll be interested to see how the Brian Ellison trained ten year old gets on. The form of the Sky Bet Chase has taken a significant boost with the third Cap Du Nord coming out last weekend and comfortably winning the Coral Trophy at Kempton. Conditional Daire McConville retains the ride again, taking a very valuable ten pounds off and I’m hopeful of another bold bid off the front end.

Cloth Cap takes the next step on his road back to the Grand National next month under regular rider Tom Scudamore. Last year’s Ladbroke Trophy winner has found life harder this season off the back of such a rise through the ranks last year which culminated with the late Trevor Hemmings owned horse going off favourite for the Aintree showpiece. Currently number 44 in the weights, Cloth Cap is all but guaranteed a run as trainer Jonjo O’Neill puts the finishing touches to his preparations.

Mister Malarky makes his debut for the upwardly mobile Richard Bandey stable. On a going day, the former Tizzard inmate has plenty of talent as displayed when winning the Silver Cup at Ascot last season. However, going days have been very few and far between but a smaller field could be a big boost for him here.

The Greatwood Gold Cup at Newbury coming up at 1:50 has cut up significantly after the final declaration stage with a field of 10 due to go to post.

Dublin Four won over course and distance two starts ago under Kielan Woods but was last seen departing two out when sent off favourite at Ludlow. A return to Newbury could bring a return to form.

Kildisart makes his seasonal reappearance after a long lay off. The Munir and Souede owned ten year old is already guaranteed a run in the Grand National with this an obvious prep for the big day itself. Kildisart was last seen finishing down the field in behind Cloth Cap in last seasons Ladbroke Trophy. He’s very much a watching brief, however I wouldn‘t rule him out of running a big race at Aintree in April. My pick in this comes in the form Glen Forsa. The Charlie Longsdon trained ten year old was a smooth winner up at Musselburgh last time out under a cool ride from Lorcan Williams, who retains the ride.

This isn’t the strongest renewal in the world and Glen Forsa still looks fairly treated having been raised 5lbs for his Musselburgh success and comes into this contest with a nice weight.

I expect that former course winner Paint The Dream will go forward and set the fractions for this race with Glen Forsa occupying a handy position in behind the leaders as he did at Musselburgh last time.

I personally wouldn’t rule out Paint The Dream to go well at a nice price. Fergal O’Briens eight year old started off this season in winning ways when claiming a nice prize at Chepstow’s jumps opener with some useful handicappers in behind. Life hasn’t been easy since for the David Brace owned horse but he beat the likes of Demachine and Dickie Diver round here in 2020 over a slightly longer trip. If Connor Brace can get him into a rhythm, he could be very hard to peg back.

Thank you for reading. Imagery courtesy of JTW Equine Images

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