UK Horse Racing Tips

“Vautour” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  Carine06 

The winter chills are finally starting to subside and the crisp freshness of spring is peeking its way into our consciousness.

In the world of jumps racing, that can stand for only one thing. The Cheltenham Festival is looming large on the horizon.

The great extravaganza in the Cotswolds is edging ever nearer and, for supporters of Vautour, spring brings with it a season of hope.

Willie Mullins’ runner has been somewhat uneasy in the Cheltenham Gold Cup market since his late capitulation in the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day.

That should not allow us to forget the spell-binding performance delivered by Vautour a year ago in his JLT Novices’ Chase success at the festival.

Did he fail to see out three-miles at Kempton? Or was he merely done by a canny ride from Paddy Brennan on Cue Card having cut out the donkey work during much of the closing stages.

These are the bits of the puzzle that must be worked out between now and Gold Cup day, March 18^th.

The recent news that ground conditions at Cheltenham are steadily improving after a wet winter will be music to the ears of the Vautour camp.

Last March, Vautour positively bounced off the sound surface in the JLT, bowling along in front before tearing away from his rivals and putting the race in safe keeping a long way from the winning post.

There are other races at the festival for which Vautour would seem to be presented with the proverbial penalty kick but the Gold Cup is the path chosen.

At Kempton on softened, mid-winter ground, Walsh’s mount travelled supremely and appeared to have the race at his mercy in the home straight.

“Cue Card” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by  Carine06 

Cue Card, in what has been a standout season for Colin Tizzard’s charge in staying chases, battled back and ran him down in the shadow of the post.

Given his time over, would Walsh play his hand differently? With a lead horse to aim at, Cue Card stuck his neck out and won. But, on review, it seems futile to suggest Vautour had stopped.

When he was making his way back into the parade ring after his JLT procession a year ago, Vautour had the praise of the racing world ringing in his ears. He was, it seemed, a future Gold Cup winner in waiting.

With plenty of juice in his price as a result of his Kempton reverse, Vautour remains a solid option in the blue riband.

Mugged by Cue Card on his first try at the extended trip, Vautour looks destined to have his favoured spring ground come Cheltenham.

Vautour remains a spring horse and is seen to his best effect with hint of sunlight on his back. Unbeaten in two trips to the Cheltenham Festival, this is not the time to doubt his credentials.

The 2016 Cheltenham Gold Cup admittedly looks set to be a vintage renewal but it will be no surprise if Vautour comes up the hill in front for a third successive year.

Comments are closed.