Sam Spinner

Key video form for day two of 2018 Cheltenham Festival, including Sam Spinner in the Stayers' Hurdle

Horse Racing

Tue March 06, 2018 · 7y ago

With free video replays available from all UK and Irish tracks on sportinglife.com, Richard Mann takes a look at the key ones to watch for day three of the Cheltenham Festival.

JTL Novices’ Chase

Invitation Only – 4th February Flogas Novice Chase

A cracking run last time in one of the strongest novice chases run on both sides of the Irish Sea so far this season. A horse who has always been held in the highest regard by master trainer Willie Mullins, he has taken a bit of time but looks much closer to the finished article now. 2-4 over fences, he is improving all the time and that latest run gives him strong form claims in this event. Watch it again here.

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Modus – 9th February Matchbook VIP Graduation Chase

Smart performer who has taken his form to a new level since sent over the larger obstacles, his only defeat coming when falling at Exeter two starts ago. Looked very good when back on song with a slick success at Kempton last month and he might still be progressing. Faces a much sterner test here, and has the prospect of a bigger field to contend with, but his jumping was very slick on that latest start and is well worth another watch.

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Terrefort – 3rd February Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase

French import who hasn’t put a foot wrong since arriving on these shores, winning easily at Huntingdon before beating a smart performer in the Grade One Scilly Isles last time. Surely still on the upgrade and with soft ground seemingly his preferred racing surface, current weather forecasts will be music to the ears of his connections. Can he make the step up?

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Ryanair Chase

Un De Sceaux – 20th January Clarence House Chase

This was another breathtaking display from Un De Sceaux who was winning the Clarence House Chase for the third year in succession. A fearless jumper who doesn’t mind doing things the hard way, he has looked as good as ever this season and like always, can be expected to return to the Cheltenham Festival in perfect shape. Too strong for his rivals when landing the Ryanair Chase 12 months ago, who would bet against him repeating the feat with underfoot conditions coming in his favour?

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Waiting Patiently – 17th February Ascot Chase

One of the most promising chasers in training who remains unbeaten over the larger obstacles. Beat the high-class Politologue last season and has been brought along steadily this term, winning at Carlisle and Kempton before slamming Cue Card with a brilliant display in the Grade Ascot Chase last month. With the possibility of soft ground another tick in his box, he looks set to prove a serious rival to Un De Sceaux. Have another look at his Ascot Chase success here.

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Yorkhill - 16th March 2017 JLT Novices’ Chase

Something of an enigma, Yorkhill has plenty to prove having disappointed in two starts so far this season. However, he is a supremely-talented animal who comes alive in the spring, as his two previous Cheltenham Festival victories illustrate. When running out a convincing winner of the JLT Novices’ Chase at this meeting 12 months ago, he looked a star in the making and it is surely too soon to write him off given Willie Mullins will have left no stone unturned in his preparation. Still unsure? Watch is magnificent JLT win here.

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Waiting Patiently

Sunbets Stayers’ Hurdle

Supasundae – 3rd February Irish Champion Hurdle

Has already tasted Festival success having won last year’s Coral Cup in convincing fashion and has looked an ever better animal so far this season, running well behind the brilliant Apple’s Jade twice. It was his most recent performance that suggested he could be a top-notcher, though, his defeat of the mighty Faugheen over an inadequate two miles in the Irish Champion Hurdle easily the finest hour he has enjoyed to date. With the return to this longer trip expected to suit even better, can anything really stop him?

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Sam Spinner – 23rd December Long Walk Hurdle

The big hope of the north, Sam Spinner has won a host of admirers this season with his bold jumping and willing attitude. His wide-margin Haydock romp was spectacular but he hadn’t convinced everyone that he could make the leap from handicap company until he slammed a strong field in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. Still only a six-year-old, the apple of Jedd O’Keeffe’s eye looks to have the world at his feet and could take plenty of catching from the front. Watch his Ascot win again here.

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Yanworth – 8th 2017 April Liverpool Hurdle

Hugely talented-performer who was sent off favourite for the Champion Hurdle this time last year. Things didn’t work out for him on that occasion but he beat Supasundae at Aintree the following month and despite his detractors, won the Grade Two Dipper Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham on New Years’ Day. A strong stayer with a huge engine, his late return to hurdles might have caught a few of these by surprise but another watch of his defeat of Supasundae is a clear reminder of just how dangerous he can can be.

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