ALL the talk has been about ‘good thing’ Ballyburn in the Brown Advisory Novices Chase but I’m taking him on.
Willie Mullins’ runner is set to go off odds on but, as we saw yesterday with Majborough’s mistakes in the Arkle — and then the falls of Constitution Hill and State Man in the Champion — things are not always that simple.
State Man looked to have the Champion Hurdle at his mercy until he and Paul Towend fell at the last[/caption]
Sure, Ballyburn has to be respected and he was a good winner at Leopardstown.
But I don’t think DANCING CITY (2.00) has been recognised for what he has achieved.
Ballyburn’s stablemate is not the flashiest performer, but he’s a proper three-miler.
He won the Grade 1 three-mile novice chase at Punchestown last season, when he had Better Days Ahead over four lengths behind him.
That was on a good-to-yielding surface so today’s ground will be perfect.
I think he’s a better chaser than he was a hurdler, and he’s been overlooked in the betting. I really fancy him. In fact, I make him my best-value bet of day two at around 6-1.
Willie has six in the opener and his first-string, 6-4 favourite FINAL DEMAND (1.20) is definitely the one to side with.
I was taken by his maiden hurdle success at Limerick over Christmas, but his win at the Dublin Racing Festival was even more impressive.
The thing that struck me about him was he looked like a horse who was in the process of learning.
I respect The New Lion, but we don’t know where Final Demand’s ceiling is . . . I think it is very high.
IMPOSE TOI (2.40) can give Nicky Henderson a fifth Coral Cup win. He was a good winner at Newbury back in November.
I think he has shown he has more to offer since stepping up in trip, and that makes him of interest.
I’m going Gordon Elliott’s old-timer GALVIN in the Cross-Country (3.20).
He ran a brilliant race in the Grand National last season when finishing fourth and backed that up when a narrow second in the US Grand National over two miles five furlongs, which just shows that he still has lots of spark.
I think he’s the class act in the race and odds of around 4-1 look decent.
QUEEN MOTHER SELECTION
Next up is the big one, the Queen Mother Champion Chase. I was lucky enough to win this five times.
It’s a thrilling race for a jockey and my wins on Moscow Flyer and Sprinter Sacre are among my all-time most treasured ones.
For me, the key to the race this afternoon is is Solness.
He’s going to make it a proper test, as it’s going to be an end-to-end gallop and I think that is going to play to the strengths of JONBON (4.00).
The question is whether Solness can reproduce the sort of performance he did at Leopardstown, because there was no fluke about it.
Jonbon is consistent and the one to beat, but he’s no price and Solness is each-way value.
JAZZY MATTY (4.40) is a horse I think could be well-handicapped in the Grand Annual.
He won the Fred Winter two season ago when ridden by the late Michael O’Sullivan, so it would be a very emotional success.
Cian Collins is a young up-and-coming trainer, and he’s campaigned this horse nicely.
I know there is a lot of talk about favourite Copacabana in the Champion Bumper and Patrick Mullins has chosen him as well.
But it’s not always been his dad’s first string who wins this race — and BAMBINO FEVER (5.20) could offer a bit of value.
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