Snow joke

By Alan Conway

Like a lot of people I am suffering cabin fever. If I had known that the Hennessy meeting was the last big meeting I would watch then I would have enjoyed it more. The snow has brought the jumps season to a halt when it was just warming up. That is why this weekend is so important. The show has to get back on the road. Starting with Cheltenham and the International meeting and the rearranged Hatton’s Grace card at Fairyhouse.

For many the International meeting is a big signpost along the route to the Cheltenham festival in March. Horses are trying to make the jump from progressive handicappers to the top table. It’s where strands of form are intertwined and you can begin to put the pieces together with the festival in mind.

This year’s meeting has taken on more significance than usual. The big freeze has meant that horses who where due to have their first runs of the season a few weeks ago have been held up. They are missing out on valuable match practice and might have to miss their intended engagements at Christmas.

The Hatton’s Grace card is a hugely important card for a number of reasons. It will, hopefully, see the belated return of Mikael D´Haguenet and a cracking renewal of the Hatton’s Grace which could see Solwit, Hurricane Fly and Voler La Vedette clash. These races could have major implications come Cheltenham as Mikael D´Haguenet needs a race over fences if he is to have any hope of making the festival.

If all the action does go ahead then we are in for a superb weekend of racing. Both the Fairyhouse and Cheltenham cards are choc full of highly talented horses who have questions to answer. Will Cue Card be able to make the leap from novice company to the Champion Hurdle picture? Can Master Minded put in a similar performance to the one we saw at Ascot? And finally can Hurricane Fly get the better of Solwit?

In relation to Cue Card: I asked in a previous article “if he was another Dunguib?”. On Saturday I will get my answer. The defeat of Binocular by Peddlers Cross has opened up the Champion Hurdle market. If Cue Card were to win and win convincingly then he becomes a player. It won’t be easy however. Both Silviniaco Conti and Menorah have been progressive this season and will pose a stern threat to Cue Card.

It did appear at Ascot that the old Master Minded was back. He travelled and jumped like his old self. One of the most pleasing aspects was his jumping. His jumping was super slick almost in the style of a hurdler. Paul Nicholls and his team at Ditchet have done a great job getting this horse back after his truncated season last year.

For Solwit and Hurricane Fly fans all they can do is hope the snow melts away so they can lock horns. Personally I think Hurricane Fly has a bit too much class for Solwit and the others. Let’s hope the weather improves and we see some red hot action this weekend.

By Alan Conway