Cheltenham Festival 2017: Biggest Improvers

Melon – 2^nd Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Melon (h158p) had a huge reputation and justified it to some extent when runner-up on just his second start over hurdles in the Supreme. No horse since Flown in 1992 had won the curtain-raiser to the Festival with such little experience over hurdles, and the five-year-old ran a terrific race in the circumstances to get within two and a quarter lengths of the winner, Labaik. He improved some 27 lb on the form of his debut victory at Leopardstown on Timeform ratings, and left the impression he would be seen to even better effect in a more truly run race (took a keen hold), with the Champion Hurdle likely to be his main target in 2018.

Labaik – 1^st Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Labaik (h165§) could also have the 2018 Champion Hurdle on his agenda if putting his previous starting misdemeanours behind him once and for all. The six-year-old had shown himself to be a smart performer when successful in a Grade 3 at Navan and is now unbeaten in three starts over obstacles when getting away on terms, having bettered that form by some 19 lb when scything past Melon at the Festival. However, it is the three previous occasions on which Labaik refused to race that are of most note with his future prospects in mind. He is clearly capable of very smart form on his day, but he remains one to treat with caution until he shows more than once that he is prepared to put his best foot forward.

Amazing Comedy – 5^th Cross Country Chase

French raider Amazing Comedy (c141) seemingly had plenty on his plate in the Cross Country Chase (28 lb to find with Cantlow on Timeform’s weight-adjusted ratings), but had proved better than ever when winning at Pau the time before, and looked full value for his decidedly useful performance in fifth last week. That represented an improvement of 19 lb on his previous best with Timeform, and identified him as the one to beat in similar events in his native France.

Indian Stream – 4^th Mares’ Hurdle

Indian Stream (h141) may have been slightly flattered by her proximity to the first three in the Mares’ Hurdle – a false pace failed to string out the big field as might have been expected – but she still progressed to the tune of 18 lb on her previous best effort over hurdles, on what was her first start over timber since June 2015. That effort mirrored the improvement she had made since sent chasing in the intervening period (won five of her eight starts), and this likeable mare should continue to pay her way in both disciplines.  

Next Destination – 4^th Champion Bumper

Melon had been one of several Willie Mullins-trained runners to hit the crossbar over the first two days of the Festival, and Carter Mckay was another who failed to meet market expectations when only 15^th in the Champion Bumper. There was far more encouragement to be taken from the effort of Next Destination (b117) in the same race, however, who bettered the form of his debut victory at Fairyhouse by some 16 lb on ratings. He was outpaced as the field entered the final half-mile, but finished to good effect into fourth and has the makings of a useful staying novice hurdler in 2018. 

Penhill – 1^st Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

The 2017 renewal of the Albert Bartlett was unsatisfactory in many respects – run at a muddling pace and not testing stamina to the same extent that it usually does – but it was hard not to be impressed with the performance of Penhill. His three and a half length defeat of Monalee represented a 15 lb improvement on his previous best display over hurdles, and Penhill should be competitive given similar conditions for the equivalent race at Punchestown, while a campaign back on the Flat was also mentioned afterwards by connections.

Step Back – 9^th Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle

Step Back (h122) was a three-time winner between the flags and made the perfect start to his career under Rules when making all in a maiden hurdle at Ludlow last month, running to a Timeform rating of 107 in the process. He was thrown in at the deep end for just his second start over obstacles and should win more races looking at the fairly useful form he showed when ninth in the Albert Bartlett, although the bare result may flatter him (ridden close to the pace in a steadily-run affair).

Burbank – 4^th Neptune Novices’ Hurdle

Burbank (h143p) arrived at Cheltenham with just one win to his name from three starts over hurdles for Nicky Henderson and was duly sent off at 50/1 in what looked a strong renewal of the Neptune. However, the five-year-old belied his odds with a terrific performance to get within eight lengths of the winner in fourth – improving on his previous best effort by some 14 lb on Timeform ratings – and the way he finished the race suggests there could yet be more to come once stepped up to three miles. The Grade 1 Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree appeals as an appropriate target.

Road To Respect – 1^st Brown Advisory Plate

Ireland were responsible for seven of the 10 handicap winners at the Festival and their victory in the Brown Advisory Plate was arguably the most surprising of the lot, with just two of the 24 runners trained across the Irish Sea. Road To Respect (c154) was undoubtedly very well-treated from a BHA mark of 145 in hindsight, though, having finished nine and a half lengths third to Min in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. He improved another 14 lb to regain the winning thread on handicap debut and could yet make his presence felt in better company.

Presenting Percy – 1^st Pertemps Final

Presenting Percy (h154p) belied connections' vocal displeasure over his treatment at the hands of the BHA handicapper, as he provided his small yard with a second successive win in the Pertemps Final. The six-year-old was racing from a mark 16 lb higher than when winning his penultimate outing at Fairyhouse, but swept through the field to follow up with the minimum of fuss, and produced a performance that would have been good enough to win all but one renewal of the Albert Bartlett since its inception in 2005. Indeed, the improvement he showed at Cheltenham – 13 lb on Timeform ratings – suggests he could be one to beat if clashing with Penhill at Punchestown.