Cheltenham Trials Day.

[darlojim]

was yanworth and brain power not meant to be running this weekend? or have i got my dates mixed up?

[ryanh97]

Theyre mwant to be in the Contenders hurdle, I dont know when that is though

[mayo]

Contenders Hurdle is at Sandown - Saturday week I think

SATURDAY'S rearranged Clarence House Chase took on a different complexion on Tuesday with trainer Gary Moore ruling out dare-devil chaser Ar Mad after the Grade 1 was rerouted from Ascot's abandoned card last weekend.

However, the race picked up an intriguing contender in the shape of Cheltenham Festival winner Uxizandre, who could make his first appearance since winning the 2015 Ryanair Chase.

As well as Ar Mad's absence, Moore has also resisted temptation to enter Sire De Grugy, with the stablemates heading elsewhere for their festival preps.

"They have not been entered as I prefer to wait for other races for them as there is a world between Ascot and Cheltenham," said Moore.

"There is a £150,000 chase at Ascot next month which Ar Mad will probably go for - even if he had run at Ascot last weekend the February race was the plan in any case.

"While Sire De Grugy will end up going to Newbury for the Game Spirit Chase on February 11 or we have the option of running him in a two mile handicap chase at Sandown next weekend. I have no preference at the moment and we will make up our minds closer to the time."

Uxizandre, sidelined since winning the Ryanair, was a fascinating addition to the race, however, in which Un De Sceaux is the odds-on favourite among seven entries, which also include Dodging Bullets, Eastlake, Royal Regatta, Special Tiara and Top Gamble.

Willie Mullins issued an upbeat bulletin on hot favourite Un De Sceaux on Tuesday and says the Tingle Creek winner is none the worse for a wasted journey to Ascot, which was frozen off.

"Un De Sceaux is great and I could not be any happier with him," said Mullins. "The travelling did not seem to take anything out of him and I am pleased with what I have seen from him at home. I am looking forward to the race."

[ryanh97]

UDS should take all the beating

[Old Vic]

Un De Sceaux and Uxizandre among seven in Spectra - Cyber Security Solutions Clarence House Chase
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Tuesday, January 24, 2017 - Irish raider Un De Sceaux heads seven entries for rearranged £70,000 Grade One Spectra - Cyber Security Solutions Clarence House Chase (1.45pm) at Cheltenham on Festival Trials Day, Saturday, January 28.
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The two-mile contest has been rescheduled following the abandonment of Ascot on Saturday, January 21.
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Un De Sceaux (Willie Mullins IRE) is chasing back-to-back wins in the race after an impressive five-length victory over Sire De Grugy in 2016. He reappeared this season with a narrow victory over the same rival in the G1 Betway Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown Park in December.
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His six potential rivals include the retuning Uxizandre (Alan King), who hasn't run since giving A P McCoy his final success at The Festival in the 2015 Ryanair Chase, Special Tiara (Henry de Bromhead IRE) and Dodging Bullets (Paul Nicholls), the 2015 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase hero.
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Multiple G2 winner Top Gamble (Kerry Lee), Eastlake (Jonjo O'Neill) and Royal Regatta (Philip Hobbs) complete the entries.
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Kimberlite Candy (Tom Lacey) could put his unbeaten record on the line in £30,000 Grade Two Neptune Investment Management Classic Novices' Hurdle (3.25pm) over an extended two and a half miles.
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Successful in a British point-to-point at Woodford in April, Kimberlite Candy made the perfect start under Rules with a seven-length success in a maiden hurdle at Ascot in November, after which he was purchased by J P McManus.
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The five-year-old rewarded his new owner with a smooth victory in a two-mile, six-furlong novices' hurdle at Newcastle on December 17, cruising clear after the last to win by seven lengths.
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Trainer Tom Lacey, based in Herefordshire, said today: "Kimberlite Candy has been in good form since Newcastle.

"He is in the Grade Two at Cheltenham and also has the option of the three-mile race at Doncaster on Saturday.
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"He has been very impressive so far and you could not have asked for much more, but he is ground dependant. There is rain forecast so we will just have to see, although I haven't spoken to Mr McManus or Frank [Berry] yet.
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"If he doesn't run this weekend, there is a race for him at the beginning of February."
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The Neptune Investment Management Classic Novices' Hurdle has been a good pointer to The Festival in recent years, with Wichita Lineman (2007), Bobs Worth (2011) and At Fishers Cross (2013) going on to win the G1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and Monsignor (2000) taking the G1 Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle.
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A total of 15 entries also include Wholestone (Nigel Twiston-Davies), successful in the three-mile G2 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at The International last month, and Thistlecrack's half-brother West Approach (Colin Tizzard) who was far from disgraced against experienced rivals in Ascot's G1 Long Walk Hurdle.
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Nicky Henderson has two potentially exciting contenders in Constantine Bay and William Henry, while Paul Nicholls could pitch in Topofthegame after his eye-catching success at Ascot before Christmas.
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Challow Hurdle fourth Elegant Escape (Colin Tizzard), two-time hurdle victor Strong Pursuit (Philip Hobbs) and Keep In Line (Alan King) are also engaged.
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A fantastic nine-race card on Festival Trials Day also features the £100,000 G2 BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase (2.15pm, 3m 1½f, 11 entries), in which Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack (Colin Tizzard) is set to clash with popular chasers Smad Place (Alan King) and Many Clouds (Oliver Sherwood), the last two winners of the race.
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Unowhatimeanharry is out to extend his winning sequence in the £60,000 G2 galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (4.00pm, 3m, 15 entries). The nine-year-old has racked up eight consecutive wins for trainer Harry Fry including victories in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle at The Festival in March and the G1 JLT Long Walk Hurdle on his latest outing in December.
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Another added bonus to the race programme is the £25,000 Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (2.50pm, 3m 6f 37y, 15 entries), which was rescheduled following its abandonment at The Open in November.

[Liam301287]

Frost covers going on least there taking no chances, Travelling over from Scunthorpe Friday. Forecast for Rain Saturday so frost should go when Race time starts.

[Zoowraa]

Slightly questioning my sanity a little as never been a huge fan of this horse. However, I keep getting drawn to Dodging Bullets EW at 20s for the Clarence House.
Its only first two and UDS will take the beating, but I think the way the race is likely to be run, it could set things up for Dodging Bullets if it sits off Special Tiara and UDS, possible Royal Regatta too.
I just think it showed a little something last time at Huntingdon, it didn't finish the race but it was the only horse who could take Josses Hill on for pace 2f from home. It just looked a horse who might be coming back to itself a little and the drop back in trip over a strong run 2m at a course it likes could set things up nicely.

[Istabraq]

If that's your view Zoowraa wouldn't you be better off playing the without fav market or 3 places on betfair ?
You're effectively playing for one position with your current thinking...

[Zoowraa]

If that's your view Zoowraa wouldn't you be better off playing the without fav market or 3 places on betfair ?
You're effectively playing for one position with your current thinking...

Yes very possible. I think I will leave it until on course on the day. I still may go with the EW angle as UDS has hit the floor in the past and I'm still not completly convinced he is as good as his reputation . I think DB is good enough to beat a couple of 2 1/2 milers a horse not ran for 2 seasons and Special Tiara and still want the 20s on my side.
See what price he is without on the day.

[Zoowraa]

First time I am staying over after a meeting at Cheltenham. Any regulars have advice on best bars to visit in the town ? How easy is it to get a taxi into town after racing ? Is it easier to walk and how far ?
Thanks in advance for any information shared

[mayo]

Taxis and buses into town but might be a queue.

Its a downhill walk and you might nab one on way up the hill.

Head towards Montpellier - Queens nd wine bar in that area. 21 Club later maybe but not sure what it is like outside fez.

[ryanh97]

Hi guys might be being stupid but to get to the middle of the Cross Country do I go across that checkered rectangle just after the turn - or is that the vehicle crossing? You can tell i'm a newbie with the course :P

[Istabraq]

Hi guys might be being stupid but to get to the middle of the Cross Country do I go across that checkered rectangle just after the turn - or is that the vehicle crossing? You can tell i'm a newbie with the course :P

You'll find it easy enough ryan, it's where the horses come out the shoot (from the parade ring/winners enclosure) and out onto the course, about 100 yards from the win line.
I recommend you stand by the cheese wedges, fantastic insight into the balance and flexibility horses need to navigate these obstacles....

[ryanh97]

You'll find it easy enough ryan, it's where the horses come out the shoot (from the parade ring/winners enclosure) and out onto the course, about 100 yards from the win line.
I recommend you stand by the cheese wedges, fantastic insight into the balance and flexibility horses need to navigate these obstacles....

Cheers Ista, I meant to put a map up of the course so I could refer to the checkered rectangle (the link below). Guessing there'll be many others going across so i'll just follow suit

http://cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk/assets/cheltenham/2015-Cross-Country-Course-December.pdf

[Istabraq]

Yeah should've mentioned that, the race has become very popular these days and many punters take the opportunity to get close to the action by going into the middle.
If the weather is fine you might well see swathes of people heading out and the cheese wedges are the first obstacles you get to once you've crossed the regulation course so many park up there, not sure how far you can actually get and whether all obstacles are accessible but you'll have 25 mins from the end of the previous race to wander around and find a spot.
Here's hoping it's dry for you....