Exotic Dancer - could test Kauto Star.
irish to strike out in gold bid
Ireland's recent domination of the principal races of the meeting was broken when Newmill failed to retain the two-mile championship on Wednesday, and the Gold Cup now looks set to slip away as well.
Setbacks for In Compliance and War Of Attrition dented Irish hopes significantly, and the raiding party now comprises just three.
Beef Or Salmon, fresh from an unforgettable victory over The Listener in the Hennessy at Leopardstown, is back for a fifth attempt at the race. It's remarkable that he has remained at the forefront of Irish chasing for so long, but his abysmal record in the event willl put off all but his most loyal supporters.
Forget The Past, third behind War Of Attrition last year, flopped at Leopardstown last time and it will be a pleasant surprise if he manages to recapture top form.
That leaves us with the Tom Taaffe-trained Cane Brake who has shown a progressive profile in winning two valuable handicap chases, the Troytown at Navan and the Paddy Power at Leopardstown.
Strictly speaking, he looks a forlorn hope now that he meets the top staying chasers on level weights, but worse horses have got into the money in the Gold Cup in the past, and while drying ground is probably not in his favour he could still have an each-way chance.
As far as the main business of the day is concerned, it is blindingly obvious that Kauto Star is the best horse in the race, but if he happens to make a mistake there is possibly just enough doubt about his stamina to open the door for Exotic Dancer to take advantage.
Lounaos has long been a major fancy for the Triumph Hurdle and there is no reason to desert her at this stage.
The form of her AIG run stood the test reasonably well in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle, and she had previously looked a superior recruit with two impressive wins in her age group.
Better ground will be no hindrance to her judged on her Flat form, and she is preferred to Katchit and Punjabi.
Hairy Molly, winner of last year's Champion Bumper, and Black Harry, an improving stayer who is a stablemate of Supreme Novices' winner Ebaziyan, represent the principal Irish hopes against Wichita Lineman in the Brit Insurance Novices' Hurdle.
Hairy Molly does not have a great deal of hurdling experience, and Black Harry may provide a more potent threat.
Leading Run, a former top bumper performer, will need to show better hurdling technique than in the past to have any substantial chance.
Whyso Mayo, a 20-1 chance when winning an Irish-dominated renewal of the Christie's Foxhunter last season, returns with very strong credentials this time.
He followed up with a good win at Punchestown last April, has had a perfect preparation in winning his two races this term, and should again have the measure of last year's runner-up First Down Jets.
Climate Control is another Irish runner with a definite chance, while Patches looks best of the home-team.
The Grand Annual is probably best left to the Paul Nicholls/Ruby Walsh combination with Saintsaire, but the Vincent O'Brien County Hurdle may help to send the Irish home on a high note.
After getting in a dress-rehearsal when Baron De Feypo finished an excellent third in Wednesday's Coral Cup, Oliver Brady will not fail to get centre stage if Maralan gets into the money. It will be no surprise if he manages to do so.
The stable has been in fine form in recent weeks, and a fourth placing in the Pierse Hurdle is a notable bit of form for a race like this.
Admittedly the visiting team does not have a great record in the Festival finale, but in addition to Maralan there is also a good case to be made for Pedrobob, who finished third in the Totesport Trophy and will be suited by drying ground, as well as for Sweet Wake, who will be bidding to put a healthier look on another bleak Cheltenham for Noel Meade. He is potentially very well treated on his best form.
Selections
2.00 Lounaos
2.35 Wichita Lineman
3.15 Exotic Dancer
4.00 Whyso Mayo
4.40 Saintsaire
5.20 Sweet Wake
Each-way prospects
2.35 Black Harry
3.15 Cane Brake
5.20 Maralan