Rule The World can upset the big two in the World Hurdle
BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE WORLD HURDLE AND THE BYRNE GROUP PLATE
THE big talking point in the build up to this year’s Cheltenham Festival was whether or not wonder mare Annie Power would drop back in trip to tackle the Champion Hurdle, stay at two-and-a-half miles for the Mares’ Hurdle, or go up to three miles for the World Hurdle (3.20pm).
Connections have opted to step her up in trip in a mouthwatering clash with four-time winner Big Buck’s in what could be the race of the meeting. Annie Power has been simply breathtaking in 10 unbeaten starts to date and shaped at both Ascot and here at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day as a real stayer.
Only two horses have ever got within five lengths of the six-year-old and she seems to be getting better with every run. So, what’s not to like about a Willie Mullins-trained Ruby Walsh-ridden course winner? The answer, as Paul Daniels used to say, is “not a lot”.
The big question mark is over her ability to stay the marathon trip – half a mile further than she’s ever gone before. Admittedly, there’s not much evidence that she won’t stay, there is just a nagging doubt in my mind that a fast run three miles might just test her to her limits.
There is also a concern over her temperament and if she displays the same “fizziness” that we witnessed at Doncaster, she may use up crucial energy.
Don’t get me wrong, I think she’s a phenomenal mare. It’s just that she’s 13/8 in a place and that’s plenty short enough considering she faces arguably the greatest long distance hurdler of all time in Big Buck’s.
Big Buck’s was beaten for the first time in 18 starts when his colours were lowered by Knockara Beau on Trials Day. Some were delighted with his reappearance on desperate ground after over a year on the sidelines with injury. However, I’m pretty sure he was fully wound up for his comeback and was still beaten by a horse he would have brushed aside in his heyday.
There won’t be a more popular winner all week if he can land World Hurdle number five at the age of 11, but at 7/2 with Star Sports, he won’t be carrying my cash.
Whenever the racing industry promotes a big match at a major festival (Kauto Star v Denman is still fresh in the mind), the party is often spoilt by a lesser light who hasn’t read the script.
The ground looks to be going against the AP McCoy-ridden At Fishers Cross and he’ll have to brush up his jumping to play a part in this anyway.
More Of That could well be anything and Barry Geraghty has already shown this week that he’s a dangerous understudy for the champion jockey. Check out Sporting Index’s match bets this morning as I’d be keen to side with Geraghty again against McCoy.
However, he still has to improve a fair bit more and I’m very keen to take a chance each-way on RULE THE WORLD at 10/1 with BetBright.
Mouse Morris doesn’t send his horses to Cheltenham for the day out and his three runners at last year’s Festival all finished second. One of those was my selection who separated The New One and Pont Alexandre in the Neptune.
He looks to be peaking at just the right time and has made a speedy recovery from a pelvis injury sustained last spring. There isn’t a trainer sending a horse to Prestbury Park this week better at bringing one to the boil at the right time and Rule The World is value to spoil the party.
Pointers…
Rule The World e/w 3.20pm Cheltenham
Sell At Fishers Cross against More Of That in a Sporting Index match bet
@BillEsdaile