Cheltenham preview: Major players to strike a blow

MANY big-hitters took a blow to the wallet when Binocular was floored in yesterday’s Champion Hurdle, but favourite-backers may retrieve losses and a little on top when Kasbah Bliss and Voy Por Ustedes take centre stage on day three of the Cheltenham Festival tomorrow.

Anyone who saw Kasbah Bliss bolt up at Haydock recently will want to be on the French raider when he contests the Ladbrokes World Hurdle.

Second to Inglis Drever a year ago, he does not have that superstar stayer to contend with this time and can confirm he is still on the upgrade.

Not only is Kasbah Bliss a fluent hurdler, but he is a Group One stayer on the Flat, so the likes of Punchestowns and Big Buck’s have it all to do against him tomorrow.

Connections of Punchestowns expect their strapping gelding to reverse recent Cheltenham places with Big Buck’s as he gets an eight-pound weight pull, will strip fitter this time and is expected to appreciate the sounder surface.

The first three in the betting look different league to the rest, but if one of them fails to perform, then Pettifour or Tazbar could run into a place at a big price.

However, Kasbah Bliss looks one of the bankers of the whole meeting and can beat Punchestowns in what could be one of the best renewals of this race for many years.

Forty minutes earlier, Voy Por Ustedes looks in a different league to his rivals in the Ryanair Chase.

Runner-up to Master Minded in last year’s Champion Chase, Voy Por Ustedes (pictured above) ducks a rematch and should outclass his rivals if in anything approaching the form which saw him crush Gwanako and Tamarinbleu at Ascot last month.

A twist and double with Kasbah Bliss and Voy Por Ustedes should pay a nice dividend.

These two races apart, tomorrow’s action is a minefield for punters, starting with the Jewson Novices’ Handicap Chase.

Naiad Du Misselot, winner of the Coral Cup last year, has been campaigned with this race in mind and looks sure to go close, but narrow preference is for Kia Kaha,who has been improving over fences as he has gained experience.

The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final is another wide-open affair in which Synchronised can go well for the Jonjo O’Neill stable, while Venetia Williams’ choice of six entries in the Kim Muir Chase — Flintoff, Go For One, Alexanderthegreat, Pretty Star, Ping Pong Sivola and Just Smudge — has to be respected.

For the nap, however, I like the look of Three Mirrors in the Freddie Williams Festival Plate.

The nine-year-old, fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at this track earlier in the season, had a minor breathing operation recently and, with Ferdy Murphy’s stable always to be respected at this meeting, should be primed to produce his best.