Quel Destin kick started Super Saturday with a game and gritty performance that suggested he’s the best of the British brigade heading to fend off Joseph O’Brien and co in next month's Triumph Hurdle. He looks tailormade for Cheltenham’s stiff finish and our traders went 10/1 from 12/1 following his success.
Quel Destin (@pfnicholls) must be pretty good. After landing a Grade 1 at Christmas here he puts the previously unbeaten Torpillo to the sword. Could he be the best of the British contingent for the Triumph? pic.twitter.com/ve7jKKIjtM
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 16, 2019
Down at Ascot, Mister Malarky was much the best in the Reynoldstown and our traders reacted by cutting Tizzard’s charge to 16/1 for the National Hunt Chase. He’s also 33/1 for the RSA Chase, for which Santini, absent today due to a flu jab, is currently favourite. Nicky Henderson suggested in his Unibet blog that he now might take his runner for a racecourse gallop at Kempton Park.
Monalee threw his hat into the ring for the Ryanair or Gold Cup with victory in the Red Mills at Gowran Park but just minutes later Clan Des Obeaux showed he is probably the form horse of the season by following up his King George success by dismissing the talented Terrefort with consummate ease. Our traders clipped him to 7/1 from 10s for the Gold Cup but were forced to cut again into 6/1 following a barrage of support for Paul Nicholls’ steed.
King George winner Clan Des Obeaux gives weight and a hammering to Terrefort in taking the Denman Chase
Ten years afte @PFNicholls last won the Cheltenham Gold Cup is this his next winner in waiting of the big one? pic.twitter.com/R8IEFz08Bi
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 16, 2019
Whilst the traders were doing that another Nicholls inmate landed the Grade 2 Kingwell as Grand Sancy gamely fought off both Vision Des Flos and then Sceau Royal to score under Harry Skelton. With his Festival target up in the air, we went 16/1 from 25/1 for the Supreme and also 14/1 from 25/1 for the County Hurdle.
Grand Sancy wins the Kingwell under an elated Harry Skelton and we're losing count of the @pfnicholls winners today…
All today's results ➡https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/34FzbhMDvZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 16, 2019
The Betfair Hurdle looked a competitive race on paper though it was anything but, with Al Dancer doing the business for favourite backers. In an open looking Supreme, our traders weren't that impressed going 11/2 from 8/1. Punters were more taken with the performance and the 11/2 was quickly gobbled up, forcing our traders into going 9/2.
Did you have the Dancer forecast? Al Dancer comes through for the Twiston-Davies team to win the Betfair Hurdle with Magic Dancer second pic.twitter.com/4afHNfIXzQ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 16, 2019
Robinsfirth benefitted from a perfectly timed Sean Bowen ride to grab Haydock’s Grand National Trial at the death but he’s not in the Grand National. With The Ultima a logical next target he’s now near the head of the betting after shortening into 12/1 for that race with us.
The performance of the day was undoubtedly Cyrname who leapt like a stag to land the Grade 1 Ascot Chase. He quite frankly jumped his rivals ragged and second placed Waiting Patiently found himself beaten some 17 lengths. Nicholls’ improver has to go right handed so while Cheltenham might be off the agenda, his decimation of a classy field saw us go just 6/1 from 20s for Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase. A possible clash with Altior is a mouthwatering prospect already.
Cyrname, into Grade 1 company for the first time, absolutely spread-eagles his rivals on a memorable day for the @pfnicholls yard pic.twitter.com/kqmiiouzjb
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) February 16, 2019
Linesgar Oscar showed real stamina to land the Albert Bartlett Trial at Haydock and he halved in price for the real thing on Festival Friday – 12/1 from 25/1.
Of course it was left to Paul Nicholls to have the last laugh as Silver Forever toughed out the finale at Ascot to land the Mares Bumper. A memorable day for all involved in Team Ditcheat!
