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Updated: 31st January 2011 - GG.com

Fab February

Oscar Whisky
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The quest for Cheltenham clues is the name of the game in February, and the month's action kicks off on February 5 with the inaugural running of the Welsh Champion Hurdle where Nicky Henderson's Oscar Whisky is expected to underline his Champion Hurdle credentials with another smooth success at the Welsh venue.

Things won't be that straight-forward should Peddlers Cross join the line-up but whatever the final field, the 2m event looks likely to exert an influence upon the Champion Hurdle market. On the same day Wayward Prince bids to follow in the footsteps of stable companion Weird Al by landing the Towton Novices' Chase at Wetherby while over at Sandown some of the season's leading 2m novice chasers will be in action in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase.

Over at Leopardstown on February 6 Joncol will be among the favourites to beat the British challenge of Pride Of Dulcote and Money Trix in the Hennessy Gold Cup, and as long as the ground is soft Paul Nolan's star turn should prevail. He was a game winner of the same big prize a year ago and his whole season has geared around a second Hennessy success. On the same card Quel Esprit should go close in the Dr PJ Moriarty Chase.

February 12 is a key date in any punters diary when Cheltenham Festival aspirations go on the line in Newbury's Aon Chase. The Nicky Henderson-trained Riverside Theatre will need to win this race in style if he is to be taken seriously as a Gold Cup contender while the same stable's Punchestowns has more questions to answer following a feeble display in the Argento Chase.

Punchestowns
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A brilliant staying hurdler only eclipsed in that discipline by the mighty Big Bucks, he has yet to reach those heights over fences and looks to be going backwards as a chaser. It will be interesting to see just how he fares around Newbury's big bowling ball against decent opposition.

On the same card Woolcombe Folly bids to add substance to the style of his Queen Mother Champion Chase challenge by winning the Game Spirit Chase. A rapid rise through the handicap ranks has put the Paul Nicholls-trained chaser on the brink of top honours and he will need to land this graded prize with something to spare if he is to justify his lofty position in the Queen Mother ante-post market.

The big betting race on February 12 is the wonderful Totesport Trophy, one of the best handicaps staged over hurdles all season. Class is always a pivotal factor in finding the winner and the Willie Mullins-trained Final Approach oozes that quality and will surely go close for his shrewd handler. Nicky Henderson's Soldatino is another for the mix along with Alan King's pair, Salden Licht and Walkon while Ireland's Call The Police is another for the pot in a hot contest.

Over at Haydock on Febrary19 Alan King's West End Rocker looks the one for the money in the marathon Blue Square Gold Cup. King's charge has won both his races in grand style this season and showed at Warwick last time that he stays this 3m 5f trip.

Tartak
© racing-images.co.uk

On the same card Court In Motion should not be opposed in the Prestige Hurdle while over at Ascot Tartak is a strong fancy to complete a hat-trick in the Betfair Chase. Tom George's stable star has really come good on his last two outings.

February's action comes to a close with Kempton's Racing Post Trophy on February 26 and the Paul Nicholls-trained Fistral Beach should be good enough to give the stable another success in this 3m handicap chase.

Elsewhere Nicky Henderson's Grandouet can follow in the footsteps of stable companion Soldatino by taking the Adonis Hurdle while over at Newcastle Cavers Glen looks a likely sort for the Eider Chase over a marathon trip at Gosforth Park.

Malcolm Heyhoe writes weekly horse racing articles for GG.COM-Horse racing betting, information, news, results and free daily tips

Archive January 2011