Give Getabird another chance after his flop in the Supreme

Getabird
Eleventh, Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2m½f, Cheltenham, Tuesday, March 13
Put a line through this performance from Getabird.
This talented youngster raced too freely for much of the race and the very testing conditions took their toll. As Willie Mullins said afterwards: “He ran himself into the ground.”
The very well-backed favourite had strong credentials after winning what proved a strong trial at Punchestown in January, with runner-up Mengli Khan finishing a fine third here.
There are also concerns about Getabird racing left-handed due to a tendency to jump slightly right, but he remains an exciting prospect when settling better on a right-handed course.

The Organist
Fifth, Coral Cup, 2m5f, Cheltenham, Wednesday, March 14
The Organist put in good late work having raced in rear.
Oliver Sherwood’s seven-year-old made headway three out and kept on without looking likely to catch Bleu Berry.
This was a fine return after finishing ten lengths off the pace in a Pertemps qualifier over 3m in January and a return to further should suit.

Sam Spinner
Fifth, Stayers’ Hurdle, 3m, Cheltenham, Thursday, March 15
Sam Spinner was beaten through inexperience and immaturity.
The big northern hope set a surprisingly slow pace, but rider Joe Colliver wasn’t helped by his mount’s lack of concentration at several stages, especially when faced with the huge crowds after turning for home.
The unexposed six-year-old had been very well backed, but he wasn’t fluent two out and was headed approaching the last before hanging left on the flat.
A revelation since stepping up in trip – connections initially thought he’d be a classy handicapper – Sam Spinner put up one of the best staying performances of the season when bolting up in the prestigious Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and could yet reach the top of the tree in the future.

Ben Dundee
Eleventh, County Hurdle, 2m1f, Cheltenham, Friday, March 16
Ben Dundee could never find a decent position and was stuck behind a wall of horses at the bottom of the hill.
Having to sit and wait for a gap turning for home, the well-regarded gelding was unable to stride on as the leaders headed for home.
There was no point giving him a difficult race once his chance had gone and it wasn’t easy to make up a lot of ground in very testing conditions.
The tough gelding acts on soft ground, but there should be more opportunities on drier conditions in the spring.
Ben Dundee improved for Gordon Elliott two outings ago and there could be more to come after only five starts since joining the Elliott team.

Oakley
Third, 2m bumper, Kempton, Saturday, March 17
Oakley ran with great promise when third to hot favouite Mister Fisher. Philip Hobbs’s highly regarded newcomer is a well-bred son of Oscar and bred to improve.
Held up in rear, he made rapid headway on the outside and moved into second three furlongs out before keeping on at the same pace.
There is surely bundles of improvement to come, especially on a stiffer track or when stepped up in trip over hurdles.

LORD GLITTERS is highly regarded at David O’Meara’s yard and can make a winning start to the year at Doncaster on Saturday.
The classy gelding would be a confident bet in the 32Red Lincoln, but O’Meara is worried about a big weight on bad ground so he could go for the Doncaster Mile instead. He should make an impact wherever he goes.
Quick Wave is one to follow for Venetia Williams and has a couple of options at the weekend. The French recruit can run in the Mares’ Final at Newbury off a mark of just 116 and that would be the preferred option.
Indeed, that may be easier than the maiden hurdle at Ascot on Sunday if Tossapenny runs in the latter. Evan Williams’ five-year-old has twice been beaten a short-head this season, but he travels well and jumps boldly.

Selections
Saturday Newbury 3.15 Quick Wave.
Doncaster 3.00/3.35 Lord Glitters.
Sunday Ascot 2.00 Tossapenny (alt. Quick Wave).