Five things we learned from the Showcase meeting at Cheltenham

There were plenty of crucial form pointers to digest from two days of superb action at Cheltenham.

Twelve subsequent Cheltenham Festival winners have run at the Showcase meeting in the last decade, so here are five key lessons to take from this year's first fixture in the Cotswolds.

Local trainers come to the fore

Fergal O'Brien's 118-1 treble on the opening day of the Showcase meeting was a marvellous achievement and fitted the tone of the two-day fixture, which was dominated by local trainers.

Gloucestershire trainers O'Brien, Nigel Twiston-Davies and David Bridgwater all got in on the act for a total of five winners across the two days, with the latter claiming his first Cheltenham winner since the 2013-14 season.

This is not a new theme as O'Brien has scored at the meeting in each of the last four seasons, while Gloucestershire trainers were responsible for six winners at the meeting in 2017.

However, while October cheer may be high among the locals, it is a theme rarely replicated come March, with the Irish contingent particular stronger at the festival. Willie Mullins was not represented at this meeting and Gordon Elliott had just three runners, all of whom were busy over the summer.

Which paid dividends: fitness or freshness?

A difficulty punters face at this time of year is whether to go with those fit from extensive racing throughout the summer jumps period but who may find the ground softer than ideal, or side with established winter performers who might not be fully revved up with a long campaign ahead of them in the coming months.

Quel Destin: may have benefited from a recent run on the FlatCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The unusually heavy rain added an extra complication in the mix. However, of the winners, only Duke Street and The Conditional had raced over jumps since May, so the perceived advantage was with those fresh, although Quel Destin blurs the line slightly following a recent run on the Flat at Bath.

Does weight matter? Not necessarily

In the rain-soaked ground at Cheltenham on Saturday, conventional wisdom would suggest a low weight was necessary to thrive in the attritional conditions.

However, results suggested that was not a golden rule, with Saint Calvados, Tobefair and Quel Destin giving weight away to all in victory.

Saint Calvados (left) carried topweight to victory in testing conditions at CheltenhamCredit: Getty Images

Granted, both Saint Calvados and Quel Destin were Graded winners facing supposedly inferior opposition, but their winning efforts were still highly admirable, particularly that of the Harry Whittington-trained Saint Calvados.

The classy six-year-old showed signs of maturity as he settled superbly under more patient tactics and won his gruelling duel up the hill with the rejuvenated Vaniteux, despite giving almost two stone to that rival.

Similarly, Tobefair gave Sunset Showdown 17lb when winning their battle in the Pertemps qualifier. Weight is not always a decisive factor in the mud.

Do not get carried away by smart novice chase debuts

Al Dancer, Mulcahys Hill and Slate House all impressed when winning the novice chases run at the Showcase meeting, but enthusiasm for bigger things should be slightly tempered by a quick look in the history books.

Mulcahys Hill gets the better of Wholestone to claim victory in the 3m½f novice chase at Cheltenham on FridayCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Three festival winners have emerged from these novice chases since the 2008-09 season, but those victories in March came in the National Hunt Chase (twice, including Tiger Roll) and the Grand Annual.

While all three have a fine future over fences, they will need to step up to be considered Grade 1 contenders and any prices quoted for the Arkle, JLT and RSA should be greeted with little more than a shrug of the shoulders.

Cheltenham experience still imperative

The undulating nature of Cheltenham does not suit every horse, with some loving the place and some utterly hating it.

The notion of 'horses for courses' is an age-old cliche, but it often proves useful here and was highlighted at the Showcase meeting, with five previous course winners successful at the track again.

Al Dancer, Benny's Bridge, Quel Destin, Slate House and Tobefair were proven quantities at Cheltenham, but surprisingly only two of the five went off favourite, with Pertemps Final runner-up Tobefair sent off at 8-1.

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