Cheltenham preview: The Organist tuned up for big run
David Metcalf | April 13, 2016
The Organist can hit the high notes in Cheltenham opener
The Organist scored in terrific style last time out and can give weight all round to land the Listed Mares’ Novices’ hurdle that opens proceedings on a competitive card at Cheltenham (13.50).
A winner on a bumper at Perth on her sole start for Irish handler Stuart Crawford, the five-year-old has created a huge impression in winning three of her over the obstacles since joining trainer Oliver Sherwood.
After making all and pulling clear in effortless fashion to score by 15 lengths at Huntingdon, The Organist followed up in similar style when running out a facile 28 length winner at Fontwell on Boxing Day.
The daughter of Alkaadhem then lost little in defeat when runner-up to Tara Flow at Leicester when making some costly errors, before posting a career-best effort last time out when scoring at Doncaster.
Doncaster form looks strong
The Organist travelled strongly on the heels of the leaders in the latter, before making making good headway to take up the running two from home.
She then surged clear to easily beat Briery Belle by three lengths, with the pair pulling 11 lengths clear of the field.
The third home Hollies Pearl has come out and won since, and the fourth Yes I Did went into the race on the back of two successes.
That gives the form a solid look, and although The Organist has to give 5lb and upwards to her rivals she looks a class act who should have even more to offer and needs keeping firmly onside.
Wild about the chances of Bill
In the 3m 1f Novices’ Handicap Chase (16.45) Wild Bill will appreciate the drying ground and looks decent value to land the spoils.
The gelding was a winning pointer in Ireland who shaped with plenty of promise in three spins over hurdles last season, after joining trainer Evan Williams.
Wild Bill was allotted what looked a lenient opening mark of 116 on the backs of those efforts, and duly made a mockery of it when bolting up in a novice handicap chase on good ground at Doncaster.
After travelling ominously well throughout, Wild Bill challenged on the bit at the last before asserting on the run-in to score by 2 1/2 lengths.
The seven-year-old has since been far from disgraced in finishing third and fourth at Doncaster and Chepstow on unsuitable soft ground, and is now able to race off a mark just 5lb higher than when last successful and has underfoot conditions to suit.
Selections:
13.50: The Organist (NAP)
14.25: Kalane
15.00: Briery Belle
15.35: Katkeau
16.10: The Eaglehaslanded
16.45: Wild Bill (NB)
17.20: Katy P
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