© Photo Healy Racing
Mystical Power is the big hope for Ireland this weekend overseas as he contests the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle on Saturday. Shortening from 4-1 into 6-4 with Paddy Power since Constitution Hill’s exit from the race, the smart son of Annie Power is currently second favourite to Nicky Henderson’s market leader Sir Gino.
We look at Paddy Power's market movers this weekend, as well as Cheltenham Festival ante-post movers following a quality week of racing.
Sir Gino 6-5 from 16-1
Nicky Henderson’s Sir Gino is the short-priced favourite, stepping up to replace sidelined stablemate Constitution Hill. A leading juvenile last season, he was forced to miss Cheltenham with Henderson’s string under a cloud but he showed his ability a few weeks later at Aintree.
Mystical Power 6-4 from 4-1
Owned by JP McManus, Rich Ricci and John Magnier, Mystical Power is a son of Galileo and Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power. His only defeat to date came in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to Slade Steel, but he went on to win at Aintree and Punchestown for Willie Mullins.
In a recent stable tour with irishracing.com trainer Willie Mullins was keen on the chances on Mystical Power:
“He’ll go on the ground, he’s fit and well, it’s funny how the race cuts up. I thought Mystical Power would be ten or twelve pounds out on ratings and actually I think he is two pounds well in with Sir Gino on last year’s juvenile ratings. It will be a very interesting and informative race.”
Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Mystical Power was a 4-1 chance in the morning of the day that Constitution Hill galloped at Newbury, joining him as 6-4 joint favourite later that day, and he’s still that price now with ‘Constitution’s’ stable companion Sir Gino now having usurped Mystical Power at the front of the market, having been a 16-1 chance before Constitution’s gallop.”
Galia Des Liteaux 8-1 from 14-1
A very tough and talented Grade-winning mare who has been well backed for the Skelton yard. Finished 8th in last season’s Grand National and 2nd in the Classic Chase at Warwick in January. Ran a nice race to finish second in a mares' Listed chase on her seasonal debut at Carlisle and she should appreciate the drop back in trip.
Kandoo Kid 8-1 from 20-1
This experienced handicapper finished 2nd in the Greatwood at Newbury over 2m4f in March and ran third in the Topham at Aintree over 2m5f in April for Paul Nicholls. Pulled up over three miles at Doncaster prior to that. Makes his seasonal reappearance and has had wind surgery.
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle - Karniquet 25-1 from 40-1
Jockey quote following maiden hurdle win at Tramore: “I loved the way he went through the race. Obviously we only jumped a couple of hurdles but he’d two runs over hurdles in France and is well able to jump. He’s entitled to come on a bit from it as well and he has a nice way of going. He gave me a lovely feeling. (Paul Townend)
Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase - Stumptown 5-1 from 13-2
Trainer quote following cross country win at Punchestown: He’s taken to it so well, he loves it. He’s careful enough over his fences in chases and you might think that he wouldn’t have the heart for it but he’s taken to it really well. There is a race at Cheltenham in December and he’ll probably go there. I don’t know too much about it but Keith says the course is very different to here. We’ll be happy to get him over there at the next meeting and get him around it. That was Vanillier's first time over them (cross-country obstacles) and you would be happy enough with him (finished a running-on sixth). It generally takes him a run. (Gavin Patrick Cromwell)
Turner Novices' Hurdle & Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle - The Big Westerner 33-1 1st show for both
Trainer quote following maiden hurdle win at Punchestown: She picked up well after missing the last a bit. She’s still a bit green. I think she’ll handle Festival ground, but she’ll go through the winter stuff. I hope so. She’s a big, scopey mare and hence the name I suppose. (Henry de Bromhead)
Champion Bumper - Kalypso'chance 6-1 fav 1st show
Trainer quote following bumper win at Punchestown: He looks a nice horse and is a big stayer for next year. He has a good attitude, and you’d like the way he dropped his head and galloped to the line. . He looked flat out halfway down the back. (Gordon Elliott)
Mares' Hurdle - Lot Of Joy 20-1 1st show
Trainer quote following mares’ hurdle win at Punchestown: I think she enjoyed being left alone in front and Paul was happy with her. She took her breathers and jumped better. She’s settling better. We didn’t think she would handle that sort of ground but it’s good to know that she’s able to handle it and we can continue with her. We were half thinking of putting her away. She could go to Leopardstown, and I wouldn’t mind stepping up to two and a half. She has to improve a bit but we’ll give her the opportunity. (Willie Mullins)
Paddy Power Mares’ Chase - Marsh Wren 14-1 from 25-1 Paddy Power
Trainer quote following Listed mares’ chase win at Market Rasen: The trip was an unknown, but obviously it’s not a problem. We were very happy when the rain fell. She just wears her heart on her sleeve and gets on with it. She might go to Ireland now, Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day (for the John and Chich Fowler Memorial Mares Chase). (Stuart Edmunds)
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle - Franciscan Rock 33-1 1st show
Trainer quote following handicap hurdle win at Punchestown: The horses have been running well for the last couple of months and it’s nice to get a winner for the O’Flynns who have been with me for years and are lovely people. They are salt of the earth. He ran well in Cheltenham last season and also in a Grade 1 here. He’s qualified to run in the Final but it’s a long time between now and March. (Mouse Morris)
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup movers:
11-4 fav from 4-1 Fact To File
7-2 from 7-2 fav Galopin Des Champs
8-1 from 16-1 Spillane’s Tower
10-1 from 7-1 Fastorslow
16-1 from 10-1 Inothewayurthinkin
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup odds with Paddy Power
Paddy Power: 11-4 Fact To File, 7-2 Galopin Des Champs, 8 Spillane’s Tower, 10 Fastorslow, 16 Gerri Colombe, Grey Dawning, I Am Maximus, Inothewayurthinkin, 20 bar
