The 2020 Cheltenham Festival: Ten horses who caught the eye in defeat

Angus McNae and James Millman will be analysing all the key races at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival in The Verdict on Racing TV on Monday. You will also be able to watch all the segments from the show again on our website here.

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It was too far out to say if Captain Guinness would have definitely played a part in the finish in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle had he not been brought down at the second last, but judging by the way he was travelling, it would have been a surprise if he did not finish in the first three.

He jumped impressively when narrowly beaten by Andy Dufresne on his previous start, and that was the case again here as he made ground up at almost every hurdle.

This was just his third start over obstacles and there ought to be an abundance of improvement left in him plus he is sure to be an exciting chaser next season.

The Big Getaway has looked a work in progress in his six starts under rules and is going to be a hugely exciting prospect over fences next season given his size and scope.

He may have bumped into a superstar here too as he was no match for Envoi Allen - who produced an impressive display- but gave the odds-on favourite plenty to think about turning into the home straight.

He didn’t quite finish his race off as expected considering how well he was travelling, but he is still learning, and this was only his third start over hurdles.

The RSA Novices’ Chase is sure to be on the agenda next season which he is a general 25-1 chance for, with Envoi Allen heading the betting at 5-1.

2018 Champion Bumper winner Relegate caught the eye on her first start for over a year when fourth at Punchestown and did well to finish fifth in the Pertemps Final having had only one rival behind her when racing down the hill.

She made up plenty of ground and almost got up for fourth. Had she been closer when making her challenge, she would have undoubtedly played a part in the finish.

Relegate is only a seven-year-old, so further improvement can be expected and she is certainly the one to take out of the race. Expect her to make up for lost time over the coming months.

Gordon Elliott’s charge met all sorts of trouble in running here and fared better than the bare result suggests.

The eight-year-old was travelling well behind the leaders before he was badly hampered by the fallers at the second last which cost him any chance he had of winning.

This was also his first run for 76 days, so he is entitled to strip fitter ahead of a tilt at another valuable handicap or two in the spring.

He looks a handicapper to keep on the right side of and deserves to gain compensation.

Spiritofthegames continues to prove frustrating and stayed on to finish a never-nearer sixth. There is a big handicap in him, and he is another who is worth following from this race.

Concertista was in a league of her own in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, but Emmas Joy stayed on nicely from an unpromising position to finish seventh.

She raced wide and made a couple of mistakes plus was outpaced coming down the hill before the home straight. However, she made up plenty of ground in the closing stages and fared best of those carrying a penalty.

The Grade Two winner is likely to be suited by 2m4f in time and her connections said afterwards that their mare will not run again this season and will go chasing next season. She is an exciting prospect.

Probably the most obvious choice out of the ten eyecatchers, but Goshen was in the process of producing a hugely impressive performance before he unseated Jamie Moore at the last in the JCB Triumph Hurdle.

It was quite remarkable how he quickened and put the race to bed round the final bend having raced up with eventual third Allmankind who set a fierce pace.

Goshen’s lead was extending all the time before the final flight and he would have been one of the most impressive winners of the week had he not unshipped Moore.

He has a few quirks – he was reluctant to head out for the final circuit coming past the stands – plus his jumping could improve, but he clearly has a big engine.

He would have surely gone close if he ran in this year’s Champion Hurdle, and Gary Moore’s four-year-old is now a best-priced 6-1 for the feature on day one of next year’s Cheltenham Festival.

Grade One winner Aramon was having his first start in handicap company at this year’s Cheltenham Festival and found only the well-handicapped Saint Roi too good.

He was given a patient ride before making eye-catching progress and produced his challenge at the last before staying on strongly to finish second off a rating of 149.

It will be interesting to see how the handicapper reacts and what connections decide to do as the seven-year-old is not quite Grade One class – his win at the highest level came in novice company - and I would be surprised if he does not run in another handicap or two.

He ran well at Aintree behind Felix Desjy at Aintree last year, and there are a couple of handicap options for him there, so a trip to the Merseyside venue next month may be on the cards.

It is likely this will turn out to be a good renewal of the Albert Bartlett with the first four home – who pulled clear of the remainder – all exciting youngsters with a big future.

However, the one unfortunate not to finish closer was Thyme Hill who was hampered on the run to the last, was forced to switch after the obstacle and therefore lost momentum at crucial stages.

The Challow Hurdle winner has always been held in high regard and, according to connections, is likely to stay over hurdles next season.

Philip Hobbs’ six-year-old also proved he stays three miles here and is a best-priced 20-1 with Bet365 for next year’s Stayers’ Hurdle. I wouldn’t put you off backing him at those odds with the likelihood of more to come.

A steady pace would not have helped Santini who stayed on dourly to finish a narrow second behind Al Boum Photo in the Gold Cup and he would have won in a few more strides.

Having just his sixth start over fences – and his tenth under rules - Nicky Henderson’s eight-year-old got a shade outpaced before the second last and had to switch twice in the straight which arguably cost him the race.

The first-time cheekpieces was a wise move by connections and he found plenty under pressure, but he just lacked the speed needed at a crucial stage.

Santini is a best-priced 8-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the 2021 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and there is every reason to believe he will reverse form with Al Boum Photo next year.

Lostintranslation bounced back to form to finish third and travelled like the winner for a long way. He is likely to take all the beating in the Betway Bowl if he turns up at Aintree.

Mill Green was outpaced and looked set to be well beaten down the back straight before staying on powerfully to outrun his odds of 66-1.

Joe Anderson’s perseverance in the saddle paid off as the eight-year-old, despite being hampered by a faller at the last, managed to snatch a never-nearer sixth.

It is probably best to put a line through Mill Green’s run in the Betfair Hurdle on his previous start where he was never travelling, and he defeated the useful Eldorado Allen on his seasonal debut.

He remains relatively lightly-raced for his age and will probably be suited by three miles judged by the way he shaped here. He ought to be capable of winning off a handicap off a rating of 140.