In 2009 Dunguib looked to have the racing world at his feet with a spectacular Cheltenham festival victory. Five years later, and along with his stable companion Value At Risk, all eyes will again be on the Philip Fenton-trained star when he lines up in today's Coral Cup.
Even with four top-flight Grade One races on offer today, the intensity of the focus on Fenton's runners this week is unavoidable, even before a decision is made on whether or not Last Instalment takes his chance in Friday's Gold Cup.
Eddie O'Leary (inset) of Gigginstown Stud has confirmed both Last Instalment and First Lieutenant will be declared today for the festival showpiece but the suitability of ground conditions come Friday for the Fenton runner must be debatable. "No decision has been made (on whether Last Instalment) will run. We could run both horses if the ground is suitable but at the moment it looks as though the ground would favour First Lieutenant," said O'Leary yesterday.
Anabolic steroids
It remains the case though that with a hearing in eight days' time into charges that Fenton was in possession of unlicensed medicines, including anabolic steroids, when his yard was raided over two years ago by Department of Agriculture officials, the drugs question has cast a pall over the entire industry, never mind this festival.
What the reaction will be should Dunguib defy topweight in the day’s big handicap, or Value At Risk emulates that Weatherbys Champion Bumper victory of five years ago, is the big question that hangs over Cheltenham.
Once the British Horseracing Authority received the expected confirmation that all three of Fenton’s festival entries returned negative dope tests last week, today’s news-priorities were set. Public reaction should one or both of the horses win is much less certain.
Both are far from no-hopers. Even with topweight, Dunguib is far from harshly handicapped in terms of his rating and there was more than a flash of his old brilliance in the way he won the Boyne Hurdle at Navan a month ago.
Whether enough remains to be able to successfully carry 11-12 in conditions that might also be quicker than ideal is questionable. The horse has spent almost three years off with leg trouble and so a better Irish option could be Bayan .
This will be Bayan’s first attempt past two miles but Gordon Elliott landed the Coral Cup three years ago with Carlito Brigante who was also stepping up in trip for the first time. Like him Bayan has some good course form, having chased home Sametegal here in November, finishing well clear of the third despite some sloppy jumping.
Value At Risk is part of a very strong Irish team in the Bumper but his form is on softer going than this. Willie Mullins's three hopes look the strongest of all in terms of the Irish and on the ground,
Shaneshil
l looks a likely contender.
The ground
Patrick Mullins has chosen to ride Black Hercules but said: "The ground will suit Shaneshill best of our three I think. He has a lot of speed and a flat pedigree. He'll love the ground and has been working very well."
The Mullins will also fancy their chances in the RSA despite Ballycasey having fallen when schooling after racing at Leopardstown 10 days ago. The spectacular grey has emerged unscathed and previously he had put up a superb display for a horse having just his second race over fences when landing the Moriarty. Ballycasey has always carried a huge reputation from within the Mullins camp. He can deliver on that in style today.
The taxing cross-country course is going to be a major task for the topweights, including ex-winners Balthazar King and Big Shu, and there could be some each-way value with A Stray Sho t who should like the ground and can step up on his previous run behind Love Rory at Punchestown.
