I thought
Deal D'estruval ran an eye catching race yesterday in the Coral Hurdle, coming second behind Off You Go.
I wasn't overly impressed with his debut at Tramore but he seemed to come on a lot yesterday and ran a really encouraging race, travelled through the race very nicely.
He ran off 127 yesterday so you'd have to hope that the handicapper takes a strong view of the race and gives him a good increase to maybe squeeze into the bottom of the weights. The Martin Pipe 135+ the last 2 years) compared to what has generally been a higher mark needed in the Coral Cup with a mark of 136+ last year and 139+ in 2016 needed to run. Interestingly he is entered up in another race this Thursday and although coming very soon after this, I wonder if they will take up the run if he has come out of the weekend well?
The horse got a decent mention in One Jump Ahead this year:
Despite racing three times over hurdles during the Spring earlier this year, the four year old is described as still being backward and a real chaser in the making. From the same source as Burrows Saint, namely Guillaume Macaire, he finished fourth and third on his first two races at Lyon (2m and 2m2). Only beaten half a length at Fontainebleau (2m1 very soft) last time in Mid April, the Balko gelding was acquired in June. His experience will stand him in good stead.
I think it's noteworthy he was entered up in all the grade 1 novice hurdle races at Cheltenham which shows they must think highly of the horse. I also noted Joe Chambers tweet yesterday:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Stunning day’s racing. <br>The crowd round the paddock for the hurdle race will live long. F ran better, spring time can’t come soon enough, we’ll plough on.<br>Min was very professional, first time since we owned him that he got a lead (I think).<br>Deal is the future. <br>On to tomorrow.</p>— Joe Chambers (@chambers2_joe) <a href="https://twitter.com/chambers2_joe/status/959879473167523840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 3, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Deal is the future <=
Now on first look the Coral Cup would probably be the first race you'd think of? However i'd be more inclined to look at the Martin Pipe for the horse as his profile looks better for that race plus he'd probably have more chance of getting into that race.
Plus if he is that well thought of by connections, and is considered as a real chasing in the making than this race would seem the logical fit. Mullins has a strong record in the race winning it in 2015 with Killultagh Vic, 2014 with Don Poli and Sir Des Champs in 2011. If you look at the past winners of the race:
Champagne Classic
Ibis du Rheu
Killultagh Vic
Don Poli
Salubrious
Attaglance
Sire des Champs
They've all gone onto become strong staying chases, notably the Mullins winners.
I've requested him to be added in both the Martin Pipe, Coral and Any Race markets