LIFE was so much simpler when Inglis Drever ruled the World. The Hurdle part of it at least.
As long as Howard Johnson's stylish and sturdy stayer was in the line-up, a quick flick through the form book usually sufficed for those searching for the winner of an event that is now beginning to sit rather more comfortably than was once the
case alongside the other main races at the Festival.
The importance of Inglis Drever's history-making hat-trick in helping the World Hurdle shed its poor-relation tag is hugely significant, his ability, but probably even more his bottle, striking a chord with a racing public who now look on this contest in a much more flattering light.
His absence leaves the way clear for the next generation of stayers to stake their claim and at first glance, there are several in this afternoon's renewal apparently good enough to do so.
Punchestowns, Big Buck's and Fair Along head the home contingent and with the trio having all crossed swords of late, it should be a relatively simple matter to sift through the form and figure out which of them will come out on top. As if!
The trio met in the Cleeve Hurdle over today's course and distance in January where Big Buck's held sway, but that was on heavy ground and Paul Nicholls' charge was also receiving weight from his rivals, so under this afternoon's drier conditions, and on level terms, the pair who finished behind him will fancy their chances of turning the tables.
It all may be totally academic, however, as even connections of the home teams' great white hopes appear reconciled to the fact that Frenchman Kasbah Bliss is almost invincible.
"Everything was going quite swimmingly at Christmas until two things happened," admitted Punchestowns' handler Nicky Henderson. "We got beaten by Big Buck's but we have had 8lb to come which would help close the gap and I think we have a bit of a chance of reversing that form.
"All was well until I sent Duc de Regniere up to Haydock where he finished third to Kasbah Bliss. AP (McCoy] rang and said he was pleased with our horse but that he had some bad news for me.
"He said there was no horse in the World that was going to beat Kasbah Bliss so I fear we are all up against it."
Equally pessimistic is Andy Stewart, owner of Big Buck's. "Although he's not a hurdler, he is entitled to be there but I think the French horse will win this easily," admitted Stewart.
Having already won the race twice with Baracouda, the gloomy noises coming from rival camps will be music to the ears of trainer Francois Doumen, albeit he was already pretty bullish about the chances of Kasbah Bliss going one better than his second to Inglis Drever 12 months ago.
The favourite oozes class and while it may seem pretty boring to side with the obvious, there's not much point in swimming against the tide just to be contrary.
"We bred him so he is one of the family," admitted Doumen. "He's getting older, stronger, and is absolutely superb. I wouldn't swap Kasbah for any other in the race." Nor, it seems, would those other trainers.
With Sunday's League Cup final looming, Celtic fans may not be too anxious to bet any horse that runs in the colours of the Rangers Partnership, but they should look at the bigger picture.
A few quid on the nap Exmoor Ranger will give them even more money to invest in the Hoops at Hampden. Always assuming he wins, of course.
JIM KEAN'S BIG RACE VERDICT KASBAH BLISS has something to live up to as his trainer Francois Doumen has carved out a reputation as a man who has a special affinity with the World Hurdle. Doumen has already saddled Baracouda to win the race twice in the past as well as finishing runner-up a couple of times. The selection occupied that spot behind Inglis Drever last time round but even if the reigning champ had been at Cheltenham chances are Kasbah Bliss would still have been too good this afternoon. Mighty Man returns from a long absence so despite boasting form at the highest level, he'd be hard to fancy.
The full article contains 729 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
