Tanya Stevenson: Petite Tonnerre Progressing In The Right Direction

We have asked Tanya Stevenson, a hugely respected figure in the world of horse racing to give us the inside track when it comes to which ante-post bets you should be keeping an eye on.

Tanya’s unparalleled insights and expertise made her a key figure on Channel 4’s racing coverage for many years and she is known worldwide for her vast betting knowledge on the sport. 

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Before you take advantage of one of those great promotions, read on to find out who Tanya has added to her tracker this week. 

Happy New Year to you all, and it’s meant to be followed with “out with the old, in with the new” but when it comes to racing perhaps it should be “in with the old and what on earth is the new”. 

I refer to the likes of Bob Olinger and Sir Gerhard for old as two previous double Festival winners and the new is Premierisation, don’t get me started on the latter.

On my recent visit to the courses for a days punting I’ve felt like an inconvenience rather than a customer. Lucky I love what goes on out on the course and have done so for nearly fifty years!

The threshold on the tolerance is being tested. The continued presumption (by those in racing corridors of power) of thinking what the all important punters and racegoers want rather than asking them is wearing thin. Rant over, for now. 

Back to Bob Olinger and Sir Gerhard to fire out a cliché, form is temporary, class is permanent and the pair, both previous Ballymore winners, showed all the talent at their disposal in their recent visits to the racecourse. 

Bob Olinger won a Relkeel Hurdle for Henry de Bromhead and Rachel Blackmore, with Rachel finding it tricky to restrain Bob Olinger going into the last, it was just a saunter, it's unlikely he will return in March, instead he is a bit like me and prefers to go to Aintree.

Sir Gerhard is a different matter, he is likely to head to the Stayers Hurdle but I'm firmly with Theleme for that Grade 1 on Thursday, who heads the market with betting sites at 4/1.

As I’ve mentioned before it is worth taking note of those who finish behind in races such as these and at Punchestown in third was Ashdale Bob. 

Jessica Harrington’s hurdler has raced 20 times, 10 of them in Grade 1 so he’s never had it easy.

Sunday was his first run for 204 days, he appeared to hit a flat spot then kick on again in the closing stages to only finish seven lengths behind.

In 2022 he was third in the Coral Cup and it could be feasible that he heads there again.

That’s of course if he doesn’t head for the Stayers. I’d prefer he went for the handicap as there could be certain value to be had, he is class and he is very tough.

Jessica Harrington won the Coral Cup in 2017 with Supasundae so fingers crossed he is primed for the Wednesday.

Sunday at Punchestown also threw up Storm Heart, he was an acquisition from France carrying the Gigginstown Stud colours and trained by Willie Mullins, significant in itself.

The two miles were effortless he looked as though he was floating. He was just coasting the whole time and not only impressed us but seemed to surprise his trainer as well.

He looks set to meet Burdett Road, and that might happen earlier than the Triumph Hurdle.

The pair could square up in February at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Burdett Road has shown us he has a few gears, I dread to think how many Storm Heart has.

Willie Mullins has won three of the last four Triumph’s and already he looks better than Burning Victory, Vauban and Lossiemouth.

He is a fair price for Cheltenham, it's almost as if everyone went to New Year’s parties and forgot to watch Sunday’s racing, all helps. 

For me I like seeking out the less obvious, it's been fun over the last 10 days, so much going on, trying to be across it all.

New Year’s Day and a race going off virtually every five minutes, oh and I was trying to keep across the greyhounds and the darts too. 

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Come On Teddy was very disappointing he made a few careless errors and raced lazily, the heavy ground was less than ideal, but come the Festival should he turn up in the Pertemps I will have a few just in case shillings on each-way but he wont be the main pick. 

JP McManus loves Cheltenham, he has had 73 winners at the festival and there is no doubt there will be plenty more to come in 2024, Jericho Du Reponet was a sight to behold at Newbury, although I'm a huge fan of stable companion Jango Baie.

However, not being flippant but the likes of Jericho Du Reponet are the obvious, hyped up before the run and then replays of him again and again after with lots of quotes feathering his festival nest. 

I was keen to see Petite Tonnerre in Cheltenham’s second race on Monday, he was 7/2 in market with betting apps, and could have been considered almost invisible beforehand.

Now the five runners were travelling over two miles on heavy and jumping 14 fences. Petite Tonnerre deliberated into every one, making errors. Even to the eye he appeared to lose at least a length to his rivals at each fence.

Though the engine he possesses is big, he moved up menacingly two out, only to find the exploits of playing catch up throughout making their mark. That said he was only beaten nine lengths. 

His previous race was the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices Chase where once again he faced heavy ground and he showed immense ability in between his obstacles.

He closed down the likes of Le Patron, Colonel Harry and JPR One when the race was all but over, but he has been there or thereabouts always popping up when the camera cuts to a head-on when there is a real wide angle shot. 

He was seventh in the County Hurdle last year and only beaten six lengths.

There’s a couple of options for Petite Tonnerre if he sent down the handicap route, he can go for the Plate which has been a frustrating race for JP and one he is yet to win, although he has had three seconds and a third.

Or he can run in the more tried and tested Grand Annual, which JP McManus has a fabulous record four winners, nine seconds and two thirds. Either would be an attractive proposition but I'm hoping it’s the Grand Annual.