L'ami
L'ami is second favourite to win the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival this year at 13/2. The 12-year-old Chestnut Gelding has a high ratio of place finishes in a career that has spanned over seven years.
L'ami comes from the stables of Enda Bolger who has a handy habit of producing experienced and strong racers over long distance National Hunt races. L'ami stands a very strong chance of upsetting the field in the 2011 race.
L'ami's History
L'ami's history started way back in December 2004 when the horse was part of the Doumen stables. L'ami's debut came in a Grade 2 three mile race at Lingfield. L'ami was tucked inside and challenged strongly at the end to secure a maiden win by one length.
It was clear that L'ami was destined to race middle to long distance races in the region of 20 to 30 furlongs. A second career win followed in January 2005 when Mick Fitzgerald guided the horse home to win by nine lengths at Warwick.
L'ami's Record at Cheltenham
L'ami's record in Cheltenham Betting spans over a number of months and years like the majority of experienced National Hunt horses. The horse's first run at Cheltenham came at the 2005 Festival when L'ami finished fourth in the Grade 1 Novices' Chase.
L'ami has never won at Cheltenham with the best two results being second place finishes in races run over the last two Cheltenham Festivals. In total L'ami has raced ten times in total at Cheltenham.
Jockey of L'ami
The regular jockey of L'ami in the recent past has been Mr. John McNamara who remains an amateur jockey in the National Hunt world. McNamara has been the jockey of L'ami for ten races.
L'ami has been ridden by the likes of Tony McCoy and Barry Geraghty who McNamara is likely to have learned a lot from. It's essential to note that McNamara hasn't changed the style of the horse too much as L'ami still seems to like tucking in behind the leading back and challenging late.
L'ami's Recent Form
L'ami's recent form has seen a very mixed bag of results. The horse won back-to-back races at Galway and Punchestown towards the back end of 2010 but has struggled in 2011 with two low place finishes at Naas and Punchestown.
It's key to note that the race at Naas in January 2011 was over 16 furlongs and the horse carried 11 stones and nine pounds but the race at Punchestown was over 24 furlongs with the horse carrying ten stones and seven pounds. This is quite a difference that produced poor results.
L'ami Strengths
There are a number of L'ami strengths that Bolger can and should be proud of. The horse can finish from virtually anywhere in the field. The stamina of L'ami is good enough for the horse to be able to run from the front or back of the pack.
Attitude is everything to the majority of jockeys who ride in National Hunt races. L'ami is a very eager horse but responds well to the commands of the rider.