Author: hawkinsport

BY LUKE HAWKINS

This is a piece similar to others I have done on my website to focus on mobile users. The layout is simple and satisfying to look at and scroll through. This format also offers a platform for different forms of content like videos and photos. The platform offers flexibility depending on what I want to make. This is doable on mobile, but it is easier to create videos and take photos on the phone rather than the graphics used here. For this occasion however I used a written format. The Format allowed me to spread my work easily on social media and I got a fair amount of views on posts like this by targeting mobile users to share the content to. Sharing through social media with a simple layout, the posts were well received. The feedback I got was from phone users.

Mobile journalism is about trying to find a way to connect to people through their device in a way that holds their attention and having a piece that is satisfying to look at helps. It was inspired by Paddy Power’s layout for their grand national runner by runner guides. It is similarly easy to scroll through, colourful and for theirs they cover 40 runners every year.

1 BACARDYS – Hurdles, 16 starts, 4 wins, 3 places

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend

Finished 3rd in this race last season. 2 lengths behind Ronald Pump, and 5 lengths behind Winner Lisnigar Oscar.

It seemed like his best chance to win the big prize because he won the Lismullen Hurdle, beating Apple’s Jade by 9^1/2 lengths at Navan earlier in the season.

He had also finished 9 lengths in 2nd behind Honeysuckle at Fairyhouse.

Bacardys hasn’t shown the same spark as last season.

He has finished far behind Beacon Edge and was pulled up behind Flooring Porter in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle in December.

Both run in the Stayers’ and there are better options here.

2 BEACON EDGE – Hurdles, 8 runs, 4 wins, 4 places

Trainer: Noel Meade Jockey: Sean Flanagan

First time running three miles and should benefit from the extra distance.

Picked up two wins early on in the season before finishing 3rd to Champion Hurdle winner Honeysuckle by just over ^1/2 a length over 2 and a half miles.

This wasn’t Honeysuckle’s preferred trip however.

In a victory by a neck over Fury Road in February, he showed ability on an undulating course, efficiency over hurdles and staying ability late on.

Beacon Edge could sneak into a place, but only if things go well for him.

3 FLOORING PORTER – Hurdles, 14 runs, 5 wins, 3 places

Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Jonathan Moore

Hasn’t finished outside the top three since December 2019.

A brave front-runner who won an eyecatching stayers’ hurdle at Navan in December by 12 lengths

Also won the grade 1 Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle.

There he beat The Story Teller (2nd, 6 lengths), Sire Du Berlais (3rd, 7 lengths), Fury Road (4th, 9 lengths) and Bacardys who was pulled up. Strong Form.

Has been kept fresh and hasn’t ran since December.

He may have benefitted from more rain but he has had a very good season and has very strong claims to make at least a place. He may even steal the victory if Paisley Park has an off day.

4 FURY ROAD – Hurdles, 8 starts, 4 wins, 2 places

Trainer: Denise Foster Jockey: Jack Kennedy

Previously mentioned form behind rivals Flooring Porter and Beacon Edge can be explained by slightly messy hurdling.

Does hold impressive form from last year at Cheltenham, finishing 3rd by small margins behind winner Monkfish who won the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and Latest Exhibition.

Ultimately his record suggests he tends to finish behind genuinely class horses and his inefficiency may cost him, a place isn’t impossible.

5 IF THE CAP FITS – Hurdles, 10 runs, 6 wins, 3 places

Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Daryl Jacob

Started the season over fences but couldn’t win against genuine quality and had many respectable placing efforts.

Over hurdles he won the Liverpool Hurdle in 2019 ahead of horses like Roksana and Apple’s Jade by a head.

His last race over hurdles was in 5th by 8-9 lengths to eventual winner Paisley Park. Lisnagar Oscar also finished ahead of him on this occasion.

This horse had genuine quality but we may have seen his best and he will probably be fighting for a place rather than the big prize and may miss out.

6 LIL ROCKERFELLER – Hurdles, 32 starts, 5 wins, 18 places

Trainer: Neil King Jockey: Bryony Frost

Appeared to rewind time last time out in January against On The Blind Side at Market Rasen, only losing by a neck.

He still lost and hasn’t won since late 2017 over hurdles,

Was 10th in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham in 2019 and missed the festival last year.

Unfortunately this looks like too much for the 2017 runner up.

7 LISNAGAR OSCAR – Hurdles, 13 runs, 3 wins, 5 places

Trainer: Rebecca Curtis Jockey: Harry Skelton

The Reigning Stayers Hurdle champion. Went down swinging to Third Wind at Haydock in February.

Hasn’t won since then but wasn’t really a prolific winner before the big win.

Performs best when the field has had its stamina drained.

Although Flooring Porter will set a good gallop I don’t think it will be as extreme as the pace Apple’s Jade set last year.

If it is, there are a few horses this year who would be able to play it late, a title defence could be a big ask for the champion.

8 MAIN FACT – Hurdles, 16 runs, 8 wins, 1 place

Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Fergus Gillard

Went unbeaten over hurdles in six starts this year, the highlight being a grade 3 victory at Haydock ahead of Third Wind by 2^3/4 lengths.

Since finished a distant 7th behind Paisley Park and Thyme Hill in the Long Walk at Ascot.

Also finished 4th behind Third Wind at Haydock in February in a grade 2 Hurdle at Haydock reversing the form.

This if anything is another big step up in class and will struggle to get into the places based on recent results.

9 PAISLEY PARK – Hurdles, 14 runs, 9 wins, 4 places

Trainer: Emma Lavelle Jockey: Aiden Coleman

Won this race in 2019 and fired a blank in last year’s renewal finishing 7th.

It turned out he had an irregular heartbeat which has since been resolved.

Came back to finish a competitive 1^1/2 length 2nd to Thyme Hill at Newbury.

Then reversed the form in the Long Walk at Ascot after an especially difficult race, closing Thyme Hill down with seconds to spare and beating him by a neck.

Looked like he was back to his old self and will take some beating if in the same form. Favourite with good reason.

10 RESERVE TANK – Hurdles, 7 starts, 4 wins, 1 place

Trainer: Colin Tizzard Jockey: Robbie Power

Pulled up in the Marsh Novices’ Chase last season. Has only had one run since and that was over hurdles at Fontwell where he finished 5th.

This was behind Brewin’upastorm who he beat at Aintree in 2019.

Has no consistency to speak of recently and would cause a big shock.

11 SAM SPINNER -Hurdles, 15 starts, 5 wins, 4 places

Trainer: Jedd O’Keefe Jockey: Henry Brooke

Was the runner up of this race in 2019 behind Paisley Park.

Ventured over fences in 2019 picking up three wins but after being pulled up in the Charlie Hall Chase has returned to hurdles and finished 10th in the Long Walk.

Difficult to support but was a class horse on his day and there still might be a big run in him yet.

It would be a shock.

12 SIRE DU BERLAIS – Hurdles, 16 runs, 3 wins, 4 places

Trainer: Denise Foster Jockey: Mark Walsh

Pertemps Hurdle winner in 2019 and 2020.

Finished ahead of The Storyteller in last year’s Pertemps.

Has since finished behind Flooring Porter in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle by nearly 7 lengths and The Storyteller form was reversed here too.

will relish a strong pace and finish well late. It’s not impossible he could finish in the top three but the competition will be much stronger late on compared to the Pertemps.

13 THE STORYTELLER – Hurdles, 12 runs, 4 wins, 5 places

Trainer: Denise Foster Jockey: Keith Donoghue

Has consistently finished in the top 2 seven starts running.

Has clear staying ability, great stamina and that is why he is so consistent at being in the mix in the end of a race.

was 2nd in the Irish Gold Cup over fences just 2 lengths behind Kemboy .

Also finished a close 2nd to Sire Du Berlais last year in the Pertemps but has since avenged that defeat.

Strong each way chance based on his consistency against a high level of opposition.

14 VINNDICATION – Hurdles, 3 runs, 3 wins, 0 places

Trainer: Kim Bailey Jockey: David Bass

An interesting inclusion. In his three runs over hurdles had some interesting form.

Hasn’t seen a hurdle since 2018 but beat Champ by a neck at Ascot and a 3^1/4 length victory over Western Ryder at Huntington.

Hasn’t finished higher than 4th in two starts at Cheltenham but the change to hurdles might just give this horse a boost.

Could be the surprise package.

YOUNEVERCALL – Hurdles, 13 runs, 5 wins, 2 places

Trainer: Kim Bailey Jockey: Ciaran Gethings

4th when Paisley Park won the Long Walk by nearly 7 lengths.

best result this season was 2nd to Storm Goddess by a nose at Kempton on good ground so conditions may suit but seems unable to finish the job at this level.

is typically ridden prominently then gets picked off late on and is difficult to make a case for given the quality of the field.

THE BALLYMORE NOVICES HURDLE – BRAVEMANSGAME

This horse has received the highest of praise from trainer Paul Nicholls, who compared him to Denman after winning at Newbury in December.

Although it remains to be seen if he will live up to that billing, his travelling ability was visible when easily opening up a 10 length winning margin to 2nd place horse, Star Gate.

Other runners in the field have extremely strong form claims and the likes of favourite Bob Olinger and Gaillard Du Mesnil definitely aren’t without a chance.

However, the ground is changing to the good side of soft may work against the Irish challengers and this horse has clear physical advantages that can’t be explained by form.

He has a huge stride but maintains the ability to corner well and has a strong turn of foot in the straight.

and unlike the previously mentioned horses in his victory at Newbury Bravemansgame visibly had some jockeys working early to keep up.

We could see Bravemansgame clinch the opener on day two.

BROWN ADVISORY NOVICES CHASE – MONKFISH

For many a nap of the meeting. Monkfish has great scope for a fence and leading form claims with an incredible victory at the Leopardstown Festival make this horse 2/5 Fav at the time of writing.

He is currently 3 from 3 over fences.

He won the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last season beating Latest Exhibition, Fury Road and highly rated staying hurdler Thyme Hill in an epic finish.

The transition to fences only appears to have brought out his strengths and the previously mentioned Leopardstown victory strengthened his form claims.

He beat Latest Exhibition again by 11 lengths at a canter. Monkfish is a strong odds on favourite for a good reason.

THE CORAL CUP – BOTOX HAS

Picked up a nice handicap victory at Cheltenham in October, reversing form with Allmankind who subsequently went over to fences.

Was then handicapped to carry 11 stone 9lbs or higher in his next three races finishing 4th, 12th and 6th. The 6th place effort was behind Craigneiche in January.

He lost by 20 lengths but only after being eased down when beaten and Craigneiche will carry 4lbs more on this occasion but Botox Has will carry 10lbs less, a net difference of a stone.

Botox Has travelled relatively well in two of these races fading late on possibly because of his handicap mark.

He will be running off a mark of 10 stone 13lbs this time round and will appreciate the good ground.

The undulating nature of Cheltenham, a place where he has good form, should also help him.

If he manages to get a good prominent position there’s no reason he won’t be in the mix late on.

QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE – PUT THE KETTLE ON

Won the Arkle last season and has since picked up another win at Cheltenham in the Shloer Chase.

She also finished a respectable 3rd at Leopardstown, 8 lengths behind eventual winner Chacun Pour Soi and nearly 2 lengths behind 2nd place Notebook.

She will carry 7lbs less than her rivals on this occasion for being a mare.

This is something we’ve seen already in the Champion Hurdle and it made a big difference.

The good ground will suit her well and could possibly frustrate her market rivals.

The favourite Chacun Pour Soi might be worth going against each way for the value and his best form has come at Leopardstown where there aren’t as many undulations.

The favourite has also never ran at Cheltenham.

Notebook finished a distant 6th behind this horse when she won the Arkle so it is possible the form could change massively and she is worth an each way shout.

GLENFARCLAS CHASE (CROSS COUNTRY CHASE) – SOME NECK

Won last time out over the cross country course in December by a short head to Defi De Carres.

His rival will carry a stone and 2lbs more this time as all horses run carrying 11 stone 4lbs.

Did have a run 1st March at Punchestown over hurdles and finished 10th, but this more likely acted as a prep run and he will benefit from the bigger obstacles and longer distance.

The favourite Easysland didn’t run well here in November where his jumping was poor.

Kingswell Theatre managed to dominate from the front on good ground.

However, Some Neck is worth at least an each way bet. He has form on similar ground and Kingswell Theatre is 12 years old so may not be able to repeat his success due to the amount of miles he has on the clock.

GRAND ANNUAL CHALLENGE CUP – SKY PIRATE

Beat Amoola Gold by 2^1/4 lengths in January as well as beating Ibleo by 3^3/4 lengths at Cheltenham in December. Last outing was a brave 17 length defeat to Allmankind at Warwick in Febuary.

There is a 4lb greater difference in weight against Sky Pirate this time round compared to when he beat Amoola Gold off a mark of 11 stone 11lbs.

However, Amoola Gold can be quite inefficient when jumping which is why he has finished 2nd to some class horses.

Sky Pirate also beat Ibleo at Cheltenham by 3^3/4 lengths in December. There the weights worked 3lbs in Sky Pirate’s favour but here they work 2lbs in his favour.

A lot of the Irish horses in the race haven’t shown the consistency Sky Pirate has in the last few months.

If Sky Pirate can display equally efficient jumping and the same persistence in the finish on this occasion he could take some beating.

CHAMPION BUMBER – SIR GERHARD

Unbeaten in three starts, Sir Gerhard holds a high reputation racing for Chevely Park.

He is one of five Willie Mullins runners in the race with Rachel Blackmore on board who has already won the Champion Hurdle on Honeysuckle.

His main opposition comes in the form of Kilcruit who won impressively at Leopardstown.

Kilcruit built some solid form by beating Letsbeclearaboutit by 12 lengths, a horse Sir Gerhard only managed to beat by 4 lengths.

Ramillies was also more than 20 lengths behind in 5th.

However, last season only one horse won at both the Leopardstown Festival in February and Cheltenham festival in March and that was Honeysuckle.

So this is a tougher ask than it looks for the favourite.

Sir Gerhard still showed a great turn of foot in his victory. The finish at Navan is uphill whereas the straight at Leopardstown levels off after the final bend.

This may prove a better acid test for Cheltenham and with Rachel Blackmore on board Sir Gerhard has a great chance to win the Champion Bumper.

1 ABACADABRAS – Hurdles – 9 starts, 4 wins, 4 places

Trainer: Denise Foster Jockey: Jack Kennedy

Seems to finish 2nd consistently to top class horses. 2nd to Envoi Allen by 1^1/2 lengths December 2019. Was also 2nd by a head to Shishkin last season at Cheltenham in the Supreme and more recently 10 lengths 2nd to Honeysuckle in the Irish Champion Hurdle. Could easily be in the mix late on but will it be more of the same in a top class field?

2 ASPIRE TOWER – Hurdles – 6 starts, 3 wins, 2 places

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: Robbie Power

Consistent since taking to hurdles. 2nd by 2^3/4 lengths to Burning Victory in an eventful Triumph hurdle last season. Goshen fell at the last when well ahead. Also beat Abacadabras by 4^1/2 lengths at Down Royal in October. 2nd last time out to Sharjah by 2 lengths and has the tendency to run out front. Abacadabras also behind on this occasion by some way in 5th. He may find something has a quicker finishing gear in the finish on this occasion much like his meeting with Sharjah last December.

3 GOSHEN – Hurdles – 6 starts, 4 wins, 0 places

Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Jamie Moore

Interesting! Showed all the qualities of a champion in last year’s Triumph Hurdle before clipping the final flight and unseating Jamie Moore. If he replicates this performance with more composure in the finish he could beat anybody. Since, he had two efforts on the flat, one of which he finished last. Also fired a blank on his seasonal debut finishing 10th at Cheltenham last December. Silver Streak was a close 2nd here to winner Song For Someone. However, Goshen Looked back to his best romping home a 22 length winner to Song For Someone last month at Wincanton. Definite contender and probably Honeysuckle’s main threat.

4 JAMES DU BERLAIS – Hurdles – 13 starts, 4 wins, 5 places

Trainer – Willie Mullins Jockey: Daryl Jacob

French Hurdler Trained by Willie Mullins. Decent listed/graded race performer having won two grade three contests in France before finishing a close 2nd to Moises Has in a grade one contest last November. Moises Has is a horse he has beaten in the past but he has no form links with the horses from UK or Ireland and could be anything.

5 NOT SO SLEEPY – Hurdles – 9 starts, 4 wins, 0 places

Trainer: Hughie Morrison Jockey: Jonathan Burke

1^3/4 length winner at Ascot last time out ahead of well respected handicapper Buzz. It was probably his best result to date. Failed to finish the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle last November when refusing the first. The eventual winner was Epatante. Was pulled up in last year’s renewal and would cause a big shock with a win here.

6 SALDIER – Hurdles – 8 starts, 3 wins, 1 place

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins

Best result when winning the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown November 2019 ahead of Sharjah who was 8 lengths behind this horse in 4th. Made his return in December finishing a distant 6th behind Sharjah in the Matheson Hurdle and was last by a mile in the Irish Champion Hurdle in February. Has a lot of improving to do if he is to make an impression here.

7 SHARJAH – Hurdles – 19 starts, 7 wins, 4 places

Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend

A class horse who was the runner up last year by 3 lengths behind Epatante and 8 lengths clear of Silver Streak in 6th. He has won the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown three times. He has also finished 1st ahead of Aspire Tower, Abacadabras, Saldier in the past. He finished 3rd in the Irish Champion Hurdle behind Abacadabras and impressive winner Honeysuckle. If at his best could easily be in the mix and could clinch it if some of the market leaders aren’t on form.

8 SILVER STREAK – Hurdles – 25 starts, 8 wins, 10 places

Trainer: Evan Williams Jockey: Tom O’Brien

Has been excellent so far this season. 2nd to Song For Someone by a nose in December before beating the reigning champion hurdler Epatante at Kempton on Boxing Day with a lung busting front running effort. This horse has always had a quick finish and showed that he can set a rapid pace throughout that day. He should be in the mix this year to finish at least top three based on his recent form, looks to be in the shape of his life. The scalp of Epatante is a significant one but more importantly that race showed a professionalism to this horse. He capitalised on some rare mistakes by Epatante and it was a well deserved win.

9 EPATANTE – Hurdles – 8 starts, 6 wins, 1 place

Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Aiden Coleman

The reigning champion and a definite contender if she shows up. After finishing 2nd to Silver Streak by 6 lengths, it was discovered she had a back problem. This is what was used to explain a few rare mistakes by the champion that cost her the race on Boxing Day. The last time we saw her on song was at Newcastle in November when she won the Fighting Fifth. She breezed to victory past consistent 2 mile chaser Sceau Royal. If she is fully fit she will be in the top three and could easily retain her crown but the problem may be that she is very delicate and other horses will take advantage if she isn’t 100%.

10 HONEYSUCKLE – Hurdles – 10 starts, 10 wins, 0 places

Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: Rachel Blackmore

The unbeaten Irish champion hurdler has a sparkling record so far. Her performance at Leopardstown was probably her best and left good contenders Abacadabras and Sharjah in her wake. She finished ^1/2 length ahead of Benie Des Dieux in the mares hurdle at last year’s festival and goes into this race favourite. The worry will be if she can’t gain an advantage on the final bend like she normally does. Goshen or a fully fit Epatante will be there to pick her off with a few furlongs to go. This is by far her toughest test to date but her hurdling has been made more efficient compared to last season. Providing there is nothing wrong she should easily be in the top three and could easily take the big race.

By Luke Hawkins

Recent results in the two-mile chasing division have blown this season’s renewal of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham wide open.

 Chacun Pour Soi is the 11/10 favourite at the time of writing and it is easy to see why. Having gone three starts unbeaten since his defeat to A Plus Tard last season at Leopardstown, he has beaten the star that is Min in the Dublin Chase. He also beat smart rivals Notebook and Put The Kettle On in his most recent appearance displaying great travelling ability and efficient jumping. It would be no surprise to see him win the Champion Chase based on the opposition he has beaten and a prolific winning record. However, I don’t think he justifies such a short price in the market and the two-mile chase division looks very competitive this season. When winning at Leopardstown last time out he won by six and a half lengths, a distance that is impressive but with the final fence being bypassed, a bigger win margin might have been expected. For example, a prime Altior possibly may have opened a margin of ten lengths in the same circumstances. The biggest question mark over Chacun Pour Soi is his defeat to A Plus Tard. Unlike his victory over Min, when Min faded late, A Plus Tard grinded down Mullin’s runner in the late stages with Chacun Pour Soi tiring and tightening late on. A Plus Tard has since gone on to the three mile chase division so clearly has stamina. At the same point in the race against Min, his nearest rival was fading. Things didn’t go Chacun Pour Soi’s way and the uphill finish at Cheltenham will test his stamina. If he goes head to head with a horse that can see out the end of the race better he may have a problem.

Politologue – The reigning Champion added a second Tingle Creek to his resume in December. The expected duel between him and rival Altior never came to fruition because Nicky Henderson had concerns about the soft ground that day. Politologue put in an excellent round of jumping and a good performance against stablemate Greaneteen in second and Rouge Vif in third who impressed in a handicap at Cheltenham in October but was probably running on unfavoured soft ground on this occasion. The field may not have been the deepest in quality, but the performance was one of reliability. This Saturday just gone he then went off favourite in a field deeper in quality. He finished a hard fought second to relative newcomer First Flow. It was a gutsy run, and the pace was furious especially considering the soft conditions. More undulations, such as those at Cheltenham and Sandown would appear to work in the champion’s favour but with newcomers and plenty of competition, he isn’t a certainty to retain his crown but should be in the top three.

Put The Kettle On – She may require some patience to see where she goes as the Mares Chase at the festival is also an entry for this horse. Although she was well beaten by Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown when she was last seen, she had built up a hattrick of wins at Cheltenham prior including a victory in the Arkle Chase at the Cheltenham festival last season. At Leopardstown she didn’t jump as fluidly as she normally does until late on in the race and the fair galloping nature of the course didn’t suit her as as well as the undulating course at Cheltenham does. She sees out the uphill straight at Cheltenham really well and perhaps benefits from the extra stamina test. This is somewhere Chacun Pour Soi is perhaps untested in far too often and when he was tested for stamina, lost to A Plus Tard who has gone on to be a prominent winner in the stayers division. Put The Kettle On would carry 7lb less than her rivals because she is a mare and is worth an each way shout providing she is confirmed as a certain entry so wait if backing her.

Altior – at 11 years old it is possible we have already seen Altior’s peak. He is a great but after finishing second to Nube Negra in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton some doubts were somewhat confirmed. After hitting his familiar flat spot, he didn’t quite come back with the same finishing speed we are used to, and he looked very tired in the straight. He was withdrawn from the Champion Chase last season due to concerns after his race against Cyrname at Ascot in November 2019. He was similarly withdrawn from the Champion Chase last season, and most recently the renewal of the Tingle Creek at Sandown. Trainer Nicky Henderson is trying to look after the horse and run him in conditions that suit him best as tough races appear to take more of a toll on the horse at the late stages of his career. It is something he has said he is keen to do for the horse’s wellbeing after the loss to Cyrname. The defeat to Nube Negra was his seasonal debut and horses in the past have been able to bounce back from such a performance on their return. He only lost by three and a half lengths to a clearly improved Nube Negra in a well-run race but the Altior of old would have found an extra gear in the straight and I think there are more appealing options as the great horse is ageing.

Nube Negra – Horses from Dan Skelton’s yard have really produced some eye-catching performances this season. Shan Blue won the Kauto Star Chase at the December meeting at Cheltenham, Roksana recently picked up a good win in a mare’s hurdle at Ascot and Allmankind remains prominent in the Arkle Chase market as opposition for Shishkin. Nube Negra however perhaps captured the biggest scalp of all at Kempton, lowering the colours of Altior in the Desert Orchid Chase. He likes soft ground but doesn’t seem completely reliant on it and this race reversed the form of his previous race at Warwick where he was beaten by Rouge Vif, who could only manage a distant fourth this time round. Rouge Vif of course would prefer better ground which may account for the swing but Nube Negra does appear greatly improved. Nube Negra showed the ability to jump efficiently and at times exuberantly. Dan Skelton’s runner is a relatively new face in regard to facing horses like Altior and has had three starts at Cheltenham in his career, none of them victorious. All his wins have come on relatively level courses with no undulations. A scruffy jump at the last at Kempton in his winning performance maybe a glimpse at a weakness that will be tested at Cheltenham as he jumped out to the right and split the birch. He may have been tired in the leg after the final turn. He shouldn’t be a mile off because he has excellent ability to travel and jump but I believe the undulations of Cheltenham will test that weakness we saw in the finish when beating Altior. It isn’t a glaring problem and he still beat a class field but Altior hasn’t been on song in recent times and I might be wrong, but with this, the lack of a win at Cheltenham and lack of experience at this top level I think he might fall short.

First Flow – Those who were leaning towards Politologue defending his crown may have been questioning themselves after last week’s Clarence House Chase. There was a blistering pace set by Politologue on soft ground, a run that would have been very testing on stamina as well as speed. First Flow took the race to Politologue with a mile to six furlongs left and took over the running. Once in front First Flow continued the effort eventually breaking the champion’s will. Politologue had nothing left in the tank and this horse ran out an impressive winner. The doubts are that even though undulating, Ascot doesn’t have as many undulations as Cheltenham. He is a horse that can put in a messy jump. On this occasion I think he showed he has the engine and he hasn’t fallen in 11 starts over fences. He has also never finished outside the top three over the big obstacles. Almost all his runs have come on soft to heavy ground and this can be explained by the fact that he is a two-mile chaser who seems to relish a stamina test. This horse wins most of his races with everyone off the bridle in behind and shows strong staying ability at the end of the race. The victory over Politologue showed great speed though and I believe you could do a lot worse than picking First Flow for the Champion Chase. He can be found at a price of 14/1 at the time of writing and proves an exciting prospect, who I think has a big chance of winning at the Cheltenham festival.

Notable mentions:

Min – Legend in his own right, recently been running over two and a half miles and is also entered in the Ryanair, last appearance over two miles a fading second to Chacun Pour Soi after a well run race and trainer Willie Mullins might not run him against the favourite.

Waiting Patiently – Consistent top three finisher, only missed out once when jockey got unseated in the 2018 King George VI Chase. Hasn’t won in five starts and has been running different distances. two miles, two and a half miles and three miles. has entries in the Gold Cup and Ryanair Chase. Produced a more competitive finish in the 2020 King George VI Chase so might go to the Gold Cup.

Galvin

OR:142

Three Mile Chaser

6yo Geld

Trainer:Gordon Elliott

The 6 year old ran out an easy winner at Cheltenham last week showing strong travelling ability with little effort, clean jumping and showed a turn of foot up the Cheltenham hill to dispatch of nearest rival Soldier of Love. Soldier of Love is a four time winner over fences and was left one paced behind Galvin, who looked like he had much more in the tank. Last season at the Cheltenham festival he finished a valent 2nd to impressive winner Imperial Aura over two and a half miles. He received 1lb from the eventual winner but ran on well in behind leaving the remainder of promising horses 9+ lengths behind. His Travelling ability and finishing ability appears to have transferred well to three miles and with no entries to note he is a horse to keep an eye on.

Minella Celebration

OR:140

Three Mile + Chaser

10yo Geld

Trainer:Katy Price

This horse put in a performance last Sunday fitting of a Grand National horse. With no entries to his name yet, he has won 10 out of 35 starts, placing 11 times but looks to have come into his own. At the turn of the year he had some poor results but since has put up a decent run in 2nd place to Burtons Well at Doncaster and wins at Uttoxeter and Aintree, the latter being on soft ground. These results on paper suggest he has great stamina. He’s now had five runs over fences at Aintree and won three finishing in 2nd once. Sametegal and Vieux Lion Rouge were on their unfavoured ground but Vintage Clouds, Joe Farrell and Activial, a faller late on, were all beaten emphatically. He won by 14 lengths and it could have been more. In the last mile Don Poli stretched the race from the front making this race a true test of stamina and this performance suggests this horse can go much further. Although a “veteran’s” handicap, this horse is around his peak at 10 years old and the profile of the other horses warrant interest in the winner. He put in big leaps over the fences, even late on and cruised in the straight with ease. He had a run over the Aintree fences before in 2019 in the Becher Chase finishing in 10th but this performance signifies possible improvement and Minellacelebration is possibly one to watch for the big race in April.

One to Avoid

Allmankind

OR:146

Two Mile Hurdler

4yo Geld

Trainer: Dan Skelton

This horse caught the eye last season after putting up a hattrick of wins before coming 3rd in a memorable Triumph hurdle after making most of the running at a furious pace before running out of steam late in the day. He made his seasonal debut at Cheltenham last week and the spark seemed to be missing. He didn’t set anywhere near the pace that he had done in previous runs and this time he didn’t even get halfway up the straight before falling behind. The nature of this loss would suggest that he can’t repeat his previous performances at this course and we may say a change in distance or possibly plans to avoid the Cheltenham festival this season.