Aintree Grand National Festival: Day 1 Picks

13:45 – EBC Group Manifesto Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – Jango Baie

DESPITE the quick turnaround from the Cheltenham Festival, Jango Baie gets the pick thanks to qualities he put on show last month. Quick, efficient jumping and an ability to stay beyond two miles were key to his victory in the Arkle. With sun forecast Henderson’s runner is guaranteed ground some description of good and should continue his impressively consistent record of never finishing outside the top two in nine starts. Croke Park boasts two grade ones as a novice chaser, including a victory by a neck to Ryanair Chase runner-up Heart Wood, a really good bit of form considering the brave effort that horse put in behind a brilliant winner in Fact To File. Croke Park would have got the pick here if ground was softer but the speed of the surface may just give the selection the edge. A forecast or even a tricast is very doable in this race in my opinion thanks to the quality at the top of the market compared to the field. Impaire Et Passe rounds off these places, with a grade one success in the Faugheen Novices’ Chase to his name and solid festival form after last year’s Aintree Hurdle success.

14:20 – Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1)
(GBB Race) – Puturhandstogether

ONCE again, this pick defies the quick Cheltenham turnaround but the victory in last month’s Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap looked like this horse could have been competitive in the Triumph Hurdle. The ability to cruise late into the race and the extra gear in the final furlong was very impressive with athletic ability clearly passed down from his sire Caravaggio. He boasts form ahead of a few rivals here from that run and hasn’t been out of the top three since changing disciplines so justifies favouritism. Live Conti runs for the Skeltons and
Sir Alex Ferguson who can be very prolific at this meeting. He looked like he could be anything when bolting up at Wetherby in February and has only missed out thanks to the solid evidence the favourite produced last time out in a big field at a big meeting. Mambonumberfive makes 3rd spot after winning a grade two at Kempton last time out against some useful horses where he easily coped with the pace and looked like he could step up in competition for the
Ben Pauling yard.

14:55 – Brooklands Golden Miller Chronograph Bowl Chase (Grade 1)
(GBB Race) – Spillane’s Tower

THIS runner would probably be my pick of the day. Jimmy Mangan has kept this horse fresh since finishing 5th in the King George VI Chase in December, where a rapid pace was set and his jumping wasn’t up to his usually good standard. This horse has tonnes of ability which was perfectly demonstrated when a close 2nd to Fact To File at Punchestown in November. The winner most recently put in the most impressive performance of the meeting at Cheltenham last month when winning the Ryanair and that form alone feels too difficult to ignore in this race. Ahoy Senor boasts great form at this meeting from previous seasons and the good ground should see him make the picture here provided he jumps as soundly as he is capable of. I wouldn’t risk betting on a forecast or tricast for this race however because the 2nd and 3rd pick here do have a mistake in them at times. Grey Dawning could make the remaining place after getting a win on the board at Kelso last month. Missing Cheltenham seems important as, although he won there last season, the exertion to get the win seemed to make him run flat at Aintree and after winning an easier race last time he might be fresher.

15:30 – William Hill Aintree Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – Constitution Hil

THE winner of this race in 2023 returns after a dramatic renewal of the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham saw Nicky Henderson’s superstar take a dramatic fall at the top of the hill. It was very uncharacteristic for what we have come to expect from this horse from the past few seasons but there were warning signs that nobody could have anticipated would lead to a fall. He often stands outside the wings over some of his hurdles and clears them spectacularly, but he put in a messy jump in the back straight at Kempton when winning the Christmas Hurdle and he blundered massively at the last in the Unibet Hurdle in January. The ridiculous pace set by King Of Kingsfield and Brighterdaysahead forced the mistake from Constitution Hill because of the intensity, as well as State Man who fell at the last when drawing clear but looked tired when trying to land. The prediction is that the pace should be quick given the quality on show but that this horse will bounce back to his best and that the mistake has been ironed out. It is also forgivable because this is jumps racing and it is the nature of the sport. Lossiemouth could finish 2nd to
Constitution Hill for a second time after what was a routine win for her in the end in the Mares’ Hurdle. She fell in February when losing to State Man but much like the Constitution Hill fall, the pace that day was very quick and the decreased intensity in the Mares’ suited her much better. Wodhooh has built an incredibly impressive winning streak of six wins, with a win in the Martin Pipe last time out. If the other two don’t fire she should be able to pick up the pieces but it is difficult to pick against the big two.

Aintree Grand National 2025 Early Thoughts

STUMPTOWN

FOUR of the last six winners have won at the Cheltenham Festival before running at Aintree, with Tiger Roll winning the Cross Country before both of his victories in 2018 and 2019. Stumptown is coming off the back of a victory in that race and just meets positive age trends being an eight year old, while more winners tend to be nine or ten. A win here would be his fifth win in a row going back to May and he has developed into a really efficient, tough chaser who travels very late into a race. This was evident in his victory over the cross country course at Cheltenham in December, before carrying top weight to victory over the same course at the Cheltenham Festival last month. He makes his National debut which is a positive trend. A massive 13 of the last 15 winners have won on their first national run. He runs for Gavin Cromwell who has hit a nice bit of form lately. During the Cheltenham Festival he recorded two winners, but it could easily have been three with Sixandahalf pipped on the line in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and plenty of places in the week too. He was only 2nd to Willie Mullins who boasted a ridiculous ten winners and will likely saddle plenty in this race. The travelling ability and jumping accuracy of Stumptown could be a difference maker here though and he gets first pick and also has a fair amount of support with his price going from 14/1 to around 10/1 since Cheltenham.

PERCEVAL LEGALLOIS

ANOTHER Gavin Cromwell runner, Perceval Legallois, has won on his previous two runs and consistently performs well in big fields, with those wins coming in fields of 25 plus runners which can be crucial here. He finished ahead of a promising looking runner Nick Rockett for Willie Mullins last time and the weights even more in favour of Perceval Legallois this time round. Mark Walsh was quick to sing the horse’s praises after the earlier of his two recent victories in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown in December, saying the horse got him out of trouble. It feels like after competing at listed and grade 3 level for a while, this horse has developed some good form so might just be ready for a race of this magnitude. He could run a personal best to make the frame here and it feels unlikely that a J P McManus horse won’t feature in the business end. This horse could be the owner’s best chance, with last year’s winner
I Am Maximus yet to show his best form this season and lumbered with top weight. multiple Grand National winning jockey Derek Fox is set to miss the National through injury this season but has been quoted by the Racing Post recently saying this is the horse he would pick to ride from the whole field. He also heaped praise on Mark Walsh who is likely to take the ride.

HYLAND

Hyland has squeezed into the field at the bottom of the weights thanks to recent withdrawals. Nicky Henderson’s grey gave the Cheltenham Festival a miss and would have been my pick for the Ultima. With hindsight he may have just come up short against an athletic Myretown that day, but his late inclusion knocks Nick Rockett down a place to slot him in at 3rd in the verdict. Good ground, a low weight and staying ability are in his favour over this long 4-mile 2^1/2 furlong trip and he ran well in a big field when 2nd of 13 runners last time out at Kempton. His downfall that day was probably having to carry top weight which won’t be a concern here under a very generous 10 stone 6lbs. He started the season as a novice, but he ran regularly through the summer last year and has developed into a consistent staying handicap chaser. The competitive handicap he placed in last time out with a change of tactics only confirmed to me that he wouldn’t be out of place in a Grand National field and the yard sound positive about his chances.

NICK ROCKETT

JUST one of what is likely to be many Willie Mullins runners, Nick Rockett beat the current favourite at the time of writing, Intense Raffles in the grade three Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in February. This is strong form considering it came at the course where Intense Raffles won the Irish National last season on his preferred soft ground. He also placed 4th behind Perceval Legallois in December whilst conceding an 8lb advantage to Cromwell’s runner. He appears to be coming into his own at the age of eight, just scraping in at the bottom end of the age trends for the race and a win here would make it a hattrick. Giving Stumptown a 6lb advantage in the weights feels like a tough ask, but this horse makes the top four thanks to recent results, good form in big fields and the yard being in red hot form after dominating the Cheltenham Festival. With seven of his likely to make the field at the time of writing, it is hard to imagine that at least one of Mullins’ runners won’t at least make the places and he is a very big price considering his profile.

Verdict

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Picks: Day 4

13:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – East India Dock

JAMES Owen’s yard specialise in juvenile hurdlers and East India Dock is his standout horse this season. He has won two graded trials for this race in November and January and although the likes of Stencil and Torrent went into the Fred Winter Handicap instead, the performances were brilliant. He excelled on the undulations of Cheltenham and he is incredibly efficient at his hurdles. Stencil and Torrent have finished behind this horse in those results and although they ended up in the Fred Winter, it doesn’t take anything away from this runner’s cruising speed and finishing. Lulamba contests favouritism at the time of writing and was just as impressive when winning a juvenile hurdle at Ascot in January. His form probably holds more substance than the
East India Dock form with Mondo Man who lines up here finishing in 2nd on that occasion. However, having seen the way East India Dock cruises and jumps over this course and distance sticks in the mind and the fact he comes from a yard that specialises in this division I just favour James Owen’s runner. Lulamba of course gets 2nd place on the verdict but this feels like a proper 50/50. Personally I can’t see beyond the top two in this race but for 3rd spot in the verdict I would look at Blue Lemons after Rachael Blackmore went on a winning spree yesterday.

14:00 – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) – Kargese

ON seasonal debut looked to retain her ability but something was off so possibly she wasn’t sharp. She travelled well late into the race as usual and got fought off by Take No Chances. This result has since been boosted in my opinion, considering Take No Chances finished 3rd in the Mares’ Hurdle earlier in the week. Now Kargese has had a run she should be a bit sharper and she can continue the Mullins team’s winning ways. McLaurey takes 2nd spot here and would have been the original pick due to his recent winning form, including his last run ahead of Storm Heart in a listed hurdle last month. Last year’s winner Absurde is still producing good form and comes here after winning the listed Chester Stakes in August and a 5th place finish in the Melbourne Cup last time out so should make a place despite carrying 11st 8lbs.

14:40- Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Registered as the Liberthine Mares’ Chase) (Grade 2) (GBB Race) – Dinoblue

SIMILARLY to Jonbon, clearly a class horse but it hasn’t gone right for her yet at Cheltenham in both the Grand Annual and the Mares’ Chase, having finished 2nd in both. Also similar to Jonbon, it could be argued that some notable challengers are absent or out of form, in this case Impervious and Limerick Lace respectively. However she has stepped into serious grade-level races and never looked out of place when chasing home some of the better horses Irish racing has to offer. She also beat one of the contenders in this field,
Allegorie De Vassy, last time out by a neck. There is a slight weight advantage going against Dinoblue but Allegorie De Vassy has a tendency to jump out to the side at times (potentially reduced here due to the left-handed course) and the way she tired in the final stages in last year’s renewal has put me off a bit. Shecouldbeanything completes the verdict in 3rd for her toughness and ability to surge late on, regardless of how she is jumping on the day.

16:00 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) –
Galopin Des Champs

WILLIE Mullins’ superstar has won the last two renewals of this race and is bidding to become the first horse since Best Mate to win three on the bounce. He was his typical dominant self at the Dublin Racing Festival where he confirmed impressive form over Fact To File when running over a trip of three miles. The conversation building up to the festival has been that this might be the best horse Willie Mullins has trained and a third Gold Cup would surely confirm that. The other positive is that the opposition possibly isn’t as testing as his previous two wins on paper, with a small field of nine runners confirmed. The biggest danger here is probably Banbridge who won the King George VI Chase in December, hunting down Il Est Francais and showing smart jumping late on. Monty’s Star completes the top three as the presumably strong pace will suit and he can pick up the pieces in the closing stages behind the front two.

17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) – Woodhooh (Each Way)

GORDON Elliott has been very quiet so far and had no winners at the time of writing. The Stayers’ Hurdle went horribly wrong for him with Teahupoo and The Wallpark battling each other to the line until Bob Olinger swooped over the top to steal the prize. Woodhooh could finally give him a win in the final race. She will concede weight to most rivals here but she is rated highly for a reason. Those who finished in the top four behind her in a mares’ hurdle here in December all went on to produce grade-winning form in their next run.
Take No Chances also gave a great account of herself in the Mares’ Hurdle earlier this week, finishing 3rd and she kept on well. The last time we saw Woodhooh was also impressive because of the way she stayed on the bridle and cruised home in front of tough opposition, which makes me think she an defy the weight she is carrying. Taponthego, although distant, finished 3rd behind Supreme Hurdle 2nd William Munny last time out and goes for
Henry de Bromhead whose runners have started performing. Meanwhile,
East India Express won a competitive handicap at Kempton with Samuel Spade in 3rd going on to win next time out. East India Express is also carrying a relatively low weight so these two can make the places. Nurse Susan should be considered as well despite a 13-month-layoff to overcome. Her record is consistent and Dan Skelton has been too quiet this festival so far, so might just spring up with something in a handicap like this.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Picks: Day 3

13:20 – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) (Registered asthe Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) – Sixandahalf

THIS mare has been the antepost favourite for this race for a while after she blew away the field in her maiden and finished 12 lengths ahead of her nearest rival Qualimita. The runner-up has yet to win since her debut, but finished just 4 lengths behind Only By Night in a bumper and regularly runs well while placing as she did here. To have blown her out the water deserves credit.
The 3rd horse was a similar margin back again and had won 3/3 on the flat in France. Sixandahalf also showed qualities that suit running at Cheltenham. Quick in the air and makes gains when running and jumping uphill and she also more than dealt with the testing pace, pouring it on late and still seemed to have some left. Galileo Dame regularly finishes 2nd to opponents of a high quality and carries 10lb less than most of her rivals here for being under the age of five so I would expect her to repeat this here. Karoline Banbou has yet to finish outside the top 2 including an absolute romp to victory at Fairyhouse last month, eased down late. She’s a very nice jumper and her travelling ability should see her in the picture late.

14:00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Grade 2)
(Registered as the Golden Miller) (GBB Race) – Insurrection (Each Way)

CONSIDERING his brave performance in a close defeat to the top weight here, springwell bay, at Chepstow where both carried 11st 5lbs 33/1 at the time of writing looks a bit big so is worth a small amount each way. A couple of disappointing runs in November and December were followed by an emphatic win last month ahead of Asta La Pasta in a small field at Musselburgh. The win feels like a bounce back to form and the previous form behind Springwell Bay compared to his current standing in the handicap doesn’t make sense so he seems like good each way value. Firefox has been consistently placing in graded company and considering what he has achieved under slightly more weight he should be in the mix here. Moon D’orange after a recent spike in form, carrying a low weight and with Sean Bowen in the saddle is hard to ignore for a place.

14:40 – Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) – Will The Wise (Each Way)

THIS horse had shown plenty of promise before breaking his maiden over hurdles. Beat recent grade 3 hurdle winner Jacobs Ladder by a narrow margin in a bumper, followed by a slightly distant 2nd place finish to Irancy, who ran in yesterday’s Supreme and holds form in 3rd behind Ballyburn and Firefoxfrom a maiden in December 2023. Will The Wise now sees himself bidding for a hattrick after stepping up in trip and winning a qualifier for this race last time out while showing good stamina. Catch Him Derry feels like he may have gone under the radar for the Skeltons. He was very consistent last season and despite finishing 6th here behind stracken in January, he reversed the form last time out at Exeter to win which makes me think he might be back in good order and could be in the mix. Feet Of A Dancer runs for the same yard that trained Mrs Milner to win this in 2021. She’s been running in good company and placed every time she has done this season so would expect her to come somewhere similar again.

15:20 – Ryanair Chase (Registered as the Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – Fact To File

LAST year’s winner of the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase returned in style when he beat current odds on favourite for the Gold Cup Galopin Des Champs in November. It was over a distance of two miles and four furlongs and despite not winning since, both runs that followed were placed behind Galopin Des Champs over the longer trip at Leopardstown. Mullins’ dual Gold Cup winner has been invincible there in his career so far so the form is a big positive in defeat. Protektorat will look to defend his title here and looked back to his best self last time out at Windsor, leaving a field including Djelo 23 lengths behind and showing his relentless engine. It’s very possible he wins but I slightly prefer Fact To File. The King George VI runner-up Il Est Francais completes my top three in 3rd. If on song he could be a massive problem for these and he will be expected to go out front and make the running. He is an incredible jumper but has had problems with bleeding in the past, so purely due to potential risk the other two mentioned get first pick but all of these three have great chances.

16:00 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – The Wallpark
(Each Way)

SINCE impressing in a Pertemps Hurdle qualifier here in October, this runner was bought by J P McManus Gordon Elliot stepped him up straight up to grade 1 company when this horse finished 4th in the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot. His jumping was a bit laboured and cost him quite a bit of ground but he still showed an engine and an impressive finishing gear for a stayer to get back up and finish 4th as Crambo defended his title. Providing the jumping has been polished up, the speed this horse has at the end of 3 miles I think is unmatched here and he has been gambled in from 12/1 to 11/2 overnight which may be a clue. Teahupoo the returning champion was last seen well beaten by an exceptional Lossiemouth who won the Mares’ Hurdle yesterday. He hasn’t been seen since so has been saved for this race and having won both Cheltenham and Punchestown Stayers’ Hurdles last season he has obvious claims and should go close. Gowel Road finally broke a run of four 2nd place finishes when winning the Cleeve Hurdle here in January. He always seems to be involved late on in high quality races and this will be his 7th consecutive start at Cheltenham which has got to count for something.

16:40 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) – Jagwar

If the previous two picks went as planned, there’s a good chance Jagwar will complete an impressive hattrick for owner J P McManus. The six-year-old has been extremely consistent this season with three wins and a 3rd in four runs. The loss came behind Jinko Blue who has taken to fences very well and boasts a solid record. He beat some decent opposition last time out here over course and distance and should be able to repeat the success under a very fair
10st 10lbs. Path D’oroux goes for Gavin Cromwell and won a novices’ chase here over two miles ahead of Jazzy Matty who won yesterday’s Grand Annual.
Path D’oroux was last seen finishing runner-up in a grade 3 at Fairyhouse running on well late on so the step up in trip may suit and ground any description of good will also be a plus. Masaccio finishes off the places here, with solid form just a few lengths behind the selection here in January and previous good placing form behind star novice The Jukebox Man early in the season.

17:20 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) – Midnight Our Fred

Midnight Our Fred is in very good form, finishing in the top three in his last six outings. The most recent of those was a 2nd-place effort in a listed race at Leopardstown in December in a massive 27-runner field ahead of what you would say are some of the Irish hopefuls for next month’s Grand National. His jockey, Noel McParlan also has previous winning experience at the festival after winning this race eight years ago, a valuable bit of experience. AFTER the emotional success of Marine Nationale in the Champion Chase yesterday,
Nine Graces could be in the picture as the yard’s runners have been in good form, with William Munny running a screamer to finish as runner-up in the Supreme earlier in the week and Marine National winning the Champion Chase yesterday. Wiseguy didn’t look out of place up in trip last month and with good going of some description and off a low weight could improve on the last run for a place.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Picks: Day 2

Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) – Final Demand

FIRSTLY, after the events of the Champion Hurdle, everybody take a breath.
This €230,000 recruit won a grade 1 at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival last month and was incredibly impressive. A big, strong galloper who despite his size is very nimble over his obstacles and is yet to show any relenting in his engine to date. Wingmen finished behind on that day, a horse who also has form finishing 3rd behind The Yellow Clay which gives the form some context. When winning last time out, Willie Mullins was particularly impressed by the winning distance he achieved, saying it would have been enough to win by “a length or two” but he won by 12 lengths and Mullins especially liked his speed after the final hurdle. The New Lion makes 2nd here after J P McManus bought this horse for a rumoured sum of £1 million after his dominant victory in the Challow Hurdle in December. Dan Skelton’s star novice is 4/4 so far in his career and confirmed himself by far to be the best in Britain over this distance last time out. We have yet to see anything get near to making a dent in his seemingly bottomless stamina. Final Demand appears to be a very complete athlete and just gets the nod ahead of him but it would be no surprise if The New Lion won. The previously mentioned The Yellow Clay gets 3rd spot thanks to his own impressive grade 1 form but a lack of softer ground sees him miss out on top spot in the verdict.

14:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered as the Broadway Novices’ Chase (GBB Race) – Ballyburn

THIS horse ultimately has a brilliant record and has only been beaten twice in 11 starts under rules. He lost by 2^1/2 lengths to Firefox who went on to be a consistent performer, placing in multiple graded races over hurdles. The other loss, more notably, came in December when he lost to the incredibly gifted
Sir Gino at Kempton, still trying and not disgraced 2nd. He subsequently won the grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last month, displaying great travelling ability and the same relentless stamina that makes him so prolific. Dancing City may prefer the ground to be softer but his sheer strength should see him in the picture. With form ahead of The Jukebox Man and Better Days Ahead on his record, he clearly has quality and it should see him defy any going concerns to get a place. The latter mentioned Better Days Ahead runs here and he holds festival form after winning last season’s Martin Pipe. If it doesn’t rain he won’t mind the going as much as some others in the race and he makes 3rd spot.

14:40 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) –
Impose Toi

AFTER the events of Champion Hurdle Day, Nicky Henderson’s yard still have a lot of chances left for the remainder of Cheltenham. As long as the ground remains some description of good it will benefit many of his runners and Impose Toi is one of them. Relatively fresh, with only eight runs in his career, and never out of the top three this horse always seems to give a punter a run for their money late on. He has ran three times in fields with 15 or more runners, with a win and two places and the win came at Cheltenham in November 2023 in a novices’ handicap hurdle. The ability to run well in a big field is at a premium in the Coral Cup where the field can get tightly packed and the battling qualities he showed when winning at Newbury in November after an 11 month lay off was very positive. Ballyadam was last year’s runner-up while carrying 12 stone and has been kept fresh after winning a hurdle race at Punchestown in December ahead of Saint Sam. It is possible that signified a return to fitness and the weight shouldn’t bother him this time round when challenging for a place under Rachael Blackmore. Be Aware might be a tad short in price to look at each way but consistently finishes 2nd since winning his maiden last January. I would expect him to make a place again for the yard who have won the last two renewals with Langer Dan.

15:20 – Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (Limited Handicap) (GBB Race) – Stumptown

GAVIN Cromwell’s charge won the cross country chase here in December ahead of many of the same horses he faces here. He absolutely cruised in the late stages, ridden patiently by Keith Donoghue to win by a length to Mister Coffey. His low and accurate jumping saves plenty of energy and he travelled all over the field that day which makes me think he can definitely carry the 6lbs extra to victory here. At eight years old, this horse could also be a tad fresher than many of his rivals, with a lot of the more notable horses being 10 or older.
Mister Coffey might just run bravely in defeat once more as he runs off a similar mark to that December run and should be able to repeat such a strong performance. Coko Beach finished 2nd to Vanillier last time out at Punchestown and has been treated much kinder in the weights than on that occasion so he just scrapes a place in the verdict.

16:00 – Bet MGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) –
Solness (Each Way)

MUCH like the Jango Baie race yesterday, I would probably go with Solness each way for safety if betting on this race on its own. I would go with Jonbon if putting a small stake on an accumulator. It almost feels like too many of the big-name favourites have missed out already but I can’t bring myself to back Jonbon here because of some worries I have considering the short price. He should win as a few of his likely challengers haven’t lined up and he is the best he has ever been. He has bags of stamina and gains well when jumping uphill like he did at Ascot last time out, where he also seemed to finish quicker than ever. He should suit Cheltenham down to the ground but the results on paper tell a slightly different story as he has never won at the festival which is EASILY forgivable for the quality of opposition he has faced. Yesterday we saw what a fast pace can do to a race and although Jonbon gains uphill over his fences he can be awkward at times. A blunder at the top of the hill cost him last year’s Clarence House here and Solness will set a rapid pace, which could very well force a mistake out of Jonbon. This race has also seen plenty of favourites lose in recent years but this would be one of the bigger shocks given how much Nicky Henderson’s market leader stands out on paper. Solness probably holds the best form of any Irish runner in the race after the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase and is on a hattrick. Marine National has regularly placed in Ireland’s biggest races this season and his travelling ability should see him in the picture late.

16:40 – Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) – General Medrano (Each Way)

EMMA Lavelle’s charge won a nice handicap at Newbury in November ahead of the consistently 2nd Beau Balko. The speed of his finish was particularly eye-catching and allowed him to open up a winning margin of 9 lengths. Since then he has run twice with a distant 4th in a small field behind Javert Allen under 12 stone, followed by a close 2nd in a handicap at Doncaster late in January. His hold up tactics may work well up the Cheltenham hill and jockey Ben Jones boasts a victory already after winning the last on Haiti Couleurs yesterday. Last year’s winner Unexpected Party is up 6lbs in the ratings since last year’s renewal and trainer Dan Skelton knows how to stay ahead of the handicapper, so I would expect his runner to be involved. The King Of Prs is fresh off the back of a grade 3 success in Ireland ahead of American Mike and Midnight It Is. Because he hasn’t finished outside the top three in all three of his starts this season and he is in good form, he could also make a place here.

17:20 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – Gameofinches

IT could be a good day for Caroline Tisdall, who also has ownership in
Final Demand who was the pick in the first. We’ve only seen this horse once and he was never forced to come of the bridle, but his debut couldn’t have looked more like a piece of easy work and he seemed to glide along on the testing soft ground. Paul Townend takes the ride so seems to be the yard’s first choice and the Mullins yard has a great record in this race with 13 winners and four of those in the last five years. Kalypso’chance thoroughly impressed on debut, leaving the field behind distantly strung out, with Soir De Garde, a half brother to
State Man, a distant 15 lengths 2nd. He followed that up by winning a listed flat race at Navan which is a course that can produce a Cheltenham winner due to the undulating ground. He isn’t without a chance Gordon Elliott had been a bit quiet on day one but this horse has shown both speed and battling qualities which will be needed here. Bambino Fever is another from the Mullins yard that shows a lot of promise. She is 3/3 under rules, won a grade 2 for mares last time out and will of course get the mares’ allowance in the weights. She should be in the picture.

Cheltenham Festival 2025 Picks: Day 1

13:20 – Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – Kopek Des Bordes

THE antepost favourite since his impressive win at the Dublin Racing Festival is 3/3 and until that performance, it felt like the Supreme was open for a runner of his class to step in. He’s visually impressive, imposing and is quick through the air. His form is very strong on paper, having beat Kawaboomga, who won next time out, by 2^3/4 lengths in his maiden over obstacles, followed by an emphatic 13 length win ahead of Karniquet in a Grade 1 Leopardstown last month. A few of those in behind including the runner-up had previous places in grade 1 company but none by such a far margin and the form plus the eye test make it hard to back against the favourite here. For the places, Workahead had similarly impressive success at Leopardstown in a strongly-run maiden on Boxing Day ahead of William Munny and Redemption Day. Irancy could go well at a big price and hasn’t been seen since November after bolting up ahead of recent winner Will The Wise at Punchestown. Romeo Coolio also boasts grade 1 success over hurdles after winning the Champions Novice Hurdle in December with Kaniquet and Bleu De Vassy in behind. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him finish in the top three but he just misses out on the verdict here.

14:00 – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase (Grade 1) –
Jango Baie (Each Way)

PERSONALLY, this is a race I will probably avoid due to the short-priced favourite, the small field and plenty of risks for backing for or against him. Antepost favourite Sir Gino was ruled out for the rest of the season with a serious infection in his leg and Nicky Henderson’s five-year-old would have been one of my picks of the whole meeting for this race. Last season’s Triumph winner gets the pick in his absence due to his athletic ability and the Irish Arkle win on his record from last month. My only concern would be that his jumping hasn’t been the cleanest but I would say it was a big improvement on earlier in the season and Willie Mullins may have worked some magic since. Also, in such a small field, it is difficult to see anything preventing a clear run for this horse to show his true speed as long as he makes it over his obstacles. If the race still pays two places at the off, Jango Baie put in a brilliant performance over a further distance here in December where he beat Springwell Bay and
Caldwell Potter convincingly. He shapes as a really smart alternative each way given his excellent jumping, consistency and the good ground are all in his favour. If betting on this as a stand alone race, Jango Baie each way would be the pick because of the value and safety net of a 2nd place finish. If doing an accumulator to win with a fun low stake the pick would be Majborough.
Only By Night gets a mention in 3rd after she has been switched from the Mares’ Chase for Gavin Cromwell.

14:40 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – Katate Dori

HAVING run six times since the start of November, Katate Dori has built an impressive record over fences this season, with three wins from four starts.
His previous run was the best performance, beating Hyland by 15 lengths in a Premier Handicap at Kempton. He will also only carry 3lbs more than when he beat Hyland who won’t be here to pose a danger on what will probably be good ground. My only concern would be his jumping downhill, as he did put in a risky looking jump at Chepstow in January but his form is too good to ignore on this occasion. Joe Tizzard’s The Changing Man has been on a consistent run since a fall in his first start of the campaign in November. He finished 2nd to
Frero Banbou, Victtorino and Docpickedme before finally making a breakthrough win at Ascot last month. Unfortunately, Jingko Blue fell early there so we are missing some data but he galloped impressively to a wide margin victory over lesser opponents and under 10 stone 11lbs is appealing on paper. Henry’s Friend put in a very likeable performance last time out under 11st 12lbs with some very smart jumping and has been kept fresh since December. He runs for Ben Pauling who has been in great form and makes 3rd in my verdict. Victtorino just misses out as he only beat Threeunderthrufive by a nose last time out and to me it suggested he may have reached his limit in the ratings but he has been in great form this season.

15:20 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Lossiemouth

WITH Brighterdaysahead confirmed in the Champion Hurdle, Lossiemouth’s late switch sees her head the market as odds-on favourite. She fell when keeping pace with State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month, with connections not sure what caused her to fall considering she has been a nice jumper. It would be a guess, but possibly the intensity of matching strides with State Man effected her accuracy somehow and it is probable that she won’t have to face such intensity stepping back down to the Mares’ Hurdle. She won last year’s renewal and she should repeat her success considering a mare of her quality definitely wouldn’t look out of place in a Champion Hurdle field.
Joyeuse is a late inclusion after being supplemented by Nicky Henderson’s team for J P McManus after winning the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury last month. If the lack of rain continues it will only help Nicky Henderson’s runners and her speed in the closing stages in that last run was eye-catching.
Henry de Bromhead’s yard haven’t been at their best at times this season but July Flower may have gone under the radar after beating Kala Conti and Jetara at Leopardstown in December. There was a strong pace that day but the mare showed good ability to stay after a stamina test. Jetara’s grade 2 success next time out also boosted the form a bit so she could make the places here.

16:00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) –
Constitution Hill

NICKY Henderson’s star became the first to win three Christmas Hurdles on his first run since the 2023 renewal. He dominated Lossiemouth who could never get on terms when travelling. He followed that by winning the Unibet Hurdle at a canter in January, appearing to be half asleep when he blundered at the last, possibly because it was so easy which may have caused him to switch off.
He’ll face a greater test of pace here, with Brighterdaysahead who is likely to make the running and is confirmed to be running for Gordon Elliot. She was last seen winning by a staggering 30 lengths in front of last season’s Champion Hurdler Stateman in 2nd. The pace to aim at will surely only bring the best out of Constitution Hill much like his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle win. Brighterdaysahead given her incredible form should finish 2nd and Stateman 3rd, despite that 30 length defeat.

16:40 – Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered as the Fred Winter) (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) – Liam Swagger (Each Way)

STENCIL quite simply holds the most impressive form in the field after his last run in the Triumph Hurdle Trial in late January. He finished 2nd behind
East India Dock, and although the losing margin was 10 lengths, that was more due to the brilliance of the winner who is currently favourite for the
Triumph Hurdle. However, Stencil will be carrying nearly top weight and with only one of the last five winners carrying more than 11st 5lbs (Brazil, 11st 9lbs), it feels right to look elsewhere. Liam Swagger runs for James Owen’s yard who have an abundance of solid juveniles this season, including East India Dock. Liam Swagger has three wins from his last four runs and he won a listed race at Wetherby ahead of Static, who finished a fairly distant runner-up behind
East India Dock on his next start. Teriferma wasn’t the most convincing when a long way behind East India Dock and Stencil in January, but holds form ahead of the majority of the other British challengers and should go better as long as the ground is some description of good. At this point it also feels like anything is possible when Sean Bowen is on board and in a big handicap like this with a large field his tactics and strong drive could steal a place in the top three.

17:20 – Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase – Transmission

TRANSMISSION’S record reads one win and two 2nd’s in three starts over fences this season, including finishing 2nd to Haiti Couleurs here in a novices’ handicap in December. Haiti Couleurs has been very likeable over fences and very nearly got the pick here. He has sharp, efficient jumping and also won at Aintree ahead of Uncle Bert last November. The reason a reverse in the form is predicted here is a swing of 4lbs in the weights in favour of Transmission and a half-a-mile increase in distance. Transmission gained a lot of ground late when the two last met and with the change in the weights it’s possible Transmission can overturn the form. Haiti Couleurs is 2nd pick but is another possible winner, while Will Do could possibly finish 3rd despite not having a win yet over fences. He consistently seems to finish in the places and goes for Gordon Elliot who knows how to produce a staying chaser.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day Three Picks

13:30 – Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Golden Miller) (GBB Race) – GINNY’S DESTINY

REIGNING champion trainer of Britain Paul Nicholls saddled the winner of this race last season, where Stage Star ran out an impressive winner over multiple grade 1 winner Mighty Potter at odds of 15/2. This time he trains
Ginny’s Destiny, who he said after his last run is better than Stage Star was at this point last season. After a disappointing showing on his seasonal reappearance he has racked up a hattrick of wins, each more impressive than the last. In the process he has reversed form over hurdles with Grey Dawning and has improved 22lbs in the ratings with no sign of it slowing down any
time soon. The main danger here is Facile Vega, with Willie Mullins’ yard in red hot form two days into the festival and he will be stepping up in trip to 2 miles 4 furlongs for the first time in his career.

14:50 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (GBB Race) – STAGE STAR

NICHOLLS could follow success in the first race of the day by winning the Ryanair with last year’s winner of the Turners. Stage Star won a premier handicap chase here in November in a dominant front-running display with excellent jumping and showed a bit of toughness to survive a huge scare after the last. On New Year’s Day he pulled up behind Shakem Up’arry but this was when carrying top weight on very testing heavy ground. He hasn’t run since and if last season is anything to go by he should be coming into his own at this time of year. He does have form finishing fifth behind Banbridge at Aintree last season but that did feel like he left his best at Cheltenham and Banbridge had been saved for the Aintree meeting. It should be very different if the real
Stage Star shows up here.

15:30 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – CRAMBO

LAST seen achieving a career best when fending off a brave late surge from Paisley Park to win the Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot in December. Although his rival is now 12 years old, he has retained a lot of ability and has also come within a head of beating Dashel Drasher and Noble Yeats this season so the form is solid. After the Long Walk Hurdle success, Crambo boasts form ahead of many of the big British runners. Last year’s third Teahupoo runs again here for Gordon Elliott who has kept Teahupoo fresh with only one previous start this season and he is the current favourite. If Crambo reproduces that performance we saw in December, he stands every chance in an open race.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day Two Picks

13:30 – Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (GBB Race) – BALLYBURN

WILLIE Mullins’ star novice has only tasted defeat once in six outings and was last seen winning a grade one in impressive fashion at the Dublin Racing Festival. This victory came 7 lengths ahead of Slade Steel, who won the Supreme Novice Hurdle on day one. His late change of course to this race has been well covered and his last performance suggests he will suit the longer trip because of the way he extended his lead in the closing stages. He will face strong opposition from stablemate Ile Atlantique, who has been a small margin runner-up behind the likes of Firefox and more recently Readin Tommy Wrong in a grade 1 in January. Ile Atlantique has great quality but Ballyburn gets the pick based on his very consistent winning form.

14:10 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (Registered As The Broadway Novices’ Chase) (GBB Race) – FACT TO FILE

AFTER Gaelic Warrior’s success in the Arkle Novices’ Chase on day one, the way Fact To File destroyed him at Leopardstown is even more impressive. Considering how well he has taken to fences, his bumper form reads well too. He was twice a runner-up to A Dream To Share, including in last year’s Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, both by a respectable margin. He has yet to run beyond 2 miles 6 furlongs but was barely even stretched before Gaelic Warrior tailed off at Leopardstown so the full staying distance should suit well. Last year’s 1-2 from the Albert Bartlett, Stay Away Fay and Sandor Clegane feature, while American Mike who runs for Gordon Elliott has been supplemented to run in this race. Elliott’s charge has winning form ahead of Fact To File after he beat him at Navan over a distance of 2 miles 4 furlongs.
He was also well beaten by Gaelic Warrior in December and although he seems to have improved in one run since, it is hard to go against the favourite here.

14:50 – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) –
SA MAJESTE

STICKING with fancied runners, this time for the Coral Cup. As reported by the Racing Post, BHA hurdles handicapper Andrew Mealor said this horse was “the most difficult to assess in recent years”. This is due to beating a former Grand National winner in Noble Yeats in a novice hurdle in December, with the third only rated 105. Noble Yeats was nowhere near his best that day, but went on to win the Cleeve Hurdle in his next run and this horse will love testing conditions.

15:30 – Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) –
EL FABIOLO

BOASTS a perfect six wins from six starts over fences, including last year’s Arkle ahead of Jonbon. Was last seen winning by over 8 lengths at Leopardstown with Mares’ Chase favourite Dinoblue and Captain Guinness in behind. Occasionally gets in close but has incredible strength and seems to brush it off and has exceptional athletic qualities. Edwardstone may attempt to make all on heavy going again like he did at Newbury when he won the Game Spirit, but an honest pace should bring this runner’s qualities to the fore. While Jonbon has been exceptionally consistent to date, his last run here didn’t go to plan when he lost to Elixir De Nutz after a terrible jump at the top of the hill gave him too much to do. Things might not go to plan again here so, possibly against all logic, Captain Guinness gets the 3rd spot pick as he has previously finished runner-up behind Energumene and is also very consistent.

16:10 – Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country) (GBB Race) – COKO BEACH

DELTA WORK is bidding for a hattrick this year and has had a similar prep, finishing sixth in the Boyne Hurdle in his previous run. However, he finished sixth here in November which is worse than he did last season and he is now 11 years old. Stablemate Coko Beach has found great consistency this season, not once finishing outside the top three in four starts. The cross country course is reported to be softer than the old and new course, which works in this horse’s favour and in his last run he won a cross country chase at Punchestown last time out. Despite one or two awkward looking jumps at the new obstacles, he appeared to travel better than ever and ran out an impressive winner.
Foxy Jacks was also considered after impressing over course and distance in November ahead of Delta Work, but this field has a bit of added quality and he would probably need the testing conditions to dry up to level the playing field. He did wonder a lot late on last time out here and this time around he can’t take advantage of a nice handicap mark with everyone carrying 11st 7lbs.

16:50 – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) – MADARA

HAS recently shown a massive improvement compared to the horse he was at the start of the season. Since he unseated his rider here in October at a rating of 132, he has ran a respectable sixth behind Triple Trade and Calico in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase. He then won a handicap worth £40,000 when well handicapped here on soft ground ahead of Calico and then followed it up by winning the listed Ryanair Handicap Chase at Leopardstown last month.
His recent improvement and with the conditions firmly in his favour over a lot of the prominent British runners means he could finish a hattrick with a win at the Cheltenham Festival. Madara’s trainer Sophie Leech has chosen the meeting for the ground and has told Sporting Life he is enjoying racing and gaining confidence which can only be good.

17:30 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – YOU OUGHTA KNOW (Each Way)

LAST seen making a brave effort to finish just over 4 lengths behind Jeroboam Machin in the grade 2 Donohue Marquees Future Stars Flat Race at Leopardstown last month. The field was packed with quality, including last year’s Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share who was well beaten in sixth and winners at listed level The Yellow Clay in fourth and The Enabler in fifth. Redemption Day finished 2^3/4 lengths behind Jalon D’oudairies at Leopardstown in December and he is second favourite in the market at the time of writing. You Oughta Know finished asimilar distance ahead of Redemption Day and was gradually extending his advantage so it was a good run and the quality he faced that day should have prepared him well for this race.
The current favourite, Jasmin De Vaux, looked exceptional when winning a bumper at Naas over 2 miles 3 furlongs and he could easily win but he didn’t face horses with much winning form so this horse represents more value
each way.

Cheltenham Festival 2024 Day One Picks

13:30 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – TULLYHILL

WITH a lot more rain than expected forecast before the opener, Tullyhill gets the nod ahead of Firefox by a narrow margin. The latter had form finishing ahead of long-time antepost favourite Ballyburn over a trip of two miles and will be stepping back down to that trip after a disappointing showing in the Lawlor’s Of Naas in January. He would have been the pick here and it is a close call. Considering how tired he got just after the two-mile mark in that race the heavy ground he will face here may also test stamina in the later stages up the Cheltenham hill which is why he has been taken on. Tullyhill has never finished outside the top two and is coming here off the back of an impressive showing on heavy ground at Punchestown to win a listed novice hurdle, 9 lengths ahead of No Flies On Him and Jigoro. Jigoro also had form finishing 2nd behind Mystical Power who appears to be very talented and is definitely a contender. He is impeccably bred, but some of his rivals have won races ahead of horses with more competitive form on paper. Tullyhill finished 2nd in the Punchestown Champion Bumper just 3 lengths behind prolific bumper winner A Dream To Share, which adds a bit of quality to his form and he will relish the tough going.

14:10 – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – IL ETAIT TEMPS

WILLIE Mullins’ yard has a strong hand in this race, including one of his star horses Gaelic Warrior who beat this horse by 5^1/2 lengths when they met at Limerick in December. Gaelic Warrior definitely has the athletic ability to win a race of this quality but he has a tendency to jump right handed and was completely dominated by Fact To File over a longer trip last time out before unseating at Leopardstown. He has also ran twice at the festival and both times has finished 2nd, which in fairness was behind high quality opposition. With this in mind Il Etait Temps requires attention considering he beat the long-time antepost favourite for this race Marine Nationale in the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. Marine Nationale was below par that day, which has been blamed on the going and the antepost favourite has been ruled out here due to a strain. Il Etait Temps was kept quiet behind rivals before easily progressing to the front late on where he fended off Found A Fifty by a narrow margin. Gaelic Warrior is likely to be more competitive over a shorter trip and a first Cheltenham win wouldn’t be surprising given his talent. However, with the right-handed jumping and lack of a Cheltenham win, there could be an opening for Il Etait Temps to pick up the pieces, especially in a battle up the Cheltenham hill after a strong pace.

15:30 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – STATE MAN

LAST year’s runner-up and winner of eight grade 1 races has been presented with his best opportunity to win the Champion Hurdle with the absence of the incredible Constitution Hill. He comes here a heavy odds-on favourite and will face new competition in Gordon Elliott’s Irish Point and recently supplemented Iberico Lord for Nicky Henderson. Lossiemouth hasn’t been re-routed to this race as expected and will run in the Mares’ Hurdle as expected. State Man has picked up four grade 1’s since last year’s race and much in the same way Constitution Hill is levels above anyone in the division, so is State Man on paper so it is impossible to look anywhere else considering Mullins appears happy with his preparation.

16:10 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) – LOSSIEMOUTH

LOSSIEMOUTH was considered for a late change to the Champion Hurdle due to the absence of Constitution Hill which shows what high regard she is held in. However, it certainly wouldn’t have made sense for the Mullins camp to change her target and have two stable stars in one race. She has avenged her only defeat in seven starts ahead of Gala Marceau at last year’s festival and was last seen as a runaway winner 9^1/2 lengths ahead of Love Envoi here in January. Her toughest opposition is probably stablemate Ashroe Diamond, who won a grade 2 ahead of Gala Marceau at Doncaster in her last outing but Lossiemouth is understandably first choice for Paul Townend.

17:30 – Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race) – EMBASSY GARDENS

CURRENTLY shares joint-favouritism with Corbetts Cross at the time of writing who memorably ran out when in with a great chance of winning the Albert Bartlett at last year’s festival. Embassy Gardens appears much more straightforward than has been the case in the past and in his last win at Naas showed great finishing speed at the end of a trip over three miles. He also definitively beat Sandor Clegane that day who is a consistent type at a high level and was 3rd in last year’s Albert Bartlett. The performance showed that he will get further than three miles and will relish heavy going. Corbetts Cross has won once since last year’s festival ahead of consistent opposition in Three Card Brag, Monty’s Star and Nick Rockett at Fairyhouse. He was twice unlucky to meet Grangeclare West either side of that win and was last seen brought down at Fairyhouse when Run Wild Fred jumped across him before turning for home. He clearly has a good chance of winning but due to incidents from the past and winning form shown by Embassy Gardens throughout the season it feels easier to side with another Willie Mullins runner.

My Picks: 12th & 13th January 2024

Friday 12th January

13:42 Naas – Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – Firefox

AFTER this race was rescheduled last week due to heavy fog, Firefox will take on a competitive field but should have the edge over this field. Gordon Elliott has won four of the last eight renewals with the likes of Ginto, who won this race for the same ownership two years ago, and Envoi Allen. Firefox has won four in a row and won on hurdling debut last time out against a smart prospect in Ballyburn, who has won the rest of his runs with four wins. This included his next start which was a massive 25 length victory in a maiden. Firefox also boasts a victory ahead of his market rival Ile Atlantique who runs for Willie Mullins which is a plus. If the ground goes heavy however that may level the playing field in Ile Atlantique’s favour after he won in testing conditions at Gowran Park in his last run.

Saturday 13th January

13:10 Wetherby – William Hill Towton Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) –
Colonel Harry

THE price at the time of writing may have already gone on this one but it still might be worth covering due to the quality of his form. He finished second behind the impressive, powerful travelling Le Patron in the grade one Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown just before Christmas. He has been stepped up in trip after that run because he hit a flat spot before finishing very strongly, making up plenty of ground on the eventual winner in the process. Not only was the run impressive in defeat, but the rest of the runners in this race have yet to run in a graded contest over fences. A third-place finish in a grade two novice hurdle by The King Of Ryhope is the highest quality form he will face here.

14:42 Kempton – Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle – Impose Toi

NICKY Henderson’s runner is currently favourite at the time of writing and it’s understandable. With three wins so far from five runs over hurdles, he was brilliant in defeat to stablemate Luccia last month at Ascot at odds of 11/1. He lost by a neck after travelling sweetly into the race uphill before the final bend, but made a costly mistake at the last hurdle before making ground again to lose by a narrow margin. It was his first step up from novice company and will only carry 2lbs more here. If he can replicate his recent prolific form and reproduce something similar to what he showed at Ascot he should be close. Grade-two winner Nemean Lion and Cheltenham festival winner from last season, Langer Dan, have great appeal on paper but they are carrying a hefty amount of weight for their past successes.

15:00 Warwick – Wigley Group Classic Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) – Guetapan Collonges

THIS horse is a seriously consistent performer for Charlie Longsdon, who always seems to be in the picture in these long distance chases. Due to the testing nature and unpredictability of staying chases that are over three miles long, that consistency is very important. This season he picked up a win at Carlisle in October, before finishing third behind runaway winner Malina Girl at Cheltenham in November. On that occasion he carried 11 stone 8lbs in arguably his toughest race since last year’s renewal of this race. He will carry 4lbs less than that here, while Malina Girl fell in her last run and will carry top weight for this race. Guetapan Collonges won’t want heavy going after a brave but tired effort in fourth behind Iwilldoit here last season, so the weather must be monitored. if the weather forecast is accurate, it should be cloudy but dry leading up to the race. His trainer, Charlie Longsdon, opted to skip the New Year’s Day meeting at Cheltenham to target this race. Longsdon sees this horse as a potential future Grand National runner and a win in this race would be a big step towards that.