NICKY Henderson splashed £340,000 on this horse after two bumper successes for Neil Mulholland. His debut over hurdles was spectacular. The field he ran in hasn’t produced many winners yet, but an easy 13-length victory with the margin growing as he crossed the line suggested this horse could be something special. He pulled his way into the lead before halfway and did all the hard work himself, jumped well and he didn’t seem to use much stamina, running through the line strongly. A step up to 2-and-a-half miles should therefore suit well. At the time of writing, this horse is 12/1 for the Ballymore Novice Hurdle at Cheltenham next March and he won’t be that price for long if he wins impressively again here. He will face another smart unbeaten prospect in Johnnywho, who has three wins from three starts. However, he might be up against it as the galloping nature of Newbury appeared to suit Willmount perfectly last time. Lookaway should also be in the picture, with three wins from four starts since May, including grade two success at Cheltenham in the Skybet Novices’ Hurdle. His consistency and experience relative to the field should mean he will be close but may struggle to match the two mentioned for ability.
Verdict
1st Willmount
2nd Johnnywho
3rd Lookaway
Predicted tricast returns for £1 stake at time of writing: £32.33 (via Bet365)
WILLIE Mullins has clearly stated that this horse is probably at her best in quicker summer conditions, but she won a listed mares’ hurdle in October on heavy going over a further distance. This is a much better field but, conditions should keep the race from being too fast, whilst the level of opposition should also see an injection of pace before the straight. If she can replicate the relatively strong travelling speed on similar testing ground conditions and clean jumping she should be in the picture late. Grade three would probably be the limit for this horse. Mullins’ mare has drifted in the market and her price allows for an each way punt and is probably a big part of the appeal.
THIS would make it a hattrick of victories in the Silver Vase for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ mare. She would probably prefer more cut in the ground but has won this race when the going was good before. She was at her best in her previous start when running out a 17-length winner at Aintree in a listed mares’ chase on heavy ground. Her ability over fences and engine came to the fore. This win came ahead of Pink Legend who also runs here. The alternative pick on good ground would probably be Fantastic Lady who has form over Zambella from a listed mares’ chase at Market Rasen last year. She has since been unsuccessful in four starts against tougher fields than this with two places. Her last run was in the Grand Sefton at Aintree 35 days ago, and it was a tough race over the famous Aintree fences whilst carrying top weight. Her route to this race may have been tougher on her than the route Zambella has been on, who picked up a win in her last start which is also important. Fantastic Lady must be considered and could very easily win herself, but something about this race has suited Zambella in the last two years, which is why she just edges this pick.
IF Favori De Champdou can replicate his last run, it will take a mighty effort to beat him. He tracked a free-running Flooring Porter and put in an excellent round of jumping. Flooring Porter set his usual frantic gallop from the front and was quirky in front occasionally wondering across the course before being corrected. Favori De Champdou would have been forgiven for tiring after the fast pace but he didn’t. He naturally travelled past Flooring Porter late on and, despite being clear, kicked on and finished emphatically. That race was not only an important piece of form, but was probably the most testing previous run of any of the horses in this race. He passed the test with flying colours and could be the nap of the day, with the only concerns will be his lack of runs on left-handed tracks and a possibility of Flooring Porter finding his old spark.
14:05 Limerick – Parkway Shopping Centre Rated Novice Hurdle – Splashing Out
CURRENTLY joint favourite at the top of the market with Henry de Bromhead’s mare She’s A Fine Wine. There isn’t a lot of form that catches the eye in this race but the two market leaders both boast a win over course and distance on heavy going this season. This horse is carrying 7lb claimer Peter Smithers, whilst 3lb claimer Mike O’Connor takes the ride on She’s A Fine Wine. Therefore, this horse, despite carrying 12 stone, is effectively 4lbs better off than her rating when compared to her rival. She carried the same weight to victory last time out at Limerick. Meanwhile, She’s a fine Wine carried 11 stone 7lbs in her win in October over course and distance in the same conditions. Her run was three seconds slower than this horse managed.
13:50 Leopardstown – Jack De Bromhead Christmas Hurdle – Irish Point
GORDON Elliot’s grey capped off last season with a grade one win at Aintree in the Mersey Novices’ Hurdle. This came ahead of the likes of Hermes Allen and You Wear It Well who were successful grade-winning hurdlers. The way he ran through the line after a trip of two miles and four furlongs suggested this horse would get three miles. He made his seasonal debut at Gowran Park last month over a trip of two miles, finishing 13/4 lengths ahead of Magical Zoe who has success at grade three level and was carrying 13lbs less. Whilst the rest of the field here are more established at the distance but this horse may have speed the others don’t have and this would make it four wins in a row.
THIS horse has a glittering record so far in his career, with 10 wins from 11 starts and the only defeat coming by a short head to The Real Whacker at Cheltenham earlier this year. He has won four grade ones over fences and has extraordinary battling qualities in the closing stages. With two Gold Cup winners, a former winner of this race in the shape of Conflated and an Irish Grand National winner in I Am Maximus, this will undoubtedly be the toughest field he has faced on paper. He missed the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day due to a lack of rain specifically to run here. This is a horse with a lot of ability whose career has been thoughtfully plotted so far, so his inclusion in the field warrants great interest.
LAST season’s Champion Chase runner-up impressed late last month when making his seasonal debut in a grade two contest at Navan. He ran out a seven length winner ahead of Riviere D’etel, with Dysart Dynamo and grade one winner over fences Saint Roi in behind. Dysart Dynamo set a decent pace and this horse appeared to have a lot left in the tank at the finish. In that run he only carried 2lbs less than he will in this race, which should provide confidence in his ability to give away weight to Dinoblue who will carry 7lbs less. He will only have to reproduce form ahead of Saint Roi and Dysart Dynamo, with the latter carrying 11lbs more here than he did at Navan. Gentleman De Mee in that case remains the only horse left to assess and he normally doesn’t hit form until February or March. Captain Guinness is a consistent performer who finished the runner-up in this race last season behind Blue Lord, who won’t run here. Racing is almost never simple but this horse appears the most likely winner for these reasons.
13:45Leopardstown – Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) – Daddy Long Legs
THIS horse won his maiden in his second start at Thurles at the end of last month by an impressive 13 lengths. The Willie Mullins trained Almanzor gelding was bought for €210,000, after finishing a close second on the flat in France. His maiden performance over hurdles couldn’t have been more impressive, despite some regularly placed runners in behind, who on form are struggling to get rid of their maiden tag. Down Memory Lane also looks like a smart prospect but this horse gets the pick because when comparing both of their previous starts, Daddy Long Legs appeared to face a more testing pace and showed good jumping ability which will be needed in a grade one race. At the time of writing this horse has also gained favouritism over his market rival and it would be no surprise to see him justify his place in the market.
AFTER Haddex Des Obeaux wasn’t declared in the final stage of declarations so Boothill appears to be the obvious pick here, despite being near the top of the weights. Boothill is one of two runners in this field who has had recent winning form, with the other being Elixir De Nutz. Boothill’s form seems a tad more impressive, considering last month he beat a consistent performer and grade one winner in First Flow, before finishing ahead first ahead of Triple Trade at Ascot. Triple Trade, although hasn’t won at graded level, won a smart handicap in his next run. Boothill should be primed to take on Nube Negra and Editeur Du Gite, who have won impressive grade-level races in their career but haven’t been near their best form recently.
13:05 Aintree – William Hill Formby Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Formerly registered as the Tolworth Hurdle) – Jango Baie
JANGO Baie represents one of Nicky Henderson’s most promising prospects this season, after he was bought for £170,000 and claimed a dramatic close victory over Tellherthename at Ascot last month. He put in the hard work and tired the majority of the field, after Nico de Boinville set him free after some keen travelling early on. The runner-up, who won his next start, headed this runner before he fought back well to win by a nose. the run displayed an impressive engine, some clean jumping and good battling qualities. In recent years Nicky Henderson has won the Tolworth with none other than Constitution Hill, and although it would be a tough ask for this horse to match the achievements of his stablemate, he would appear to be a very smart horse who is in with a great chance of winning his first grade one.
GORDON Elliott’s gelding by Order Of St George caught the eye when winning his maiden towards the end of last month. after a race that was ran well he accelerated impressively to win by nine lengths and increasing as he hit the line. Behind him were Harsh who finished in third and stablemate Pacini in fourth, who both ran out as easy winners in their next starts. Interestingly, as reported by the Racing Post, this horse beat the time set later in the card by State Man by two seconds, although it should be noted State Man was carrying 12 lbs more. Jack Kennedy takes the ride on this horse over stablemate Kala Conti, who will be likely to make the running as she did in a narrow defeat to Nurburgring, who also runs here. Gordon Elliott has trained a few previous winners of this race in recent times and Mighty Bandit appears to justify favouritism in this renewal.
DESPITE being near the top end of the weights, Haddex Des Obeaux should go close based on the quality he has shown in two defeats this season. He was only carrying 2lbs less when he put in a very impressive shift at Cheltenham in October, and after making the running looked the likely winner when he fell at the last. The race produced subsequent winners in Triple Trade and Madara, and Notlongtillmay would go on to finish a runner-up to the impressive Stage Star in the Paddy Power Gold Cup. Haddex Des Obeaux then took a massive step up in class when he ran in the grade one Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown earlier this month and finished a respectable third. This was just four lengths behind the multiple grade-one winner Jonbon and just over two lengths behind Edwardstone in second. A drop back down to handicapping, with many of the runners carrying similarly high weights may see him return to winning form. Boothill appears to be the toughest opponent on paper, with form ahead of Triple Trade whilst carrying 12 stone to win at Ascot last month. The run behind Jonbon is the deciding factor in this pick however because Haddex Des Obeaux coped so well. To add to this, a recent move to Nicky Henderson’s yard can only be positive given the success of Seven Barrows.
WILLIE Mullins has many to choose from in the first race and is likely to add to his tally of five from the first two days. Here he has the two market leaders, Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny. Both have been very impressive but the latter gets the pick here. He will be a bit fresher than Lossiemouth who ran at last month’s Dublin Racing Festival. Lossiemouth finished second in a race where, despite always gradually making ground on those in front, was well held in the last few furlongs by a speedy stablemate Gala Marceau who also goes here. Blood Destiny has two wins from two starts since joining Willie Mullins and although the other two mentioned appear to be slicker over their hurdles, he has looked effortless in both wins. He has the ability to travel powerfully without using much stamina and it showed in his previous run in January where he stretched the field by setting a good pace and winning by 18 lengths. Nusret finished third on that occasion and went on to win a grade two. He also ran in defeat on Boxing Day and was third behind Lossiemouth. Nusret finished 161/2 lengths behind the powerful grey, whereas he finished 181/2 lengths behind Blood Destiny when they met. There isn’t much in it but Blood Destiny made it look like a training exercise and to win at Cheltenham that effortlessness will be useful.
14:50 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Favori De Champdou
GORDON Elliott has had two winners so far this festival with Delta Work in the Cross Country Chase and Sire Du Berlais yesterday in the Stayers’ Hurdle. This would be another win over the staying trip for an Elliott horse who has only ever finished outside the places once in ten starts and is fresh from a grade two victory in his last outing at the end of December. This runner wont mind soft conditions and runs through the line strongly at the end of three miles, suggesting he could go further if necessary which is always useful at Cheltenham due to the uphill finish. The reason this horse gets the pick ahead of the other Gordon Elliott runner, Three Card Brag, is because we have seen this horse run over a stayers’ trip multiple times and he is undefeated in three starts this season.
15:30 – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
1st Galopin Des Champs
2nd Minella Indo
3rd Protektorat
Best Bets
MINELLA INDO – Each Way Proven in this race multiple times, form ahead of Stattler when he often loses in his first start of the season. Has been kept fresh, yard is in form at Cheltenham and price at the time of writing allows for profit even if he places. He has a really good chance of winning if Galopin Des Champs doesn’t fire.
and either Reverse Forecast – Galopin Des Champs, Minella Indo OR Both tricasts 1st Galopin Des Champs, 2nd Minella Indo, 3rd Protektorat 1st Minella Indo, 2nd Galopin Des Champs, 3rd Protektorat
Verdict
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS has two grade one wins from two starts over fences this season and is a strong favourite this year. If it wasn’t for an unlucky fall at last year’s festival he would be unbeaten over fences. Willie Mullins has made this horse a much more efficient jumper, who rarely takes off outside the wings anymore which although he has the ability to do, will have made him more efficient. The reigning Irish Gold Cup winner was impressive last time out and will be hard to beat. He will face tough competition from MINELLA INDO, who is a previous winner and last year’s runner up. That was despite the pace being relatively steady throughout which perhaps didn’t stretch stamina like when he won the race and he still beat many of the runners who go again here. There is likely to be more pace this year and he won his seasonal reappearance in January ahead of Irish Gold Cup runner-up Stattler, so has strong each way claims. The rain Cheltenham has seen in the last couple of days will test stamina which aids his cause. PROTEKTORAT could make up the places here and repeat his third place finish from last season. After claiming grade one success in the Betfair Chase at Haydock he disappointed in the Cotswold Chase here behind Ahoy Senor, Sounds Russian and Noble Yeats. However, this horse has shown he can place in this race already and it is very possible he improves on his previous start.
AFTER beating another JP McManus horse, Dinoblue, she was bought by the highly successful owner and won her next race ahead of eventual grade three chaser, Journey With Me. In that run, Impervious showed slick jumping and the ability to accelerate well on an undulating course. She was also carrying a penalty which saw her mares’ allowance wiped and she still convincingly beat Henry de Bromhead’s runner. McManus has already had success this week, with another horse he specifically bought for the festival, when A Dream To Share won the Champion Bumper. The favourite Allegorie De Vassy won’t be able to get away with the messy jumping she displayed last time, often jumping right and nearly unseating her rider early on. This horse has jumped cleanly and efficiently so far to date and has enough speed to win here.
13:30 – Turners Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Mighty Potter
GORDON Elliot has two winners so far this Cheltenham, with Delta Work claiming back-to-back Cross Country Chases yesterday. Mighty Potter has won three out of three over fences, including two grade ones ahead of the National Hunt Challenge Cup winner Gaillard Du Mesnil. He also has form finishing ahead of Banbridge who was last seen finishing just a nose ahead of Appreciate It. This means he has significant form ahead of the Irish horses in the field and Gordon Elliott is hoping this horse will be one of his better chances for another win this week.
14:50 – Ryanair Chase (Grade 1) – Janidil
LAST year’s runner-up made a winning return after 297 days off the track in the grade two Red Mills Chase at Gowran Park last month. Willie Mullins said his runner was “a little further advanced” than he thought and the result put him firmly in the Ryanair Chase picture. It was a graded winning return after a long lay off and he should improve for the run. This pick does mean that Shishkin doesn’t make the cut, a horse who appears to have tonnes more ability and is much more proven as a winner at grade one level. However, the ground has gone very soft and Shishkin was pulled up in similar conditions early in the Champion Chase last season. The conditions could produce an upset in favour of a horse with staying power and Janidil should fit that profile.
15:30 – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Teahupoo
TEAHUPOO has been an impressive this season in two starts but is a newcomer to the staying hurdle division. He started the season by handing the amazing Honeysuckle her first ever defeat, over a trip of two-and-a-half miles and saw off established stayer Klassical Dream in the finish. This result showed that the horse had enough pace to see off the best two-miler of the last three seasons, but also had the stamina to fend off a stayer. He then won his first three-mile contest in January, the grade two Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park. He won by 15 lengths on very soft ground and although the form of the horses in behind hasn’t been that good lately, there were some strong staying types in there and he passed the test with flying colours. The conditions will be soft again here and the division looks quite open this season and this horse could be hard to beat based on the early season form.
WITH the Skeltons off the mark with Langer Dan’s victory in the Coral Cup, another handicap success could be on the cards on day three. He won a premier handicap here on New Years Day, finishing ahead of Stolen Silver who was just over two lengths in second. Il Ridoto was also in behind and won his subsequent run ahead of Fugitif at Cheltenham later in the month. He will carry 5lbs more than last time out but that retains a difference of 6lbs between him and Il Ridoto. Dan Skelton has said that good to soft ground that is soft in places would suit and thinks the horse could step up to three miles in future. Despite a weight increase he has form ahead of some of the key runners here and showed plenty of staying ability ahead of Stolen Silver last time out.
16:50 – Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) – Luccia
LUCCIA has shown great ability, going unbeaten in four starts including two listed events over hurdles. Nicky Henderson has said he isn’t concerned if the ground were to be soft because she won a listed bumper in testing conditions. She has always shown the ability to travel powerfully and last time at Exeter, ignoring a messy final jump, she jumped cleanly on an undulating course. She has form ahead of Dan Skelton’s She’s A Saint, who although hasn’t won at graded or listed level, has never finished outside the top two. She also beat Eabha Grace in a bumper last season, who went on to win a grade three novices’ hurdle. The winning distance was 17 lengths, a sign of a class horse. She is yet to have ran above listed level, but certain parts of her form and the way she wins her races suggest she could easily achieve graded success.
13:30 – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Hermes Allen
PAUL Nicholls’ runner was the long time ante-post favourite for this race, until Willie Mullins’ Impaire Et Passe ran out an impressive winner of the grade two Moscow Flyer in January. Hermes Allen impressively won the trial for this race in November, showing very slick jumping on good ground and thoroughly saw out the half-mile uphill finish. He also followed this up by winning the grade one Challow Hurdle when he was last seen in December. The conditions there were soft and very testing on stamina. Again, he passed this test with flying colours and beat the likes of Marble Sands, Crambo and You Wear It Well who all went on to success in graded or listed events. His form against British rivals is unquestionably brilliant but now he will have to face the best of the Irish. His versatility, stamina and ability to gain lengths over hurdles should make him deceivingly hard to reach for some of the classy Irish contenders whatever the conditions are on the day. Nicholls has said he perhaps would have preferred better ground in the Challow run but his class came through and said he has a good chance.
14:10 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Sir Gerhard
THIS race looks wide open on paper and it is possible one of the other runners could take advantage of the fact this horse is lacking prep runs over fences. This horse is surely the one with the highest ceiling in this field. He was the Champion Bumper winner in 2021 and Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle winner last season, showing prolific festival form. Willie Mullins has only been able to get one run into this horse over fences this season due to injury and he was a doubt for Cheltenham in December. He looked just as athletic as before on seasonal debut in late January, but his jumping was a worry, specifically early on. Mullins has suggested longer trip than usual of three miles will be run at a slightly slower pace and will make the jumping easier. He is capable of improving a horse off the track and the horse’s ability and stamina should see him overcome this field when stepping up in distance. Gerri Colombe is unbeaten in eight starts and has two grade one chases to his name as a novice, so it is easy to see why he leads the market. He did make hard work of things last time at Sandown and that form isn’t the strongest with those in behind unsuccessful at graded level over fences. The likes of Thyme Hill and The Real Whacker should be in the picture and will likely capitalise if Sir Gerhard’s jumping hasn’t improved.
LAST year’s Arkle winner rarely runs a bad race and kicked off the season by winning the grade one Tingle Creek at Sandown ahead of multiple grade one winners. These included the defending champion Greaneteen, an out of sorts Shishkin, who is now a strong favourite for the Ryanair Chase and Gentleman De Mee who won the Dublin Chase last month. Edwardstone then unseated his rider in the Desert Orchid Chase at Kempton in December, before coming a close second in the Clarence House Chase in January. The grade one contest was rescheduled for the January meeting at Cheltenham, due to frozen ground at Ascot and it produced interesting course form. The reigning champion chaser Energumene finished six lengths behind this horse and the winner was a game Editeur Du Gite who made most of the running. Editeur Du Gite used a lot of effort in the run and his battling qualities were what helped him fend off Edwardstone who had the speed to win had the race been a few metres longer. Alan King’s runner comes here with confirmed form ahead of multiple top class horses and has built valuable experience during his first season as a novice. If he reproduces a performance like the one that saw him claim the Tingle Creek, Edwardstone will be hard to beat.
16:10 – Glenfarclas Chase (Cross Country Chase) – Delta Work
THIS pick may depend on the ground, with this horse likely to benefit from soft-heavy going. Gordon Elliott dominated this race last season where fan favourite and dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll was hoping for the perfect swan song. Delta Work spoiled the party with a gutsy performance to see off a prolific Cheltenham Festival winner and a special horse. He followed that victory with a third place finish in the Grand National the following month. At the January meeting here on the same course, Back On The Lash won by just over four lengths ahead of this horse in third. On that occasion Delta Work was a stone and 9lbs worse off in the weights than the eventual winner, with an abundance of horses finishing behind who also run here. His most recent run at Navan was very disappointing but it was over hurdles which may have worked against this horse and Blazing Khal was an impressive winner. It is important to mention the main threat is Galvin who is stepping down from graded company and is a standout name in this field. However, last season’s Gold Cup fourth has been underwhelming in his last two starts but isn’t without a chance because he is facing lower rated horses while carrying the same weight. Davy Russell takes the ride and the ground is widely believed to be changing in his favour, but as long as the ground description remains soft this race leans towards Delta Work who has shown better form.
17:30 – Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) – Fun Fun Fun
IN recent years Willie Mullins has had frightening strength in depth at his disposal, especially with regards to bumpers. This horse gets the pick here mainly due to winning a grade two bumper at Leopardstown last month. The prize money guaranteed that this horse would face a field that boasted some winners. One of these was Lily Du Berlais who won a listed event in February last year where she finished ahead of Liberty Dance, who went on to win a listed novice hurdle. Fun Fun Fun beat her rival by nine lengths, making it a good piece of form that catches the eye in a bumper like this. Stablemate It’s For Me won impressively at Navan in January but there wasn’t an abundance of eventual winners in the race. The current favourite, Dream To Share, won a grade two last month, emphatically beating Fact To File in the process. He is a good horse who could easily win, but Fun Fun Fun will carry 7lbs less than most of her rivals due to the mares’ allowance.
UNBEATEN in three starts this season and winner of the grade one Tolworth hurdle, Tahmuras may have gone under the radar thanks to heavily favoured market leader Facile Vega. Tahmuras impressed at Sandown in late January and showed efficiency in travelling, before pulling hard on the bridle late on and accelerating impressively in the final two furlongs. He was green and wandered quite inefficiently in the closing stages after flattening a few hurdles. He was still able to put daylight between himself and the likes of Nemean Lion in third, who won a grade two in his next start. This horse should improve before the festival and Paul Nicholls has said he has schooled well since then. Like last year’s winner Constitution Hill, the Tolworth hurdle he won doesn’t offer many clues on paper. However, Tahmuras visually appears to have a lot of ability and he should be in the picture. Willie Mullins’ market leader Facile Vega still heads the market but was an odds on chance until he finished a disappointing fifth at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. He got into a battle up front on that occasion and ran his race before turning into the home straight. Il Etait Temps was an impressive winner on that occasion and showed plenty of stamina. If Paul Townend can keep Facile Vega more reserved when travelling he could easily take this contest but Tahmuras’ price works out well each way and with improvement will have a great chance. After a hard run just a month before the festival for Facile Vega and a first blemish on the record, taking Mullins’ runner on each way could be a good move.
ONE of the most anticipated runners at this year’s festival is Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon in the Arkle. With eight wins from nine starts, his only defeat came in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The eventual winner was Constitution Hill, who is now a heavy odds on favourite for the Champion Hurdle and finished last season as Timeform’s highest rated novice ever. Jonbon has a grade one novice chase to his name after winning the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December. His latest run was last month, when he won the Kingmaker at Warwick in a match race against Dan Skelton’s Calico. His only rival was rated 23lbs lower, but Calico gave Jonbon a scare when he stole the lead early before the final bend and took the race to him. Jonbon was expected to win with ease but match races are often tactical and his rival appeared to catch him off guard after a poor jump.It looked awkward but Jonbon did well to come from behind and ultimately still won with ease. He boasts form over his main market rival El Fabiolo, as he beat Willie Mullins’ runner at Aintree by a neck last season. Considering this was just a month after Cheltenham, it was a big ask of Jonbon who showed heart to see off his rival on that occasion and it should be a repeat here.
14:50 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) – Into Overdrive
INTERESTINGLY, northern-based runners haven’t had much success at the festival, with just three winners since 2012. However, came in the most recent renewals of the Ultima with Vintage Clouds in 2021 and Corach Rambler last season. Mark Walford will be looking for his first success at the Cheltenham Festival while representing the North when Into Overdrive lines up on day one and he has some interesting form. He won a premier handicap chase at Wetherby, before stepping up in trip to take on grade one winner as a novice L’homme Presse to finish second by a length. He then beat Sounds Russian at Wetherby on Boxing Day in the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase. Sounds Russian is a horse who was a close runner-up to Ahoy Senor in the grade two Cotswold Chase the following month and is entered in the Gold Cup. Despite receiving plenty of weight on both occasions, he will only carry 5lbs more than his previous run and has shown how dangerous he is when carrying a fair weight. He missed a planned run in January due to having a dirty scope but Walford has reported the horse has recovered and is ready for Cheltenham.
15:30 – Champion Hurdle (Grade 1) – Constitution Hill
UNFORTUNATELY from a writing perspective, this year’s Champion Hurdle market looks like it has been shut down in anticipation of possible domination from Constitution Hill. He ran out an impressive winner of the grade one Christmas Hurdle at Kempton by 17 lengths to second place Epatante, who is a former Champion Hurdle winner herself. On top of this, the form from last season’s Supreme Hurdle success shapes up impressively with Arkle favourite Jonbon finishing 22 lengths behind this horse in second. There are special markets for betting without Constitution Hill but State Man similarly dominates these markets at around 1/3 at the time of writing. The Michael Buckley owned runner seems to be a good thing, with the only concern for trainer Nicky Henderson being the fact it is hard to find horses who are good enough to work with him when training.
16:10 – David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle – Marie’s Rock
IN recent times, Marie’s Rock has become increasingly consistent at a high level, which explains her favouritism ahead of two former champion hurdlers. She is the reigning champion in this race and her last run was a win over course and distance in the grade two Relkeel Hurdle in January. She consistently runs at this distance, and showed excellent stamina in that run, seeing off Dashel Drasher who has strong staying qualities. She even had an entry in the Stayers’ Hurdle until recently which is ran over three miles. The reason this staying ability will be at a premium here is with the addition of Epatante and star mare Honeysuckle to the field, there is likely to be a strong pace, but a strong stayer could fend off both runners. Honeysuckle, despite having won this race in 2020 and multiple grade ones at two miles four furlongs, hasn’t been herself this season. Strong staying types like Teahupoo and Klassical Dream easily passed her in the closing stages of the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle at the start of the season. Even when she was undefeated, Ronald Pump who lacks grade one success, came within half-a-length of her in the Hatton’s Grace in 2020. Epatante won her only grade one at this distance, the Aintree Hurdle, last year. Aintree is flat in nature and doesn’t present the stamina test of the stiff, uphill finish at Cheltenham. Love Envoi could also be in the picture here for similar reasons but Marie’s Rock gets the pick due to her eye-catching acceleration.
16:50 – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – Sir Allen
THIS horse has taken to hurdles well since recovering from an injury towards the back end of the flat season. In his final start on the flat he was only rated 70, but over hurdles has achieved two wins and a second place finish. This came in his first run of the season to none other than Blood Destiny, the joint-favourite for the Triumph Hurdle and it was only by five lengths. Despite Blood Destiny making it look like a light piece of work, Sir Allen kept with the pace well until very late on as Blood Destiny gradually pulled away with ease. This compares well to the form of Tekao, who is the favourite at the time of writing. Tekao recently finished third in a grade one juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown last month, finishing behind the other leading horse in the Triumph Hurdle market, Lossiemouth. It looks like the best form in the field on paper, but he lost by ten lengths, lost ground rapidly in the finish and has form finishing behind Jazzy Matty who also runs here. Jazzy Matty’s form after the two met has left a lot to be desired and he even lost to this horse last month at Naas. It isn’t a certainty but at his current price this horse has better claims than may be apparent.
17:30 – Wellchild National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) – Gaillard Du Mesnil
THIS horse is currently the market leader and was last seen finishing third behind Mighty Potter in the grade one Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown last month. There is no shame in losing to the multiple grade one chaser, but it was ran at a distance under three miles. Over staying distances, this horse has managed a grade one victory in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase in December, ahead of Churchstonewarrior who also runs here. He also finished third in last year’s renewal of the grade one Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the festival, just under two lengths behind Ahoy Senor in second. Ahoy Senor was a grade one novice over fences and will run in the Gold Cup later this week. This form, along with a third place effort in the Irish Grand National last year, tells us this horse is a strong stayer who will be suited to the long trip. Gaillard Du Mesnil already has form ahead of one of the key runners here and arguably has faced the strongest horses out of anyone in the field.
15:35 Newmarket – Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Joel Stakes (Group 2) – Tempus
GOT off to a winning start over a trip of a mile for new trainer Archie Watson at the start of the year, after moving from Roger Charlton’s yard. Then went without a win in five runs, but two of those were in second at listed level, again over a trip of a mile. One was behind useful Charlie Appleby runner Modern News and the other was lost to eventual group two winner Chindit. Mutasaabeq finished second in that group two race by only a head and he runs here. However, Tempus appears to be an improving horse which is why he gets the pick. His most recent form has recorded a hattrick of wins, with his last two coming at group three level, reversing the Modern News form, before winning the Prix Quincey at Deauville 25 days ago. Pogo is likely to be in the picture late on after setting a strong pace and Potapova could go close from off the pace. There is also a possibility of rain before the race but Tempus’ versatility should come into play regardless of conditions and will serve him well.
Saturday
14:25 Newmarket – Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (Fillies’ Group 1) – Trillium
RICHARD Hannon’s impressive two year old made it three wins from four runs 12 days ago, battling hard to beat The Platinum Queen in the group two Childers Stakes. This came on soft going, proving that she is capable on almost any surface and she beat a respected rival in the process. Hannon also highlighted that The Platinum Queen beat Trillium’s track record at Goodwood, which adds significance to the form. She travels impressively and shows excellent ability to win from behind, an indicator of great speed. This race will be her toughest test to date with multiple runners in the field boasting prolific winning records and winning form at group level. Meditate was denied last time out by a special performance from Tahiyra in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, but it showed that she is beatable and Trillium should have the quality needed. Treasure Trove has also shown excellent ability and isn’t without a chance, but a position further back in the field has been required in her last two wins to settle properly. Giving any ground away to the likes of Trillium and Meditate could be costly and overall Trillium looks very appealing in a quality renewal of the Cheveley Park Stakes.
Tricast
1st Trillium
2nd Meditate
3rd Treasure Trove
At time of writing Bet365 decimal odds are 41.43 for the tricast.
FRESH from a group one win in the Prix Morny at Deauville last month, Aidan O’Brien’s charge has strong claims on paper, yet is second favourite to Marshman at the time of writing. This is due to Marshman running a brave race in second, just over a length behind the impressive Noble Style in the group two Gimcrack Stakes last month. Blackbeard is able to set a strong post-to-post gallop at the highest level as he proved last time out, which will help him deal with Marshman. Blackbeard has four wins at listed and group level, by far the most in the field. Blackbeard has been known to be difficult before being loaded into the stalls, which is something to keep in mind, but he often runs well regardless. It would be O’Brien’s seventh success in the race and although Mischief Magic and Marshman aren’t without a chance, Blackbeard gets the pick.
Hawkinsport 