13:30 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) – Constitution Hill
The assessment with this horse is mainly down to an eye test, due to a lack of grade-winning company in behind him in both starts at Sandown. In the latter start he claimed the grade one Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle. The conditions there were heavy and many tired in the straight in other races on the day. This horse appeared to show accurate jumping, and great acceleration on tough ground in an uphill finish. On both starts his travelling speed hasn’t been put to the test due to the quality of opposition he has faced so far, but he has looked to be travelling in second gear most of the time. connections haven’t said he is ground dependant as his first start was on good-soft and that was another wide margin victory with ease. His jockey Nico De Boinville has spoke very highly of the horse. Although cautious, he has said he felt special and says the horse has excellent temperament and push button acceleration. The absence of Sir Gerhard also opens the race up even more for the Nicky Henderson runners.
14:10 – Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) – Blue Lord
This year’s renewal of the Arkle has been a bumpy ride for ante-post backers, particularly with the absence of long-time market leader Ferny Hollow being announced in January. Blue Lord was last seen finishing ahead of Riviere D’etel in the Irish Arkle in February, after the mare surrendered a slender lead with an untidy jump in the closing stages. The mare had very respectable form just one and a half lengths behind Ferny Hollow at Leopardstown on Boxing Day, suggesting she is in the mix in terms of speed. However, at Cheltenham there will be more of an emphasis on slick jumping which could see Blue Lord edge the contest. He would have to confirm the Irish Arkle form, where he finished ahead of Riviere D’etel, Saint Sam and Haut En Couleurs. He also faces tough competition from British rival Edwardstone, who has rarely put a foot wrong this season, winning four from five contests over fences. Despite three graded victories in those runs, two came ahead of horses with questionable form in graded contests over fences. Third Time Lucki was one of the standout horses in the field who finished behind Edwardstone at Sandown. However Dan Skelton’s runner only won a grade two against two unproven horses at that level. When he met Edwardstone, the hills at Sandown sapped his stamina too easily and he faded badly late on. This field has a stronger Irish influence and should prove more testing with Blue Lord having leading form claims.
15:30 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) – Honeysuckle
Undefeated in 14 starts and the reigning Champion Hurdle winner from last season, Honeysuckle faces new opposition this season. Willie Mullins’ Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Appreciate it has been kept fresh this season and will make his seasonal debut at Cheltenham. Mullins has done this with great success in the past. Meanwhile, Gordon Elliott trained Teahupoo also goes here after a very successful season, claiming three graded races all ahead of reigning Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios. This season Henry De Bromhead has plotted the same route to Cheltenham for Honeysuckle, but we have seen her opposition try to test her in a different way. Both her races this season the leader set a fast pace in an attempt to stretch her stamina and avoid her rapid turn of foot in the late stages. She passed both tests with flying colours, last seen finishing six lengths ahead of winner up to grade two level Zanahiyr. She has a big challenge on her hands but is a heavy odds-on favourite with good reason.
Each Way Mention – Teahupoo
Has shown versatility this season winning on heavy and good-soft. Has winning form over reigning Triumph Hurdle winner Quilixios on three occasions this season. The first could have been put down to Quilixios making his seasonal debut. The repeated wins are a sign of quality with the grade one winner looking far sharper in their 2nd meeting. the last clash resulted in Teahupoo winning by 22 lengths to 3rd place Quilixios, with Darasso in 2nd who won a grade three over hurdles earlier this season. His travelling and athleticism should see him in the picture late on and at 8/1 is a decent each way option to take on the 2/5 favourite, but Honeysuckle remains the main pick.
16:10 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle – Telmesomethinggirl
Last year’s Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner, Telmesomethinggirl is without a win in three starts this season but has improved throughout. In her most recent run in December, a grade three mares’ hurdle at Leopardstown, she looked to be somewhere near her best again. She finished 3rd just a length behind Peter Fahey trained Royal Kahala and reigning Coral Cup winner Heaven Help Us . Royal Kahala went on to step up in trip and win the grade two Galmoy Hurdle with the likes of grade one winning Klassical Dream in behind. The absence of Royal Kahala here is a boost and despite Heaven Help Us finishing ahead of this horse last time out, she had a tough run trying to make all against Honeysuckle in February. Her front running tactics could also make it difficult to fend off a finishing serge from this horse late on. With festival form and improvement throughout the season it is very possible this horse can win again at Cheltenham.
17:30 – Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase – Stattler
Willie Mullins’ charge is undefeated in two starts over fences, with his most recent outing a grade three win at Naas, where Vanillier finished a distant 3rd. This reversed form from Cheltenham last season where Vanillier won the Albert Bartlett, finishing 15 lengths ahead of this horse in 4th. The shift in form suggests this horse has taken to fences better than his rival. Naas also has a stiff uphill finish, much like the straight at Cheltenham. Run Wild Fred is joint favourite at the time of writing, but is without graded success over fences with only one victory and placing on six occasions. This makes Stattler the more prolific horse and with that victory over a Cheltenham Festival winner in Vanillier, he boasts strong form.
Hawkinsport 