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.
BRILLIANTLY bred colt has three wins from four starts from a successful campaign as a two year old, which concluded with a group one victory in the Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster. This came ahead of a consistent Holloway Boy five lengths behind in third place and he runs again here. On the day Auguste Rodin was in a different class, galloping powerfully away from the field late on. The John Gosden trained Epictetus finished runner-up that day and he won a listed contest over 1-mile and 2 furlongs on seasonal reappearance this term. This field provides a tougher test but this form tells us Aidan O’Brien’s runner is not only quick but has enough stamina to beat horses who stay further than a mile. O’Brien has also been positive about the horse’s chances and is hopeful he can be the first to complete the triple crown since the great Nijinsky in 1970. Ryan Moore has chosen this horse over Little Big Bear.
2. Chaldean
Jockey: L Dettori
3yo Colt
Trainer: A M Balding
OR: 119
Form: 51111-U
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
BOASTS course form after winning at group one level in the Dewhurst last season, where Royal Scotsman finished second by a head. Also has confirmed form ahead of Silver Knott and Indestructible who both run again here. Indestructible won the group three Craven Stakes late last month which adds credibility to the form. Made a seasonal reappearance last month but unseated Dettori coming out of the stalls. If lives up to his prolific two-year-old campaign could come close but some narrow winning margins may make other runners more appealing.
3. Charyn
Jockey: Unconfirmed
3yo Colt
Trainer: R Varian
OR: 110
Form: 1231-2
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
NEVER out of the top three in five starts and runner-up in the group three Greenham Stakes last month behind a good winner in Isaac Shelby over seven furlongs. At his best won a group two in France last season on soft ground and soft conditions could help his cause. Other horses have more appealing form and he was well beaten by Sakheer, who runs here, in the Mill Reef Stakes last season. Roger Varian has stated the step up to a mile should suit. Tom Marquand will likely miss the ride due to an arm injury that was sustained yesterday.
4. Dubai Mile
Jockey: D Muscutt
3yo Colt
Trainer: Charlie Johnston
OR: 114
Form: 41121-
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
AT his best in his final run as a two year old when he claimed a group one in Saint Cloud last October. Heavy going and a steady pace appeared to suit that day, with Muscutt hard at work coming off the final bend to hold position before the horse battled bravely to hold on in the finish. He may not get a repeat of those conditions here and was beaten by Andrew Balding runner The Foxes in September. The Foxes has form finishing behind Holloway Boy and Indestructible who both run here so this horse may need improvement.
5. Fight Plan
Jockey: D Tudhope
3yo Colt
Trainer: K R Burke
OR: 102
Form: 51-2
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
NOT disgraced when finishing second on seasonal reappearance in the listed Burradon Stakes at Newcastle 28 days ago. Dear My Friend was the victor that day on the all-weather track, with this horse finishing behind by a neck. This horse only has one win from three starts which came in a novice event which has produced very few winners since. Needs extra.
6. Galeron
Jockey: K Shoemark
3yo Colt
Trainer: C Hills
OR: 97
Form: 16641-3
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
FINISHED his season as a two year old by winning the Goffs Million on soft ground over seven furlongs. This is the most valuable race in Ireland for a winner and highly competitive as 19 ran in total that day. The most notable winner from that field since is probably Magical Sunset who won a listed fillies race at Newbury the following month. Other than that the field has produced placing efforts at class one level, including a placed effort by this horse behind Dear My Friend and Flight Plan in the Burradon Stakes last month. Interesting profile but in a race of this quality might need big improvement, as is reflected by a rating of 97.
7. Hi Royal
Jockey: Oisin Murphy
3yo Colt
Trainer: K A Ryan
OR: 91
Form: 31-4
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
THREE-TIME champion jockey Oisin Murphy takes the ride on this Kodiac colt, whose only victory came over a distance of a mile as a two-year-old novice. That race has only produced one other winner and this horse was last seen finishing fourth in a conditions race over seven furlongs at Newmarket. That race has produced a few placing efforts from other runners, including one at listed level. Despite a return to a probably more favoured trip, the form offers little encouragement in a race of this quality, with Murphy on board being the main draw for this runner.
8. Holloway Boy
Jockey: C Soumillon
3yo Colt
Trainer: K R Burke
OR: 109
Form: 12233-
Wgt: 9st 2lbs v
WON a competitive listed Chesham Stakes on debut which has gone on to produce group winners like Finn’s Charm and Crypto Force. Previously mentioned smart runner The Foxes was also in behind in ninth. Winless since but has never finished out of the places, whilst losing to the likes of Marbaan and Nostrum. Auguste Rodin and Silver Knott go again here and also have previous winning form ahead of this runner. Hung across the track horribly to his Christophe Soumillon takes the ride and is another jockey with significant draw.
9. Indestructible
Jockey: K Stott
3yo Colt
Trainer: K R Burke
OR: 112
Form: 5122-1
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
SMART looking winner of the group three Craven Stakes last month over course and distance on seasonal debut. Beat The Foxes by just over a length to do so, and although improvement from his rival could be a possible explanation, other runners in this field have managed that feat in easier fashion. Last season ran bravely in defeat finishing second to Chaldean twice by respectable margins and runs for owners whose runners are in fine form this season. Warrants interest.
10. Little Big Bear
Jockey: W M Lordan
3yo Colt
Trainer: A P O’Brien
OR: 124
Form: 21111-
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
WITH an impressive victory in last season’s group one Phoenix Stakes ahead of multiple winners at group level, this horse comes into this race as the highest rated in the field. He won by seven lengths and the margin was only getting bigger. This along with suitable breeding suggests the step up in distance shouldn’t be an issue. The form this horse has could be argued for as the best in the race in terms of horses beaten but Ryan Moore has opted to take the ride on stablemate Auguste Rodin instead.
11. Noble Style
Jockey: J Doyle
3yo Colt
Trainer: C Appleby
OR: 117
Form: 111-
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
MUCH like Little Big Bear, this horse is stepping up in trip by two furlongs for the first time and ran green at times last season which may be the only concern at this level. Ran out an impressive winner of the group two Gimcrack Stakes at York in August. Beat multiple horses who would go on to group-level success including Marshman, Cold Case and notably Royal Scotsman, who has good form behind some of the other runners and goes again here. This horse finished over six lengths ahead of Royal Scotsman in fifth, much better than the winning distance of a head that Chaldean managed in the Dewhurst. William Buick has taken the ride on stablemate Silver Knott but if he gets the trip this horse physically matches up to the top contenders in this field and, at the time of writing, his price offers great value for last year’s winning stable.
12. Royal Scotsman
Jockey: J Crowley
3yo Colt
Trainer: P F I Cole
OR: 118
Form: 413152-
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
AFTER defeat to Noble Style in the Gimcrack, stepped up to seven furlongs in the Dewhurst 209 days ago and finished a close second behind the consistent Chaldean. Hasn’t been seen yet this season but has good course form and, looking back further, has form ahead of multiple group one winner Blackbeard when third in the Coventry Stakes last June. This runner clearly has great quality to have achieved some of these results against class names and a step up in trip should suit.
13. Sakheer
Jockey: D Egan
3yo Colt
Trainer: R Varian
OR: 114
Form: 211-
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
CAPPED off his campaign as a two year old by winning the group two Mill Reef Stakes comfortably ahead of stablemate Charyn, who was over three lengths behind in third. Like a few others in the field doesn’t have a lot of form that matches up to the level of this race but has shown a lot of ability. If the step up to a mile Roger Varian will be hopeful this horse can add another success in a classic to the St. Leger Eldar Eldarov won at the end of last season and there’s a good chance he will be involved.
14. Silver Knott
Jockey: W Buick
3yo Colt
Trainer: C Appleby
OR: 115
Form: 411312-
Wgt: 9st 2lbs
THE first choice of jockey William Buick and a Breeders’ Cup runner-up over this distance last season. Had two group three wins as a two year old and finished ahead of Holloway Boy over course and distance by nearly two lengths in the Autumn Stakes in October. He then went to America and missed out on group one success in the Juvenile Turf by a narrow margin over a mile. Using Holloway Boy as a measuring stick to compare with some of the other main contenders, this horse should be involved at the business end if he runs to form and he comes in as one of the most experienced horses in the field.
Verdict
1st Little Big Bear
2nd Noble Style
3rd Auguste rodin
Despite not being Ryan Moore’s first choice, LITTLE BIG BEAR gets the pick. He has a Royal Ascot win ahead of 23 runners and a group one under his belt which he won in great fashion. He is the top rated horse in the race for a reason and provided his speed translates over to the finish over a longer trip of a mile he will be very hard to beat. NOBLE STYLE at the time of writing presents great each way value, has significant claims based on ability alone and should not be ignored at his current price. The horse looked incredible physically when storming home to win the Gimcrack Stakes last season, and did so impressively despite showing greenness and running a bit left late on. AUGUSTE RODIN could easily win this and connections have been extremely positive about him in the build up. He possibly has the best stamina in the field and looks destined to step up in trip as he is currently aimed at completing the triple crown. The quality of some of the established six-furlong runners is very hard to ignore. If one of them is able to see out the mile trip thoroughly Auguste Rodin may be found wanting for gears, so despite the trip not being a concern, at his current price is worth taking on.
CHELTENHAM-Aintree doubles can be very rare and tend to only be completed by the best in class, such as Buveur D’Air after his first Champion Hurdle, and more recently Shishkin and of course Tiger Roll. Stage Star has had a brilliant season over fences and his superb jumping should see him in with a great chance of doing the double against only four opponents. Joint favourite Banbridge isn’t without a chance and gave Cheltenham a miss last month, but has come up short to top class opposition in his last two starts against the likes of El Fabiolo and Mighty Potter. This horse has the best form in the field after winning the Turners Novices’ Chase last month, where he finished ahead of multiple grade one winners Mighty Potter and Appreciate It.
THIS horse has placed behind top class opposition like Lossiemouth and Blood Destiny during the course of the season but has been saved for Aintree. He will also appreciate the ground if it stays good as his last start showed, where Perseus Way and Scriptwriter both finished in behind him at Kempton. It is worth noting that the favourite, Zenta has a good chance and placed behind Lossiemouth at Cheltenham last month. It was a much closer affair than when Nusret finished 16 lengths behind the star mare on Boxing Day. The reason Nusret gets the pick is because Zenta is coming off the back of a tough contest at Cheltenham, Nusret picking up a win in his most recent outing and some similarities to O’Brien’s Fakir D’oudairies. He is Joseph O’Brien’s most successful Aintree runner, a dual grade one winner at Aintree who could also perform on good going. He also often placed behind top class horses and last season skipped Cheltenham before winning the Marsh Chase.
FESTIVAL form can be at a premium at the Grand National meeting and this horse could make it three wins in three seasons here. Despite the classy Bravemansgame finishing behind this horse on both occasions, the withdrawal of Paul Nicholls’ Gold Cup runner-up will only improve the chances of this horse. He often runs enthusiastically out front on the good ground at Aintree at this time of year and his trainer Lucinda Russell as descried him as a “spring-time horse”. She has remained positive after this horse suffered a fall in the later stages of the gold cup last month, but based on his previous results from the last two years he will take some beating. His powerful travelling ability should be able to cause A Plus Tard, Shishkin and Conflated problems, provided his jumping has improved as it did here last season.
THERE will be an element of unfinished business with this pick for anyone who backed this horse at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. He travelled powerfully once in front, displaying excellent jumping and, for a hunters’ chaser, great agility. The one thing the performance was missing was restraint and a brilliantly judged late surge by Billaway under Patrick Mullins saw the race slip from his grasp in the final strides up the hill. This horse is a perfect three from three this season in point-to-points and steps down in trip to two-miles-five-furlongs here. If he displays the same relentless late gallop here, with a flatter course and the shorter distance, he will be hard to stop.
17:15 – Goffs UK Nickel Coin Mares’ Standard Open NH Flat Race (Grade 2) – Seeyouinmydreams
THIS horse really caught the eye at a bumper at Newbury six weeks ago. The run followed a wind op and provided similar conditions to what is expected here. She looked like pure class and although it is difficult to put into context due to many runners on that occasion being lightly raced bumper horses, the nature of the victory was very promising. She set a strong pace, stretched the field putting in all the hard work herself and cruised late on, all whilst on the bridle and extended the lead to a winning margin of 11 lengths. The eye test says this is a very worthy favourite and could be the pick of the bunch.
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.
THIS horse already boasts listed winning form ahead of the favourite for this race, Grande Dame. Fonteyn showed honesty in the final two furlongs, fending off the challenge of Grande Dame when they met at York in May. Grande Dame has possibly earned favouritism here by beating Oscula in a listed race at this course over the distance of a mile. This came after she finished a disappointing 11th of 12 in the group one Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Oscula has since gone on to win at group three level twice so it is entirely possible Grande Dame could win here. Fonteyn on the other hand finished fourth in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood last month. This was a promising run in a group one contest over a mile and one furlong. This would suggest she has the stamina to make it up the hill at Sandown over a mile and she coped better at group one level. What didn’t help her in that run is she didn’t settle well in the first furlong but considering the level of the competition fourth was impressive. Being a three-year-old filly, Fonteyn also carries six pounds less than the majority of the field, who arguably have worse form.
15:00 York – Sky Bet City Of York Stakes (Group 2) – Pogo – Each Way
AT the time of writing, Pogo makes for great value each way and if the weather forecast is correct he will get preferred conditions of good or quicker here. He will face the likes of Sandrine and Jumby who have finished ahead of him in his two previous outings, both being group two contests. Sandrine was carrying ten pounds less than Pogo at Goodwood last month and only beat him by just over a neck. With the weight difference eight pounds in her favour this time, Pogo might be able to reverse the form. Jumby’s victory in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last week was more convincing and it saw Pogo finish out of the places. He has however placed in group two contests four times in his career, twice over the distance of seven furlongs and even placed third in the group one Prix D’ispahan in July 2020. He is a front-runner who fights hard to hold his position in the late stages and has proved he can challenge at this level. He could be in the picture again here and a placing would be enough to see returns.
16:45 York – Julia Graves Roses Stakes (Listed) – Rocket Rodney
ROCKET Rodney steps back down in class to listed level after a special performance by Trillium denied him a group three success at Goodwood in the Molecomb. he led two furlongs from home and was unlucky to face an incredible turn of foot by the eventual winner to overtake him. George Scott’s runner still finished second and he is the only horse in this field who has had success at listed level. That earns Rocket Rodney a three pound penalty he should be able to overturn. He is also straightforward for a sprinter and is normally well behaved before races, which would explain why he has been first in the stalls in his last two races. This is a small detail but very important at York as it is easy for temperamental runners can get too worked up on their way to post. This is a field of two-year-old sprinters and this could be an important factor.
3rd Raasel, Khaadem, Royal Aclaim – 6 Combinations.
HIGHFIELD PRINCESS is fresh off the back of a very impressive group one victory in the Arc Prix Maurice De Gheest at Deauville earlier this month. There, she beat Naval Crown and Perfect Power who have both won at group one level, with group three winners Minzaal and Garrus making up the places. She steps down in trip to five furlongs here. RAASEL was last seen finishing in second place behind KHAADEM in the group two King George Qatar Stakes at Goodwood last month. This form could easily be reversed, as Raasel made impressive progress late on after being short of room and reduced a gap of three lengths to only a neck on the line. ROYAL ACLAIM should also be in the picture. She is unbeaten in three starts and won a listed race at York in July. She will carry two pounds less than Highland Princess and five pounds less than Raasel and Khaadem. This does represent a big jump up in class and that is why she is included here but not to win, but she appears to have a lot of ability. Highfield Princess offers some value at the time of writing and works each way, while the other three mentioned will make up the places in the tricasts. The different combinations offer some cover as all three are good runners and it could be very competitive for the places.
Hawkinsport 