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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.

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.