Tumbleweed King

Hi all, just posting here again incase we have same issues as yesterday. TumbleweedKing filling in for The Brigadier who is having a day off. Good luck if following, but hopefully a winner or two listed below. NAP 3-15 Huntingdon - BREAKING COVER Breaking Cover has only really had a handful of starts for Anthony Honeyball but he was travelling really well last time when coming to grief three from home. He would have had a big say in the finish, but he has been given plenty of time to recover and with Sam Twiston-Davies placing Rex Dingle in the saddle, the pair ought to be able to do a little bit better. He has fitness on his side compared to a few of his main rivals and this looks a decent opportunity for him to finally gain a win over hurdles. DAILY TIPS 1-55 Leicester - CORSICAN CAPER Corsican Caper has been in tremendous form and bounced back to winning ways at Haydock in a similar event last time. Although he is trying to win off a career high mark and has been in good form, the same cannot be said of his rivals here this afternoon. Many have struggled to put a couple of good runs together and have had easier opportunities than this in the past. Although this is just two days after his latest outing, he looks more than capable of getting involved once more. 3-45 Yarmouth - HOVER ON THE WIND Hover On The Wind scored a first ever career success when winning over this course and distance last time out. This is his third outing here in a row and he will be hoping to back up that win with another one off a six-pound higher mark. Silvestre De Sousa is back on board despite Marco Ghiani winning on him last time, but the Brazilian jockey knows him like the palm of his had having ridden him plenty in the past. With that confidence boosting success on the board, he looks likely to improve again and can make it back-to back wins here at Yarmouth. 4-05 Cartmel - BOOMBAWN Boombawn takes a notable step back in trip for Dan and Harry Skelton in this handicap chase over an extended two miles. The seven-year-old son of Dylan Thomas made it two wins from his last three starts over a few furlongs further at Warwick last time on what was his debut over the larger obstacles. Connections clearly feel he has the speed for this shorter trip and they will be hoping that his impeccable jumping holds strong. There is still more to come from in this sphere from him and no surprise to see him go well. 4-15 Leicester - MUDSKIPPER (E/W) Mudskipper backers will be hoping he can live up to his name as he makes his second appearance of the season. The ground on his seasonal reappearance looked a bit too fast for him, but a return to a surface with a bit more give will certainly be in his favour. He has won over this one mile trip in the past and David Menusiers’ runners have tended to need their first run back. The booking of David Egan really catches the eye as he is one from one on horses for the stable this year. There looks to be further improvement to come and not without a chance. 5-55 Leicester - MOON OVER THE SEA (E/W) Moon Over The Sea could well bounce back to form in this closing handicap at Leicester. The five-year-old has enjoyed a positive campaign on the all-weather and he now bids to continue that on grass. The drop back to a mile was probably what found him out last time and no surprise to see Declan Carroll move him back up a couple of furlongs here. Rossa Ryan knows the horse well and has won on him three times previously. Many of his rivals are woefully out of firm here and no surprise to see a better performance this time around. ACCA 3-05 Leicester - MATSURI Matsuri comes here on the back of a six month break and bids to continue from where he left off. The classily bred son of Sea The Stars stayed on well over a mile at Kempton when last seen to just get up and deny Brioni by a neck. It comes as no great surprise to see him step up in trip here and further improvement can be found for it. The form of that last race is working out quite well and Roger Varian looks to have another decent type on his hands. 4-55 Huntingdon - SALVATORE Salvatore got up to win his first race over hurdles last time and connections will be hopping that he can back that up here. He has had a good five week break since and Paul O’Brien is once again in the saddle. He was held up for a late run last time and did all of his best work in the closing stages at Kempton last time out. The form is beginning to work out as the sixth placed horse (Eric Carmen) has come out and franked the form subsequently. With a newly found confidence, he can carry on improving and rates as a danger to all. 5-20 Leicester - ALLONSY Allonsy represents a very much in form Ralph Beckett team. The three-year-old filly was beaten only a short head on her seasonal reappearance at Windsor just last month. The stable are enjoying some good results of late and connections will be hoping that this Kirsten Rausing owned filly can get off the mark on what is her second run of the year. The step up in trip clearly brought about the required improvement in her last time and can do so again here. Rossa Ryan takes over in the saddle for the first time and the pair should prove to be the ones to beat.

Hi all, TumbleweedKing in for The Brigadier today and although all today's were uploaded, there appears to be an error not feeding them through. Pease find attached the selections for today's racing below; Nap of the day 3-14 @ Fontwell - MISTER UPTON (6/4) Local trainer Chris Gordon could be in for a good day and his five year old gelding can follow up his comfortable course and distance victory from eighteen days ago on his fencing debut. On similar ground to today’s he defeated a good yardstick in the shape of the in form My Gift To You and a 8lb rise in the weights is unlikely to stop him from being highly competitive again under Rex Dingle who was on board last time. DAILY TIPS 3-10 @ THE CURRAGH - AUGUSTE RODIN (4/6) Last year’s English and Irish Derby winner who also scored in the Irish Champion Stakes and the Breeders Cup Turf has to put a very disappointing run in the Sheema Classic behind him here. That run came 57 days ago and this looks an excellent opportunity to get his season back on track in this 1M 2 1/2F Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup under Ryan Moore. He’s officially rated 11lb and upwards superior to his seven opponents the best of whom may well turn out to be Adrian Murray’s Elegant Man who is making his turf debut. 3-45 @ THE CURRAGH - OPERA SINGER (9/4) The Irish 1000 guineas has attracted a field of fourteen and can give Aidan O’Brien his first classic of the 2024 season with his Opera Singer who is the pick of Ryan Moore from the four O’Brien runners here. She was a smart juvenile winning three of her five starts culminating in an emphatic 5L win of the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc De Triomphe day at Longchamp in October. She’s had her issues since apparently but maybe able to outclass her rivals today with the Karl Burke trained Fallen Angel her main danger having stepped forward for her run in the English 1000 Guineas. 3-50 @ FONTWELL - BALLYFINN (7/1) This looks a very winnable nine runner class 4 handicap hurdle and it maybe worth chancing Anthony Honeyball’s handicap debutant Ballyfin especially if strong in the market. His best run in three Irish point to points came when runner up to Bective Abbey (winner since under rules for Nicky Henderson) in January 2023 and ran his best race, of three, over hurdles when fifth (beaten 17 1/2L) at Ascot on his rules debut last November. His initial handicap mark of 110 looks workable with Rex Dingle in the plate. 4-15 @ THE CURRAGH - MUNDI (3/1) It seems highly significant that Ryan Moore has presumably chosen this once raced three year old ahead of the likes of the top rated Chief Little Rock (Wayne Lordan)and could be the one to be on today. By Galileo he’s a full brother to four winners including 2000 Guineas winner Churchill and made a winning debut when relatively easy to back 44 days ago at Dundalk. He’s going to need to step up considerably on that to take this Group 3 Gallinule Stakes but he’s obviously been pleasing his trainer Aidan O’Brien since so is the selection here. 5-00 @ FONTWELL - SANDY BROOK (9/4) Chris Gordon can double up at the track following Mister Upton in the 3.14 with his nine year old Sandy Brook who will be ridden by the trainer’s son Freddie who’s good value for his 5lb claim. He was on board when running out a ready 7L winner of a similar handicap at Plumpton on good ground a fortnight ago. This looks a very winnable race with many question marks over his opposition and he can deliver once more. 5-35 @ FONTWELL - CAWTHORNE BANKER (7/4) This looks a great opportunity for Jonjo & A J O’Neill’s only runner on the card to go one better than his slightly unlucky runner up spot at Ludlow a fortnight ago. He had previously run out a ready winner at Kempton on good ground and off of just a one pound higher mark than his latest run should be thereabouts in a very winnable class 5 2M 1 1/2f handicap hurdle. DAILY ACCUMULATOR 3-00 @ UTTOXETER - BIG BLUE MOON (5/4) Big Blue Moon looks destined to build following his wins at Warwick and Hereford earlier in the season. The form of that last race has not been franked as such but a couple of horses in behind have come out to be placed subsequently since including Notnowlinda and My Chiquita. He has won on ground as soft as this in the past, so conditions ought not to be a problem. The seven-year-old is also more than capable at this trip and Stan Sheppard should be able to give him another competent ride. 4-10 @ UTTOXETER - NEXT LEFT (11/10) Next Left took the step up in trip in his stride when bouncing back to form at Warwick last time out. Despite a five-pound penalty here, he was doing all of his best work in the closing stages, so it is no surprise to see him step up in trip yet again. Dan Skelton is back on board the eight-year-old gelding who is proven over the three mile trip and the pair look set to give another bold bid. He should have too much speed for the veteran Higgs, who also comes here in good form. 4-45 @ UTTOXETER - KADO DE JOIE (6/5) Kado De Joie has only had a handful of runs and put in another decent performance when last seen at Warwick. He was a solid third to King’s Castle, but was only beaten a little over two lengths. With the yard slowly but surely coming back to form, the four-year-old gelding has to be considered a live threat to all here. There is no issue with the trip and Nico De Boinville is back in the saddle. He is the only jockey to have won on him before and the pair are shortlist material.

Good morning all, There was a slight delay in the prices coming through from Goodwood last night so here is the daily accumulator. 17:12 Goodwood Rainyniteingeorgia (6/5) is the least exposed in this line up and ran a race pilled with promise on debut at Nottingham just a couple of weeks ago. Kept at the same trip for today she may well improve over further in time. She cost a hefty £77k at the sales but should start repaying some of that before too long. Tom Queally takes over from Andrea Atzeni in the saddle. Beautiful Diamond who beat her in that last race put up a great performance at Royal Ascot in the Queen Mary earlier in the week and with the form being well advertised she ought to make a bold bid to shirk off her maiden status. 17:47 Goodwood Alba Longa (3/2) produced a career best effort when winning on her seasonal reappearance at Windsor last time out for a very much in form Ralph Beckett team. She has clearly thrived since being upped to this sort of trip and once again she has the assistance of Hector Crouch in the saddle. Despite a six-pound higher mark here, she looks the type to improve again and if she wins here expect her to be raised in grade next time. 18:22 Goodwood La Pulga (11/8) got off the mark at the third time of asking this season when going in at Hamilton Park. He wasn’t beaten far on his subsequent start at Pontefract and he now takes a step back in class to try and get back to winning ways. Joe Fanning knows this four-year-old well and he is back in the saddle for an in form Charlie Johnston team. Up against rivals who struggle to get their heads in front, he could well prove the one they all have to beat. TK

5-25 Kempton Mr Tambourine Man

Hi guys, battery issues last night so the daily acca has not come through on main page. Here it is for today though. Good luck if following. 3-05 Kempton AJP KINGDOM (4/5) found just one too strong last time out at Ludlow. That run came on the back of a 147-day break and he is most likely to improve for it. He went down on his sword against Safe Voyage and brings all the right attributes into this battle. The extended two-and-a-half-mile trip seems to suit him well and once again Conor Brace is in the saddle doing the steering. Fergal O’Brien looks to have found a suitable opportunity to finally get a win into this up and coming six-year-old. 4-15 Kempton QUEENS ROCK (7/4) reacted well to the bout of wind surgery she had prior to her last racecourse appearance. She put in a commanding performance to see off the attentions of Maid On The Moon by almost seven lengths and will prove difficult to beat if in the same mood here. The daughter of Shirocco would benefit from any rain that was to fall. She still looks relatively well treated and hails from a top class yard so has to warrant consideration. 4-29 Windsor CROESO CYMRAEG (7/2) went so close at Leicester last time and was only just nailed on the line by Duke Of Verona. That was his first run back in almost seven months and with similar conditions here, he should be fit enough to hold on this time. Joshua Bryan was the last jockey to win on this nine-year-old gelding trained by Harry Evans and it looks a positive move to have him back on today. He remains on the same mark that he last won off and he has to be high on any shortlist this afternoon. TK

The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle is a fiercely competitive handicap run over an extended two miles on the new course and there are eight flights of hurdles to jump. Traffic problems often occur here and can produce nightmare scenarios for both runners and riders as they can often find themselves blocked in at certain stages. Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton have been the trainers to focus on in recent years having won the last six of the last seven renewals between them (three apiece). It often pays to ignore exposed runners with seven of the last ten winners having nine or fewer runs over hurdles. A trend that has emerged in recent renewals is that ex-flat horses seem to be coming to the fore and as French horses seem to be developed at an enhanced rate, they seem to be well suited to this type of challenge. Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 State Man 5 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 2021 Belfast Banter 6 Pat Fahey Kevin Sexton 2020 Saint Roi 5 Willie Mullins Barry Geraghty 2019 Ch’tibello 8 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 2018 Mohaayed 6 Dan Skelton Bridget Andrews 2017 Arctic Fire 8 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 2016 Superb Story 5 Dan Skelton Harry Skelton 2015 Wicklow Brave 6 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 2014 Lac Fontana 5 Paul Nicholls Daryl Jacob 2013 Ted Veale 6 Tony Martin Bryan Cooper 2012 Alderwood 8 Thomas Mullins Tony McCoy Below are selected runners who are competing in the County Hurdle. I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner. Filey Bay Trainer: Emmett Mullins Jockey: Mark Walsh Has been a profitable addition to the Emmet Mullins team since leaving Declan Wall late last year. The seven-year-old picked up wins at Doncaster and Wincanton in decent handicaps at similar trips. He was last seen finishing runner-up to Aucunrisque in the Betfair Hurdle. There is no doubt he is a talent and no surprise if he were to put his best foot forward here. A lack of experience around this track hasn’t stopped the last three winners of this race and he could well go close. Hunters Yarn Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Has impressed on his two most recent starts with wins at Navan and Naas. Crucially he has experience in large fields and that experience will be invaluable here. He remains progressive and could well give Willie Mullins another winner in this race. He put some six lengths between himself and Imagine on his most recent run and there should be plenty more improvement left in him. Pembroke Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton A winner of two low-grade races late last year and was then upped in class to compete in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle in January. A well-backed favourite that day, but could not get to Rock My Way who got the first run on him. With no experience in large fields and no flat experience to fall back on, he may well struggle in a race of this nature. Gin Coco Trainer: Harry Fry Jockey: Jonathan Burke Warmed up for this by being a good second to I Like To Move It over this course and distance in the Greatwood Hurdle last November. You only have to look as far back as 2016 when Superb Story plotted an identical path to victory as Harry Fry will be well aware. The Irish have had a firm grip on this race in the last three years, but he does look to be the best that the home contingent has to offer. The form of the race has been boosted again following subsequent wins for the winner as well as First Impression, Mark Of Gold and Sonigino. He has to be rated a threat to all. Winter Fog Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Kieran Callaghan Now in the care of Willie Mullins having left the care of Emmet Mullins. The nine-year-old won on his sole start for the Closutton handler when taking a handicap at Leopardstown just after Christmas. He pulled some six-and-a-half lengths clear of a decent field that day and there could well be more to come. He is also entered in the Coral Cup, but this could also be a viable target for him. If he runs he is likely to go extremely well having gained invaluable course experience in the Pertemps Handicap where he finished a solid fourth to Third Wind. Path D'Oroux Trainer: Gavin Cromwell Jockey: Keith Donoghue Has gained two wins already this season at Galway and Navan. The most recent came in January when he got the better of Ifiwerearichman and Glamorgan Duke. It is difficult to assess just how good that form is though and others look to have stronger claims. He is clearly on an upward curve and if the ground were to turn soft, his claims would be enhanced. Based on what I have seen so far, he needs to improve again. Sharjah Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Mr P W Mullins Has been a wonderful servant to Willie Mullins down the years and has run some great races here in the past. He had to settle for the runner-up spot in two Champion Hurdles behind both Epatante and Honeysuckle. This looks the more likely of his three potential entries and with his sights lowered, this race could be tailor-made for him. Willie Mullins won this with Arctic Fire who had a similar profile to Sharjah. He cannot be discounted and may well be the forgotten horse. First Street Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico de Boinville Was a good second to State Man in this last season, but Willie Mullins surely knows how good that form is and what it would take to beat him again. He was last seen upped in class when contesting the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton. On a line through I Like To Move It, Gin Coco would appear to have the beating of him also. He continues to move up the ratings but the handicapper may now have his measure. [coffers ids="betfair-exchange"] Saint Sam Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Jack Foley This type of race looks to be what suits him best as he was a fair second to Jeff Kidder here a couple of seasons ago in the Boodles Juvenile. He does have plenty of good form over this trip and he is well used to big fields. He doesn’t always give the impression that he wants to win but no surprise if he were to pop up in a race like this. Ballyadam Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore Has spent a lot of time in the wilderness and hinted at a return to form when last seen chasing home Gaelic Warrior in a good handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival. He was far from disgraced in this race last year when fifth in a big field to State Man and the yard has signalled that they are in fine form following wins by Maskada and Honeysuckle this week. On that basis, it would be foolish to rule out a big run. Aucurnisque Trainer: Chris Gordon Jockey: Tom Cannon Genuinely surprised to see him entered here as all of his wins have come on flatter tracks such as Newbury, Aintree and Kempton. He is a really progressive and likeable sort but the handicapper may just have him in his grip now. He has been raised twenty-one pounds in the space of a year. Likely to run very well before fading. Prairie Dancer Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Jockey: Brendan Powell Was beaten a distance by Marine Nationale in a Grade One Novice Hurdle and by Brazil on what was his seasonal reappearance. Has it all to do here as his form seems to be tailing off rather than improving. Others also have far more experience of this track and his chances look to be remote. Magnor Glory Trainer: Terence O'Brien Jockey: Michael O'Sullivan Comes into this pretty fresh on the back of a nearly six-month lay-off. The more rain that falls looks to be against him as all recent wins have come on ground described as good. He has a top claimer on board though in Mikey O’Sullivan and they could grab minor honours. The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle Race Forecast Prices 9/2 Filey Bay, 7/1 Hunters Yarn, 8/1 Sharjah , 8/1 Gin Coco, 10/1 Winter Fog, 10/1 Pembroke, 12/1 Aucunrisque, 12/1 Path D'oroux, 16/1 First Street , 20/1 Ballyadam , 20/1 Saint Sam , 20/1 Magnor Glory , 25/1 Prairie Dancer The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle Race Key Trends 6 of the last 13 winners were trained by Willie Mullins 18 of the last 22 winners were novices or second-season hurdlers 13 of the last 19 winners used to race on the flat 8 of the past 15 winners have returned at SPs of 20/1 or bigger The McCoy Contractors County Handicap Hurdle Race Tips Sharjah could well be the one here. The nine-year-old has this as his only realistic target this season and we know that he certainly acts on the track. He still has a bit of class about him and as his trainer has shown in the past, he can get the older types right back to their very best for this race. With Winter Fog and Hunters Yarn also in the field, Willie Mullins holds very strong claims here Selection: BACK SHARJAH E/W @ 8/1 WITH BET365 If you want to find out the best bookmaker promotions, look at our Cheltenham Festival betting offers page. All odds are correct at the time of writing.

hin fifty-five days of this race. No French horse has won this since Snow Drop in 2000. Of the home contingent, Nicky Henderson has won the race four times in the last twenty years and two of those came within the last six (Peace And Co and Pentland Hills). Five of the last six winners of this race won last time out. Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 Vauban 4 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 2021 Quilixios 4 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 2020 Burning Victory 4 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 2019 Pentland Hills 4 Nicky Henderson Nico De Boinville 2018 Farclas 4 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 2017 Defi Du Seuil 4 Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson 2016 Ivanovich Gorbatov 4 Aidan O’Brien Barry Geraghty 2015 Peace And Co 4 Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty 2014 Tiger Roll 4 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 2013 Our Conor 4 Dessie Hughes Bryan Cooper 2012 Countrywide Flame 4 John Quinn Dougie Costello Below are selected runners competing for Triumph Hurdle. I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner. Lossiemouth Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Was rather unfortunate at Leopardstown as she was given a brutal ride at the back of the field. When given the office to mount a challenge, her stablemate Jourdefete actually drifted back on top of her and she lost any sort of chance. It was left to another stablemate in Gala Marceau to pick up the prize as a consequence. This will likely attract a big field so she cannot afford to find herself in a similar position. Whether that has any bearing on how she runs here is anyone’s guess. Her class may shine through. Gala Marceau Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins Jumped well in the main and enjoyed better fortune when beating Lossiemouth at the Dublin Racing Festival. He certainly wasn’t stopping on the run to the line and whether she would have beaten him with better luck in running will always be open to scrutiny. Gala Marceau improved markedly from his first run and is likely to improve further going forward. He has to have every chance of lining up here and looks to be a major player. Blood Destiny Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Mr P W Mullins Made all the running in a facile win at Punchestown back in January beating Common Practice by eighteen lengths. He is clearly a very useful sort and it was a clear improvement on what he had shown previously when winning at Cork. Paul Townend will find it a difficult choice between the Mullins trio and you have to respect his decision either way. Blood Destiny carries the familiar colours of the great Florida Pearl and it would be great to see them back in the winner’s enclosure at the Festival. Zenta Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Mark Walsh Completely unexposed and is now two from two over hurdles for her canny handler. As a filly she receives weight from her male counterparts and having won a Grade Three race on her most recent start, it would be foolish to dismiss her claims. Running in the familiar colours of JP McManus, she could well be anything and is of interest. Jupiter Du Gite Trainer: Gary Moore Jockey: Niall Houlihan Caught the eye when winning on their debut at Newbury back in December. He came here for a trial a few weeks ago over the course and distance and was ultimately put in his place. That was particularly disappointing and he is unlikely to trouble the Irish battalion in this. The JCB Triumph Hurdle Key Trends 9 of the past 14 winners were unbeaten 6 of the past 8 winners started their careers in France 7 of the last 10 winners have been trained in Ireland The JCB Triumph Hurdle Tips Lossiemouth can atone for a luckless run at the Dublin Racing Festival and Paul Townend’s decision to ride her over her stablemates has to be respected. As a filly, she receives a very handy pull in the weight with her male counterparts and that could make a lot of difference. The most pressure is likely to come from stablemate Blood Destiny, who will most likely try and make all once more. SELECTION: BET LOSSIEMOUTH TO WIN AT 7/4 WITH BET365 If you want to find out the best bookmaker promotions, look at our Cheltenham Festival betting offers page. All odds are correct at the time of writing.

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle is open to horses aged four or older. It is run over three miles and there are twelve flights of hurdles to be jumped. Looking back, the race has produced some top quality horses who have gone onto much better things including The Nice Guy, Bobs Worth, Unowhatimeanharry, Penhill, Minella Indo and of course Monkfish. This is a race where favourites have a historically bad record. Only one of the last ten have won (At Fishers Cross in 2013). There has only been one eight-year-old winner of the race. The remainder have been aged five to seven. Since its inception in 2005, Willie Mullins has won the race three times and the likes of Gordon Elliott of Paul Nicholls have never won it. Jonjo O’Neill has won the race twice with the likes of Black Jack Ketchum in 2006 and Wichita Lineman in 2007. Guaranteed stamina is over three miles is a valuable asset as twelve of the last thirteen winners had previously won over the trip. Embassy Gardens Stepped up to three miles last time out and won literally doing handstands. He saw off Kilbree Warrior by an impressive thirty-five lengths. Willie Mullins sees him as a real chasing type but the form of that last win has not worked out at all. He may just have been best on the day. Yet to prove it at the highest level but no surprise if he does given his yards’ record in the race. Three Card Brag Has been beaten in lesser events than this and beginning to look exposed at the very top level. He did put his head in front in what was literally an egg and spoon race at Fairyhouse at the end of January beating Spanish Harlem by a dozen lengths. It is just very hard to see him figure here given the talent pool on offer. Corbetts Cross This horse is improving at a rate of knots and put in a power packed display when handing out a six length beating to Martha Devine in a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in mid January. He certainly improved for the step up in trip and has recently left the yard of Eugene O’Sullivan to be trained by Emmett Mullins. There is more improvement to come without a shadow of doubt and he is an intriguing contender. Hiddenvalley Lake Needs to improve dramtically on what we have seen so far. He was beaten at odds on when last seen out at Clonmel in a three-mile Grade two race. He was a grade three winning hurdler at Cork last season and he may well have just needed the run, but others are far more experienced already and this would be an adventure into the unknown. Sandor Clegane Again he needs to improve and take another step forward. There was nothing wrong with his placed effort in a Grade One at the Dublin Racing Festival where bumped into Good Land. Paul Nolan will be pleased with what he saw and may feel that this extra couple of furlongs will suit his six-year-old gelding. He cannot be ruled out and may well play a part in the proceedings here. Favori De Champdou Has won his last three races with the minimum of fuss and all over this trip and looks to be Gordon Elliotts best chance of ending his hoodoo in this particular race. He took the step up into Grade two company in his stride when seeing off the well regarded Letsbeclearaboutit. All of his best form has come with plenty of give in the ground and the form has already been franked by the runner up. Definetly not out of this. Monty’s Star Improved dramatically from his first to his second start this season and put a dent in the aspirations of Hiddenvalley Lake last time out at Clonmel. Minella Indo used that same race as a stepping stone to success here and no surprise if this Henry De Bromhead trained runner follows in the footsteps of his former stablemate. Letsbeclearaboutit Won a maiden hurdle by twenty-two lengths but has something to find with a couple of these including Favori De Champdou and Hiddenvalley Lake. Needs to take another step forward but clearly she is going the right way and make play a small part. Selected Ante-post Prices Corbett’s Cross 9/2, Hiddenvalley Lake 11/2, Three Card Brag 7/1, Embassy Gardens 7/1, Sandor Clegane 10/1, Favori De Champdou 10/1, Monty’s Star 12/1. Letsbeclearaboutit 14/1 Key Trends: 8 of the past 11 winners either won or were placed in a bumper race 6 of the last 8 winners were Irish trained 13 of the last 17 winners finished first or second last time out Summary Monty’s Star looks the right type that can carry on his improvement. It was something of a shock that he turned over his better fancied stablemate the other week, but he is clearly a smart type. His trainer took the same route with Minella Indo back in 2019 and it could well pay dividends. Corbetts Cross is a liekable type and could well give the selection something to think about and Gordon Elliott seems to hold stronger claims this time around with Favori De Champdou. Punters Lounge Tip: Monty's Star E/W @ 25/1 @ Betvictor

The Ryanair Chase is a Grade One Chase open to horses aged five or older. It is run on the new course over a distance of around two-and-a-half miles. There are seventeen fences to be jumped and it offers horses an opportunity to gain top-level festival success over a mid-range trip. Proven Grade One form is required to win this as is previous Cheltenham form. Since its inception, all fourteen previous winners had won over a trip of at least two-and-a-half miles, with ten of those winners already having won a Grade One. The market usually finds the winner of the race quite well with eleven of the last thirteen winners coming from one of the front three in the betting market on the day. Eleven out of the last fourteen winners had won or been placed at the Festival previously. Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 Allaho 8 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 2021 Allaho 7 Willie Mullins Rachael Blackmore 2020 Min 9 Willie Mullins Paul Townend 2019 Frodon 7 Paul Nicholls Bryony Frost 2018 Balko Des Flos 7 Henry De Bromhead Davy Russell 2017 Un De Sceaux 9 Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2016 Vautour 7 Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2015 Uxizandre 7 Alan King Tony McCoy 2014 Dynaste 8 David Pipe Tom Scudamore 2013 Cue Card 7 Colin Tizzard Joe Tizzard 2012 Riverside Theatre 8 Nicky Henderson Barry Geraghty Ryanair Steeple Chase Runners Below are the runners for the Ryanair Chase. I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner. Shishkin Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico De Boinville A winner of eight out of his ten chases is a fantastic stat and he produced a great performance in the Ascot Chase last month to beat Pic D’Orhy by sixteen lengths. That seemed to suggest he was right back to somewhere near his best and given that he is two from three on this track he would command the utmost respect anyway. Whilst his rivals are no back numbers, they do not match what he has done or come close to it. If fully on song he should win this in a canter. Blue Lord Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Whilst his record reflects that he has won three out of his last four races, they were quite dire. He beat no more than seven horses in any of those races and when upped to this level last time, he was easily usurped by stablemate Gentleman De Mee. He has yet to prove he is fully effective on this track as he was beaten all to easily by Edwardstone in the Arkle last year. There are others better than him in this race. Janidil Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Mark Walsh Fared best of the rest when runner-up in this race last season finishing some fourteen lengths behind Allaho. He won a weak Grade 2 race last time where he got the better of stablemate Haut En Couleurs. I expect him to put in another solid round here and for his jockey to deploy similar hold-up tactics. Likely to be doing all of his running on when the winner has already sewn up the victory, but place prospects once more. Fury Road Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Davy Russell Has not won a Grade 1 Chase since beating Run Wild Fred in the Neville Hotels Novices’ Chase back in 2021. He is genuinely consistent but has a bit to find with Conflated who beat him six lengths at Leopardstown back in December. He was then taken apart in the Irish Gold Cup at the Dublin Racing Festival last month where he finished third to a breath-taking Galopin Des Champs. This is not as hot of a race but he will likely find a couple too good yet again. Envoi Allen Trainer: Henry De Bromhead Jockey: Rachael Blackmore A former winner of the Champion Bumper and also the Ballymore who again put up another solid performance when placed behind Energumene in the Queen Mother Champion Chase last season. Whilst he won on his seasonal reappearance at Down Royal, that was followed by an inferior effort in the King George at Kempton. The stable has been out of sorts all year and it is hard to see him turning back the clock to recapture the former glory days. French Dynamite Trainer: Mous Morris Jockey: Darragh O'Keefe It would be a monumental shock if French Dynamite proved good enough to take this. A winner at races of up to Grade 3 so far in his career, he has yet to show any enthusiasm for achieving much more. He has been beaten by a few of these this season including Fakir D’Oudairies, Conflated and GA Law. Nothing has suggested he is capable of reversing form with any of them. GA Law Trainer: Jamie Snowden Jockey: Jonathan Burke A costly error saw him fall for the first time in his career during the Skybet Chase at Doncaster back in January. Prior to that, he won a Grade 3 over this course and distance beating Fury Road just under a length. Circumstances last time will not have done his confidence any favours coming into a race such as this against horses that are proven to be his superior. He will likely get around but in his own time. Hitman Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden Has purposefully been confined to racing on flat tracks such as Newbury, Sandown and Aintree, so the decision to give him a start on such a challenging course is somewhat of a surprise. He has been beaten in lesser events so fully expect more horses to finish in front of him than behind him. Chacun Pour Soi Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Danny Mullins Not the force of old and has never really seemed happy on this course. His eighteen-length demolition by Fakir D’Oudairies last time really has flagged his regression and he looks to have fallen out of love with the game. If he were somehow to recapture his multiple Grade One-winning form he would shake up a few of these, but the chances of that happening here are remote. Ante-post Prices 4/5 Shishkin, 11/2 Blue Lord, 7/1 Janidil, 10/1 Fury Road, 12/1 Envoi Allen, 16/1 French Dynamite, 20/1 Ga Law, 25/1 Chacun Pour Soi, 25/1 Hitman Ryanair Steeple Chase Runners Key Trends Willie Mullins has won this prize five times in the last seven years The last 9 winners were all French-bred 16 of the last 18 winners were in the front three of the betting Ryanair Steeple Chase Tips SHISHKIN is rated head and shoulders above this opposition who have at times proven somewhat disappointing this season. Nicky Henderson seemed to have his eight-year-old right back to where he wanted him when winning the Ascot Chase last time out. He is the only horse rated above 170 in this field and horses with such ratings have won four of the last five renewals of this race. There would be no more popular winner if Shishkin turns on the style that he is more than capable of. Selection: Shishkin @ 5/6 with William Hill All odds are accurate at the time of writing.

The Pertemps Final is open to horses aged five or older. It is also run on the new course over a distance of three miles. There are twelve flights of hurdles to be jumped in what is the longest of the three handicap hurdles at the meeting. Six of the last seven winners of the race have all been Irish trained and every one of those winners wore a tongue tie. The only horse wearing a tongue tie last year was only beaten a neck by the winner in Third Wind, so it appears to be a massive help. Five of the recent Irish winners used the Leopardstown qualifier run over the Christmas period as a stepping stone prior to coming here. Many of the runners use qualifiers to get into this final and a positive performance from them last time would obviously be key to doing well in this. Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 Third Wind 8 Hughie Morrison Tom O’Brien 2021 Mrs Milner 6 Paul Nolan Bryan Cooper 2020 Sire Du Berlais 8 Gordon Elliott Barry Geraghty 2019 Sire Du Berlais 7 Gordon Elliott Barry Geraghty 2018 Delta Work 5 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 2017 Presenting Percy 6 Pat Kelly Davy Russell 2016 Mall Dini 6 Pat Kelly Davy Russell 2015 Call The Cops 6 Nicky Henderson Andrew Tinkler 2014 Fingal Bay 8 Philip Hobbs Richard Johnson 2013 Holywell 6 Jonjo O’Neill Richie McClernon 2012 Cape Tribulation 8 Malcolm Jefferson Denis O’Regan Selected Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Final Runners Below are selected runners who hold entries for the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Final I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner. Salvador Ziggy Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Aidan Kelly Was fourth to Shoot First over this course and distance in a similar race back in October and now is burdened with top weight here. The yard has an excellent record in this race recently and Aidan Kelly can claim off his partner. The form of that last race is working out well with wins for Botox Has, Panic Attack and The Real Whacker. Has every right to make the frame. Itchy Feet Trainer: Olly Murphy Jockey: Sean Bowen Still looks well in on the best of his old form and he has been fairly consistent this year. He already has the beating of The Changing Man who is set to re-oppose but needs to reverse form with Wakool. This is his sort of trip these days but this course has not been too kind to him in recent years. Yet to win in four runs here, he may well struggle to get home once more. Good Time Johnny Trainer: Tony Martin Jockey: Liam McKenna Has been beaten a combined thirty-five lengths in his last two handicaps and is woefully out of form. Without a win in over a year, the handicapper shows no sign of relenting with him. Looks like he will struggle once more. Wakool Trainer: Nick Alexander Jockey: Conor O'Farrell Won a Grade Two hurdle last time out beating the re-opposing Itchy Feet. He will be attempting to defy a career-high mark here and this seven-year-old grey son of Motivator has no previous experience of this track. Could travel well for a long way before succumbing to his big weight. Captain Morgs Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Sam Twiston-Davies Has plenty of experience at this track including most recently when winning a class two handicap by seven lengths. The form of that last win here back in December is not really working out and that has to be a concern for his backers here today. Coltor Trainer: Roger Fell Jockey: Kevin Brogan Has his third run for Roger Fell since leaving Dermot Weld and has been slowly improving for his new handler. Has the beating of Wakool on their most recent meeting at Musselburgh and no surprise to see him confirm that form. In good form and could well sneak a place. Green Book Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Charlie Deutsch Operates much better on flatter tracks as wins at Sandown, Haydock and Ludlow all prove. Was a lacklustre fifth of six when beaten over twenty lengths by Wakool in a Grade Two last time out. Looks way of his depth. An Tailliur Trainer: Jonjo O'Neill Jockey: Jonjo O'Neill JR Has been off the track for almost five months but ran a fair race behind Shoot First in a similar event over the course and distance back in October. He certainly knows how to win races having won seven of his fifteen starts over hurdles. Always goes well after a break and looks to be in with a great chance despite a career-high mark. Mill Green Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Daryl Jacob Has to be respected given that he was a gallant third to Third Wind in this same race last season and gets in here off the exact same mark. This race has clearly been the target all season and Nicky Henderson has done well to keep him ticking over. Has obvious claims and is another worthy of respect. Thanksforthehelp Trainer: David Pipe Jockey: Mark Walsh Showed much-improved form when absolutely hacking up at Chepstow in a qualifier for this race. He saw off the attentions of My Bobby Dazzler with the minimum of fuss under Kevin Brogan. That run came after a bout of wind surgery which was clearly needed. With a much-needed and confidence-boosting win further improvement could not be ruled out as the further they went the better he looked. An eleven-pound rise in the ratings may not be enough to stop this David Pipe runner. Maxxum Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Davy Russell Won the Leopardstown qualifier at Christmas in order to participate here and was then injured himself a little when not giving his true running behind Perceval Legallois again over the same course and distance last month. If fully recovered he has to be high on any shortlist given his trainers’ enviable record in this race. He has improved hand over fist since joining his new yard from that of Eugene O’Sullivan and no surprise to see him bounce right back here. The Bosses Oscar Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Ben Harvey He has to come into this as one of the better-handicapped horses in the race. He was a fine second in this race a couple of seasons ago off a nine-pound higher mark. He has been lightly raced since and it has to be remembered that he pulled up in the County Hurdle last season having done so in his two previous races as well. He seems to be edging back to good form and ran a big race at a ridiculous price at Musselburgh just last month. He is still only an eight-year-old and he can make the frame. Walking On Air Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico De Boinville Looks to be a little too inexperienced for a race of this nature despite winning the Exeter qualifier for this race. Sabrina is a good mare, but she is not top class and he only beat her by just over three lengths. Exeter is also a very flat track and his two previous two runs came at Doncaster and Aintree which are also quite level. The undulations of this track could find him out and he would not be the most confident of selections. Hector Javilex Trainer: Charlie Longsdon Jockey: Lily Pinchin Has to come into the equation because he won a handicap over this course and distance on New Year’s Day beating Jet Of Magic and Abuffalosoldier. He was beaten off this mark next time out in what was a qualifier for this that was run at Huntingdon. If his yard were in better form, he would have a much more realistic chance. He is hard to recommend based on that though. Ante-post Prices 5/1 Thanksforthehelp , 6/1 Maxxum , 13/2 Walking On Air , 10/1 The Bosses Oscar , 10/1 Good Time Jonny , 10/1 Captain Morgs , 10/1 Salvador Ziggy , 14/1 An Tailliur , 14/1 Hector Javilex , 16/1 Itchy Feet , 20/1 Mill Green , 20/1 Green Book , 20/1 Coltor , 20/1 Bear Ghylls , 20/1 Glimpse Of Gala , 25/1 Wakool , 25/1 Jet Of Magic , 25/1 Level Neverending , 25/1 The Changing Man , 50/1 Burrows Park , 50/1 Takarengo , 50/1 Brandy Mcqueen , 50/1 Moka De Vassy , 66/1 Risk And Roll Pertemps Network Hurdle Handicap Final Key Trends Gordon Elliott boasts a fantastic recent record having won three of the last five renewals. Nine of the past eleven winners had run ten times or less over hurdles. Eight of the last nine winners were 14/1 or shorter in the market. Pertemps Network Hurdle Handicap Final Summary This is as open and competitive as it gets at Cheltenham but if he can be encouraged back to anywhere near his best form, The Bosses Oscar would look to have a compelling chance. He has been given a chance by the handicapper and is relatively lightly raced for an eight-year-old. If the ground stays soft he will likely put together a fairly big run and can give Gordon Elliott another victory in this race. Selection: The Bosses Oscar e/w @ 11/1 with Unibet All odds are accurate at the time of writing.

The Turners Novices’ Chase is open to horses aged five years and older and is run on the new course over a distance of two and a half miles. There are seventeen fences to be jumped and last year saw Bob Olinger make the most of a fall by Galopin Des Champs who appeared to be coasting to victory until sprawling onto the floor after the last fence. There have now been ten quality renewals of the March Chase and eight of those winners were trained in Ireland. Eight of the previous ten winners had already raced at a previous Cheltenham Festival and seven of the winners had also won a Graded novice chase last time out. Willie Mullins has a fantastic record in the race having won it four times and last year Samcro became the eldest horse to win it at the age of eight. Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 Bob Olinger 7 Henry De Bromhead Rachael Blackmore 2021 Chantry House 7 Nicky Henderson Nico De Boinville 2020 Samcro 8 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 2019 Defi Du Seuil 6 Philip Hobbs Barry Geraghty 2018 Shattered Love 7 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 2017 Yorkhill 7 Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2016 Black Hercules 7 Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2015 Vautour 6 Willie Mullins Ruby Walsh 2014 Taquin Du Seuil 7 Jonjo O’Neill Tony McCoy 2013 Benefficient 7 Tony Martin Bryan Cooper 2012 Sir Des Champs 6 Willie Mullins Davy Russell Turners Novices’ Chase Runners Below are selected runners who hold entries for the Turners Novices’ Chase. I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner. Mighty Potter Trainer: Gordon Elliott Jockey: Davy Russell Incredibly impressive when winning the Grade 1 Novices’ Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival last month and put some eight lengths between himself and Adamantly Chosen. He was quietly fancied to run well in last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and uncharacteristically pulled up. He has certainly improved for the switch to fences and he beat likely rival Banbridge by over eighteen lengths in the Drinmore Novices’ Chase back in December. No surprise if he were to confirm that form here. Banbridge Trainer: Joseph O'Brien Jockey: JJ Slevin Was a gallant second to El Fabiolo at the Dublin Racing Festival in the Irish Arkle last time out. Doing all of his best work at the finish, he hinted that he could yet again have a say in a race at the Festival. He stormed to success in the Martin Pipe last season and relished every part of the steep uphill finish. He has already taken a liking to these fences as he won a Grade Two race here back in November. He has an awful lot of work to do to reverse the form with Mighty Potter but he should go well. Appreciate It Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Paul Townend Had been well fancied to land the Irish Arkle at the Dublin Racing Festival just last month but found very little for pressure. That was hardly an ideal preparation for this but as a previous Supreme Novice Hurdler he has to command respect at the track. The last time he attempted this trip was in a bumper at Leopardstown that he won, so maybe a return to it could conjure some improvement. He disappointed badly in the Champion Hurdle last season at the Festival. Even now tackling these fences, there have to be reservations about backing him. Balco Coastal Trainer: Nicky Henderson Jockey: Nico De Boinville Outgunned by Gerri Colombe in the Scilly Isle Novices’ Chase at Sandown last month. A brave performance all the same, but Gordon Elliott should have a fair handle on how good that form actually is. Nicky Henderson won this race with Chantry House a couple of seasons ago, so knows exactly the right type of horse to send into battle here. Went well here in a Grade 2 Hurdle last season but disappointing that he hasn’t tried again since over fences and has been kept to flat tracks. May be found wanting up this hill at the end. Stage Star Trainer: Paul Nicholls Jockey: Harry Cobden This looks to be a little above his paygrade having been placed in lesser company a couple of runs back. He is a winner of three of his last four races though including a novice handicap over this course and distance at the end of January. Will sure be there to pick up the pieces if there are any faults over the leading contenders. Will need a lot of luck to go his way. Christopher Wood Trainer: Venetia Williams Jockey: Harry Bannister Is without a win in over two years and it is difficult to see it coming here. He has finished second on his last two starts in much lesser company and this really will be an uphill struggle. James Du Berlais Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: Daryl Jacob Has been injury-prone since joining Willie Mullins back in 2021. He did make a winning seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse in a beginners’ chase. That was followed up with a beleaguered effort at the Dublin Racing Festival, where he trailed in last of the six runners beaten thirty-one lengths. Needs a miracle to turn that form around. Notlongtillmay Trainer: Laura Morgan Jockey: Adam Wedge Has not looked back since joining Laura Morgan and now comes here in search of a five-timer. Whilst he does deserve a shot in higher company, he may have bitten off a little more than he can chew here. He has won his last two races by a combined twenty-five lengths but this is very much a step into the unknown. Unexpected Party Trainer: Dan Skelton Jockey: Harry Skelton Was beaten twenty-four lengths by Jonbon in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December and has been well beaten in lesser company subsequently. Looks completely out of his depth here and will do well to complete. Ante-post Prices Evens Mighty Potter , 7/2 Banbridge , 4/1 Appreciate It , 10/1 Balco Coastal , 12/1 Stage Star , 16/1 James Du Berlais , 66/1 Unexpected Party , 66/1 Notlongtillmay , 100/1 Christopher Wood Turners Novices’ Chase Key Trends 11 of the last 12 winners contested a Graded novice chase last time out 9 of the last 12 winners were trained in Ireland 11 of the 12 winners had raced nine times or less over hurdles. Turners Novices’ Chase Tips Mighty Potter has done nothing wrong in two starts this year and has made an effortless switch from hurdles to fences. His last two wins have been emphatic and if in the same mood, he will take some stopping here. He already has the beating of Banbridge and should be able to confirm that form here despite late support for the latter. Appreciate It is also a talent on his day and if he were to recapture his best form, he could well provide the main threat. Both are rated some eight pounds clear of Banbridge who loves it around here but is often found out at this very top level. Selection: Mighty Potter @ 11/10 with Betfred All odds are accurate at the time of writing.

The Boodles Juvenile Novices’ Handicap Hurdle is a Grade 3 race open to horses aged four years. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and half a furlong. Throughout the race there are eight hurdles to be jumped and it usually takes around four minutes to complete. Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott have won the race three times apiece so it often pays to look at anything they may target here. None of the previous eighteen winners of this race had ever raced at the course prior to winning this and the vast majority of the winners have never placed in a class one race before. Jockeys to avoid in this race include Daryl Jacob (0-11). Willie Mullins, Alan King, Philip Hobbs and Gary Moore have tried and failed to win this race on multiple occasions with multiple runners. Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 Brazil 4 Padraig Roche Mark Walsh 2021 Jeff Kidder 4 Noel Meade Colin Keane 2020 Aramax 4 Gordon Elliott Mark Walsh 2019 Band Of Outlaws 4 Joseph O’Brien JJ Slevin 2018 Veneer Of Charm 4 Gordon Elliott Jack Kennedy 2017 Flying Tiger 4 Nick Williams Richard Johnson 2016 Diego Du Charmil 4 Paul Nicholls Sam Twiston-Davies 2015 Qualando 4 Paul Nicholls Nick Schofield 2014 Hawk High 4 Tim Easterby Brian Hughes 2013 Flaxen Flare 4 Gordon Elliott Davy Condon 2012 Une Artiste 4 Nicky Henderson Jeremiah McGrath Below are selected runners who hold entries for the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. I shall provide some recent form notes to help point you in the right direction of identifying the winner. TEKAO – WILLIE MULLINS & MARK WALSH Was placed in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle won by Gala Marceau. That showed he has a touch of class and he is partnered by Mark Walsh who has won this race in two out of the last three renewals. Willie Mullins has a desperately bad record in this race, but this improver could well end his hoodoo. BYKER – CHARLES BYRNES & PHILIP BYRNES Was a decent sort on the flat when trained by Richard Hannon. He beat a large field when losing his maiden at Naas back in January. He was subsequently placed in a novices’ hurdle at the same track last month and now tackles handicap company for the first time in this sphere. The Irish have taken the last five renewals of this and he has to be considered. BAD – BEN PAULING & RACHAEL BLACKMORE Makes his British debut in this race having impressed in France last time. He will certainly appreciate any further rain as he won on a heavy surface last time out. Rachael Blackmore is an intriguing jockey booking by Ben Pauling and French bred horses have won nine of the last eighteen renewals of this race. He stays further than this and is a threat to all. RISK BELLE – WILLIE MULLINS & LUKE DEMPSEY Last seen out at the Dublin Racing Festival in a Mares’ handicap hurdle when she didn’t get beyond the fifth flight of hurdles. Having begun her career in France she won two races in a row. She had been quietly progressive prior to that last run. She needs a career best performance to get involved here. SIR ALLEN – ANDREW SLATTERY & DANNY MULLINS Has won his last two races in convincing style at both Naas and Punchestown. The race that he won last time has thrown up three previous winners of this race including Brazil, Aramax and Band Of Outlaws and he commands respect given that stat. PERSEUS WAY – GARY MOORE & JAMIE MOORE He wasn’t beaten far at Kempton by Nusret last time and prior to that he was also placed behind Comfort Zone at Chepstow again in Graded company. Given that both of his conquerors were Irish, chances are he is likely to find another Irish horse slightly too good here. Entitled to go close and should fare the best of the home contingent. JAZZY MATTY – GORDON ELLIOTT & MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN Has to reverse recent form with Sir Allen and that is far from guaranteed. This is his handicap debut and whilst his trainer has a fantastic record in this, he gives the impression that further improvement is required. Hard to make a case for on that basis. SUNDIAL – PADRAIG ROCHE & SIMON TORRENS Represents last seasons’ winning trainer. Has been well beaten in Graded races this season and then had his sights lowered when dropping into handicap company at Punchestown back in January. He was beaten over eleven lengths there and unless the trainer has been holding something back with him, he is likely to struggle. METAMORPHEUS – PAUL NOLAN & SEAN FLANAGAN Recently switched stables from Timothy Doyle to Paul Nolan and got to within five lengths of Sir Allen last time out. Weighted to finish a great deal closer to his old foe today and no surprise if he were to get his revenge. Sean Flanagan keeps the ride and the pair are respected. PUNTA DEL ESTE – DAN SKELTON & HARRY SKELTON Made his debut for the Skelton’s last month when placed behind Bo Zenith at Haydock. He managed to win a race in his native France before and did that comfortably on heavy ground. Still very much an unknown quantity and whether he is experienced enough to play a part here is open to debate. AFADIL – PAUL NICHOLLS & HARRY COBDEN Ran in the same race as Punta Del Este and will struggle to reverse that form. Prior to that he won two races at Taunton and Musselburgh but ultimately he needs a lot more to be involved despite his handler’s good record in the race. MIGHTY MO MISSOURI – JESSICA HARRINGTON & CD SMITHERS Still a maiden after five career starts in this sphere. He has hinted at ability in his two most recent starts and has only found one too good on both of those occasions. This looks a bit hotter than the races he has been contesting and he may well be out of his depth here. MORNING SOLDIER – THOMAS MULLINS & DARRAGH O’KEEFE Beat a few of these last time including Metamorpheus, Byker and Jazzy Matty. He couldn’t quite get to Sir Allen but he is weighted to turn the tables here. Darragh O’Keefe takes the reins as Danny Mullins has been booked to ride Sir Allen and he is of obvious interest. SAMUEL SPADE – BEN PAULING & LUCA MORGAN Has done nothing wrong in three starts and won in the style of a good horse when cruising to a sixteen length victory ag Huntingdon on his most recent appearance. He also brings useful flat experience into the race with him as he was formerly trained by David O’Meara. No surprise if he runs well at a price. FILS DE ROI – FERGAL O’BRIEN & PADDY BRENNAN Must have been held in high regard to have been chucked straight into Grade 3 company on his seasonal reappearance. He fluffed his lines and unfortunately fell when weakening at the time. He then was given an easier assignment and found the likes of Afadil and The Churchill Lad too strong. Looks out of his depth. LUDUS – GORDON ELLIOTT & JORDAN GAINFORD On lines through Blood Destiny and Comfort Zone he looks to have plenty to find with some of this field. He was beaten all to easily last time out at Punchestown and just gives the impression that he saves a bit for himself. SHARED – HARRY DERHAM & PAUL O’BRIEN Has really found his level since joining his current yard from that of Roger Charlton. A winner of two of his three starts, he is certainly giving rookie trainer Harry Derham a season to remember. This ultimately looks a little too tough though and he may struggle. ACTION MOTION – DENIS HOGAN & HARRY SWAN Not guaranteed to reverse recent form with the Gordon Elliott trained Ludus who beat him at Punchestown back in January. Lacks the experience of a few of these too and looks up against it in this company. GORDON’S AURA – GORDON ELLIOTT & SAM EWING Has been beaten by numerous others in this line up and looks completely exposed as a result. Beaten by Tekao, Action Motion and Byker he really looks to have it all to do. Needs some form of miracle. MCTIGUE – EMMETT MULLINS & DONAGH MEYLER Hard to think that he won a Grade 2 race at Auteuil last October. He has completely lost the plot since and cannot be a serious betting proposition here having been beaten seventy-three lengths last time out. MR FREEDOM – SHEENA WEST & ROBBIE DUNNE Has endured a long hard season and was well beaten over this course and distance by Scriptwriter back in October. Since then he has been quite consistent but this is another level entirely. Another gear is needed for him to get involved at the business end. ROMANCERO DE LUN – JANE WILLIAMS & DAVID NOONAN An unfashionable start to his career when he unseated his rider on debut at Warwick. Since then he has made amends by taking his next two races at Exeter and Ludlow. This is his toughest level of opposition to date, but the Irish raiders look head and shoulders above their British trained counterparts. Hard to fancy on that basis. Ante-post Prices 9/2 Tekao, 6/1 Byker, 8/1 Bad, Risk Belle, 9/1 Sir Allen, 10/1 Perseus Way, 14/1 Punta Del Este, Sundial, 16/1 Jazzy Matty, Metamorpheus 20/1 Afadil, Mighty Mo Missouri, Morning Soldier, Samuel Spade, Shared, 25/1 Ludus, 33/1 Action Motion, Fils De Roi, Mctigue, Romancero Le Dun, 40/1 Gordons Aura, Mr Freedom. Summary Sir Allen looks to have the beating of quite a few of these and it is worth noting that the race he won last time out at Naas has been won by horses who have subsequently gone on to win this. Danny Mullins has plenty of winning experience at this track and he will be keen to ensure that his mount goes close despite having to give weight away to some of his old adversaries. He has jumped off his fathers’ horse to ride for Andrew Slattery so he must be convinced by the selection. Selection: Sir Allen E/W

UNIBET CHAMPION HURDLE CHALLENGE TROPHY (GRADE 1) – 3:30PM The main event on day one attracts some of the best two milers around. It is open to horses aged four and over and the field take in eight hurdles on their way to possible glory. Seven of the last ten winners of the race have been Irish trained and nine of the last ten winners all won on their previous start. Mares have also taken four of the last seven renewals The winner usually comes home well within four minutes, and they are usually well found in the market. Only Espoir D’Allen and Rock On Ruby have won at double figure prices within the past decade. Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins are the trainers to follow in this race having won the race no fewer than nine times between them. Punjabi, Binocular, Buveur D’Air (2017 & 2018) and Epatante have all scored for the master of Seven Barrows, whilst Hurricane Fly (2011 & 2013), Faugheen and Annie Power have all won for the Closutton based handler. Horses who perform well at Leopardstown and Sandown in their prep races tend to have a better chance of winning this race. Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 Honeysuckle 8 H De Bromhead R Blackmore 2021 Honeysuckle 7 H De Bromhead R Blackmore 2020 Epatante 6 N Henderson B Geraghty 2019 Espoir D’Allen 5 G Cromwell M Walsh 2018 Buveur D’Air 7 N Henderson B Geraghty 2017 Buveur D’Air 6 N Henderson N Fehily 2016 Annie Power 8 W Mullins R Walsh 2015 Faugheen 7 W Mullins R Walsh 2014 Jezki 6 J Harrington B Geraghty 2013 Hurricane Fly 9 W Mullins R Walsh 2012 Rock On Ruby 7 P Nicholls N Fehily CONSTITUTION HILL – NICKY HENDERSON Was made favourite ever since demolishing a fair field in the Supreme Novices’ last season and has maintained his lofty reputation ever since. Wide margin wins in the Fighting Fifth and Christmas Hurdles mean he is very much the one to beat. Nicky Henderson last won this with Epatante back in 2020, but he is a master of winning this race having done so five times since 2009. He is rated six pounds higher than his nearest rival and on all known form ought to take the world of beating. STATE MAN – WILLIE MULLINS Another progressive sort who remains undefeated since February 2022. He was a particularly impressive winner of the County Hurdle last season beating the likes of First Street and Colonel Mustard. He is Ireland’s leading hope this year and having beaten the reigning Champion at Leopardstown last time, Willie Mullins will be confident of a huge run. He has six pounds to find with Constitution Hill on official ratings and that could well prove too much. VAUBAN – WILLIE MULLINS Has not progressed as you would have imagined this season following his good win here in the Triumph last year. He has been beaten all too easily this year and his jumping has been somewhat sketchy at times. A return to this track may well bring out some further improvement in him but he gives the impression that this sort of company over this sort of trip is too much. I LIKE TO MOVE IT – NIGEL TWISTON-DAVIES Locally trained runner and he bounced back to form with a demolition of the useful Knappers Hill un the Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton back in January. He is a three time course and distance winner but Grade 2 races are probably more to his liking. Others in here just look to be far more consistent and have just that little more class. JASON THE MILITANT – PHIL KIRBY & JOEL WILLIAMSON A former Grade 2 winner in his younger days but they sadly seem to be a long and distant memory now. He has been beaten a combined total of sixty lengths in his last four races and as one of the oldest in this line-up, he looks squarely up against it. Realistically he needs to have his sights lowered and he may be able to find a small race in time. Definetley not the force of old and best avoided today. NOT SO SLEEPY – HUGHIE MORRISON & JONATHAN BURKE Has been in the doldrums since dead-heating with Epatante in the Fighting Fifth in November 2021. His highlight of the season so far was when finishing third to Run For Oscar in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket last autumn. Two spins over hurdles this year have seen a certain regression and he looks completely out of his depth in this company. ZANAHIYR – GORDON ELLIOTT & DAVY RUSSELL Has not won a race of any kind since October 2021. Did keep good company last year and was placed in the Champion Hurdle behind Honeysuckle (before subsequently being disqualified). Has looked lifeless in three starts this season and has a serious amount of improvement to find in order to reverse recent form with State Man. Ante-post Prices 1/3 Constitution Hill, 3/1 State Man, 12/1 Vauban, 20/1 I Like To Move It, 66/1 Zanahiyr, 150/1 Not So Sleepy, 150/1 Jason The Militant Key Trends 10 of the last 12 winners were unbeaten during the current season 9 of the past 13 winners had run no more than nine times over hurdles 14 of the past 24 winners had won at the festival previously Summary CONSTITUTION HILL is hardly the bravest of selections but on all known form that we have seen, he should take a lot of stopping. He has already beaten the likes of Epatante this season and he dismissed her with such ease that it was quite breath-taking. State Man seems to have won a weak Grade One at Leopardstown last time and will need to up his game a little bit more here. Selection: CONSTITUTION HILL

The Skybet Supreme Novices Hurdle (Grade 1) – 1:30PM The opening two-mile contest is often run at a furious gallop, and it has often paid to sit in behind any frontrunner in recent years. Constitution Hill, Appreciate It, Shishkin, and Klassical Dream have all come from off the pace to win in the past three renewals. Leading trainer, Willie Mullins has a fantastic record in the race and has taken the coveted prize back across the Irish Sea on no fewer than seven occasions. Statistics show that horses need to have run at least twice so far this season and no winner in the last twenty renewals has won with any headgear (cheekpieces, visor or tongue-tie). Year Horse Age Trainer Jockey 2022 Constitution Hill 5 Nicky Henderson N De Boinville 2021 Appreciate It 7 Willie Mullins P Townend 2020 Shishkin 6 Nicky Henderson N De Boinville 2019 Klassical Dream 5 Willie Mullins R Walsh 2018 Summerville Boy 6 Tom George N Fehily 2017 Labaik 6 Gordon Elliott J Kennedy 2016 Altior 6 Nicky Henderson N De Boinville 2015 Douvan 5 Willie Mullins R Walsh 2014 Vautour 5 Willie Mullins R Walsh 2013 Champagne Fever 6 Willie Mullins R Walsh 2012 Cinders & Ashes 5 Donald McCain J Maguire FACILE VEGA (155)– WILLIE MULLINS & PAUL TOWNEND Was far too keen for his own good when last seen in the Tattersalls Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown. Uncharacteristically he made a few errors and folded tamely two from home. The jockey came in for criticism and justifiably so. Willie Mullins is a master at bringing the good ones back and being a son of Quevega, this boy is all talent. He is a previous winner here as he took the champion bumper last season. Stats are against him but he will take some beating if back on song. MARINE NATIONALE (150)– BARRY CONNELL & MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN Hasn’t been seen since winning the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse back in December where he beat Irish Point by a head. That form on its own is not spectacular and the runner up has been readily brushed aside on a couple of occasions since. The stable think the world of him though and he comes here unbeaten. This looks to be the toughest field he has ever faced and a lack of experience at Cheltenham may count against him too. IL ETAIT TEMPS (155) – WILLIE MULLINS & DANNY MULLINS Caused at massive shock at the Dublin Racing Festival by finishing some twenty lengths ahead of his much preferred stablemate Facile Vega. He travelled supremely well from off a strong pace and gathered up his rivals some way from home. He ran on to record a near ten length victory over Inthepocket. He is certainly improving at a rate of knots and a fast run race could well set this up for him yet again. Four previous winners of the Tattersalls Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown have followed up here at Cheltenham within the last decade including Champagne Fever, Vautour, Klassical Dream and Appreciate It. If he has strengthened up again, he will prove a force to be reckoned with. TAHMURAS (142) – PAUL NICHOLLS & HARRY COBDEN Tahmuras is a proven Grade One winner and looks to be riding on the crest of a wave for Paul Nicholls. Unbeaten in three starts since going hurdling, the six-year-old looks to be the Ditcheat handlers best chance of winning this race since Al Ferof back in 2011. The form of that most recent race has been franked by Nemean Lion who won a Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle just the other day and he certainly has strong each way claims. HIGH DEFINITION (UNRATED) – JOSEPH O’BRIEN & JJ SLEVIN He won on his debut for Joseph O’Brien in a pleasing fashion and got the better of Jetara. He was upped in grade but made costly errors and unseated his rider in no uncertain terms in the Tattersalls Novices’ Hurdle. He would really need to brush up his jumping and he departed too early to determine how much of a say he would have had in the finish. This course takes no prisoners and any flaws in his ability will be found out. This looks too big an ask at this stage. CHASING FIRE (136) – OLLY MURPHY & AIDAN COLEMAN Has been an impressive winner of all three starts so far this season. His wins have all been at a much lower level than any of his rivals and the form has been badly let down by the runner up subsequently. He is still open to any amount of improvement though and if he was trained by Henderson or Mullins he would be a much shorter price. Whatever he does here he will learn from and he can go onto bigger and brighter things next year. RARE EDITION (138) – CHARLIE LONGSDON & SAM TWISTON-DAVIES He had looked progressive earlier in the year but his tendency to jump right got him turned over at Huntingdon last time. If he does that here he will be in big trouble early on. Having been beaten in listed company last time he really does look up against it here. Charlie Longsdon has only ever trained six winners at this course since 2011 and all have been at a much lower level. Rare Edition may be one of the best he has ever trained but that still doesn’t look good enough, DIVERGE (UNRATED) – WILLIE MULLINS & PADDY MULLINS Was a wide margin winner at Punchestown when last seen out at the end of January. Despite beating the likes of Mon Couer and Slanagaibhgoleir, nothing from the race has come out to frank the form which is very disappointing. This looks a lot more difficult than the opposition he faced last time and both Danny Mullins and Paul Townend prefer their chances over him. That has to say a lot and he is readily passed over. INTHEPOCKET (145) – HENRY DE BROMHEAD & RACHAEL BLACKMORE Was no match for Il Etait Temps in the Tattersalls Novices’ Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. The yard has been struggling for form all year so it was a positive performance. Connections left it to the very last minute to declare him for this but he should be able to make the frame if further improvement comes. He relishes testing ground so if the rain continues to come it will bring him into the picture further. DOCTOR BRAVO (140) – GORDON ELLIOTT & DAVY RUSSELL Has yet to finish outside the first three places in any start and lost his maiden status over hurdles at Down Royal back in January. He was then upped in class into Grade 3 company and he ran well finishing third to stablemate Fil D’Or. He would take to take another massive leap forward to think that he could be in with troubling the best of these. Likely to run well for a while before fading in the closing stages. DARK RAVEN (145) – WILLIE MULLINS & DARYL JACOB Was perhaps given a little too much to do last time when beaten by both Il Etait Temps and Inthepocket at the Dublin Racing Festival. He looked like taking the runner-up spot but fluffed his chance at the second last flight of hurdles. A stronger gallop is likely to be on the agenda here and that may well suit him better. Not out of this by any means and could well be the proverbial dark horse in the line-up. STRONG LEADER (133) – OLLY MURPHY & SEAN BOWEN Was runner-up to Encanto Bruno in a bumper around here back in October. Since then he has gone on a three race unbeaten run winning a further two bumpers at Uttoxeter and Aintree. He also made a winning debut over hurdles at Southwell but this will take a massive leap forward. The yard are in fantastic form though and no surprise if he defies his likely long odds to pass a few of these when they have cried enough. FENNOR CROSS (134) – JOHN MCCONNELL & SIMON TORRENS Is a smart dual purpose performer and has already scored twice over this course and distance including in Grade 2 company. He has not been seen in action since mid-November, but he has won after similar breaks in the past so is unlikely to be found wanting for fitness. If the major players fail to run their race he could well take full advantage. He is interesting all the same and he will likely have better days ahead of him. PALACE BOY (125) – FERGAL O’BRIEN & PADDY BRENNAN Was firmly put in his place by Luccia in a Novices’ Hurdle last month. That is a level below what is required here and he looks completely out of his depth. Will be truly found out in this company. Ante-post Prices 7/4 Facile Vega , 7/2 Marine Nationale , 5/1 Il Etait Temps , 8/1 Tahmuras , 12/1 High Definition , 16/1 Diverge , 20/1 Dark Raven , 20/1 Chasing Fire , 20/1 Inthepocket , 20/1 Doctor Bravo , 25/1 Rare Edition, 33/1 Strong Leader , 50/1 Fennor Cross , 150/1 Palace Boy Key Trends 9 of the past 10 winners won last time out. 6 of the past 8 winners were rated 153+ 8 of the last 10 winners were trained by Willie Mullins or Nicky Henderson. SUMMARY IL ETAIT TEMPS could well be the answer to this tricky puzzle. There was no fluke about the manner of his last won in top class company during the Dublin Racing Festival. With Facile Vega now with a cloud hanging over him following his blow-out in the same race he will have competition for the lead here and that could put him in an uncomfortable position. The winner of the Tattersalls Novices’ Hurdle has won this four times in the last decade and all were trained by Willie Mullins. Paul Nicholls can take comfort in the fact that he has a Grade One winner in the shape of Tahmuras. His recent win was given a significant boost at Kelso quite recently and he may outrun his double priced odds. Selection: IL ETAIT TEMPS Edited 1 minute ago by Tumbleweed King (see edit history)