Here are another 3 horses to note courtesy of Graham Richards. To receive Graham’s work in full go to www.grahamrichardsonline.co.uk

Eclair De Beaufeu (FR) 5yo (06May14 b g) Gordon Elliott

Since his first run over hurdles in November 2018, this chap improved his FSF. His most recent run in his first handicap ended with a fine fourth place behind Off You Go. Raised 2lb his FSF suggest that is still a workable mark. Appears best over two-miles on good through to soft ground.

On The Blind Side (IRE) 7yo (28Apr12 b g) Nicky Henderson

Returned to his best when successful at Kempton Park. Jumping well throughout, he led turning for home and held on well from Talkischeap, a consistent novice chaser OR 145. He has the size and scope to go on from here with another run at a sensible level before a tilt at one of the novice chases at Aintree.

Precious Cargo (IRE) 6yo (08Mar13 b g) Nicky Henderson

Bumper winner for Linda Russell, Precious Cargo switched to Mr Henderson. He had a wind-op last August, described by his trainer last October as a grand, big horse with a good temperament. Returned to action at Kempton Park he ran out a comfortable winner of a two-mile novice hurdle. Held-up, he made steady progress from to track leaders just past the halfway point. Leading two from home, he stayed on well when asked to put the race to bed (Runner-up a previous winner). He will stay and improve for two and a half-milers. Long-term, he has the size to jump a fence.

HORSES TO NOTE – TWO FROM THE LATEST ISSUE (Available NOW)

Molly Ollys Wishes 5yo (18Mar14 b m) Dan Skelton Made her debut in the Bumper won by The Macon Lugnatic at Newbury. Described as a lengthy mare with scope to jump hurdles/ fences. Tracking the leaders she raced a shade to freely in the first half of the race. Making ground into the home straight, she challenged the eventual runner-up but found earlier exertions and lack of a run telling in the final furlong. Sure to improve, she would be one to be with if racing against her own sex.

Russian Hawk 5yo (23May14 b g) Colin Tizzard Described as a gorgeous horse by this trainer, paddock experts at Ascot noted he possessed a fine physique. In the race won by Downtown Getaway he raced towards the rear, travelling well before making mistakes at the sixth and seventh hurdles.  Bumped along on the home turn he ran on up the straight to take third on the run-in. Sure to improve, he is an embryo chaser and one that should win over hurdles.

Latest FSFs (Form and Speed Rating)

JUVENILE HURDLERS

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FSFs (Form and Speed Rating)

JUVENILE HURDLERS

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Five Promising Horses That Could Thrive at Cheltenham

The Cheltenham Festival is one of the greatest sporting highlights of the year and excitement is mounting among punters as it edges ever closer. The leading runners, trainers and jockeys from across the UK and further afield will descend upon the famous racecourse to battle it out for fame and fortune over four action-packed days. New heroes always come to the fore and punters will spend the coming weeks analysing the form and identifying potential champions. Whilst some will look for clues from the Cheltenham November Meeting, we’ve picked five budding superstars to look out for with their own Cheltenham pedigree:

Presenting Percy

The long-awaited entries are in for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the field looks phenomenally competitive. Last year’s winner, Native River, is in the mix along with runner-up Might Bite, plus Betfair Chase champion Bristol De Mai, King George VI Chase victor Clan Des Obeaux and Irish raider Kemboy. But despite the all-star cast, the name that really stands out is Presenting Percy. He is yet to run this season for Pat Kelly, but he was utterly magnificent in winning the Grade 1 RSA Chase ahead of Monalee and Elegant Escape at last year’s Cheltenham Festival. The eight-year-old has won four of his last six races and placed in the other two, showing that he stays the trip, travels and jumps with aplomb, and that he can thrive in all manner of conditions. Kelly has clearly earmarked the Gold Cup for his charge and he could be the one to beat in the biggest race of the year.

Sharjah

Buveur d’Air will bid to win a third Champion Hurdle in a row for Nicky Henderson, and he is the deserved favourite, but he no longer looks invincible. He finished second at the Christmas Hurdle last month, his first defeat since 2016, and he could be vanquished by a truly magnificent performance at Cheltenham. Willie Mullins’ Sharjah might just be the one to vanquish him after dazzling at the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown in December. He made short work of some big names, including Samcro, Supasundae and Melon, winning in comfortable fashion. Sharjah will be entered for the Dublin Festival but he could go straight to Cheltenham – they usually get decent ground there,” said Mullins after the race. “He’s very young but he’s improving all the time.” Check out the antepost betting for the Cheltenham Festival and you will find reasonably long odds on Sharjah, so he could prove to be a popular each-way option.

Kalashnikov

Amy Murphy’s exciting five-year-old came agonisingly close to seizing the Supreme Novice’s Hurdle at last year’s Festival, only to be pipped to the post by Summerville Boy. However, he shrugged off that defeat in style by romping to victory on his return at Warwick in November, and then he blitzed the field in another novices’ chase at Plumpton last month. He was second to Dynamite Dollars in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton over Christmas, but Murphy was pleased with his showing. “Overall I was very happy, as happy as you can be coming second,” she said. “He got beat at the first three fences where he made two huge mistakes. He will learn a lot from that race and is definitely better going left-handed. Because of those mistakes he was just on his head the rest of the way trying to catch up. The horse back in third was rated 140 and we beat him god knows how many lengths.” Kalashnikov is third favourite after Lalor and Dynamite Dollars to win the Arkle Chase and that looks like a tempting antepost option.

Vinndication

Considerable buzz surrounds this Kim Bailey-trained six-year-old, who maintained his unbeaten record with a supremely composed victory under David Bass at the Grade 2 Noel Novices’ Chase at Ascot last month. Six-year-olds have not fared particularly well in this race of late, while he has never raced at Cheltenham or on any left-handed track. However, he is unbeaten in six races and he looks as though he would relish the step up in trip at the RSA Chase at the Festival. He might be put forward for the JLT Chase instead, but the RSA Chase looks perfect for him and the antepost odds are interesting as he is behind four others in the betting and priced as long as 14/1 with some bookmakers.

Angels Breath

Nicky Henderson’s young gun carries a strong reputation, but he lived up to it with a devastating display in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial at Ascot last month. The Irish point-to-point wunderkind was a 6/4 favourite to see off more experienced runners and he was instantly for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, making him the second-favourite behind the Willie Mullins-trained Annamix. “I think there is a fair bit of improvement to come,” said Henderson. “He got a lovely tow into the race from the big horse in front. I’ve got to say even I thought he was impressive.” Henderson was on fire at last year’s Festival, with Altior and Buveur d’Air claiming top prizes for him, and he will be a force to be reckoned with again in 2019.

HORSES TO NOTE

Here are three horses to note courtesy of Graham Richards. If you would like to get a copy of his National Hunt Guide then please go to http://www.grahamrichardsonline.co.uk/

Delta Work (FR) 5yo (07Apr13 br g) Gordon Elliott

Ended last season with an excellent second to Next Destination in a Grade One at Punchestown. Reappearing at Down Royal, he overcame lack of a recent run to make most of the running in a nineteen-furlong Beginners Novice Chase. Impressed Mr Russell with his jumping ability and the way he got out of trouble when too close to the last fence. Winner of the Pertemps Final in March at Cheltenham, he should prove a Graded chaser up to three-miles this time round.

Fleminport (IRE) 5yo (10Apr13 b g) Jonjo O’Neill

Just one run over fences when fifth in a useful Novice Chase at Carlisle won by Vinndication. He jumped well and stayed in the race until higher rated horses came to the fore. Enjoys soft/heavy ground and stays two and a half-miles. As he strengthens and develops three-miles will come into his stamina range. Given his connections (J P McManus), he is one to note when the market speaks in his favour.

Pure Vision (IRE) 7yo (20Mar11 b g) Anthony Honeyball

Progressive three-mile chaser who ran well for a long way behind Rock The Kasbah at Cheltenham. Despite showing good form on heavy ground, he is effective on good to soft. Class Three/Four handicap chases on left-handed tracks appear his best options. Sharp Response (IRE) looked a picture pre-race. He finished sixth but left the impression he would improve for the run. Considered to be on a workable handicap mark for staying chases up to three and a quarter miles. Thought to be best on good through to soft.

The Royal Albert Dock. Anfield. Goodison Park. The Cavern Club. These are some of the defining features of Liverpool and that’s before you get to the pièce de résistance, Aintree.

The famous racecourse is one of the iconic sporting venues of Britain and it will once again host the Grand National Meeting, one of the greatest occasions of the sporting year.

Whilst minds might be focused on Cheltenham for much of the season – and no wonder – there’s a month at most between the two festivals and many horses aim to double up, whilst some shrewd trainers waiting for the much flatter and more speed focused track in comparison to  Cheltenham’s relentless test of stamina.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at Grand National Thursday and who could be the potential stars of the show:

1.40pm Aintree Manifesto Novices Chase

This early in the season many of the less experienced horses won’t have a defined trip right now, but we do know that a number of early markers have been laid down for the Arkle, whilst over this trip of two and a half miles the situation is a little different. Black Op was a winner here after the Festival last season in the Mersey’ Novices’ Hurdle and would be a major contender here if returning to the track that he performed so well at.

Messire Des Obeaux also has course form, if not a longer absence to overcome, but he ran well to finish third in the 2017 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle and if his jumping holds up, Aintree could be a natural place for him to return.

 2.15pm Anniversary 4YO Juvenile Hurdle

Triumph Hurdle and Fred Winter horses both often go here but this is very early in the season and the majority of horses good enough to line up in this race haven’t even been seen yet. It promises to be another thrilling renewal showcasing the most talented juveniles.

 2.50pm Betfred Bowl Grade 1

Might Bite came here after being beaten last season and he would be a popular choice again if having as good a season, although he has started his campaign earlier this season in the Betfair Chase. He beat Bristol De Mai into second last season and this is probably the best spring target for Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge. With Punchestown’s Gold Cup more tempting for Irish Stayers such as the Gigginstown Contingent like Road To Respect, Outlander and Balko Des Flos.

3.25pm Aintree Hurdle

Buveur D’Air has won this before – he doubled up with the Champion in 2017 – and it’s a potential target again. Should he line up then he will be very tough to beat. Supasundae was second last year and is a natural for this, as a specialist over 2m4f and blessed with lots of speed. Samcro would seem sure to head to Punchestown, but Summerville Boy, a strong stayer over 2 miles, could be really well suited by this test.

 4.05pm Foxhunters Chase

There are an awful lot of familiar faces who run in this year after year, and many of them are in double figures in terms of age. Last year’s winner was 12 years old (Dineur) who beat the 10-year-old Banaslow and the 15-year-old Big Fella Thanks. Banalaslow looks the most likely to be around here and is also one of the best performers on the Hunter Chase circuit.

4.40pm Red Rum Handicap Chase

We’ve already had a number of good handicap chases run so far and Bun Doran was impressive on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham in a high-quality contest where Doitforthevillage (fourth last year) lost all chance when making a mess of the landing at the second last. His mark could still be handy. Thienval has been second in the last two editions of this contest despite busy seasons and would have a strong chance on his best form.

5.15pm Aintree Mares Flat Race

It’s early in the season but we’ve already had a Listed mares bumper and the way that The Glancing Queen beat Mega Yeats and the impressive two time winner Royal Illusion was very taking indeed and they already look like horses who can take high rank here although the Christmas period will show a great deal of further contenders.

Once again Grand National Thursday promises to be an awesome spectacle with high class races and a fantastic atmosphere; a thrilling prelude to the magic of the Grand National. Remember to book your tickets on The Aintree Racecourse Website.