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Graham Richards’ NH Guide 2018/2019 will be available shortly

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Graham Richards’ NH Guide 2018/2019 will be available shortly to purchase from just £10. There’ll be an email on daily runners until the NH Guide is completed. Graham puts tons of effort into his guide with unique interviews with trainers plus tons of research and the NH Guide 2018/2019 is great value. Details below:

TRAINER INTERVIEWS

Kim Bailey

James Ewart

Nicky Henderson

Anthony Honeyball

Philip Hobbs

Alan King

Tom Lacey

Gary Moore

David Pipe

Linda Russell

Oliver Sherwood

Jamie Snowden

Tim Vaughan

TYPES OF HORSES 

Irish Novice Hurdlers

Handicap Hurdlers

Handicap Chasers

Juvenile Hurdlers

UK Novice Chasers

UK Novice Hurdlers

Email on daily runners until guide is completed

More details at grahamrichardsonline.co.uk

PRICES

NH Guide 2018/2019 – £10

NH Guide 2018/2019 + First Horses to Note – £15

NH Guide 2018/2019 + First Horses to Note + Cheltenham November Meeting Newsletters – £20

Horses To Note weekly through the season with updates and new horses added £40

Please EMAIL for details of comprehensive NH Season subscription which runs from November 1st to Grand National day.

EXAMPLES OF 4 HORSES FROM THE GUIDE

Angels Breath (IRE) 4yo (16Mar14 gr g) Nicky Henderson

Owned by Dai Walters, who purchased him as a “Store” in 2017. Impressive winner of a three-mile Irish-Point at Maralin in April 2018. Travelled well through his race jumping well and pulling clear to win by twelve lengths. Handled soft/heavy in his Point and bred to stay up to three-miles. His full-sister won a Bumper on good ground. May start over two-miles if showing enough pace in his work. Mr Henderson reported he has done well over the summer.

Grey Diamond (FR) 4yo (07Apr14 b g) Alan King

Despite failing to settle, Grey Diamond ran out a cosy winner of a Bumper at Ffos Las in late May. Mr King reports he has done well over the summer and returned a more mature individual. On good or slower ground, he will start in two-mile hurdles. If he learns to settle in his races, he could prove above average.

Two For Gold (IRE) 5yo (16Apr13 b g) Kim Bailey

Winner of two of three Bumpers in his first season. He did well over the summer and schooled in good style on his return to the yard. Two and half-mile novice hurdles on good to soft and soft will be the order of the day. A promising horse, he goes well fresh.

Vinnie Lewis (IRE) 7yo (05Apr11 b g) H Whittington

Three-mile and upwards, handicap chaser that should have another good season. Winner of the Sussex National at Plumpton, he is effective on good to soft but relishes a challenge on testing ground. A stronger horse this season, he is capable of finding a novice hurdle when the emphasis is on stamina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lizzie Kelly: Why Her Achievements Should Never Be Understated

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Horse racing has long been dominated by men, and given that fact alone, what Lizzie Kelly has achieved already is quite remarkable. Not only is the 25-year-old jockey excelling in the sport, she is succeeding in the only sport where women take on men on equal terms. Outside of her success on the annual circuit, Kelly is helping break down gender barriers across all sports.

Kelly is aware of her trailblazing ways, although she refuses to make a fuss. She is concerned more about the challenges that women like her must overcome to even get a chance of competing in horse racing. In an interview with The Telegraph, Kelly admitted as much, noting, “There are plenty of reasons why trainers don’t use girls, and it is never going to change. Every generation, there are two or three female jockeys who are used, but it doesn’t go any further.” She then rued the still unchanged notion that females are “the ones who should be at home, looking after the children.” She also lamented how female riders “don’t believe in themselves,” and pointed out that this lack of self-belief is holding them back significantly.

Lizzie Kelly
Lizzie Kelly (Image credit: YouTube)

Confidence, clearly, has not been a problem for Kelly, who told The Telegraph that she had always believed that she was going to be a professional jockey. Refusing to be pigeonholed into the role of a domestic caretaker, the aspiring rider pursued her dream relentlessly and eventually got her first big break in 2014. The then 21-year-old Kelly became a conditional jockey for her horse trainer stepfather, Nick Williams, which took her one step closer to becoming a professional.

Just a year later, Kelly nearly became the first female rider to win a Grade One race in France, as Aubusson narrowly lost to Thousand Stars in the Grand Prix d’Automne at Auteuil. She bounced back a month later and made history in the process as she guided Tea For Two to victory in the Kauto Star Novice Chase. With that win, she became the first female jockey to win a Grade One race in the UK. Kelly has since added to her growing reputation, winning Europe’s richest handicap hurdle in 2016 while riding Agrapart in The Betfair Hurdle, and then becoming the first female jockey in 33 years to compete in the Cheltenham Gold Cup a year later.

The accolades are no doubt impressive, but the trail Kelly has blazed for her female peers has been even more inspiring. In a feature on the most iconic British sportswomen by Coral, the list included Kelly among an array of esteemed athletes, showing just how respected she is on home soil as an elite performer. Kelly has paved the way for other female jockeys, notably Bridget Andrews and Bryony Frost, both of whom have enjoyed success in the sport. Frost, in particular, pulled off the same feat that Kelly achieved in 2015 by winning the 2017 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase riding Black Corton. Andrews, meanwhile, became the second female rider to win at the Cheltenham Festival, winning this year’s County Hurdle riding home Mohaayed.

What Kelly has achieved can never be understated, and she is an inspiration to both women and men. Through making a mark in a sport dominated by men and competing on equal terms, Kelly has made giant strides for equality in not only horse racing, but other sporting disciplines too. That, in itself, is certainly one feat that the entire world ought to know about.

Written by Allison Natalie
Exclusive for jpfestival.com

Grand National Thursday 2018 – preview and tips

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Thank you to Community Member Geoff Handley for his thoughts on today’s card at Liverpool. Buy tickets for today, Ladies Day and Grand National Day 
1.45 Aintree : 20f
 
Brain Power ran a cracker in the Arkle at Cheltenham Festival 2018 but has raced mainly over 2m (16f ) & could be vulnerable stepping up in trip. Finian’s Oscar has never impressed me with his jumping, finished 5th at Cheltenham; ran ok but not really seeing things out. Modus is another who didn’t jump well last time at Cheltenham and could be difficult to place now. Cyrname has run well over this distance, an exuberant type and likely to set the pace here and make it a true test for Brain Power. He has scope as a chaser but seems to be better going right handed, will go close if he copes OK left handed. The big danger could be Rene’s Girl from Skelton’s yard. The mare receives an allowance, bids for a hat-trick, jumps well and looks good ew value. The outsider is the Irish challenger Calino D’Airy who ran OK at Leopardstown last time. He travelled well but found nothing at the finish but is another who has yet to run over 20f.
 
2.20 Aintree : 16f
 
Don’t underestimate Nube Negro for Skelton’s yard, 10/1 tomorrow. I backed it at Cheltenham and he ran a grand race to be third, travelling strongly throughout but steps up in class here though. The one I fancy is We Have A Dream from Nicky Henderson’s Lambourn yard, unbeaten in all 4 UK starts, impressive each time, he missed Cheltenham. Stable mate Apple’s Shakira cost punters a fortune in the Triumph where I got the impression she needs a stiffer test. This 16f Aintree course might be too much a test of speed and I’m surprised she hasn’t been stepped up to 20f. Malaya also gets the female allowance and is a good sort but I don’t think she is as good as Henderson’s duo. Paddleyourowncanoe probably needs further. There’s a rare French raider in the shape of Beau Gosse, but he was behind Malaya last time I can’t see him reversing the form. Et Moi Alors was turned over at 1/2 fav last time, disappointing and running in snatches. Gumball pulled up in the Triumph at Cheltenham but keep an eye on the Hobbs yard this week as he’s coming into some form. Irish raider Les Arceaux has some fairly useful form but disappointed last time. Another Irish raider Cristal Icon won well last time but takes a huge step up in class and she is one to watch in future handicaps.
 
2.50 Aintree : 25f
 
No bet for me here. Might Bite ran a grand race to be second in the Gold Cup but had a hard race and Gold Cup runners don’t have the best of records in this race but he take some beating if none the worse from his exertions and is a grand sort. Definitly Red also ran in the Gold Cup but was slightly outclassed but some interesting facts about this one. His chasing record in fields of 10 or less: 1221311311. In fields greater than this number it reads:- FUP6. 8 runners line up in this.
 
3.25 Aintree : 20f
 
Supasundae will be all the rage here after his good second in the Stayers at Cheltenham. He runs here tomorrow instead of the 3m on Saturday now the Champion Hurdler is absent and looks the one to beat. No doubt the ew thieves will be on My Tent Or Yours but he is probably best at 2m. Old rival The New One was 12th in the Stayers and could well fight out a place. Cyurus Darius reverted back to hurdling and won well at Kelso but surely won’t win at this level. L’Ami Serge should run well with the emphasis back more on speed after an eighth in the Stayers and is a danger to Supasudae.
 
Aintree : 4.05 21f
 
Grand Vision is the one for me in the Foxhunter’s, but he’s not much of a price I’m afraid. I backed him at Cheltenham when he was travelling so well but didn’t he quite get home. A grand looking grey who should run well and top amateur Jamie Codd is booked to ride. Wells De Lune was too free over this much longer trip in the Cheltenham Foxhunters and wasa spent force some way out. His running style is likely to prove better suited to this race. An ex-Charlie Longsdon horse, I’ve seen him schooling a few times and he always looked well. His current trainer won the race last year and is ew value at 14/1. For the first time ever I had the winners of both Foxhunters last year at 20/1 and 16/1 but sadly didn’t back Pacha Du Polder this year!
 
Aintree 4.40 : 16f
 
The Red Rum Handicap and always a good race but very competitive. I’m focusing on three here. All of a sudden David Pipe has hit some form after a poor season where he’s had just 30 winners from 341 runners. I made a note of King’s Socks at Cheltenham, who finished 5th over 20f. He was travelling strongly but had no extra close home and I think he’ll be better over today’s trip. Also in the notebook went Thienval. He was 4th in the equivalent race at Cheltenham when he probably needed better ground. Runner up in this race last year and has 3lb lower this year so will surely go close. I attended the Cheltenham preview evening at Aintree and Charlie Longsdon was very keen on Bentelimar. He didn’t get in at Cheltenham but ran the following Saturday at Kempton where he was slightly disappointing but I got the impression that the run was needed and could be ew value at 20/1, but will need a good effort to beat the above two.
 
Aintree 5.15 17f
 
The concluding mares bumper where the Irish fav Getaway Katie Mai will be hard to beat with Jamie Codd on board but not much of a price and I will be looking at others ew. Dissavril went into the notebook after she won at Market Rasen. Ex-French, she looks very pacy. At 12/1 is Dunhallow Gesture who is trained by Anthony Honeyball; an excellent trainer of bumpers. She won on her only outing for Damien Murphy and having been sold for £100,000 since, showed improved form to follow up for new connections after 8 months off. Disputed lead, travelled well, went on end of back straight, ridden early in straight, hung left around 1f out, kept on. Like I said before Philip Hobbs is hitting form so watch out for Cedar Valley who won her only race at Taunton, forging clear. Bred to stay further, she will be running on at the end. Note that a four year old won this last year.
 
Good luck everybody!
Geoff

Top 3 favorites for the Cheltenham Gold Cup

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All the punters eyes are looking towards Cheltenham Festival 2018 which brings all the best horses from around the UK and Ireland together for top sport and with it excitement, passion and drama. Here are the three top favourites for the week’s big race, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Sizing John (NON-RUNNER)

Sizing John is one of the stronger contestants in this year’s Gold Cup; at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, he was the Gold Cup winner. He is a Jessica Harrington trained thoroughbred racehorse. Jonathan Burke was the rider in most of the races, while more recently, the jockey Robbie Power is the rider of Sizing John.

Before winning the Gold Cup, he had already won the Future Champions Novices Hurdle in 2014 and Craddockstown Novice Chase in 2015. The year of 2017 was his best year by far. He won the Kinloch Brae Chase, Punchestown Gold Cup and the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase in that single year before winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup that year as well.

However, his performance this season have not been up to the par. He lost at Leopardstown by a staggering 32 lengths which is not the sort of performance one would hope to see from a horse trying to retain his crown.

Might Bite:

Although not pleasing everyone by his manner of victory, Might Bite has finished where it matters this season; in front. He’s now won his last 5 races and remains unbeaten since Feb 2017. His trainer is none other than the legendary trainer Nicky Henderson who already has won the Gold Cup twice. He won the big race in 2011 with Long Run and then again in 2013 with Bobs Worth. According to his handler, Might Bite is in his best of form and clearly a top favorite for the Gold Cup.

Most recently, Might Bite showed us his talents at the King George VI Chase over Christmas. A year previously, he had suffered a fall in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase but Nicky Henderson got his compensation Boxing Day win this time with Might Bite.

Nicky Henderson decided to not run him for the February Denman Chase and he will now head directly to Cheltenham to compete in the Gold Cup with Sizing John and Native River and other top National Hunt horses.

What happened during the last year’s RSA Chase speaks volumes about the calibre of Might Bite. In that race, he had lost his lead during the final part of the race when he veered wildly to the right. But extraordinarily, he managed to claw back to victory by finishing first in the final few strides.

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See what the odds of winning or losing are for your favorite horses. Whether it is the RSA Chase, Supreme Novices Hurdle Chase or Stayers Hurdle, the odds could be found for all these races on Champion Day, Ladies Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Gold Cup day.

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Native River:

It was really after the Denman Chase at Newbury that punters started to consider Native River for the coming Gold Cup more seriously as he has become somewhat of a forgotten horse having not been seen since last season. Although some would have had their eyes on him for the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2018, ever since he finished third in last year’s renewal, beaten just 2 3/4 lengths.

He had a terrific last season having won the Ladbrokes Trophy, Welsh Grand National and the Denman Chase for trainer Colin Tizzard, whose stable is now firing after a poor January. Native River has taken a while to come to himself following last year’s Cheltenham Festival but now that he has proved himself again by winning the Denman Chase he is also one of the top favorites for the Gold Cup.

 

 

Grand National Steeplechase 2018 – Preview and tips

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On Saturday 14th April 2018, Aintree Racecourse will be hosting the grandest spectacle on turf, the Randox Health Grand National Steeplechase. The great race has seen many heroes win the race throughout its history. From Aldaniti and Bob Champion’s emotional comeback win in 1981, Red Rum’s hat trick in the 1970s to the late great Many Cloud’s popular win in 2015. Who will be etched in to the history books and gain racing immortality in 2018? For the latest information on the big race, analysis, previews, tickets and tips check out: https://www.grandnational.fans/

This year’s final line up of 40 horses could be the classiest ever with multiple graded winners and top rated seasoned handicappers amongst the 105 initial entries recently revealed. The biggest trials for the race include the Becher Chase, ruan in December over the Grand National course. That race was won by this year’s 10/1 ante post favourite, Blaklion, who finished an impressive 9 lengths winner over 2016 Grand National Runner up, The Last Samurai. Blaklion, a classy 9 year old, winner of the 2016 RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival has had his sights set on this race ever since finishing fourth in the Grand National in 2017 behind One For Arthur, who will miss his defence this year due to injury. The attributes Blaklion has including his sound jumping and ability to perform on any ground has many people calling for a Cheltenham Gold Cup bid. His trainer Nigel Twiston-Davies has won this race twice before with Earth Summit in 1998 and 2002 with Bindaree, and Twiston-Davies has maintained the Grand National as his main target along with the popular grey horse Bristol De Mai and Splash Of Ginge.

Bristol De Mai, a 33/1 shot for the big race at Aintree has not been seen at best affect in the second half of recent seasons. Before Christmas, he put up a fine double by taking the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby, beating Blaklion in to second, and then followed up with a 57 length demolition job at Haydock in the Betfair Chase against Tea For Two, Cue Card and Outlander, who is entered for the Grand National. The spring ground seems to work against Bristol De Mai, and evidentially he seems to be a horse to catch at the start of the season when the ground is heavy; conditions he will almost certainly not get at Aintree.

The third interesting entry for Nigel Twiston-Davies is Splash Of Ginge. A former winner of the Betfair Hurdle in his novice hurdle days, Ginge and his army picked up their biggest prize in November when he claimed the Bet Victor Gold Cup at Cheltenham. Although lacking the class of his aforementioned stablemates, Splash of Ginge will be in line for a £1 million bonus if he ever wins the Grand National. Surely a chance of a life time any connection of a race horse would be willing to go for?
Realistically speaking, Splash Of Ginge has struggled to stay even 3 miles in his racing career, so the 4 and a half mile stamina test at Aintree will surely prove a dream instead of a reality.

The most impressive performances this season for me in handicaps have come from the Willie Mullins 9 year old Total Recall. He started off his season with a 7 length victory from former World Hurdle runner up Alpha Des Obeaux in the Munster National at Limerick in October. That victory was top class and connections then sent him to Newbury for the Ladbrokes Trophy, (formerly the Hennessy Gold Cup). Total Recall put in his biggest performance to beat Whisper by a neck and claim the prestigious prize. His next appearance in February at the Dublin Racing Festival saw him thrown in off a mark of 125 over the smaller obstacles in preparation for his next run in the Bobbyjo Chase. A gritty and brave performance saw him take up the running a long way out and win going away in fine style by 3 lengths. What I love about Total Recall is his attitude and approach to racing. He seems to race with enthusiasm and clearly has a lot of natural ability. He has been talked up as a horse that could go well in either a Cheltenham Gold Cup or a Stayers Hurdle. With a stern test to come in the shape of top novice chaser Presenting Percy in the Bobbyjo, a bold performance will surely propel him towards the top of the Grand National market for which he can currently be backed at 16/1.

One of my favourite horses in training is the Gordon Elliot trained Cause Of Causes. A horse who finished second in last year’s Grand National. The 10 year old owned by JP McManus has plenty of miles under his bonnet. He claimed victory in the National Hunt Chase in 2015, the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir in 2016 and the Cross Country Chase in 2017 at the Cheltenham Festival in a combined racing distance of just under 11 and a half miles! Stamina is an obvious trait that any horse must possess to win the Grand National, and Cause Of Causes clearly has it in bundles. The horse is always very quiet in the winter months and thrives for better ground and a strongly run race. He is always an eye catcher for punters at the Spring festivals and with his assured jumping; he has a profile that must give him a serious chance again this year and at 33/1 is definite value.

A horse who fits a similar profile to Cause Of Causes is Tiger Roll. A onetime top juvenile and Triumph Hurdle winner, Tiger Roll has turned in to a staying chaser to keep on side. Another horse that is from the National Hunt Chase School of winners, he will first be aimed this year at the Cross Country Race at the Cheltenham Festival.

Last time sent around the course and distance in December for an outing he is sure to come on for the run and put in a bold display in March. Cause Of Causes took the same route last year and went on to win the Cross Country Race and finish second in the Grand National. 50/1 is a price hard to ignore and with the horse being in the hands of former Grand National winning trainer, Gordon Elliot, this is a horse to take seriously.

The old saying in racing is ‘they never come back the same ‘. This saying may be generally accurate, although in the case of Edwulf, this is a unique story that would capture anyone’s imagination as he’s a horse that did come back. In the home straight of the 2017 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, the Joseph O’Brien trained 9 year old collapsed and was on the verge of meeting his maker, before he was miraculously saved by the excellent staff at Cheltenham. Any horse would struggle to even regain full health and fitness, but in a remarkable training performance and with a lot of love and care, Edwulf returned to the track at Christmas and then again in February to cause a major shock to some by winning at huge odds to claim the Irish Gold Cup. Horses that progress from the National Hunt Chase have a good record in the Grand National and with the class Edwulf possesses he can be ridden in this race with confidence knowing that he will get the trip and stay on past many horses through the famous Aintree elbow. I like the way this horse travels, and at 50/1 he offers definite each way value, and what a fairy tale ending to his year this would be with a bold showing in the world’s greatest race.

Conclusion:
I am a big fan of Total Recall and think he is the horse still open to progress. I would be confident he will stay the trip and with the experience of running in big handicaps as either a hold up horse or from the front, he has proved he can jump his way to victory again come April.

Tips:
3 pts win – Total Recall 16/1 generally
1 pt each-way – Tiger Roll 50/1 generally

Lanzarote Hurdle Kempton Park 2m5½f – past winners and trends

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Lanzarote Hurdle Kempton Park 2m5½f

Date Going Rns Winner Age Jockey (Clm) Trainer Odds Weight OR DSLR
2017 Good To Soft 13 Modus 7 Geraghty B Nicholls P F 7/1 11-4 145 28
2016 Soft 9 Yala Enki (FR) 6 Deutsch C (5) Williams Miss V 11/4 9-12 130 49
2015 Soft 13 Tea For Two 6 Kelly Miss E (7) Williams N 9/2 9-12 134 15
2014 Soft 13 Saphir Du Rheu (FR) 5 Derham Mr H (5) Nicholls P F 6/1 11-7 145 35
2013 Soft 18 Oscara Dara (IRE) 8 Geraghty B Henderson N J 5/1 11-0 140 26
2012 Good 19 Swincombe Flame 6 Kennedy W Williams N 9/2 10-4 123 19
2011 Good To Soft 19 James de Vassy (FR) 6 Kennedy W Williams N 8/1 11-2 144 56
2010 Soft 13 Micheal Flips (IRE) 6 Scholfield N Turnell A 9/1 10-11 137 49
2008 Soft 9 Nycteos (FR) 7 Walsh R Nicholls P F 7/4 10-10 130 17
2007 Soft 17 Verasi 6 Dehdashti E (5) Moore G L 20/1 10-4 130 28

Age

Eight ONE; Seven; TWO; Six SIX; Five: ONE

OR

120-129 ONE; 130-139 FIVE; 140-145 FOUR

WEIGHT

9-12-10-7 FOUR; 10-8-10-13 TWO; 11-0+ FOUR

SP

5/1 & Under FIVE; 11/2-9/1 FOUR 10/1+ ONE

Trainer

P Nicholls THREE; N Williams THREE

DSLR (Days since last run)

30 & Under SIX; 31-56 FOUR

FSF Ratings (Form and Speed)

Wishfull Thinking top from Coeur Blimey and Dino Velvet joint second top, a nose clear of Bags Groove and Topofthegame.

Course & Distance Winners

Bags Groove (Length and three-quarters behind River Frost last October. Improved his RPR by 10lb since that race) and River Frost (Just behind Wholestone and Sam Spinner last October in front of Bags Groove and 9lb better off).

Notes

Horse rising in trip often run well. Qualifiers – Coeur De Blimey and Diese Des Bieffes.

Quietly backed through the week

Le Patriote (6lb lower than French handicap mark. Raised in trip.)

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Ladbrokes Trophy Handicap – Preview and Tips

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A welcome turnaround in form for us with 2 out of 3 winners yesterday in our Ladbrokes Winter Carnival preview, with Lostintranslation proving tough from the front and giving the Champion Bumper form another boost whilst Oldgrangewood took advantage of leniency from the handicapper to win the Open Handicap Chase, and looks an ideal candidate for similar handicap chases through the season.

We ere denied a treble, not by the mighty Thistlecrack, Colin’s Sister, or Wholestone, but Beer Goggles, shocking the Newbury crowd and the punters under a brilliant front running ride from Richard Johnson at 40/1, having seen off all comers including our choice Unkownwhatimeanharry, who had no excuses on the day having responded generously to the pressure of Barry Geraghty.

All credit to Richard Woollacott and connections for first of all running him in what would have been a four-runner race without him, and the improvement they have managed to coax out of him – listed as 42lbs before his shock win today – but the other story was Thistlecrack. He travelled well, albeit far too keen of a slow pace early, and when push came to shove the effects of what must have been a difficult recovery told quickly. Connections seemed unperturbed however, with Tom Scudamore telling the Racing Post that ‘he’d like to think he’ll improve an awful lot for that’ and Colin Tizzard telling reporters that he will go for the King George assuming soundness tomorrow. We will know how much ability he retains there, but his current price seems fair, and no more, based on the final makeup of the race.

Moving swiftly on, we have the Ladbrokes Trophy (3.00), better known as The Hennessy, and after a hugely encouraging performance from our ante post JLT choice Willoughby Court today, we have the first of our ante post conclusions with Whisper set to take his chance here. Our reasoning for backing Nicky Henderson’s charge for this over the summer is well known, with his novice chase form looking rock solid, and we have had a boost since with Clan Des Obeaux winning a good conditions chase at Haydock after being beaten snugly in a match at Kempton, and this test should see Whisper in his element today. The ground did not look overly testing here yesterday, and with no rain forecast, it should be fairly decent as a surface, which he should enjoy, and the 8/1 looks fair still although we have 16’s.

There’s no reason not to add to the portfolio, however, especially with some extraordinary place terms – SkyBet and William Hill are paying on the first seven places for a fifth the odds, and you can get 5 places with ¼ the odds to boot – and a recent race at Cheltenham looks like being a really strong trial for this event. Cogry was denied by neck in the Scottish National, but returned with a vengeance to take a valuable race at Cheltenham’s Showcase when he was front rank for most of the way round, and nothing could live with him up the hill as he pulled four lengths clear of Singlefarmpayment.

He went up 6lbs for that win, a lenient adjustment by the handicapper, and now Jamie Bargary comes on to take 3lbs of that off here. That and his Scottish National second are two of the strongest pieces of form in this race, this course is one that suits front runners and the ground and trip are ideal for him to show his best for an in form yard. 20/1 seems dismissive.

Singlefarmpayment was in rear for much of that contest, and moved through menacingly to try and challenge Cogry before he flew that day. Generally thought of as one of the best handicapped horses in training, he was beaten a head in the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, when he found only Un Temps Pour Tout better than him and he’s just 5lbs higher now. He should have stripped fitter for that reappearance.

Total Recall was deeply impressive in the Munster National and will be a nuisance for Cogry on the front end, whilst American was just as impressive in taking a Listed chase at Warwick and then a Novices’ Handicap at Uttoxeter to boot and arguably is the biggest threat.

A Genie In A Bottle beat the Troytown Chase winner Mala Beach and did so well, making a mark of 152 look fair enough (Mala Beach won Troytown off 148), and he has big field experience, ought to enjoy the ground, and can go well. The value has gone regarding Vyta Du Roc, who should be spot on for this after a nice pipe opening reappearance at Aintree. His best form gives him every chance and the booking of Aidan Coleman catches the eye.

Coneygree’s early reappearance in the Charlie Hall was a disconcerting one, but he bounced back from a long absence to run a huge race in the Punchestown Gold Cup and if he is fit and well, then he will make his price look very foolish even off 165, and at the current price, many will be willing to take a chance on him.

Of the outsiders, Bobbyjo Chase winner Perfect Company is of interest, even on seasonal reappearance, and the veteran Double Ross, a five length third off just 2lbs higher in this last year. His reappearance fourth at Chepstow was not a bad effort and he unseated early last time so he can be forgiven.

Don’t forget Bryony Frost’s chances with Present Man who took the Badger Ales, but she could be on a winning note even before then given that she partners Black Corton in the Ladbrokes John Francome Novices’ Chase (12.45). Paul Nicholls’ charge made hay on the summer jumping circuit but he graduated to a higher level when winning an Intermediate Chase impressively at Newton Abbot, and then he trashed the useful past winner Fagan at Cheltenham in October.

He was the outside of three when back there to face the high class prospect Ballyoptic and West Approach, both previous winners, but he was extremely game down the straight and was the best on the day to win impressively there. It’s only 14 days since, but he’s won off such a short break before and on balance he sets a high standard over fences for all that Fountains Windfall and Sir Ivan have been very taking winners so far.

Wait For Me was going well when he fell in front last time but if putting in a clear round, is a contender.

The very same connections could have a wild day as Greatwood third Old Guard should go well in The Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle (1.50), but if Air Horse One gets this trip then he will surely take the beating.

Harry Fry’s rapidly progressive 6-year-old tanked through William Hill’s Listed handicap hurdle at Ascot, and was sent off around the beginning of the home turn on his seasonal reappearance, having been caught up the home straight and then pushed out of the three late on. The first two had previous runs in the book, and the form has worked out brilliantly since with Elgin taking the Greatwood, Limited Reserve bolting up at Haydock, and Verdana Blue (fifth winning impressively). This is a deep, deep race but if he strips fitter and stays this trip, hopefully under a more patient ride, he can go close and is worth backing.

A case can be made for all six of the runners in The Intermediate Hurdle (2.25) with the return of Charli Parcs a subject of fascination upon his return. However, he has a bit to prove after two disappointing runs in the Adonis (under pressure when falling) and the Triumph (found very little having travelled well). It’s notable that there’s just as much belief in him at Seven Barrows, but he comes here with plenty to prove.

In any case, he will have to run right to form if he’s to take today’s prize. High Bridge was one of the smarter novice hurdlers of last season, winning twice here in very smart style before finding the Supreme too much, but he’d looked grown up when third in the same Listed handicap hurdle that Air Force one ran in and the form has been proven tenfold.

Mount Mews is a major rival off the same mark, having finished third at Ayr on his reappearance, where he shaped well. Second to Pingshou at Aintree last season in the Top Novices’ Hurdle, he showed a lot of promise as a novice and should step forward, although Alex Ferguson does get to take off 7lbs from High Bridge.

Cosmeapolitan shrugged off a blunder 2 out to win on his one and only hurdling start over C&D last December, and has been kept going on the flat – and in good company too – although this is a whole lot harder. Amour De Nuit was a smooth winner at Kempton, and is blessed with a handy amount of speed for a race like this where you can’t discount Poppy Kay or Master Of Irony either.

At Newcastle, Buveur D’Air, our choice for the Champion Hurdle, reappears in the Fighting Fifth where he is a long odds on shot to beat 2014 and 2016 winner Irving and Fred Winter winner Flying Tiger. Mirsaale might fight Flying Tiger for third but Katgary is hopelessly outclassed against the best here.

In the Rehearsal, Beware The Bear is favourite to make a long trip north very worthwhile. He should go well too, having beaten Singlefarmpayment at Ascot last year and then followed up in good style at Newbury. He was disappointing at Cheltenham and Ayr when his jumping didn’t hold up though, and that must improve if he is to take this.

The one who makes appeal is Bishops Road, who was 10 lengths behind Bristol De Mai and Definitely Red in this last year, and is now 10lb lower here and with a good record when fresh. The gruelling nature of the Eider Chase will not be alien to him and he can go well.

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Advice – Newbury

12.45 – 2 pts win Black Corton (7/4 general)

1.50 – 1 pt win Air Horse One (7/2 general)

2.25 – 1 pt win High Bridge (11/4 general)

3.00 – 1 pt each/way Singlefarmpayment (13/2 SkyBet, Hills*, 7/1 Bet365, Paddy Power)

3.00 – 1 pt each/way Cogry (14/1 Sky Bet, Hills, 16/1 Bet365, Paddy Power)

*SkyBet and Hills are paying out seven places for 1/5 the odds

Advice – Newcastle

3.25 Newcastle – 1 pt each/way Bishops Road (*8/1 Sportingbet, 9/2 general)

At the time of writing – 9.05pm, Friday – Sportingbet were listed by The Racing Post as showing Bishops Road as an 8/1 shot, whilst all other sites were 9/2 or 4/1. If that was not an error, then he should be backed each/way, and if it was, then his worth a win bet.

Already Advised

1 pt each/way Whisper, 2017 Ladbrokes Trophy, 27th October (16/1 general)

 

 

 

 

 

Countryside Day at Cheltenham Races – Preview and Tips

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This great National Hunt game of ours lost a big friend and a real giant in the shape of Alan Potts, the co-owner of so many famous horses including the Gold Cup winner Sizing John, earlier this week. The mining industry titan made his name with Sizing Europe – trained by Henry De Bromhead to win eight Grade 1’s including an Arkle and Champion Chase – but reaped huge rewards for Jessica Harrington and Colin Tizzard as well last season with the likes of Fox Norton and Finian’s Oscar.

Thoughts and prayers are with Alan’s family, including his children. Indeed, according to the Guardian, Potts’s daughter, Julie led horses around the paddock before races and had already given the permission needed to connections to run their horses this weekend.

The November meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse (biggest outside the Cheltenham Festival) with its centre piece of the BetVictor Gold Cup is a traditional highlight of the jumping calendar before Christmas. is all the better for this decision.

The meeting starts with Countryside Day and it will be a fascinating treat to see Finian’s Oscar once again in the Steel Plate And Sections Novices’ Chase (2.25). One of the best novice hurdlers of last season, he took some time to warm up on his chasing debut at Chepstow, and will need to have improved and quickly if he is to win here, facing three decent rivals and giving 8lbs away.

William Henry, a six length winner over hurdles on the New Course when last seen, is a fascinating contender, albeit one without the benefit of chasing experience or a run. Chasing should come easily enough to him, and the market vibes will be very important as a marker to what one can expect, although he looks to have improvement to come still.

That is certainly the case for Movewiththetimes, the Betfair Hurdle winner. He was in need of the run as much, if not more, than the chasing experience first time out here at the Showcase meetings, and in that light, didn’t run too badly in what was a well contested novice chase taken by last year’s Greatwood winner along with the 154-rated runner up Secau Royal. Stripping fitter and with this step up in trip unlikely to be a problem with such a small field, better ought to be expected.

Coo Star Sivola, a Listed Novice Hurdle winner on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham Racecourse, looks useful but didn’t enjoy chasing first up and may be outclassed here.

We’re a long way from the Ballymore Hurdle at Cheltenham Festival 2018, but the series leading up to that big day starts with the Hyde Hurdle (3.35) which looks a very interesting but tricky getting out contest. Vison Des Flos. He landed a valuable bumper at the Punchestown Festival in April, and was sent into Grade 2 company in the Persian War at Chepstow. He moved well into the race, but understandably didn’t jump as well as Poetic Rhythm and appeared to shape as if needing the run. He ought to do better here, and is better off with Poetic Rhythm, but it’s not a given that he will reverse form; He’s only 5lbs better off for what was close to a seven length beating, and Poetic Rhythm was also having his first start of the season too.

There’s also stiff opposition. On The Blind side won his only point-to-point start in Ireland and looked a useful prospect, so it was no surprise that he managed to get the job done on his hurdling debut at Aintree. That looked a good contest on paper beforehand and the clock, courtesy of @StopwatchRacing – backs it up; Between 3 out and the line, they were 4 seconds faster than in Bags Groove’s handicap hurdle win and nearly 10 seconds faster than in the 3-mile handicap hurdle. He needed very yard of the trip there in what was a steadily run race, so this course ought to suit and he can progress from a strong start. He had Aye Aye Charlie.

Momella has barely been off the bridle to win both her hurdles starts at Newton Abbot and Fakenham and should be involved, whilst the staying chaser Calett Mad has been switched back to hurdles and is making it pay. He was always travelling best in a similar event at the Showcase meeting here when sent on a long way out and similar tactics ought to get the rest of the field properly racing early.

Brexit is set to make it much more difficult for foreigners to take the best prizes this country has to offer, but we’ve not left yet and the Cross Country Chases here are still ripe for export. Emmanuel Clayeux won the Cross Country Chase on trials day with Urgent De Gregaine, who would then go onto be a very close second in the Velka Pardubicka on his next start. He’s gone up only 6lbs in real handicap terms for that and he looks a sure bet to go very well in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase (3.00) given his sure footed jumping style and reserves of stamina.

Killarney National winner Auvergnat ought to take all the beating, having since finished second in the Munster National afterwards, with Donal McInerney taking 5lbs off. Cantlow, second in the LA Touche Cup at Punchestown, also ought to take the beating and bothy look to be readier than Grand National second Causes of Causes, although JP McManus’s charge has at least had his ground.

It is interesting to note that the first selection is not Clayeux’s only runner in the race. Vicomte Du Seuil was a comprehensive winner of the Prix Des Amourettes when last seen at Lignieres, having taken the Prix Groupe Carrus beforehand in good style in July. The good ground ought not to trouble him too much – he won the Carrus on a decent surface – and it is a surprise that he is as a big as 33/1.

The BetVictor Handicap Chase (1.50) does not look strong and a 10lbs rise might not be enough to stop Exitas, a seven-length winner of a handicap chase at Ascot when Quite By Chance (a useful yardstick who does not reopposes here) was second. He is fair at 3/1, and perhaps no more than that.

This is a lot weaker than the race that Doitforthevillage finished sixth in last time, when he could never get into the 2 mile handicap chase that was dominated by Foxtail Hill (near favourite for the Paddy Power after that) and Le Prezien, and it’s tempting to back him once again for all that he will need to be ridden more positively there (that race, as with so many at this course and distance, were dominated by front runners).

Most interesting of the bigger prices is Un Beau Romain, who was successful 12 months ago from 2lb higher in the ratings and then went onto finish second in a similar event at the December meeting. Exitas does look well treated off the same mark as when runner-up at Ludlow for the red hot Ian Williams yard, but this race does look for the taking.

The Fairlight Books Novices’ Handicap Hurdle (1.15) is a big field with many of them making appeal and if County Shy can handle the hustle and bustle of an 18-runner field then he ought to go close following his defeat of Banditry at Worcester in September, he ought to take the beating here. Banditry, the horse he had behind in second, has won at Southwell when beating the useful marker Brahms De Clermont before finishing second at Ludlow last time. A big field handicap on this decent surface looks up his street and he can go well for each/way players.

Oxwich Bay is 6lbs well was and was returning from nearly a year off when going down narrowly at Warwick last week so has to be respected along with Magic Dancer, unpenalized for scoring well at Kempton just four days ago (5 if you’re reading on Friday). Coeur Blimey last bumped into the extremely progressive Air Horse One when last seen at Exeter and if fit, would be a fascinating contender here. Slanelough was a good winner at Kelso last time and faces a different surface. Or De Vassy, for the connections that have Air Horse One, was a very comprehensive winner of a Southwell Novice Hurdle last time over 2m4f. Dropping back to this trip could be ideal for him here and he’s one of many who are serious each/way contenders.

The Markel Insurance Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase (12.40) is well contested as always. Phil’s Magic ran a good race on his comeback after a break in the Munster National when third. He was beaten 11 lengths but the winner that day was the very well handicapped Total Recall – now quite short for the Hennesssy – and the second was Alpha Des Obeaux, who would be fourth in the JNWine Champion Chase and then won the Clonmel Oil Chase yesterday in good style. Finishing 18 lengths third to those two was no disgrace, and the last time he got good ground over fences he took the Midlands National when he pulled out all the stops to get up on the line by a head, and he appears to have improved since on the bare ratings. He can go very well, with recent Amateur Handicap Chase 1-2 What Happens Now and Indian Castle high on the shortlist. Dueling Banjos was a fine second on his reappearance at Exeter for Kim Bailey and ought to go well too.

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Advice

1 pt each/way Phil’s Magic, 12.40 Cheltenham (7/1 general)

1 pt win Urgent De Gregaine, 3.00 Cheltenham (6/1 general)

1 pt each/way Vicomte Du Seuil, 3.00 Cheltenham (25/1 general)

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Cheltenham Showcase 2017 Saturday Preview

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Cheltenham Showcase 2017 Saturday’s card is a cracking day in a great weekend of racing. We start with an extremely competitive handicap chase (2.00), with Singlefarmpayment – who was nosed out of taking the big three-mile handicap chase at the Cheltenham Festival – the current favourite. That is entirely fair, given he has only gone up 4lbs for a great effort when he was second there in a good renewal to the high-class Un Temps Pour Tout. He should go close once again, and is of even more interest for the Hennessy (now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy) off his very good mark.

There’s plenty in this race to look at however, and Doing Fine could be worth another chance.  He was sent off 9/2 for the Bet365 Gold Cup after bolting up here in a 3-mile handicap chase at the April meeting, but for much of the way he appeared to be struggling before finding plenty for pressure and then finishing fifth in what was quite a frantic and bunched conclusion to the race. That race came just a week after his fine win here, and the form of his 2 lengths second to Henllan Harri looks strong. He was just beaten by the high-class Veteran Theatre Guide and Benbens, third in the Scottish National beforehand, and he was ahead of the recent Chepstow winner Rock The Kasbah. He’s had a run over hurdles which should put him straight for this and he might not have shown his best yet.

It should be hard to kick last year’s winner Coologue out of the three on the same mark with the same jockey on, and he is one of many dangers.

Cogry, last seen going very close in the Scottish National off just 2lbs lower, is interesting here as he holds a good course record and is adaptable regarding ground. Two seasons ago he was a good fourth on his return at the Open Meeting so it’s possible that he’s ready for this test and if that is the case then he certainly has to be amongst the best-handicapped horses in the field. Viconte Du Noyer was second to his stablemate at Punchestown when last seen off just a 2lbs lower mark over 2m4f. He took the 3m5f handicap at the Open Meeting last year off that same rating and if he’s ready to go, he’s well treated here.

Another overpriced horse might be Perfect Candidate, who was a five-length winner of a strong Veterans Chase at Exeter last February off just 4lbs lower. If he’s ready to go, he can outrun her price. Robinsfirth was still in with a chance when he fell three out at Chepstow and still has potential in this spare so should be on the shortlist.

In the Masterson Holdings Hurdle (2.35), last season’s Anniversary Hurdle third Bedrock is an understandable favourite after two easy wins since then for the red hot Skelton team who took the novice chase with North Hill Harvey yesterday. He ought to take the beating, but the market has him sussed with a price of 10/11 to make it three hurdles wins and that does not look obvious value. Irish raider Twobeelucky managed to run into a very smart prospect in the shape of Le Richebourg at Galway in the summer and is an interesting rival whilst Golden Jeffrey has won his last two as well, the last win coming by 15 lengths. Arthington might be the one to struggle of the quartet.

The Randox Health Handicap Chase (3.10) is a very strong contest for the time of year that wouldn’t look out of place at the Festival  – buy your official Cheltenham Racecourse tickets – and it’s two horses who were well fancied for spring contests that make appeal here. Double W’s found 2m5f too far in Novice’s Handicap Chase at the Festival last year but found 2 miles at Aintree just right to take the Red Rum handicap chase. Possibly feeling the effects of that run when pulled up at Ayr, he needed the run at Kelso first time out, and with that behind him, ought to be spot on for this attempt at a valuable prize with positive noises emanating from the Jefferson camp, quoted as saying:

“He always improves from his first run. Last year he was beaten in a handicap hurdle at Hexham. “We’ve been happy with him since Kelso. He worked very well on Wednesday and we’re happy to have a go.”

Foxtail Hill was sent off favourite for the Novices’ Handicap at the Festival before he fell, and then he disappointed at Aintree, but his good second at the April meeting showed he still has a lot to offer off this mark and it could be that this track and trip suits him just right here with an aggressive ride. When he won on trials day, he beat Saphir Du Rheu (a wide margin inner at Kelso, then fifth in Gold Cup), and Tenor Nivernais (since a wide margin winner at Ascot) He won first time out on his stable debut two seasons ago and looks worth chancing to go very well here

The one who was top of the shortlist outside of the pair was Doitforthevillage, who was going well when falling in the Red Rum last season at Aintree and then made amends for that with a fine front-running display when taking a valuable handicap chase at Warwick just two weeks after. That day he beat Abidjan off 129, form that has been boosted well since as he would take a very valuable contest by 16 lengths next time. Abidjan has also won again since, beating Poker School (runs today) by a head to now leave him off 143. Doitforthevillage is now 135 which is just 4lbs higher than his last winning mark and he has had a pipe-opener already which leaves him as a major player.

Le Prezien was heading for a battle with Some Plan when the latter fell in the Arkle Trial last November, and Some Plan did manage to take the Irish Arkle since. However, that has inflated his rating rather artificially and Le Prezien disappointed in the Grand Annual so both can be taken on here. Sizing Platinum romped home at Newton Abbott when well backed in heavy ground, but he has been thumped in the handicap for that result and is upped right back up in class here. Cobra De Mai has been on a roll recently and is considered the biggest threat for the Skelton team.

The first Pertemps Qualifier here of the season sees a lot of faces old and new who catch the eye. One of them is Anteros, who bolted up at the Open Meeting last year in a Listed handicap hurdle and then struggled after, but who has now dropped to a mark of 128; Only 3lbs higher than his last winning mark then. That is worth noting and he also comes here fit from chasing, even if he didn’t take to it particularly well.

Of the rest, Stick To The Plan did anything but when dislodging Bridget Andrews with the race at his mercy when set to win at Southwell and has to be of interest after just five runs, although the form of that contest is desperate and the same has to be said about Quarenta’s Warwick win when stepped back down in trip at Warwick last time.

The Royal Gloucestershire Hussars Novices’ Chase (4.20) is a very strong contest where one horse catches the eye early. Cultivator has always looked a horse who should enjoy chasing, so his two wins over hurdles were a bonus last year and we can expect more from him this term. He gets a lot of weight and the market is going to be a good indicator as to what we can expect although he will be doing well to beat either of Two Taffs or Alcala.

There’s not much the Skelton’s can do wrong at the moment, and the way that Two Taffs cleared away to take the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase suggested that he can still keep on improving. However, Alcala has been striking whilst the iron is hot and making into a very useful chaser indeed over the summer, winning Market Rasen’s Summer Plate and then taking two easy opportunities at Newton Abbot straight after that. He was travelling well at Chepstow when slipping up around the bend (he would likely have beaten Tintern’s Theatre had he stood up), and he ought to take the beating here if he hasn’t been left any the worse for that effort. Midnight Shot and Double Treasure both won handicap chases in convincing style last time and shouldn’t be too far away in what looks an exciting race.

Robbin’Hannon and Calett Mad are the only two the market wants to know about in the Junior Jumpers Novices’ Hurdle (4.55) and it’s not easy to separate the two. Robbin’Hannon has plenty more to give after just four starts, the third of them a good second to the experienced Gayebury in a Listed contest at Perth over the summer before warming up nicely with an easy win at Worcester.

Calett Mad had a wonderful debut campaign over fences at such a tender age, his best effort coming when he nearly took a novice’s handicap chase at the Scottish National Festival last year, and it should be close between the pair although Dashing Perk, Mon Palois, and Ballymountin Bay have shown plenty of ability so far.

It is recommended that one take the notebook to the Jockey Club Venues Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race (5.30), with plenty of well-connected and well-bred horses taking to the track for the first time. There’s a useful form marker too in Way Out West, who was a taking winner of his bumper debut at Sedgefield.

For those who enjoy both codes and still want to ring the last juice from the flat season, we have a fine renewal of the Racing Post Trophy (3.25 Doncaster). Aidan O’Brien is just one more top-flight victory away from beating Bobby Frankel’s top-flight record of 25 Group or Grade 1 wins in a single season and in Saxon Warrior (Beresford Stakes winner) and The Pentagon (Tyros Stakes winner) he has two big chances but he might have to wait as Verbal Dexterity is a serious threat to the party. A deeply impressive winner at the Curragh on soft ground by nearly 10 lengths, he then dropped down to 6 furlongs for the Railway Stakes on quicker ground and found Beckford just a tad too quick for him, but returned to seven furlongs and a deep surface he was dominant in the National Stakes when he reversed that form emphatically to run out a deeply impressive winner.

He missed the Dewhurst thanks to a dirty scope, but Bolger’s praise for him was startlingly effusive following his Curragh romp. “I can see him as being champion European two-year-old. He’s the real deal. He’s as good as any of the two-year-olds I’ve had,” said Bolger, a man who has trained five winners of the Dewhurst, including New Approach, Dawn Approach and Teofilo.

A mile should be right up his street and whilst he is in a deep race with threats all around, he is worth backing for the Trophy and the Guineas right now. Roaring Lion and Seahenge area are also worthy of respect.

You might also like to read our my preview of the Betfair Chase 2017 at Haydock.

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Advice

2.00 Cheltenham – 1 pt each/way Doing Fine (7/1 Betfred, Boylesports)

3.10 Cheltenham – 1 pt win Double W’s (11/2 general)

3.10 Cheltenham – 1 pt each/way Doitforthevillage (20/1 SkyBet*, 18/1 Hills, 16/1 general)  

3.45 Cheltenham – 1 pt each/way Anteros (20/1 SkyBet*, 25/1 general)

4.20 Cheltenham – 2 pts win Alcala (15/8 general)

3.25 Doncaster – 2 pts win Verbal Dexterity (4/1 general)

Ante Post – Flat

1 pt each/way Verbal Dexterity, 2018 2,000 Guineas (12/1 general)

1 pt each/way Verbal Dexterity, 2018 Derby (33/1 Boylesports, 25/1 general)

*5 places ¼ the odds.

Punchestown Festival Day 2 Preview and Tips

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Welcome to my Punchestown Festival Day 2 Preview and Tips. 1 out of 2 yesterday with Disko doing the business. Let’s see if we can improve with 100% success today.

4.20 Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle

After his three bumpers last season, Battleford looked to be the real deal. He beat Presenting Percy and went on to be runner up in the Cheltenham and Aintree festival bumpers, but this campaign hasn’t gone to plan. Starting favourite four out of five starts and winning just the once, he has been disappointing. He may have bumped into a couple in the shape of The Storyteller and Monalee, but his performance in the Martin Pipe was very average and I wouldn’t be one to keep following him.

Milsean was very good for Willie Mullins, his most notable result was when he was second in the 2015 Albert Bartlett. He then moved to Mouse Morris after missing a season but he just hasn’t looked like the same horse. Well beaten in three completed starts and a third flight fall in a Grade 2 at Gowran, I couldn’t be trusting that he is the force he once was. He has been transferred to Gordon Elliott’s yard in the hope to rediscover some form.

Minella Till Dawn was disputing the lead when he came down at the final obstacle last time out and was battling bravely. If he suffers no ill affects from that incident then I see him as a big player. The form of his penultimate start over an inadequate trip has worked out well with the first and second going on to fill those same positions in a Grade 2.

Baden ran well at this meeting last year but he hasn’t seemed to have progressed from there, he has finished down the field in a couple of graded races and only just managed to come out on top in a class 4 maiden hurdle. Drumconnor Lad won well last time out on ground similar to this and is still improving, with Robbie Power on board he is not one to be ignored.

Bryan Cooper has chosen to ride Burgas but would need to find plenty of improvement from his latest running to figure. C’est Jersey appears to be Willie Mullins second string and was way back in the Albert Bartlett last time and cheekpieces are reached for, but it looks like a stiff task for him.

4.55 Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)

What a race this is on paper. Three Cheltenham Festival winners appear here alongside some other good quality horses.

I’ll start off with the Albert Bartlett winner Penhill, the step up to three miles has brought out the best in him. He won a Grade 2 in Limerick at the trip before heading to the Cotswolds where he was again impressive. Monalee wasn’t too far behind at Cheltenham and you have to bear in mind that Henry de Bromhead’s charge was right up with the pace the whole way and showed real resilience to keep on going. Penhill came from out the back that day with what was an expert ride by Ruby Walsh. I can’t say I would be surprised if those placings were reversed.

There was talk before Cheltenham that Presenting Percy was poorly handicapped, well what a load of rubbish that turned out to be! He won the Pertemps with ease and definitely deserves his chance in this company. Whether he is up to it is another matter entirely, he is obviously very good but going from handicaps to being a favourite for a Grade 1 is quite a step. I’m not saying he won’t win, but 11/4 doesn’t tickle my fancy.

Champagne Classic won the Martin Pipe beating some good horses. But this is a big step up and he has been behind Tin Soldier twice this season. The latter wasn’t disgraced when eighth in the Coral Cup, but based on his two victories prior to that effort I think he would need softer ground to be seen to best affect. Moulin A Vent split this pair at Thurles and this better ground should play to his strengths and I’m not sure he deserves to be the outsider.

Bon Papa won well on his penultimate start but failed to land a blow in the Neptune last month despite being hampered. He did begin to make eye-catching headway but folded after the second last and he might be another who needs softer ground. Finally Al Boum Photo won a Grade 2 last time beating some useful sorts in doing so, if he takes to this better ground and step up in distance then he could be a major player.

5.30 Coral Punchestown Gold Cup (Grade 1)

Sizing John was racing in Douvan’s shadow prior to stepping up to staying distances, since that change he has been a revelation. In winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup he stamped his mark on the division and I see no reason as to why he can’t claim another Grade 1 here. He jumped so well last time and accelerated away from the back of the second last and this ground will be fine for him.

Previous Cheltenham hero Coneygree returns to the track after five months off. His Gold Cup win was on soft ground but I’m not convinced it’s a necessity that he needs bottomless conditions to be effective as he has won on good to soft. He’ll be fresh and will no doubt bowl along in front and attempt to gallop his rivals into submission and he is the only one of these bar Flemenstar that hasn’t been beaten by Sizing John.

Djakadam has finished second in this race for the past two years and no doubt deserves a prize such as this. However, I’m just not convinced he truly stays the trip and believe he is better over shorter. The ground conditions should help him with that but I just can’t see him reversing the form with the favourite.

Outlander was soundly beaten at Cheltenham but he didn’t jump very well that day and was then hampered at the third last so any chance he may have had was lost. Back on home soil a repeat of his Lexus win puts him right in the mix. Champagne West was mightily impressive in the Thyestes but was outclassed in the Gold Cup and is up against it again here, along with the outsider Flemenstar who is way out of his depth.

6.05 Racing Post Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 1)

Carter Mckay had looked impressive for Willie Mullins before being firmly put in his place by Gordon Elliott’s Fayonagh in the Champion Bumper. She ended up being last at the start after jumping off a fraction late but she absolutely flew home to catch Debuchet, that one has come out and franked the form by winning at Limerick. Fayonagh is undoubtedly the one to beat.

Jessica Harrington has been having an unbelievable season and she has an exciting prospect entered here in Someday. His first start has worked out extremely well, he only went down half a length to Cilaos Emery who went on to win the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle here yesterday. Last time out Someday battled bravely to get the better of Voix Des Tiep, those two were a long way clear and I think he can go close.

Poli Roi was an expensive purchase for Gigginstown and won with plenty in hand at Navan. The owners seem to have a number of decent bumper horses and the fact they have chosen to bring him here shows that he must be a good horse.

Del Oro and Paloma Blue both won their debuts but that form doesn’t look as strong as the market leaders. Go Another One hasn’t been seen for nine months but the form of his last victory has worked out relatively well with the runner up going on to be sixth in the Pertemps at Cheltenham. Based on that he is in with a chance but would still need to find improvement to be involved.

6.40 Guinness Handicap Chase (Grade A)

Jetstream Jack has been competing in some good quality races this season and he was second in a Grade 2 behind A Toi Phil in November, with yesterdays Champion Novice Chase winner Disko back in third. That is a strong piece of form and he has been racing on heavy ground the last couple of outings and this return to a sounder surface won’t inconvenience him.

Polidam is an interesting French recruit for Willie Mullins having been bought by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. They rarely buy bad ones and having won five times in France, has to be respected. Mr Diablo didn’t take to the Grand National fences at Aintree last time, but if reproducing the effort he put in at this festival last year when he was second to Avant Tout then he could have a big say.

The way this season is panning out, a runner in Alan and Ann Potts’ colours with Robbie Power on board simply can’t be ignored. Sizing Granite is a Grade 1 winner that just hasn’t been at his best this year. He has been pulled up in his two chase starts for Colin Tizzard but if rediscovering the form similar to his Aintree win at the expense of God’s Own, he is well handicapped.

Rightdownthemiddle ran really well at Aintree to finish second to Sizing Codelco, that trip was in excess of three miles and whether this drop in distance is what he wants I’m not too sure. In saying that he is on a lenient mark and in the hands of Jack Kennedy he must be in with a great chance.

Rebecca Curtis is double handed here, the first is Irish Cavalier who since winning the Charlie Hall at the start of the season has offered little encouragement. He wears a first time tongue tie and needs that to spark him back into life if he is to get involved. Vintage Vinnie should appreciate this ground and is only 3lb higher than his Listed win in September.

Advice

Louis Fitzgerald Hotel Hurdle (4.20PM, Wednesday 26th April): 2pt win Minella Till Dawn (3/1 general)

Racing Post Champion I.N.H. Flat Race (6.05PM, Wednesday 26th April): 2pt win Someday (4/1 general)

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