Best of the Rest in Britain Stable Tour

Form profile

133 rated hurdler. Returned to winning form with a two and a quarter length success from I’m A Lumberjack at Newbury (2m 4 1/2f) in December off a mark of 127.

Trainer says

Andashan will go for the Martin Pipe. He is in very good order and I am really pleased with him. All three runs this year have been progressive and after his last run at Newbury where he won, we just thought we would put him away for this race. (Chris Gordon)

Form profile

Winner of his two bumpers. Scored impressively by eight lengths from Looping d’Arc at Newbury in November and followed up with a length defeat of Tally Ho Back in a Listed bumper at Ascot in December.

Trainer says

Bass Hunter is like a caged tiger at the moment. He is a keen going forward horse and it would be nice if we could get someone to help him in the Champion bumper. He was going to go to Windsor bumper or a Listed bumper at Newbury but on both occasions the ground was shocking. He handles soft ground, but soft ground pulls him around a bit. He is a big six-year-old, and the chiropractor has always got hold of him. We have had him away for couple of days to Lambourn and he is in good order. (Chris Gordon)

Form profile

145 rated chaser. Finished third, beaten 24 lengths, to Thistle Ask in the Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Kempton (2m) over Christmas.

Trainer says

Boothill is not getting any younger, but the handicapper has relented during the course of the season. If he got good to soft or better ground and he could recapture anything like his best days he would be in with an each way shout in the Grand Annual. (Harry Fry)

Form profile

132 rated hurdler. Off the mark when scoring by two and a half length from Good To Be Alive in a handicap hurdle at Hereford (2m 3 1/2f) in December off a mark of 117 and followed with a two and a half-length victory from Tripoli Flyer in a similar event at Ascot (2m 3 1/2f) in January off a mark of 124.

Trainer says

He is in the Turners Novices' Hurdle as well as the BetMGM Cup and I think he will run in the Turners as he may struggle to get in the Cup. (Jeremy Scott)

Form profile

147 rated hurdler. Made a winning reappearance when winning the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Chepstow (2m) in October by two and a quarter lengths from Alexei off a mark of 137. Subsequently runner-up, beaten two and a half lengths, to Wodhooh in the Grade 2 Ascot Hurdle at Ascot (2m 3 1/2f) and fourth, beaten 11 lengths, to Sir Gino in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton (2m) on Boxing Day.

Trainer says

He will either go for the BetMGM Cup or the County Hurdle. I am looking forward to running him in either race as he is in very good form. (Sam Thomas)

Form profile

131 rated hurdler. Made a winning reappearance at Market Rasen (2m 7f) in November when taking a Pertemps Qualifier by eight and a half lengths from Tranquil Sea off a mark of 109 and had little trouble following up in a handicap hurdle at Newbury (3m 1/2f) by five and a half lengths from Top Guy off a mark of 121.

Trainer says

He is an exciting, improving type and, hopefully, he is not finished yet. He’s a lovely horse and we are very lucky to have him and, fingers crossed, he can put up another big one in the Pertemps Final. (Sam Thomas)

Form profile

131 rated hurdler. Returned to winning form when beating Turndlightsdownlow in a handicap hurdle at Wincanton (3m 1/2f) in January off a mark of 118 and followed up with five and a half length victory from Minella Emperor in a Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock (3m 1/2f) last month off a mark of 124.

Trainer says

Champagne Chic gets in the Pertemps as of right, but he would probably want the ground to be on the soft side which on the forecast I am not sure we are going to get. Pretty genuine good to soft would be alright but he is in good order. (Jeremy Scott)

Form profile

139 rated hurdler. Had Supremely West two and a half lengths behind when runner-up, beaten two and three quarter lengths, to Ma Shantou in a Pertemps Qualifier at Cheltenham (3m) in October off a mark of 128 and went one better when scoring by a neck from Hartington in a valuable handicap hurdle at Haydock (3m 1/2f) in November off a mark of 132.

Trainer says

Electric Mason is in very, very good form and his preparation for the Pertemps Final has gone well but the favourite Supremely West was two and a half lengths behind us in the Cheltenham qualifier and there is a 13lb turnaround in the weights. That’s tough but our boy is in good order and always goes and runs a solid race and we look forward to it. (Chris Gordon)

Form profile

152 rated hurdler. Scored by nine lengths from Burdett Road when landing the Grade 1 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 1/2f) last March. Returned to winning from in an accident-packed Fight Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle (2m 1f) in November when beating Anzadam a length and a half before finishing runner-up, beaten six lengths, to Sir Gino in the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Kempton (2m) on Boxing Day.

Trainer says

She is very well and she had a racecourse gallop at Wincanton on Thursday. She galloped very nicely and I am happy with her. We have her spot on now and we obviously need a bit of luck in running and have to jump all the hurdles. If we are not good enough then we know we have given it our best shot in the Champion Hurdle. She has been in good form all season other than at Wetherby, won the Fighting Fifth and a sharp fast track like Kempton wouldn’t have been ideal when she finished second to Sir Gino. (Jeremy Scott)

Form profile

135 rated chaser. Gained his latest success in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase at Haydock (3m 4 1/2f) in February when scoring by a length and three quarters from Top Of The Bill off a mark of 129.

Trainer says

He is a horse I think still has a lot of improvement in him and I think there is room in his mark. He is a very genuine horse, and I think he will stay the trip in the National Hunt Chase, and I think he will enjoy the track. It is more than likely he will take his chance in the National Hunt Chase. (Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith)

Form profile

166 rated chaser. Winner of the National Hunt Challenge Cup Chase at Cheltenham (3m 6f) last March and ended his season with a three and a quarter length success from Any Second Now in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse (3m 5f) in April off a mark of 141. Made a winning reappearance over hurdles in a Pertemps Qualifier at Newbury (3m 1/2f) in November but pulled up four out when returning to chasing in the Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m 1 1/2f) later that month off a mark of 154. Put the effort behind him when carrying topweight to victory with a three-length defeat of O’Connell and subsequently made all for a seven-length success from L’Homme Presse in the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury (2m 7 1/2f) last month.

Trainer says

He has been very good this year and I have been very happy with his preparation for the Gold Cup. He was good in the Denman Chase and seems to have come out of it well and has progressed a great deal. He had a bad joint when he was pulled up in the Betfair Chase but that has been sorted out and he goes to Cheltenham in great form. He has been ticking away nicely at home as the Denman wasn’t that long ago and we are looking forward to the race. (Rebecca Curtis)

Form profile

142 rated hurdler. Completed a hat-trick over hurdles when beating Mydaddypaddy three and a quarter lengths in the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree (2m 1f) on Boxing Day.

Trainer says

He has progressed all season and having won the Grade 1 Formby Novices’ Hurdle we kept him fresh to go to straight to the Supreme all being well. We are very pleased with how his preparation has gone and he had an awayday at Wincanton on Thursday and all went well. We are looking forward to going to the Supreme and look forward to the challenge in what looks a very good renewal of the race. He is more than deserving of his chance and we are looking forward to it. (Harry Fry)

Form profile

128 rated hurdler. Finished runner-up, beaten two and three quarter lengths, to Red Risk in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier) at Musselburgh (3m) at the start of last month off a mark of 127.

Trainer says

He is in the Pertemps Final and he is a very quirky horse but very, very talented and it is just a matter of keeping his head right. He will probably go down to Cheltenham a few days early and try to get used to the place. He is a nice horse, and we did think of trying him over fences, but it is just not for him. We did run him in the Pertemps Final last year, and he is probably coming into the race in better form than then. We are very hopeful he will run a good race. (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)

Form profile

144 rated chaser. Return to winning form in the Grade 3 Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock (3m 1 1/2f) in January when beating Richmond Lake a neck off a mark of 141.

Trainer says

Imperial Saint will run in the Ultima Handicap Chase on the first day with a view to going to Aintree after that. He has been in good form and won the Peter Marsh Chase last time. He went up 3lb for that but, hopefully, can still be competitive. (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)

Form profile

157 rated chaser. Finished runner-up, beaten two and a half lengths, to The Jukebox Man in a Graduation Chase at Haydock (2m 5 1/2f) in November and added to his score when beating Firefox four and three quarter lengths in a similar event at Ascot (2m 5f) in December.

Trainer says

“He is in good form, and he is going for the Ultima. I am pretty sure that both Iroko and Jagwar will take their places in the Ultima. It will be tough under top weight, and his main target is the Grand National. (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)

Form profile

125 rated hurdler. Landed her second victory over hurdles when beating Betty’s Daisy a length in a mares’ novices’ at Warwick (2m 3f) in January.

Trainer says

On the ratings, she’s probably a little below what is required to win a Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, and she’s got a bit to find but she’s a good mare. Her owners want to go to the Festival and I completely see why. If it turned into a staying race, which it generally does, then she’s got a chance. (Harry Derham)

Form profile

152 rated chaser. Winner of the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) last March when beating Thecompanysergeant two and three quarter lengths off a mark of 139. Has run well in two subsequent runs over course and distance finishing third, beaten a length and three quarters, to Glengouly in December off a mark of 148 and then runner-up, beaten a head, to Donnacha in another Premier Handicap off a mark of 149.

Trainer says

Jagwar will be stepping up in trip in the Ultima, but he appears to stay well over two and a half miles so we are hoping three miles will bring about some improvement. (Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)

Form profile

132 rated hurdler. Returned to winning form when beating Gowel Road three quarters of a length in a Pertemps Qualifier at Chepstow (2m 7 1/2f) last month off a mark of 127.

Trainer says

Keable is one of my possible two runners in the Pertemps Final. He won a qualifier at Chepstow last time but must have soft ground. (Philip Johnson & Johnson White)

Form profile

135 rated hurdler. Returned to winning form when beating Prince Zaltar two and three quarter lengths in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (3m) in November off a mark of 127 and followed up with a three quarter length win from Turndlightsdownlow in a Pertemps Qualifier at Sandown (2m 7 1/2f) in December off a mark of 127.

Trainer says

Kikijo has done well this season, and he is another who would go to the Pertemps Final but is another who wants soft ground. (Philip Johnson & Johnson White)

Form profile

140 rated chaser. Returned to winning form in impressive style in a handicap chase at Kelso (2m 7 1/2f) last month when making much of the running to score by eight and a half lengths from Bill Baxter off a mark of 130.

Trainer says

He won really nicely at Kelso four weeks before Cheltenham and we are very happy with him. He has the choice of entries between the Ultima and the National Hunt Chase. Obviously, the National Hunt Chase is over further but he will stay, and he reminds me a lot of a horse we had the won the Scottish National, Mighty Thunder. He is a lovely novice chaser, and he has been getting his act together and improved at Kelso. I said to his owners at the start of the season that he could be one for the Ultima but I’m still wondering if he would be better in the longer chase as he has a lot of stamina. We are not definite as to which race he runs in yet. (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)

Form profile

145 rated chaser. Winner of three of his four completed chases this season and victories include a 15-length success from Deafening Silence in the Rehearsal Handicap Chase at Newcastle (2m 7 1/2f) in November off a mark of 126 and a seven length victory from Marble Sands in the Rowland Meyrick at Wetherby (3m) on Boxing Day off a mark of 136. Finished a creditable third, beaten two and a quarter lengths, to Imperial Saint in the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase at Haydock (3m 1 1/2f) in January off his present mark.

Trainer says

He is very well and he had a racecourse gallop after racing at Wetherby on Thursday and all went very well. We are very happy with him, and we will just tick away until race day and with any luck we have him in good nick for the Ultima which I think we have. (Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith)

Form profile

133 rated hurdler. Landed her second success over hurdles when beating Charisma Cat three and a half lengths in a Listed Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury (2m 1/2f) in November and subsequently runner-up, beaten half a length, to Ooh Betty in a Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle at Ascot (1m 7 1/2f) in January.

Trainer says

She is a very classy individual and she was second in the Aintree bumper last year. She won her first two races over hurdles very well, including a listed Mares’ Novices’ at Market Rasen and then stepped out of novice company into open Grade company at Ascot and gave the winner 2lb and went down fighting. She was probably just caught out by a battle-hardened warrior that day but that will have done her no harm at all and she goes for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices in great order. (Jamie Snowden)

Form profile

154 rated hurdler. Has won three of his four starts this season over hurdles - beating Electric Mason two and three quarter lengths in a Pertemps Qualifier at Cheltenham (3m) on his return in October off a mark of 129, Ace Of Spades a length and a quarter in another handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (3m) on New Year’s Day off a mark of 138. improved on that when gaining a third course and distance success in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle on Trials Day when scoring by seven lengths from Impose Toi.

Trainer says

He has done everything right until this point and just seems to keep progressing in the right direction. He went to Newbury for a gallop on Monday morning and we have him just where we want him going into the race. He reminds me a little bit of Paisley Park in the way he races but he is very different physically, but he stays and he loves the hill and he is very straightforward. He has just matured a bit and got stronger and was always a nice horse last year. He might have got bigger, but he’s got physically stronger. We thought enough to run him in the Albert Bartlett last year and he came there but just didn’t get up the hill but this year he is getting up the hill. I think he is ready for the Stayers’ Hurdle, and he just has a great attitude. (Emma Lavelle)

Form profile

139 rated hurdler. Winner of his three races over hurdles. Made a winning start for Adam Nicol in the Listed Wensleydale Juvenile Hurdle at Wetherby (2m) in October when beating Ammes three quarters of a length and improved on that when scoring by six and a half lengths from Minella Study in the Triumph Hurdle Trial at Cheltenham (2m 1f) in December under a 7lb penalty.

Trainer says

He galloped around Musselburgh on Wednesday and schooled over three hurdles up the straight and had a nice swinging canter over a mile six. He is spot on and is exactly the same weight as he was when winning at Cheltenham in December. He will be our first Festival runner, and I don’t know how we managed to sneak in and take him from the Irish. John Nallen had him and he won the Tipperary Summer Juvenile and, maybe, they thought he wasn’t good enough or something, but he certainly has improved since he came here. He has got a lot stronger physically and he is not like a Juvenile; he is like a seasoned handicapper the way he goes on. I have said to a number of people who have asked about him that he will be even better next year after a break. We are only going there with one bullet and there is pressure, but it is exciting and if he was trained by one of the bigger trainers who would be nearly favourite for the race and he is 7-1 right now. We will see how we go and depending on that we could think of going to Aintree as there are four weeks in between the races. (Adam Nicol)

Form profile

136 rated hurdler. Runner-up, beaten four and a quarter length, to Onlyforfrankie in the Scottish Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Musselburgh (1m 7 1/2f) in February but had previously impressed when making all for an eight and a half length win from Spectacularsunrise in a novices’ hurdle at Chepstow (2m) in December.

Trainer says

There is no point making excuses for when he got beat at Musselburgh. Maybe I was trying to get too clever running him and that was probably the wrong thing to do but I wanted to get three runs into him before the Supreme. He’s been my best novice all season and the idea is that you run your best novice in that race. It’s a very competitive Supreme but, if he runs like he did when winning at Chepstow, he would be a lively outsider. (Harry Derham)

Form profile

142 rated chaser. Made much of running before being pulled up at the last in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase won by Grand Geste at Haydock (3m 4 1/2f) last month off his current mark.

Trainer says

“We had a little wobble as to whether he would run in the Grand National, but we ran him at Haydock in the Grand National Trial, and I don’t think he stayed. He will go for the Ultima, and he is fairly rated but obviously not as good as he was last year but it is a race he seems to like. A fast-run race over three miles will be ideal, and he will go on any ground. (Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore)

Form profile

133 rated chaser. Winner of his two completed starts this season and gained his latest win in a novices’ handicap chase at Doncaster (3m) in January when beating Chasingouttheblues six and a half lengths off a mark of 127.

Trainer says

He will probably go for the National Hunt Chase, and we are very happy with him. Ideally, he would like it on the slow side of good and he has shown progressive form since we sent him chasing. (Rebecca Curtis)

Form profile

134 rated chaser. Going well when making a bad mistake and unseating his rider at the eighth in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Chase won by Thistle Ask at Kempton (2m) over Christmas off a mark of 135 and had previously impressed when beating Javert Allen two and a quarter lengths in a handicap chase at Newbury (2m 1/2f) in November off a mark of 129.

Trainer says

The Grand Annual would be our first choice for him. He was a bit unlucky the last day at Kempton when he fell behind a nice horse of the Skeltons’ (Thistle Ask) and he is going to Cheltenham in good form. (Fergal O’Brien)

Form profile

150 rated chaser. Has won his three chases - beating Derryhassen Paddy four and a quarter lengths in a beginners’ at Ayr (2m 4 1/2f), Califet En Vol 13 lengths in a novice at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in December and completed the hat trick when beating Kala Conti five lengths in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown (2m 4f) in January.

Trainer says

He is in the Arkle, Brown Advisory and the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap and no decision has been made as yet but we are leaning towards the handicap for him. He had his final gallop on Sunday, and we will keep our fingers crossed. He has been very good and to win a Grade 1 with him was fantastic. (Fergal O’Brien)

Form profile

148 rated hurdler. Winner of three of his four starts over hurdles and could not have been more impressive when scoring by 27 lengths from Kadastral in a novices’ hurdle at Newbury (2m 1/2f) last month.

Trainer says

Sober Glory will run on the first day in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. He won all his race except the one where he got beaten at Sandown so, hopefully, he has a good chance of being in the first four. He doesn’t have to front run, and we will see how the races goes. He is better with a lot of pace, so I don’t expect him to be in front. (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)

Form profile

153 rated chaser. Winner of his three chases in impressive fashion - scored by five lengths from Unexpected Party in a Graduation Chase at Carlisle (2m) in November, a Grade 2 at Ascot (2m 3f) from Push The Button in December and the Grade 2 Kingmaker by 10 lengths from Mirabad at Warwick (2m) in February.

Trainer says

He deserves his spot in the Arkle and will be there to pick up the pieces if the fancied horses don’t turn up. He has been very good in all three of his races over fences and I am looking forward to it. He has been on the go all season and is as fit as a flea and we are keeping him fresh and just ticking along now. (Sam Thomas)

Form profile

147 rated chaser. Scored by three lengths from Jet To Vegas in a beginners’ chase at Ascot (2m 5f) in November and subsequently runner-up, beaten two and three quarter lengths, to Kitzbuhel in the Grade 1 Kauto Novices’ Chase at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day.

Trainer says

Thomas Mor is in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase on the Wednesday. He ideally wants to go right-handed but I expect he will run. We think now he has the experience he could be happy enough to go the wrong way around at Cheltenham. (Philip Hobbs & Johnson White)

Form profile

147 rated chaser. Off the mark over fences with a two-length victory from No Questions Asked in the John Francome Novices’ Chase at Newbury (2m 4f) in November before finishing third, beaten two and three quarter lengths, to Kitzbuhel in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day. Had an easy task when resuming winning way with a 22-length defeat of Maximilian in a novices’ chase at Ayr (3m) in January.

Trainer says

Wendigo is in great order, and the season has really revolved around the Brown Advisory. He won the Grade 2 John Francome at Newbury very well and found the ground too quick at Kempton on Boxing Day and, ideally is better going left-handed, but was only beaten two and three quarter lengths there. He had a penalty kick when we went to Ayr and he comes for the Brown Advisory as probably the best English horse. He is in great form, and we can’t wait to run him. (Jamie Snowden)