There will be plenty of familiar names on this side of the water trying to wrest the prizes away from a formidable Irish challenge at the Cheltenham Festival and the home side look to have mustered up some strong talent to try and keep the raiders at bay.
Lucinda Russell will be looking for an Oscar-winning performance from Corach Rambler in the Gold Cup after landing the Ultima Handicap for the past two years and would there be a dry eye in the house if the unthinkable happened and Emma Lavelle’s old warrior Paisley Park took another Stayers’ Hurdle.
Alan King has had his share of Cheltenham success and has past Arkle hero Edwardstone spearheading his attack, whilst other roll of honour contributors Kim Bailey, Harry Fry, Jonjo O’Neill (quotes from AJ O’Neill), Ben Pauling and Nigel Twiston-Davies (quotes from Willy Twiston-Davies) give their thoughts on their contenders.
Joe Tizzard and Jeremy Scott complete the line-up as they give their assessments of their chances to Tony Elves of attheraces.com for the four days of the highest quality National Hunt racing.
AHOY SENOR
Winner of six of his 19 starts and currently rated 160 over fences. Finished third, beaten nine and half lengths, to Pic D’Orhy in the Grade 1 Ascot Chase at Ascot (2m 5f) in February.
“Ahoy Senor is also in the Gold Cup, but I am leaning towards the Ryanair for him. I think it is a race he can be very competitive in. He ran very well at Ascot the other day and we will be a lot more aggressive if he runs in the Ryanair. God willing, that is where he will go.”
ANYHARMINASKING
Winner of two of his 12 starts and currently rated 137 over hurdles. Probably best effort this term when runner-up, beaten a length and a half, to Nemean Lion in the Welsh Champion Hurdle at Ffos Las in October off a mark of 133.
“He will go for the Morebattle Hurdle at Kelso, and we will have to see how we come out of the race. That is Plan A and the Kelso race looked like it would suit.”
APPLE AWAY
Winner of five of her 11 starts and currently rated 137 over fences. Opened her account over fences with a 31-length victory from Makin’yourmindup at Leicester (2m 6 1/2f) in December and placed twice since. Finished runner-up, beaten 14 lengths, to Grey Dawning in the Grade 2 Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick (3m) in January and third, beaten two and three quarter lengths, to Henry’s Friend in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Chase at Ascot (3m) in February.
“Apple Away is our fourth runner down there and we will look at the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and look at the Ultima. She might not get in the Ultima and after that we might look at one of the Amateurs’ races. We would like to run her in the Ultima if we could.”
BAD
Winner of one of his 9 starts and currently rated 126. Beaten a head by Mothill in a handicap hurdle at Ascot (2m 3 1/2f) in February off a mark of 122.
“I don’t know if he is going to get in, but the Martin Pipe would be the option. I am not sure if you can trust his wind, but the jury is out. He is a very talented little horse, and he will win a big one at some point.”
BOOTHILL
Winner of seven of his 17 starts and currently rated 158 over fences. Made a winning reappearance in a handicap chase at Ascot (2m 1f) in November when beating First Flow four lengths off a mark of 149 and followed up with a half-length victory from Frere D’Armes in a similar event later that month off a mark of 155. Fell five out in the Grade 2 Desert Orchid Handicap Chase at Kempton in December and fell again two out when nine lengths behind the easy winner Edwardstone in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury (2m 1/2f) in February.
“Boothill is none the worse for his fall at Newbury in the Game Spirit when the ground conditions went against him. Although it is not ideal to be coming into the race off the back of two falls, he is not a horse who has ever give us any worries with his jumping. Normally jumping is his strong point and he has just followed his normal routine and kept his eye in to give him confidence. He has a bit to find with principals on the ratings, but we go there and take our chance in the Champion Chase. The race should be run at a strong gallop which will play to his strengths coming off the pace and if he can run into a place we will be delighted.”
BOWTOGREATNESS
Winner of two of his 16 starts and currently rated 133 over fences. Ran his best race this season in a valuable Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Kempton (3m) in February when third, beaten two and a half lengths, to Forward Plan off his current mark.
“Bowtogreatness might go for the Kim Muir. He ran very well last Saturday at Kempton, and he is a horse that takes a lot of getting fit and I haven’t been over hard on him, and he might just be ready now. He headbutted fences and was too keen on his reappearance at Newbury then took a proper blow at Cheltenham in January and took a blow two out at Kempton on Saturday as well. He is in the Ultima, Kim Muir and National Hunt Chase. I do think he is ahead of his mark.”
BROADWAY BOY
Winner of six of his 12 starts and currently rated 150 over fences. A winner three times over fences and has run well in three visits to Cheltenham. Gained his last success in a handicap at Cheltenham (3m 2f) in December when beating Threeunderthrufive a length and a quarter off a mark of 146. Subsequently third, beaten 32 lengths, to Grey Dawning in the Grade 2 Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick in January.
“He is in the three mile six National Hunt Chase and is the top rated on RPRs but the Brown Advisory could cut up. He was wrong at Warwick and had ulcers and scoped dirty but we have had a long, long time to get him right. His work this morning was very pleasing so, hopefully, we will get a good representation from him. I wouldn’t be too worried about the English challengers, it’s what Willie Mullins sends over that matters.”
CHIANTI CLASSICO
Winner of six of his 10 starts and currently rated 143 over fences. Winner of his first two starts this season beating Pull Again Green four and a quarter lengths in a novices’ handicap chase at Chepstow (2m 7 1/2f) in October off a mark of 133 and following up with a three quarter length victory from Scrum Diddly in a novices' handicap chase at Ascot (3m) in November off a mark of 141. Subsequently runner-up, beaten two lengths, to Flegmatik in a handicap chase at Kempton (3m) in January off a mark of 142.
“He has been in great form and, like Trelawne will probably get the ground he wants in the Ultima. He is very good form, and I am very happy with him. We have had the race in mind for some time.”
COLONEL HARRY
Winner of four of his 9 starts and currently rated 147 over fences. Gained his last success in the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby (2m 3 1/2f) in January and subsequently third, beaten 29 lengths, to Nickle Back in the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown (2m 4f) in February.
“Colonel Harry might go for the Turners if it rains.”
CORACH RAMBLER
Winner of seven of his 15 starts and currently rated 159 over fences. Winner of the last two runnings of the Ultima Handicap Chase and had a neck in favour of Fastorslow last March off a mark of 146 before going onto win the Grand National. Finished third, beaten 15 ½ lengths, to Royale Pagaille in the Grade 1 Betfair Chase at Haydock (3m 1 1/2f) in November.
“Corach Rambler is the one that is certain to run, and he will go for the Gold Cup as a prep race for the Grand National. He is in the Ultima, but it might not be such a big field in the Gold Cup and the way we trained him last year worked, and we are doing exactly the same this year. We go there a fresh horse and Peter (Scudamore) rode him this morning and he has also been away for a piece of work. He seems very well, and he will do a big piece of work before the race.”
CREBILLY
Winner of three of his 9 starts and currently rated 140 over fences. Returned to winning form in a novices’ chase at Exeter (2m 3f) in February when beating Tahmuras a length and a quarter.
“We were very happy with the way he was running first time out this season when he fell, and he was unlucky really as he just crumpled on landing. He wasn’t quite so fluent with his jumping at Cheltenham next time and then he showed a bit more the other day at Exeter. We are happy with him at this stage with the Plate being his option.”
CUTHBERT DIBBLE
Winner of four of his 9 starts and currently rated 139 over hurdles. Made a winning reappearance in a handicap hurdle at Chepstow (2m 3 1/2f) in January when beating Supremely West 12 lengths off a mark of 125 and followed up with a half length success from Lord Snootie in a Pertemps Qualifier at Haydock (off a mark of 133.
“Cuthbert Dibble ran very well at Haydock and had previously won at Chepstow after a long layoff. He is 139 now and there is no reason he couldn’t be a Graded horse in time. He is entered in the Pertemps, the Coral Cup and the Martin Pipe.”
DASHEL DRASHER
Winner of 12 of his 31 starts and currently rated 156 over hurdles. Finished fourth, beaten three and a half lengths, to Noble Yeats in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m) in January.
“Dashel Drasher is up against it in the Stayers' given that he is a year older, and he probably ran his personal best last season. If the ground came good for him, you would hope he wouldn’t be a million miles away. He is probably a good each-way bet if he gets his ground.”
EDWARDSTONE
Winner of 10 of his 28 starts and currently rated 166. Runner-up, beaten nine and a half lengths, to Jonbon in the Grade 2 Shloer Chase at Cheltenham (2m) on his reappearance in November and again saw a rear view of that horse when beaten only two and three quarter lengths in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown (1m 7 1/2f) in December. Finished fourth, beaten 24 ¾ lengths, to Banbridge when stepped up to two miles and four and a half furlongs in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Chase at Kempton in January but went onto gain a deserved first win of the season when making all for a 40-length victory from Funambule Sivola in the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury (2m 1/2f) in February.
“He has run some cracking races finishing second to Jonbon twice and I was delighted with the way he won the Game Spirit. He has been in great form since, and he will definitely be taking his chance in the Champion Chase.”
ELIXIR DE NUTZ
Winner of 10 of his 27 starts and currently rated 161. Has been in better form than ever this season with three victories so far and enjoyed his crowning moment when beating Jonbon a neck in the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase run at Cheltenham (2m 1/2f) in January.
“He has literally gone from strength to strength this season and we had a plan running him in the Haldon Gold Cup and thought we were throwing him in at the deep end, but he is in rude health for a ten-year-old. Fred (Gingell) gave him a pop on Wednesday morning and was very happy with him and he will go and run his race in the Champion Chase. If there are a couple better than him that’s fine but he’s definitely got each way chance and deserves to be there. Like he showed last time, if there are any chinks in the armour then he is there to pick the pieces up. He is a proper two-miler and will run his race I am sure.”
EMITOM
Winner of eight of his 25 starts and currently rated 137 over hurdles. Returned to winning form when scoring by a length and three quarters from Kynatara in a handicap hurdle at Newbury (3m) in February off a mark of 132.
“Emitom is not certain for the Pertemps Final, but he is a possible. I just have to see how he is as he likes to be very fresh and doesn’t stand a lot of racing. He seems fine at the minute, but we will just have to see how he is next week.”
FAVOUR AND FORTUNE
Winner of four of his 7 starts and currently rated 138 over hurdles. Made a winning debut over hurdles at Hereford (2m) in October when scoring by 13 lengths from Flight Of Freedom and followed up with a three length success from Bertie’s Ballet. Has since finished runner-up, beaten two and three quarter lengths, to Jango Baie in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Aintree (2m 1/2f) on Boxing Day and beaten only half a length by Fun Fun Fun in a listed hurdle at Exeter in February.
“I would like the ground to dry out for him if he is to take his chance in the Supreme Novices’ or if we could go for the County Hurdle. He’s much better on decent ground and off a mark of 138 we will certainly be looking closely at the County Hurdle.”
GA LAW
Winner of six of his 15 starts and currently rated 156. Returned to winning form in a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Cheltenham in January when scoring by a length and three quarters off a mark of 150.
“The entries for the Ryanair come out before Trials Day so I didn’t stick him in but he won on Trials Day very well and he is back to his best. He was fifth in the Ryanair last year on the back of a nasty fall in the Sky Bet Chase. He worked on Tuesday morning brilliantly and I think we will think about supplementing him for the Ryanair. Banbridge looks the obvious one, but he wants decent ground, and he came out the race last year. We couldn’t be happier with Ga Law, and he would be giving away lumps of weight if we went for the Plate and I suppose you have to have 7lb or 8lb in hand if you are going to win the Plate.”
GIDLEIGH PARK
Winner of his four races and currently rated 138 over hurdles. Not hard pressed to beat Range seven and a half lengths in a novices’ hurdle at Exeter (2m 1/2f) in November or when following up with a nine-length victory from Fire Flyer in a novice at Newbury (2m 4 12f) in December. Took his form to another level when beating Lucky Place half a length in a Grade 2 Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in January.
“He has done everything we have asked of him at this point including when winning a trial at the course on his latest start. He has the entry in the Baring Bingham and the Albert Bartlett, and we are going to make a decision at the end of next week depending on what the ground conditions are looking like. He is a lovely young horse, and he couldn’t have done any more to this point. We are looking forward to running him, whichever race we decide to go for.”
GIOVINCO
Winner of five of his 8 starts and currently rated 146 over fences. Finished creditable second, beaten a length and a half, to Stay Away Fay in a Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Sandown (3m) in December and return to winning form on his latest start in a novices’ limited handicap chase at Newcastle (2m 4f) in February when winning in a canter from Choosethenews off his current mark.
“Giovinco is in the Ultima and the Brown Advisory, and we will just have a look at the races and make a decision. He will go for one or the other.”
GIT MAKER
Winner of six of his 10 starts and currently rated 132 over fences. Made a winning reappearance in a handicap chase at Lingfield in November when beating Super Survivor two lengths off a mark of 128. Subsequently sixth, beaten 17 ½ lengths, to Victtorino in a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Ascot (3m) in December off a mark of 133.
“I want to go for the Kim Muir with him really. He is very unexposed and if he got into the race then he would go.”
GOLDEN ACE
Winner of both her novice hurdles and currently rated 124. Scored by three quarters of a length from Lucky Place on her hurdling bow at Taunton (2m 3f) in January and followed up with an easy two and a quarter length victory from Linda Mooni n a Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Taunton (2m 1/2f) in February.
“She just lacks a bit of experience, but she is a better mare than last year. She has done everything I have asked her to do this season, but I just wish we could have got a couple of more runs into her. She has come out of her last race very well and it’s all systems go for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle. She is very versatile regarding the ground and has won on soft and won on good and I reckon it’s going to be around the good to soft mark.”
GOWEL ROAD
Winner of four of his 16 starts and currently rated 142 over hurdles. Finished seventh, beaten 22 lengths, to Commander Of Fleet in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m 5f) last March. Has run well without winning this term and finished fourth, beaten six and three quarter lengths, to Shallow River in a Pertemps Qualifier at Exeter (2m 7f) in February off a mark of 143.
“Sam got off him at Exeter and said he didn’t feel nowhere near as good as he can be and his run behind Crambo at Haydock was very good coming back off a long layoff. We have done a bit of tweaking about, and I think he could run a big race in the Pertemps if the ground came up soft. His mark is very reasonable, and he worked well this morning and appears to be coming to the boil.”
GUARD YOUR DREAMS
Winner of five of his 17 starts and currently rated 137. Finished fourth, beaten 17 lengths, to Nemean Lion in the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle at Wincanton (1m 7f) in February.
“Tom Bellamy is under the impression he wants to go up in trip now, but he is in the County Hurdle and the Champion and we have very patient owners who won’t force our hand.”
HANDSTANDS
Winner of his point-to-point in Ireland in October. Unbeaten in three runs over hurdles and currently rated 136. Progressive gelding who completed his hat trick with a length and a half success from Jango Baie in the Listed Sidney Banks Memorial at Huntingdon (2m 3 1/2f) in February.
“The owners were humming and harring but know I am very keen to go for the Baring Bingham. He is a horse who won the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon, and he is funny horse. Harry rode him the day before and schooled him and Tellherthename and said he feels like a 105 horse, but I told him he would be different at the track and he came back in and he said we don’t know where the bottom of him is. Hopefully, he is an improving horse and whether he is ready for a race like the Baring Bingham we will see but he needs to be sharp with his jumping.”
HARDY DU SEUIL
Winner of four of his 18 starts and currently rated 132. Finished third, beaten nine and a quarter lengths, to Etalon in a handicap chase at Sandown (1m 7 1/2f) in February off his current mark.
“Hardy Du Seuil is in the Grand Annual and the Plate and I would like to go for the Grand Annual if he gets in. He ran a great race at Sandown on his reappearance and had been off the track. He could have done with a few more pounds to get in but if he does get in, he would have a chance.”
HARPER’S BROOK
Winner of four of his 14 starts and currently rated 140 over fences. Off the mark this season on his latest start in a handicap chase at Sandown (1m 7 1/2f) in February when beating Sacre Coeur seven lengths off a mark of 136.
“Harper’s Brook will go for the Grand Annual. We will probably put a pair of blinkers on him this time. He had cheekpieces on last time and we have probably worked out how to get the most out of him. I am not saying he gives his all every time, but he is a very talented horse and maybe blinkers first time out will work in the Grand Annual.”
HENRY’S FRIEND
Winner of five of his 10 starts and currently rated 142 over fences. Progressing nicely over fences and completed a hat-trick when beating Kilbeg King a head in the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot (3m) in February.
“I would say he is more like to run than not in the National Hunt Chase. The Reynoldstown took it out of him, and he had to work really hard to win that but he has come out bouncing after the race and did a nice piece of work on Tuesday morning.
IDALKO BIHOU
Winner of two of his 8 starts and currently rated 134 over fences. Scored by seven lengths from Railway Hurricane when landing a novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham (2m 4f) in October off a mark of 127.
“He is entered in the Plate but I’m not sure where we go with him. He shows moments of brilliance and then goes off the boil. He looks like he is coming right just now.”
JPR ONE
Winner of five of his 11 starts and currently rated 150 over fences. Made a winning start to his chasing career in a novices’ handicap at Newton Abbot (2m 1/2f) in October and would have followed up at Cheltenham (2m) in November but for unseating his rider at the last and presenting the race to Homme Public. Returned to winning form when scoring comfortably by half a length from Matata in the Grade 2 Lightning Novices’ Chase at Lingfield (2m) in January.
“He would have been impressive in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November but for a mishap at the last and a mistake two out and the ground just caught hold of him in the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown. He was really impressive at Lingfield, and he just idled a bit in front. Brendan will just hold onto him a bit longer in the Arkle and he looked like he was going to win everywhere at Lingfield. I am very pleased with him, and he has done all of his schooling and work. He has won on all sorts of ground, but I wouldn’t mind if it dried up a bit the week before the Festival.”
LES LOYAUTES
Winner of one of his 9 starts in France and currently rated 122 over hurdles. Scored by two and a half lengths from Kara Diamond in a Juvenile Fillies’ Hurdle at Compeigne (2m) in April.
“She was spotted David Scully who works for Peter Maloney. She will run in the Boodles but there is a Grade 3 fillies only handicap in April where she could get some black type and that would be the main aim. We have been taking it quietly with her, but Jordan Naylor rode her this morning and she went quite nicely. 122 seems a fair mark but her main aim will be the April meeting.”
LOVE ENVOI
Winner of eight of her 13 starts. Winner of the Grade 2 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle in March 2022 when beating Ahorsewithnoname a length and a quarter and returned a year later to finish runner-up, beaten only a length and a half, to supermare Honeysuckle. Has finished runner-up in both her starts this season. Finishing eight lengths behind Not So Sleepy in the rescheduled Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Sandown (2m) and nine and a half lengths behind Lossiemouth in the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m) in January.
“Love Envoi is set to have her final racecourse appearance in the Mares’ race. She was a gallant runner-up in the race last year to Honeysuckle and she has finished runner-up in both her starts this season over a trip short of her best. Obviously, we weren’t a match for Lossiemouth in the International but that was over two miles and on good to soft ground and we are hoping the step up in trip is certainly a positive for us and the slower the ground the better. We are looking forward to her taking her chance and you never know on the day what might happen. All the races are very competitive, and she has quite a bit to find to turnaround the form with Lossiemouth but a new trip and another day you never know. We will go there and give it our best shot.”
MASTER CHEWY
Winner of two of his 14 starts and currently rated 150 over fences. Gained his last success when beating Nickle Back four and three quarter lengths in a Grade 2 Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton (2m) in December. Finished fourth, beaten eight and a quarter lengths, to JPR One in a Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Lingfield (2m) in January.
“He is very good and him and Matata are likely to run in the Arkle. He nearly got brought down in the Lightning which JPR One won, and I think he would have gone very close.”
MATATA
Winner of three of his 9 starts and currently rated 148 over fences. Finished runner-up, beaten half a length, to JPR One in a Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Lingfield (2m) in January.
“Matata ran a very good race at Lingfield and jumped slightly left but the track will suit him well and both him and Master Chewy would have each way squeaks. He will be on the front end and could be dangerous but then again, you have the Irish challengers.”
MIGHT I
Winner of three of his 13 starts and currently rated 142 over fences and hurdles. Finished fourth, beaten four and three quarter lengths, to Iroko in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) last March off a mark off a mark of 145. Has been chasing this season and finished third, beaten 22 lengths, to Djelo in a Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Ascot (2m 3f) in December.
“Might I reverts to the smaller obstacles in the Coral Cup. He didn’t prove to be a natural over fences and we have deliberately not run him before Christmas to go into the Festival as fresh as possible. I am very happy with how he is going at home, and he ran a good race under topweight in the Martin Pipe last year. I am looking forward to him taking his chance in the Coral off a few pounds lower, and we know he can be competitive off his mark. Hopefully, he will be there or thereabouts at the business end.”
MONBEG GENIUS
Winner of five of his 11 starts and currently rated 147 over fences. Last seen out when finishing third, beaten 10 ½ lengths, to Datsalrightgino in the Grade 3 Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury in December off his current mark.”
“As it stands, the plan is to go to Kelso on Saturday for the Premier Chase. If it went very well and he came out of it well then, possibly, he could take in the Ultima at the Festival before going to the Grand National. The way he ran in the Ultima last year, you’d think he is open to further improvement.”
PAISLEY PARK
Winner of 11 of his 30 starts and currently rated 157 over hurdles. Still runs with the utmost determination and has been beaten, cumulatively, less than a length in three starts this season. Found Dashel Drasher a head too good in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury (3m) on his reappearance in December and Crambo a short head too good in the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot (3m 1/2f) later that month. Only succumbed by a head to Noble Yeats in the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle at Cheltenham (3m) in January.
“Touch wood he has been brilliant this season and has been beaten two heads and a short head in three races. He certainly is a willing as ever and seems in great order. He is 12-year-old now, but he turns up every time at the races and it would be amazing if he could win and we couldn’t be happier with him. He has always been ok on any ground but the only thing I could say is that as he gets older, he isn’t getting any quicker and slower ground would stop the others going faster.”
SHAKEM UP’ARRY
Winner of four of his 22 starts and currently rated 143 over fences. Returned to winning from in a Grade 3 Handicap Chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) on New Year’s Day when beating Frero Banbou seven and a half lengths off a mark of 140.
“I would imagine that if we get the ground conditions that John (Pullen) is expecting then he will go for the Plate. We did his wind in the summer and his first race back at Stratford was a disaster and he was too keen in the Coral Trophy but it all came together at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. He finished third in the Plate last year and, hopefully, he can be competitive again.”
SPRINGWELL BAY
Winner of five of his 10 starts and currently rated 145 over hurdles. Finished runner-up, beaten a neck, to Curley Finger in a Pertemps Qualifier at Musselburgh (3m) in February off a mark of 143. Gained his last success in a handicap hurdle at Cheltenham (2m 5f) in November when scoring by a length and a quarter from Gyenyame off a mark of 137.
“We were hoping to get an indication of which way to go with him when he was fourth at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day. Heavy ground and topweight probably got to the bottom of him, and we thought if he was good enough for the Stayers’ he would be good enough to take on those conditions. He was second the last day in a Pertemps Qualifier at Musselburgh which was more what we were looking for and. He does get the trip but conditions just got the better of him. Hopefully, it doesn’t get as testing at Cheltenham.”
TELLHERTHENAME
Winner of two of his 4 starts and currently rated 135. Gained his last success in a novices’ hurdle at Huntingdon (2m) in January when scoring by 14 lengths from Dartmoor Pirate.”
“He went to Kempton on Tuesday morning and did everything I hope and that was great. He seems in very good form, and we wanted to go for the Betfair Hurdle but the ground was too soft. He will go for the Supreme.
THE JUKEBOX MAN
Winner of three of his 5 starts and currently rated 136 over hurdles. A winner of a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las (2m 4f) in November when beating Golden De Coeur five lengths and followed up over that course and distance in a novice event in December when scoring by three and a quarter lengths from House Of Stories. Finished highly respectable third, beaten a length and three quarters, to Captain Teague in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle at Newbury (2m 4 1/2f) in December when last seen out.
“He ran well in the Challow, and he hasn’t run since then as I thought it took a lot out of him and it was a proper gruelling test. I think three miles is ideal for him and he will go for the Albert Bartlett.”
TRELAWNE
Winner of four of his 8 starts and currently rated 144 over fences. Has been a model of consistency and winner first time out and placed in three efforts since. Beaten only three and three quarter lengths by Ginny’s Destiny when third in a novices’ chase at Cheltenham (2m 4 1/2f) in December and then runner-up, beaten a length and three quarter, to Colonel Harry in the Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase at Wetherby (2m 3 12f) in January. Also finished third to the well regarded Crebilly in a novices’ chase at Exeter (2m 3f) in February.
“He will join Chianti Classico in the Ultima and they will be the only two I run at the meeting. He is in great form and has come up against some pretty useful opposition this season and run with great credit. He should get the soft ground he likes and deserves to take his chance.”
TRIPLE TRADE
Winner of five of his 20 starts and currently rated 138. Gained his second victory of the season when beating Harper’s Brook half a length in a handicap chase at Ascot (2m 3f) in December off a mark of 135. Put in an uncharacteristic display when fifth of six, beaten 33 lengths, to First Flow in a similar event at Lingfield (2m) in January off his current mark.
“He will probably go in the Grand Annual. I have him in the Plate as well but with the ground as it is we would go for the Grand Annual. He was disappointing last time but when he came back he was wrong and we are very happy where we have him now. The handicapper probably has hold of him but he’s 20-1 and deserves to take his chance.
TWIG
Winner of seven of his 15 starts and currently rated 143 over fences. Winner of a handicap hurdle and a handicap chase at Uttoxeter over, respectively, two miles and seven and a half and three miles two furlongs and finished runner-up, beaten three lengths, to Whacker Clan in a handicap chase at Cheltenham (3m 1r) in October off a mark of 140. Finished 11th of 20, beaten 26 lengths, to Datsalrightgino in the Grade 3 Coral Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Newbury (3m 2f) in December off his current mark when last seen in action.
“Twig would definitely go for the Ultima but needs soft at worse, he is not great on anything softer than that.”
UNDERSUPERVISION
Winner of two of his 18 starts and currently rated 134 over fences. Best effort this term when finishing third, beaten three and a half lengths, to Hascoeur Clermont in a handicap chase at Cheltenham (3m 1f) in November off a mark of 132.
“He is in the Kim Muir and if he gets in, he could run.”
WEVEALLBEENCAUGHT
Winner of two of his 9 starts and currently rated 134 over fences. Best effort in a Listed Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham (3m 1/2f) in November when runner-up, beaten 20 lengths, to stablemate Broadway Boy.
“His first two chases were very good, and he then had a fibrillating heart and we put that right. The last couple of weeks he has come right and given Dad a big reason to smile, and he schooled really good for Sam on Friday. Off 134, we would like to think he would be well handicapped. He has a big awayday and if he passes his test he will go to Cheltenham for the Kim Muir or the Ultima.”
YOU WEAR IT WELL
Winner of six of her 12 starts and currently rated 144. Solid effort when runner-up, beaten a length and a half, to Marie’s Rock in a Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle at Doncaster (3m 1/2f) in January but disappointed in a Listed Mares’ Hurdle at Haydock (2m 3f) in February when third, beaten 27 lengths, to Stainsby Girl.
“She won the Mares’ Novices’ last year and she has had a slightly frustrating season. She won first time out and we had her ready for Sandown and that was off and ready for Lingfield and that was off and then Ascot and that was off and then we went to Doncaster. It has been a really interrupted preparation for her this season. We will see how she is in the lead up to Cheltenham and see if we go there or there is that race at Sandown at the end of the season. We will have a look and see.”
