DAVY RUSSELL blog: Cheltenham Festival TUESDAY

Well, this is strange. It’s Cheltenham Festival week and I’m heading over as a jockey – I’d never have thought that when hanging up my boots after winning on Liberty Dance in Thurles back in December. I’ve said it plenty of times before, but I feel for Jack this week. He’s had no luck with his injuries for one so young, but he’ll have plenty more Cheltenham Festivals. This will be my last one.

It’s a magic place Cheltenham. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited about having one more spin around the place. I’ve some fantastic memories in Cheltenham and I wouldn’t mind adding a few more for the final chapter.

It was nice to get a winner on Sunday with Irish Point. As I said in yesterday’s blog, my lad brought plenty of top class Grade 1 form into the race and deserved this Grade 3 prize. I had to keep him up to his work in the closing stages but as I said he might be better in time over a longer trip and is still very much on the upgrade.

I fly over to Birmingham on Monday morning and I’m staying at a new place not that far from the track. I just cannot wait and I’ve five lovely rides to look forward to on the opening day…

---

TUESDAY

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL

DOCTOR BRAVO 1.30pm Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade One)

This fella has kind of sneaked into the race a little under the radar and Gordon feels he has a squeak in what looks a really competitive race. Doctor Bravo ? won nicely for me in Down Royal back in January and then built on that again when taking on the seasoned hurdlers in the Red Mills. On paper that was some run to get so close to the likes of Fil Dor and Sharjah. The rain that is scheduled is a plus for this lad too as the ground wasn’t great in Gowran. He’d definitely have an each-way chance I’d say. Obviously, Facile Vega is the talk of Ireland and if the Mullins team are to be believed, he’s already won. I’d say he’s a little to prove after the last day. Marine Nationale is dangerous to discount, as is Charlie Longsdon’s Rare Edition, who looked good in Kempton at Christmas. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

---

HOLLOW GAMES 2.10pm Sporting Life Arkle Chase (Grade One)

I think many thought this might be a smaller field than nine and that’s the reason Gordon decided to declare Hollow Games ? for this. He was great in Navan on his chasing debut and then disappointed behind Saint Roi in Leopardstown at Christmas. He’s had his wind done since and hopefully he can take a big step forward. He’ll need to. He’s got form at the track and stays well which is a plus if they go too hard here. That’s a real possibility with Dysart Dynamo in the field and we’ll be there to pick up any pieces if there are any! I’d fancy Jonbon a little of the big guns and reckon Saint Roi may hit the frame too if ridden patiently. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

---

THE GOFFER 2.50pm Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade One)

Us Irish don’t have a great record in this contest. I partner The Goffer ? who gave me some buzz in Leopardstown at the Dublin Racing Festival (pictured below). He did everything right that day and never missed a beat. Life’s tougher here off an 11lbs higher mark but we’ll give it a fair go. The obvious one looks like last year’s winner Corach Rambler back off a 6lbs higher mark. He was a grand fourth in Newbury behind Le Milos the last day and heads to the Grand National after this. Look out for Fastorslow too for trainer Martin Brassil. He’s as shrewd as they come and his fella was unlucky not to win the Coral Cup here last season. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

---

ZANAHIYR 3.30pm Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade One)

Well, what can you say about Constitution Hill. I, like plenty of others, didn’t really believe my eyes when watching last year’s Supreme Novices’. It looked too good to be true and none of us thought he would repeat that type of performance. The truth is he has looked just as good in two starts this campaign and I’ve never seen anything like him. He’s a monster of a horse. Even if the rain comes, he’d be hard to beat as he was great in Sandown last year on heavy ground. He’ll be hard to beat alright. State Man looks the pick of his challengers and would be a hot favourite in a normal year. Sadly, for him, this isn’t a normal year. I ride Zanahiyr ? who has not been at his best this campaign having hit the frame in last year’s renewal. He arrived in Cheltenham in much better form 12 months ago and this looks a tough task. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

---

QUEENS BROOK 4.10pm Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade One)

One of my best chances on the opening day is last year’s runner-up Queens Brook ? in the Mares Hurdle. She bounced back from her disappointing run in Leopardstown over Christmas at Punchestown the last day and comes here in grand form. I guess the only thing is that this feels a much hotter race than 12 months ago with two former Champion Hurdlers in opposition. Then there’s Marie’s Rock (pictured below) who may just be the one we all have to beat again. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

---

4.50pm Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle

No ride for me in the Boodles as Mctigue being declared keeps the weights down well below my minimum riding weight. Gordon saddles Jazzy Matty who has a chance as he’s a nice staying type with pieces on for the first time. He also saddles the likes of Ludus and Gordons Aura who have a bit to find, but it’s hard to rule anything out of such a competitive handicap. I’d say JP’s horse Tekao  ? (published below) is the one to beat as he’s the most done. Don’t rule out Paul Nolan’s Metamorpheus at a big price either. He’s won on bad ground and Paul (Nolan) has won this before. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

---

5.30pm Well Child National Hunt Chase

Gordon runs Chemical Energy, Minella Crooner and Fakiera in the National Hunt Chase. This has been the plan for Chemical Energy since I won on him here back in October. The ground wasn’t great that day and he saw it out really well. Whether he can beat Gaillard Du Mesnil (pictured below) ? is a good question though as he looks a class act. He was third carrying a huge weight in last season’s Irish National and a repeat of that would probably be good enough. ⭐ STARSPORTS.BET MARKET ⭐

---

You can watch all my race previews for the Cheltenham Festival this week at:

DAVY RUSSELL VIDEO PREVIEWS: Cheltenham Festival

And don’t forget to download my Cheltenham Festival Pocket Guide. Packed with stats and my thoughts on all the big races. ⭕ DOWNLOAD THE CHELTENHAM POCKET GUIDE ⭕

🧢 I’ll be back on Tuesday evening with my thoughts on day 2.

Good Luck
Davy

---

STAR PROMOTIONS