DAVY RUSSELL: Cheltenham Friday

It’s good to be back with my first blog of the new season – a little earlier than usual, but we thought it best to get cracking a few weeks earlier as I’m riding in Cheltenham for their opening meeting of the season.

Things have been great and I’ve been busy riding a few winners all over the place. My old pal Galvin (pictured below) was super in Punchestown last Wednesday where he won the Grade Three. Then, I flew over to New York and rode three for Gordon at Far Hills on the American Grand National card. The Insider ran out a good winner of the Gladstone Hurdle, while Ted Hastings battled away to win their Champion Hurdle. Soviet Pimpernel just bumped into a couple in the Appleton Hurdle but it was still some day.

So, we are back in action at Cheltenham on some decent ground and I’ve four nice rides to look forward to. Here are my thoughts on those and Gordon’s runners on the opening day of the Showcase meeting…

FRIDAY

CHELTENHAM

1.35pm (Showcasing Sustainability Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle)

Gordon runs topweight Duffle Coat (pictured below) in the opening Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle and he has won at the track before which is a plus. The problem is he has a hell of a weight and faces a stiff task here. He has shown signs of life in recent starts though so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility despite 12 stone.

ASH TREE MEADOW 2.10pm (squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase)

My first ride of the day comes in the Squareintheair.com Novices’ Chase. I better give the race its full title as its sponsored by Bill Esdaile’s company. He’s been a big supporter of mine over the years and it would be lovely to win this with Ash Tree Meadow. It was a lovely run the last day in Tipperary when he chased home Authorized Art. He made a bad mistake at the last, but he was beaten at the time. This looks competitive, but there won’t be one with as much experience over fences as this fella – this will be his seventh start. He stays well as he showed when fourth in a Galway Plate and comes here race fit. Dan Skelton’s Uhtred looks the one to beat getting 8lbs.

MUSIC DRIVE 2.45pm (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle)

Another really competitive contest where I ride Music Drive who did it well in Galway the last day. Listen, he will need to improve a fair bit from that, but I’d say he will. He should be okay on the ground, but there looks to be plenty of dangers. She Is Electric has won both of her last two starts and Rachael rides. They’ll be the ones to beat, but we’ll give it a good go.

TULLYBEG 3.20pm (888Sport Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase)

Only the five go to post in the Novices’ Chase where you can genuinely make a case for all of them. Tullybeg bounced back from a spill in Tramore back in August to win nicely in Wexford the last day. He gave me a nice feel and got the job done nicely running all the way to the line. This is a big step up in class against the likes of Hang In There and Champagne Gold, but we get a little weight from the pair which helps. I’m looking forward to the ride.

AN MHI 5.05pm (Foundation Developments Ltd Maiden Hurdle)

Finally, I partner An Mhi in the last where he makes his hurdling debut. He’s a lovely big horse who had a decent reputation from point-to points and he will definitely improve for this. It’s important to remember that this is his first day at school so he will build on whatever he does. That said, he’s jumped plenty of hurdles at home.

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