DAVY RUSSELL exclusive blog: CHELTENHAM Saturday

Thursday’s Goffs Thyestes Chase felt a strong race on paper, and it turned out to be just that with Longhouse Poet just seeing off Franco De Port. The ground just wasn’t soft enough for my fella Coko Beach who ran great to be sixth but just couldn’t quicken up with them. He may just need a bit of a hand from the handicapper now. Looking ahead to this weekend and I’m over in Cheltenham for the one ride on Pied Piper in the juvenile hurdle on their Trials Day. More about his chances below and also the other big races on Saturday’s card…

SATURDAY

CHELTENHAM

PIED PIPER – 12.45pm (JCB Triumph Trial)

I’ve been asked how Pied Piper compares with his stablemate Fil Dor and the truth is that they are very different. This fella is a classy ex-flat horse (pictured below when owned by The Queen) who will love the decent ground and Fil Dor is a proper national hunt type who loves the soft. We were thrilled with Pied Piper the last day in Punchestown when he beat a good one of Willie’s (Mullins) in Vauban. That may just be a very strong piece of form and it will be interesting to see whether he can back that up. He meets two very strong horses from the home team in Iceo and Interne De Sivola, but both have to shoulder penalties. We are hopeful of a good run.

2.30pm (Cotswold Chase)

No ride for me in this but I’ll be fascinated to see how Chantry House gets on. He ran no sort of race in the King George but I’m inclined to put a line through that. I remember Looks Like Trouble was pulled up in Kempton and then came here and won this before winning his Gold Cup. Chantry House has some terrific form at the track and remains the one to beat.

3.05pm (Cleeve Hurdle)

The other feature on the card is the Cleeve Hurdle where Champ looks to book his ticket for the Stayers’ Hurdle back here in March. To be honest he looks like he will take the world of beating here and if he is in the same form he was in at Ascot, he’ll win.

There is also some good racing in Fairyhouse where the feature is the Solerina Mares Hurdle…

FAIRYHOUSE

1.40pm (Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle)

I have ridden Gordon’s mare Party Central on all three of her starts this season and she was much better in Punchestown the last day. For whatever reason she just never jumped in Down Royal but I was pleased with her last time. This is a step up in class and she meets some lovely mares with big reputations. Willie saddles Brandy Love, Grangee and Allegorie De Vassy and they will take some beating. However, we have always liked our girl and she should be competitive.

Good Luck
Davy

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