AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR RACING PREVIEW: Cheltenham Festival Tuesday
Hello sports fans! The best week of the jumping season is here, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI..
There’s a ton of great content we have to offer – take a look at our best features below – and then jump straight into the preview!
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1:20 – Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 2m½f (2m87y)
Aptly named after the much-missed Michael O’Sullivan, in a classy move from all concerned.
Kopek Des Bordes is a key horse for both backers and layers – success for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend here would kickstart what could be a devastating favourites four timer, whilst defeat could scupper plenty of well laid plans and give the bookies the early upper hand.
The percentage call is to support the favourite, who will hopefully, aided by a first-time hood, get through the preliminaries, in which case he has outstanding form claims. His 13 lengths destruction of his opposition at the Dublin Racing Festival (Karniquet second, reopposes here) – when he jumped much better than he did on debut – sets an imposing standard here and there’s the potential for improvement considering that he was harassed by a loose horse and was forced to make much of his own running at Leopardstown.
With a stronger pace to track this time around and a smoother trip, bot factors which could improve him on just his fourth start, and whilst caution is recommended – I’d rather take a shorter price on him at the start than bigger before – the sky could well be the limit with him and everything else speaks in his favour.
Romeo Coolio has hardened as second favourite after the declarations, a well-earned position based on his wide margin win in the Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Christmas. On that occasion, he relished a proper gallop, having been beaten in a sprint for the Royal Bond, and Cheltenham ought to suit even more, having proven his liking for the course when second in the Champion Bumper last year. He looks a rock solid each/way contender, at the very least, although if one could pick at his form, the beaten horses behind him didn’t get near to Kopek Des Bordes at Leopardstown.
Salavator Mundi – who made his debut for Willie Mullins in last year’s Triumph when sixth – was second to Sir Gino on his only French start and has since cantered home in an effective walkover at Tipperary before making relatively hard work of the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown (Sky Lord fourth, and unlikely to reverse form for any reason).
He didn’t impress that day off a slow pace on soft ground, although he was value for more than the three-length winning margin and promises to be suited more by a Supreme here. He will need to have grown up a lot since though, and others may be better placed for glory here – the booking of Patrick Mullins has sparked plenty of discourse on social media too, making him arguably too big a price given how obvious potential for improvement.
Workahead took a huge step forward from his debut at Navan (off 678 days beforehand, on soft ground) when he beat William Munny by seven lengths at Leopardstown (yielding) on his second start, making all and jumping excellently (when visible, given the fog that day).
William Munny has since improved a great deal since for that experience, casing home the smart Kawaboomga in a good time at Fairyhouse before strolling home at Punchestown in a poor race (second favourite blew out), albeit doing so on the bridle and looking more tractable than ever over hurdles. Today’s better ground ought to suit him a lot, whilst a strong pace should absolutely help his chances to boot. There isn’t much separating the pair in the market.
Of the other Mullins horses, Irancy (third behind Firefox and Ballyburn on only hurdles start last season, and then a nine-length winner over Pertemps contender Will The Wise back in November) clearly well thought of although we’ve only seen him once this season and had met with a setback since. Karabau and Funiculi Funicula were impressive in their maiden wins at Punchestown and Clonmel respectively, although Funiculi Funicula’s form has been dented multiple times since.
There are two British contenders here – Tripoli Flyer and Tutti Quanti – with Tripoli Flyer looking like a much more interesting contender. He would need to improve on his jumping here (hacked up in the Dovecote at Kempton just over a fortnight ago, when he bled from his nose after the line) but his engine can’t be denied and the form of that victory looks strong – Formby runner up Miami Magic was left for dead, beaten seven and a half lengths, with Tripoli Flyer giving 3lbs. He should not be underestimated (good ground a benefit) for all that his form is over flat tracks. Tutti Quanti was second to Joyeuse on her debut for Paul Nicholls in January, impressed at Ffos Las and then wasn’t able to carry a penalty at Newbury, marking her down as a useful horse but one unlikely to make a mark here.
2:00 – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5yo+) 2m (1m7f199y)
Majborough, an impressive winner of the Irish Arkle, is the clear pick here after his deeply impressive Irish Arkle win, having overcome a couple of novicey leaps (Race IQ data suggests jumping was better than visually suggested), to power clear by nine lengths from Touch Me Not outsider here), who was three and a half lengths second to L’Eau du Sud, who himself has improved a lot as a chaser.
A small field makes Mark Walsh’s life easier here and he can get the better of L’Eau du Sud, Jango Baie, and Only By Night, all of whom have impressed at some point this season, although they need to step up a great deal on all known form.
2:40 – Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (5YO plus) 3m 1f
Plenty in with chances but it’s very hard to get away from the claims of market leaders The Changing Man, Broadway Boy and Katate Dori, all of whom have massive claims.
Broadway Boy’s last time out run can be forgiven after lameness and mucus in his lung, and on the form of his second in the Coral Gold Cup off only a 2lbs lower mark, he has very persuasive claims. He had dual Ascot winner Victtorino (who beat favourite and major player The Changing Man) three and a half lengths behind, with Mandarin Chase winner Henry’s Friend further back in fifth, coming back to the form that saw him win a Premier Handicap two seasons ago off 146, with the high class Threeunderthrufive behind, and his prominent style and normally slick jumping is perfect for the test of the Ultima. If back on song, he’ll take some passing.
Katate Dori booked his ticket here with an extraordinary win in the Ladbrokes Trophy (formerly Racing Post Chase) at Kempton recently, when he had the highly progressive Hyland 15 lengths behind in second with the well handicapped and in form Our Power a further 12 lengths back in third. His jumping was much improved that day (sloppy round of jumping at Wincanton, when going for a hat-trick behind 132 rated Collectors Item), and a rise of 12lbs is more than fair, especially taking Dylan Johnston’s 3lbs claim into account.
Most appealing of the bigger prices is King Turgeon, who landed the Grand Sefton and a Premier Handicap Chase (latter over 3m2f here) in back-to-back starts before a fair third at Wincanton. His last tie out run needs to be forgiven but that’s easily done given how early the writing was on the wall and his earlier form is shaping up incredibly well.
3:20 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Registered As The David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) 2m4f (2m3f200y)
The big question here is whether last year’s winner Lossiemouth – switched from the Champion at the last moment – puts her best form forward. At that level, she will be incredibly hard to beat and if anything maybe generously priced. The worry here is her preparation – she was having a hard enough race before taking a heavy fall in the Irish Champion Hurdle, and this is now her plan rather than a two year wait to take a chance in the Champion Hurdle. The percentage call is to go with her – it’s hard to imagine any of her rivals able to finish as close to Constitution Hill as she did, and could well go off shorter – but market signs will be worth watching if you play on the day.
Should she stumble, Jade de Grugy is well placed to reap the benefits. Unsuited by the pace and her track position when fourth behind Golden Ace and Brighterdaysahead (both in Champion Hurdle) here last year, she’s since won a Grade 1 mares’ novice at Fairyhouse (2m4f, heavy) on her final start last season before giving weight and a beating to five rivals in the Grade 3 Quevega at Punchestown (2m4f, soft) 19 days ago. She should step forward considerably from that and will make sure Lossiemouth has a challenge – it would be no surprise if she was popular in the without market, or for a top three spot.
A late springer in the works is the presence of Joyeuse, a wildly impressive winner of the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury when coming eight lengths clear of the high quality handicap hurdler Lump Sum. She’s improved so fast it’s impossible to know where her limit is and she has to be respected here with a step back in up in trip unlikely to do any harm.
July Flower made an excellent return to the Henry de Bromhead yard when beating Kala Conti and Jetara at Leopardstown, (received 5lbs from Kala Conti) relishing relished this stamina test served up by a strong pace and an extended run-in. July Flower would want another strong test at the pace, whilst a different ride for Kala Conti (followed strong early pace), along with the weight turnaround, means there’s not much between the pair on paper.
Take No Chances showed resoluteness by the bucket to beat the extremely keen Kargese at Ascot last time out, dropped back to 2m. She’s as good at this trip but would need a new career best here.
On her best form, Dysart Enos would have an outside chance, but she was disappointing with no real excuse at Ascot over Christmas and hasn’t shaped as if crying out for a longer trip either. Queens’ Gamble ran a cracker at Newbury in November and was a fair sixth at the Dublin Racing Festival but was held off 134 and has no reason to make a big leap forward. Gala Marceau was sixth in thi last year, then second to Lossiemouth at Punchestown, but was flat at Warwick and doesn’t make much appeal here.
4:00 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4YO plus) 2m ½f
A tremendous contest in store even without Lossiemouth, with two contenders standing out above the rest.
The return to racing of Constitution Hill, combined with the emergence of Brighterdaysahead, has brought this division to life, with Nicky Henderson’s charge showing much of his old ability remains when he beat Lossiemouth (off colour; didn’t travel) by two and a half-lengths at Christmas, and then taking advantage of a Grade 2 in name only when overcoming a last flight error to win as he liked.
That clear run, the way he travelled at Kempton, and the very positive vibes from the Nicky Henderson camp since Christmas (much better compared to early on in the season, when he was well beaten in return public gallop by Sir Gino, since brilliant over hurdles and fences before injury), all provide strong encouragement to his chances.
The acid test will be the physical test that Brighterdaysahead will provide for him. Gordon Elliott’s mare, undone by a slow gallop in part when Golden Ace upset her in last year’s Dawn Run here (gave 5lbs, under penalty) has been flawless since with four straight wins, making amends at Aintree before a hat-trick of two-mile successes.
She overturned last year’s winner State Man (who was making his debut) when making her own running under a canny Jack Kennedy ride in the Morgiana Hurdle, before then – aided by hot fractions set by King of Kingsfield, here as a pacemaker again – at Leopardstown, when she slipstreamed, went half a furlong clear, and never looked back, winning by 30 lengths and an extraordinary show of power.
That form must be taken in context – State Man was obviously unwell, having failed to hold off Winter Fog for second – but the time was sensational and it feels unlikely that State Man would have lived with the pace set there. With only six rivals, one a pacemaker, assuming slick early leaps, she should get the lungbusting gallop she needs and can surely stretch Constitution Hill, although this may benefit the favourite, who is one of the most powerful travellers in hurdling history – indeed his best performance came in the 2022 Supreme Novices Hurdle, when a scorching gallop saw him thump Jonbon by 22 lengths. The percentage call is to go with the former Champion.
State Man’s season has been inconclusive He was making his reappearance when beaten by Brighterdaysahead in the Morgiana, was wrong at Christmas and then was gifted the Irish Champion Hurdle when Lossiemouth fell. He’s not been at his best at Cheltenham – he didn’t need to be to win last year – and the percentage call is to oppose him.
Golden Ace beat Burdett Road in a sprint for the Kingwell Hurdle, when getting the benefit of a penalty (now 5lbs worse off) and whilst both are respectable horses, it’s hard to see them in the shake up here on this season’s form.
4:40 – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Registered As Fred Winter) (Premier Hcap) (4yo) 2m½f (2m87y)
Of the 24 runners, barely any could really be ruled out with confidence. JP McManus has an incredibly strong hand and Stencil could pay a big compliment to Triumph favourite East India Dock. The only horse to briefly threaten him on Trials Day, stencil finished more than 18 lengths clear of the rest including Tereifrima and Quantock Hills, and should benefit from not having to go so hard so early around the Old Course, compared to the new. There’s the possibility that he also steps forward for his first run since November too, with course experience under his belt.
Double up on the East India Dock formline with Hot Fuss, who ran him to a very respectable four lengths on the pair’s debut, before winning easily at Sandown (beat Saturday’s runner up Galactic Charm, who has since won previously), and not showing his best at Chepstow in the Finale Juvenile Hurdle. He’s better than that effort and an impressive flat win since shows he’s ready to roll here, with a mark of 122 easily exploitable.
That Sony Bill and Murcia represent Wollie Mullins here is notable but others look on kinder marks; JP’s other pairing of Beyond Your Dreams and Puturhandstogether could do with slicker rounds of jumping. Total Look, Wendrock and Slurricane all made the shortlist.
5:20 – Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (5yo+ 0-145) 3m6f (3m5f201y)
The first edition of this as a handicap open to professional riders, and typically competitive with few that can be safely ruled out.
Ironically given the changes Patrick Mullins could have the answer here in the shape of Transmission, who bumped into a Grand National contender on his chasing debut in Hyland, won well here in November, and then conceded too much ground to favourite Haiti Couleurs over the extended 3m1f here in December, running the fastest two individual furlongs of the race. He has shaped as if he’ll thrive over this trip and if Patrick Mullins takes closer order, he can reverse that form – which would give him a tremendous chance here.
Now Is The Hour shaped very eye-catchingly at Navan last time and is a serious player on that form, whilst Captain Cody can’t be far behind for all that both have something to prove on better ground. Some of the best handicap form in this race belongs to Gericaqult Roque, who has a tremendous shout based on his seconds in the Classic Chase at Warwick, or the 2022 Ultima, or his third in the Coral Cup (formerly Hennessy) of that year.
He shaped very encouragingly at Windsor and, *if* he backs that form up, he’s tremendously weighted off 131, having being dropped for his reappearance run.
Resplendent Grey’s early season form looks a lot better now and he’s shaped as if he’ll get further than 3 miles, Hashthing’s Windsor win was remarkable given the trouble he found – and his Ascot fourth is amongst the best form here, so he has to be very high on the shortlist.
RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Kopek Des Bordes to win the 1.30 at Cheltenham 2pt at 10/11 (⭐
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BACK Broadway Boy to win the 2.40 at Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 7/1 (⭐
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BACK Katate Dori to win the 2.40 at Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 15/2 (⭐
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BACK Constitution Hill to win the 4.00 at Cheltenham 4pts at 8/13 (⭐
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BACK Stencil to win the 4.00 at Cheltenham 2pts at 4/1 (⭐
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BACK Hot Fuss to win the 4.00 at Cheltenham 1pt each/way at 9/1 (⭐
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BACK Transmission to win the 5.20 at Cheltenham 1pt win at 5/1 (⭐
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BACK Gericault Roqueto win the 5.20 at Cheltenham 1pt win at 9/1 (⭐
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PROFIT/LOSS (MAR 2024): +2.06 POINTS
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