Hunter Chase Dream can come true March 16, 2023 CHELTENHAM’S biggest prize, in terms of trophy size, is today’s St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Hunters’ Chase (4:10pm), known to most over the years as the Foxhunters. And, despite it being one of the less valuable contests over the four days, this race is the pinnacle for hunter chasers. Only open to horses holding [...]
Klassical a Dream bet to Floor rivals in the Stayers’ March 15, 2023 THERE can’t be many more open Grade Ones than the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30pm), where all 11 runners look to hold something of a chance. It’s a race with many great story lines. FLOORING PORTER, winner of the last two renewals, is looking for the hat-trick, 2019 winner Paisley Park is back for another [...]
Shishkin’s Road to victory might not be straightforward March 15, 2023 THERE is no getting away from the fact that if the real SHISHKIN turns up for this afternoon’s Ryanair Chase (2.50pm), he should make light work of his eight rivals. They say that one swallow doesn’t make a summer and that’s the dilemma facing punters as to whether his blistering return to form at Ascot last time [...]
Mullins can bring a Lot Of Joy to the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle March 15, 2023 THERE would be no better story than Henry de Bromhead training the winner of today’s Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (4.50pm). The Grade Two event has been named in memory of the trainer’s son, who, in November last year, tragically lost his life in a pony racing accident aged just 13. De Bromhead fields [...]
Potter looks to have a Mighty chance in Turners March 15, 2023 IF THERE has been one star of the novice chasing division this season from both sides of the Irish Sea then it is MIGHTY POTTER, who puts his 100 per cent record over fences on the line in the Turners Novices’ Chase (1.30pm). Pulled-up when fancied for last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, he then bounced back winning a Grade [...]
This looks a Good Time to back Jonny March 15, 2023 THERE aren’t many trickier puzzles to solve during the four days of the Cheltenham Festival than the Pertemps Network Final (2.10pm). The way the qualification system for this race works means you often get horses that we haven’t seen anything like the best of yet this season. And this year’s renewal looks particularly trappy with [...]
King and Edward to rule the roost in Queen Mother March 14, 2023 THERE might only be seven runners in this year’s Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (3.30pm), but it’s a race that’s deep in quality. And while we might not have a horse of the calibre of Sprinter Sacre or Moscow Flyer in here, the fact we don’t almost makes it a more intriguing puzzle to solve. The [...]
Connell’s Good Land won’t let rivals Passe in Ballymore test March 14, 2023 YOU HAVE to go back six years to find the last Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (1.30pm) winner trained on these shores and this year’s race really does highlight the overwhelming strength of the Irish battalions that travel to Cheltenham. Ireland have five of the top six in the betting, with Willie Mullins accounting for four of [...]
Sir Gerhard set to give Colombe a Real Whack March 14, 2023 THIS year’s Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (2.10pm) looks a competitive heat, with cases to be made for over half the 11-strong field. I’m largely in agreement with the market regarding the first three up the Cheltenham hill, if in a slightly different order. In my opinion, current second-favourite SIR GERHARD is a class above the rest and if [...]
Be Bold in your Endeavours and back Camprond March 14, 2023 YOU DO not get many harder races to find the winner of than the 26-runner Coral Cup (2:50pm). The last two were 50/1 and 33/1 and there have only been two single-figure priced winners in the past decade. You cannot rule anything out, but I must admit that I do find it hard to ignore [...]
