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 [...]
Delta can make easy Work of rivals to win second Glenfarclas March 14, 2023 NOBODY who witnessed the aftermath of last year’s Glenfarclas Chase (4.10pm) will ever forget the image of both DELTA WORK and runner-up Tiger Roll being led into the iconic winners’ enclosure together. Both warriors had given their all in a titanic battle up Cheltenham’s famous hill with Delta Work just being that bit more suited to conditions [...]
Thyme feels White for a Sublime Grand Annual Chase March 14, 2023 BOTH Dinoblue and last year’s runner-up Andy Dufresne have clear and obvious claims in today’s Grand Annual (4:50pm). The latter runs off the same mark as last year, while Dinoblue makes just his fourth start over fences and looks ominously well-handicapped. None of this has been lost on the bookies, though, with the two sharing [...]
