We get the week off with Golden Maverick, who runs in the 15:20 at Stratford on Monday (9/2). I have a miniscule share through Raceshare and will be cheering him on from the office. (Update: never going well, tired fall at the last, hopefully OK. 7.30 p.m. still no news.) My other Raceshare horse is Gibbs Island, who is currently 20/1 for the Triumph, so they make exciting bookends to the week.
The going will be good to soft for the start of the Festival. Management will ensure that and there has been watering since last Thursday. As of Saturday morning, the old course is good to soft all round and the cross country course is good to soft, soft in places.
The forecast is:
Thursday 60% chance of rain 0.7mm; high 8 low 0
Friday 2% chance of rain 0mm; high 9 low 0
In other words, there will be next to no rain all week.
Runner details and selections will follow each day’s declarations.
Prices updated at 19:30 Monday
Tuesday (Old Course)
13:30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 2m 87y
2024 winner: Slade Steel 7/2
Current favourite: Kopek Des Bordes 17/20 > Evens
Provisional choice: Workahead 11/1 > 8/1 > 7/1 > 6/1
Winner: Kopek Des Bordes 4/6f
All attention seems to have been focused on Kopek Des Bordes, hence the very short price. However, the horse got very agitated in what was admittedly a very noisy ring at Leopardstown last time out. He’s also in first time headgear in the form of a hood so WP obviously thinks that attention is required. For me, although others disgagree, his jumping needs to improve.
Workahead was faultless when winning his maiden (beating William Munny) on St Stephen’s Day at Leopardstown. The winning time was 3m 52s and it’s worth noting that Kopek Des Bordes posted the same time over course and distance 35 minutes earlier, notwithstanding that Workahead was carrying 5lb more . Henry de Bromhead’s horses were under a cloud in late 2024/early 2025 but recent form makes it clear that he’s emerged from that and there is every reason to believe that Workahead can improve significantly.
Salvator Mundi doesn’t jump well enough and clearly hasn’t lived up to expectations. Romeo Coolio has the benefit of Cheltenham form (second in last year’s bumper) but doesn’t have star appeal.
Selection: Workahead*** 11/11 (likely burst blood vessel)
14:00 Arkle Novices’ Chase Grade 1 1m 7f 199y
2024 winner: Gaelic Warrior 2/1f
Current favourite: Majborough 4/7
Provisional selection: Majborough 4/7f
Winner: Jango Baie 5/1
I wanted to oppose Majborough but can’t find a suitable opponent. He’s a big strong horse whose jumping is not yet fully developed. Although very slick over his fences, you can’t help thinking that he could put in the odd duff one, much in the style of Moscow Flyer. If he stays on his feet, he wins.
Selection: Majborough***** 3rd
14:40 Ultima Handicap Chase 3m 1f
2024 winner: Chianti Classico 6/1
Current favourite: The Changing Man 6/1 > 7/1
Provisional selection: Henry’s Friend 12/1
Winner: Myretown 13/2f
The top of the market is full of horses that I would oppose. Hence, by a process of elimination, we arrive at Henry’s Friend, who was a decisive and impressive winner of the Mandarin under top weight last December (good to soft). He will have benefited from the break.
Selection: Henry’s Friend** 8/24
15:20 Mares’ Hurdle Grade 1 3m 3f 200y
2024 winner: Lossiemouth 8/13f
Current favourite: Lossiemouth 5/4 > 4/6f
Provisional selection: Joyeuse 7/1 > 12/1 (because of Lossiemouth’s preference)
Winner: Lossiemouth 4/6f
So the two year Champion Hurdle plan for Lossiemouth has failed to come to fruition. I think that it’s a big negative that they’ve decided that she’s not good enough to run in the Champion Hurdle. She won this race last year against inferior opposition, but I can’t get out of my head what was a nasty fall at Leopardstown at the DRF. I suspect that no-one knows what mark that may have left on her. It’s also worth noting that Rich Ricci is not the force of old, having had only seven winners this season (five in Ireland and two in the UK). She’s comfortably the highest rated but not for me.
I like the look of Joyeuse, a seriously impressive winner of the old Schweppes Gold Trophy, definitely on the upgrade and supplemented for the race by connections (Henderson/De Boinville/JP). Battle hardened, she’s just the sort to come charging up the hill and has Cheltenham form over similar distance and ground. Ticks all the boxes at a very appealing price.
July Flower (10/1) is also respected.
Selection: Joyeuse** 6/10
16:00 Champion Hurdle Grade 1 2m 87y
2024 winner: State Man 2/5f
Current favourite: Constitution Hill 4/6 > 8/13
Provisional selection: Constitution Hill 4/6f > 8/13f
Winner: Golden Ace 25/1
Brighterdaysahead was undoubtedly visually very impressive last time out, with King of Kingsfield setting the pace. They’ll no doubt try for a repeat here but this time the opposition will know what’s coming. Constitution Hill‘s latest figures were very similar to Brighterdaysahead and there is every reason to believe that a strongly run race will bring out the very best in him. The prep has been visibly better this year and I think that we’ll see the best version of him yet today, cementing him as one of the greats.
Selection: Constitution Hill***** Fell
16:40 Fred Winter 4yo Handicap Hurdle 2m 87y
2024 winner: Lark In The Mornin 9/1
Current favourite: Total Look/Stencil 6/1 > 11/2f
Provisional selection: Stencil 11/2f
Winner: Puturhandstogether 17/2
I must disclose my bias towards French trained horses and that is certainly at play here. Stencil is almost certainly too short at 11/2f. Coming second to East India Dock here in the Triumph trial was no disgrace and a repeat performance (albeit this time on the old course) should see him home here in the consolation race. Three of the first four in the betting are JP horses and the French favourite has the first choice colours, albeit that may not count for very much.
The non-JP horse is Gavin Cromwell’s Total Look (8/1) for Brendan Rogers who owns only this one. The in running comments last time out are telling:
Didn’t always jump with fluency, raced in fourth, lost position and dropped to rear 3 out, headway approaching last, went third just after last, kept on well (inquiry held into running and riding; jockey stated that his instructions were to follow the leaders and in the race his jumping was only ok and he was losing ground at hurdles; he went on the ground but was changing his legs and put down at some hurdles; he didn’t pick up in the straight and jumped the last high; trainer confirmed instructions and expressed his satisfaction with ride given, he felt gelding’s jumping needs to improve and had no fixed future plan.; vet said gelding was found to be coughing post race and had also lost a near fore shoe; stewards noted the explanations offered)
Make of that what you will.
Not for sentimental reasons, I may have a small each way on Holy See at 25/1 > 20/1.
Selection: Stencil** (win); 15/22 Holy See* (e/w) PU
17:20 National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase 3m 5f 201y
2024 winner: Corbetts Cross 15/8
Current favourite: Haiti Couleurs 4/1
Provisional selection: Aworkinprogress 16/1 e/w > 14/1
Winner: Haiti Couleurs 7/2jf
So my selection, Aworkinprogress, is not yet in the race being R19 with a maximum field of eighteen. He’s four from four in handicaps on a mixture of soft and heavy and looks an all-over stayer. He’ll be my selection if he gets in with a very tasty 10st 4lbs. UPDATE: Aworkinprogress hasn’t made it into the final field
The alternative is Gavin Cromwell’s Now Is The Hour (9/2jf > 6/1) who is no more than a tentative selection. It would be amusing and entirely realistic to see the race won by an amateur, Patrick Mullins (Transmission 5/1) in the year that the race is opened to professionals.
Selection: Now Is The Hour** Fell
Wednesday (Old Course)
13:20 Turners Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 2m 5f
2024 winner: Ballyburn 1/2f
Current favourites: The New Lion; Final Demand 15/8jf
Winner: The New Lion 3/1
This should be a great race with the current 15/8 joint favourites Final Demand and The New Lion both bringing excellent winning form to the race. At the moment I can’t pick between them so it’s one to watch and enjoy for me. As previously mentioned I’m not a fan of The Yellow Clay but he keeps winning.
No selection
14:00 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase Grade 1 3m 110y
2024 winner: Fact To File 8/13f
Current favourite: Ballyburn 5/4 > 11/10
Winner: Lecky Watson 20/1
I’m a big fan of Ballyburn who has only been beaten over fences by Sir Gino. I think that the step up in trip is ideal and I’m surprised that he’s not odds on.
Selection: Ballyburn**** 5/7
14:40 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f
2024 winner: Langer Dan 13/2
Current favourite: Be Aware 5/1 > 11/2
Winner: Jimmy Du Seuil 16/1
With no great confidence I’ll watch the market but, as matters stand, I’ll go for Impose Toi at 9/1.
Selection: Impose Toi* 2/26
15:20 Cross Country Limited Handicap Chase 3m 5f 56y
2024 winner: Abandoned race
Current favourite: Stumptown 11/4
Winner: Stumptown 5/2f
Stumptown won here in December and carries top weight. However, I’ll take a chance on Vanillier at 8/1 who showed a significant return to form at Punchestown last time out.
Selection: Vanillier* 3/16
16:00 Queen Mother Champion Chase Grade 1 1m 7f 199y
2024 winner: Captain Guinness 17/2
Current favourite: Jonbon 10/11
Winner: Marine Nationale 5/1
Jonbon is better than ever this year and is a confident selection at 10/11f. Marine Nationale hasn’t won over fences since his beginners’ chase in December 2023 and Energumene doesn’t look like the force of old since his extended break. Solness will go haring off as he did in his last two races but was 4th of 6 (last two fell) in the Tingle Creek, well behind Jonbon. Found A Fifty was pulled up last time out and Captain Guinness seems past his best, judging by this season’s form.
Selection: Jonbon***** 2/8
16:40 Grand Annual Handicap Chase 1m 7f 199y
2024 winner: Unexpected Party 12/1
Current favourite: Unexpected Party 6/1
Winner: Jazzy Matty 15/2
Unexpected Party is looking to repeat his win in this last year and is current favourite to do so. I can’t find an obvious one to take him on.
Selection: Unexpected Party** 2/20
17:20 Champion Bumper Grade 1 2m 87y
2024 winner: Jasmin De Vaux 9/2
Current favourite: Copacabana 5/2 > 11/4
Winner: Bambino Fever 4/1
As ever, it’s wise to leave it late with a selection for this one and watch out for a steamer on the day. Ruby Walsh is very keen on current favourite Copacabana but I might have a go on unbeaten Bambino Fever at a current 13/2, with Jody Townend on board.
Selection: Bambino Fever* WON
Thursday (New Course)
13:20 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Grade 2 2m 179y
2024 winner: Grey Dawning 5/2jf
Current favourite: Sixandahalf 3/1
Galileo Dame has a useful 10lb age allowance and was 2nd behind Hello Neighbour in the Grade 1 DRF Juvenile Hurdle. However, Sixandahalf won her maiden impressively, following up on her third in the Irish Cesarewitch and is the selection. Aurora Vega is respected but ante post favourite Maughreen won but did not impress in her only hurdle race to date.
Selection: Sixandahalf 3/1f
14:00 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase Grade 2 2m 4f 127y
2024 winner: No equivalent
Current favourite: Nurburgring 13/2
I’m not convinced that the favourite, Nurburgring has taken to jumping. Firefox has been highly tested but it’s notable that, at the time of writing, Gordon Elliott is 0/26 at this Festival. He’s lost Sam Ewing for the rest of the week and it’s currently unclear whether Jack Kennedy will take up his engagements. Nonetheless, in the absence of any other obvious choice, I’ll tak a chance that he’s superior to the opposition.
Selection: Firefox 7/1
14:40 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle 2m 7f 213y
2024 winner: Monmiral 25/1
Current favourite: Jeriko Du Reponet 11/2 > 15/2
As usual, this is a complete lottery. The favourite, Jeriko Du Reponet, was third in his qualifier and put in a below par performance in the Gerry Fielden. I think that he’s un undeserved favourite. D Art D Art has been tipped up by several in the preview circuit before which I’d not heard of him. He was second in his qualifier. Win Some Lose Some won his qualifier at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, with Fet Of A Dancer third in the same race. My selection is Henri The Second who also won his qualifier for Nicholls/Cobden.
Selection: Henri The Second 20/1 e/w
15:20 Ryanair Chase Grade 1 2m 4f 127y
2024 winner: Protektorat 17/2
Current favourite: Fact To File 6/4 > 11/8
This is the race of the day for me. Will Fact To File benefit from the drop in trip after his commendable third in the Irish Gold Cup? Can Il Est Francais put up another thrilling front-running performance on the Cheltenham undulations or will he break a blood vessel again? Can Protektorat secure back to back wins? Is Jungle Boogie the forgotten horse in the race? Can Djelo, very much this year’s horse, step up to take this?
Fact To File is justified favourite. Protektorat is a year older but won this well last year. Jungle Boogie won the Howden Graduation Chase at Ascot last December but needs to improve on that and there are still questions about the form of the de Bromhead horses. Djelo has been impressive, but against much lesser opposition. Therefore, more with heart than head, I’m hoping that Il Est Francais can put in a scintillating performance as one of the week’s highlights.
Selection: Il Est Francais 3/1
16:00 Stayers’ Hurdle Grade 1 2m 7f 213y
2024 winner: Teahupoo 5/4f
Current favourite: Teahupoo 6/4 > 13/8
Teahupoo has run twice since winning this comfortably last year. He won the Punchestown Festival Champion Stayers’ (Home By The Lee was third), and was second to Lossiemouth over a probably unsuitably short trip in the Hatton’s Grace. He’s probably overpriced at 13/8. The Wallpark doesn’t have the same level of form. Lucky Place is popular with tipsters and won the Relkeel in January, following up on the Ascot Hurdle, but this is an untested step up in trip.
Selection: Teahupoo 13/8f
16:40 Plate Handicap Chase 2m 4f 127y
2024 winner: Shakem Up’arry 8/1
Current favourite: Jagwar 7/1 > 4/1 (following declaration for this race in preference to the 14:00)
Jagwar is the justified favourite, having won over course and distance in January. However, his previous race when third of five in a Class 3 at Uttoxeter was much less impressive and exposed possible jumping frailty. I’m going to take a chance on two Nicholls horses, both of whom need to stage revivals but have decent earlier form at a decent level, Il Ridoto and Ginny’s Destiny.
Selections: Il Ridoto 22/1; Ginny’s Destiny 14/1
17:20 Kim Muir Amateurs’ Handicap Chase 3m 2f
2024 winner: Inothewayurthinkin 13/8f
Current favourite: Walking On Air 5/1
Inothewayurthinkin won this last year and he’s my idea of the runner up to Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup. In this year’s renewal I like Johnnywho, the choice of leading amateur Derek O’Connor and third in three Grade 2s in the lead up to this.
Selection: Johnnywho 13/2
Friday (New Course)
13:20 Triumph Hurdle Grade 1 2m 179f
2024 winner: Majborough 6/1
Current favourite: East India Dock 6/4
Selections: East India Dock 2/1 > 6/4
Gibbs Island 25/1 e/w
East India Dock is the outstanding candidate in this race, with no obvious drawbacks.
I have a miniscule interest in Gibbs Island thrugh Raceshare and I’ll be cheering him on for a place.
14:00 County Handicap Hurdle 2m 179f
2024 winner: Absurde 12/1
Current favourite: Kargese 100/30 > 7/2
Selection: Lark In The Mornin 9/2
I’ve changed my mind in this one and now prefer Lark In The Mornin for Joseph O’Brien but with no great confidence.
14:40 Mares’ Chase Grade 2 2m 4f 127y
2024 winner: Limerick Lace 3/1
Current favourite: Dinoblue 6/4 > 6/5 > 6/4
Selection: Dinoblue 6/4f
The top two in the market know each other well and there was little to separate them last month. Dinoblue was second to Limerick Lace last year but Allegorie De Vassy may be the better stayer. A toss up.
15:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 2m 7f 213y
2024 winner: Stellar Story 33/1
Current favourite: The Big Westerner 11/2 > 5/1
Selection: Wendigo 11/1 e/w
Derryhassen Paddy is a popular selection in this. The Big Westerner is the justified favourite to continue Henry de Bromhead’s good run. THere is often a big priced winner of this race so I’m taking a chance with Wendigo for Jamie Snowden and Gavin Sheehan at 11/1 e/w.
16:00 Gold Cup Grade 1 3m 2f 70y
2024 winner: Galopin Des Champs 10/11f
Current favourite: Galopin Des Champs 4/7
Selection: Galopin Des Champs 4/7
Exacta: Galopin Des Champs; Inothewayurthinkin
Galopin Des Champs has the chance to become one of the greats this year as a three times consecutive winner and it will be a huge turn up if he doesn’t do so.
Inothewayurthinkin has been supplemented for this race. He was an impressive fourth in the Irish Gold Cup behind Galopin Des Champs, Grangeclare West and Fact To File.
16:40 (Fox) Hunters’ Chase 3m 2f 70y
2024 winner: Sine Nomine 66/1
Current favourite: Angels Dawn 4/1 > 3/1
Selection: Its On The Line 6/1 > 7/2
Its On The Line has nearly halved in price since I selected him yesterday. He’s been runner up in this race forthe last two years and is selected to go one better.
17:20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 56y
2024 winner: Better Days Ahead 5/1
Current favourite: Kopeck De Mee 9/4
Selection: Kopeck De Mee
Kopeck De Mee is having his first outing on a UK or Irish racecourse and is on a four-timer having progressed in the French provinces and winning last time out in a listed hurdle at Auteuil. He is surely handicapped very well based on that form.
Nurse Susan has been backed in from 50/1 to 11/1 in the last 24 hours.
Lucky 15
East India Dock
Galopin Des Champs
Its On The Line
Kopeck De Mee
Good luck!