Month: March 2026

A better day on Thursday with wins for Meetmebythesea and Supremely West. Fact To File was taken out and Bambino Fever was reported in the race review to be unsuited by the ground, while Impaire Et Passe was ridden in the Ryanair as if he didn’t have a chance. WP was very critical of the ground: “If the ground is going to be like this, we’re not going to bring them”. Well, it’s going to be very different tomorrow if the excellent yr.no Norwegian weather report is right – 8.2mm overnight. Someone nearby has reported that it’s “lashing down” at 9.00 p.m. on Thursday. With that in mind, we plough on. Could there be a Welsh winner of the Gold Cup?

The race starts have been embarrassing. The required bold decision is to move them away from bends, even if that affects the race distances. We’re well used to race distances being altered to suit the ground and rails positions so it isn’t really that much of an imposition.

So much depends on the ground that my selections are subject to the big caveat that they could change dramatically and I’ll be waiting until just before the races.

13:20 Triumph Hurdle 2m1f

Narciso Has was going to be the confident selection until injury intervened. Timeform and I are both keen on Minella Study (6/1) for Adam Nicol and Ryan Mania to break the Irish strangehold on this race. Proactif (9/2) and Selma De Vary (7/2) are respected. It’s notable how much Macho Man is a drifter. If we are really on soft ground then Highland Crystal is in the equation.

14:00 County Handicap Hurdle 2m1f

My Raceshare tiny fraction in Gibbs Island (50/1) gives me added interest in this race, but I can’t possibly recommend him based on recent performances. I’m surprised that Timeform have selected Tellherthename (12/1), who moved from Ben Pauling to the O’Neills and then Dan Skelton on 17 February for owners The Megsons. Karbau was 10th of 11 in last year’s Supreme (beaten 57l) and fell short when failing to stay in the Limestone Lad Hurdle on heavy last time out. It’s a lottery and I’ll probably have small interests in Joyeuse (10/1) and the strikingly distinctive Secret Squirrel (14/1) who beat Kabral Du Mathan over what is now the latter’s apparently preferred 2 miles in a Grade 2 at dodgy Windsor. However, they are very much in default of any others to select.

14:40 Mares’ Chase 2m4f

This is much easier. This is a head to head between defending champion Dinoblue (2/1), form varies from good to soft to heavy, and Panic Attack (5/2), all good to soft and soft, and I marginally prefer the latter, winner of the Paddy Power Gold Cup here and the Coral (Hennessy) Gold Cup at Newbury. That really is top form.

15:20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle 3m

This is another head to head with Doctor Steinberg 3/1 and Thedeviluno 11/2. Thedeviluno is one of many runners for Paul Nolan at this Festival. He could win but my honest view is that not many Nolan horses have won at the highest level in recent years. On the other hand, I was very taken with Doctor Steinberg’s dominant win at the DRF, which apparently came as quite a surprise for connections. Timeform’s selection is Kazansky for Gordon Elliott, beaten by 8l at that DRF race, but I can’t have him. As the Racing Post verdict says “hammered by Doctor Steinberg at Leopardstown last time”.

16:00 Gold Cup 3m2f

In keeping with tradition, I’ll go through them all.

1. Envoi Allen (33/1) – a great horse for connections but, at 12, no chance
2. Firefox (33/1) – Just not good enough
3. Gaelic Warrior (7/2) – Beat Fact To File on soft/heavy and Il Etait Temps on heavy. Will he stay 3m 2f, particularly on soft ground? Will WP stick to his guns and take him out of the race?
4. Gold Tweet (125/1) – here for the day out at the Festival – no chance
5. Grey Dawning (14/1) – a nearly horse that isn’t up to this
6. Haiti Couleurs (5/1) – a serious contender, particularly if it’s very wet
7. Inothewayurthinkin (17/2) – defending champion who has singularly failed to follow up on that performance. No chance
8. Jango Baie(11/2) – another serious contender but was beaten by Handstands on heavy. Beaten on good in the King George which, despite what you might hear, is not the best form going into this race.
9. L’Homme Presse (50/1) – 11yo who was good in his day but now not good enough for this
10. Spillane’s Tower (16/1) – would be a dream win for Jimmy Mangan. Won the Cotswold Chase on soft ground, beating L’Homme Presse and Grey Dawning, but shouldn’t be good enough for this
11. The Jukebox Man (100/30f) – very marginal winner of the King George on good ground. Previously won good but not top races short of this distance on good/good to soft ground. Not the right profile for this

So, the verdict. As indicated in the introduction, this is all about the ground. If it’s regular soft ground then I’m very confident about Gaelic Warrior (7/2). If it’s bottomless then I’m equally confident about Haiti Couleurs (5/1) for the first Welsh winner since Nortons Coin?

16:40 Foxhunters’ Amateurs’ Chase 3m2f

I haven’t followed the Hunters as I have in previous years. According to the overnight tips it’s between It’s On The Line (2) (11/2), Wonderwall, last year’s winner, (3) (11/2), Con’s Roc (3) (6/1) and Panda Boy (4) (6/1). Timeform is going with Panda Boy so I’m happy to follow that guidance. He has the best form on regulation racecourses.

17:20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle 2m4f

The lucky last! This has been a fertile ground for subsequent Festival winners. The roll of honour is Wodhooh (2025), Better (not Brighter) Days Ahead (2024), Iroko (2023), Banbridge (2022) and Galopin Des Champs (2021), all at decent prices. I had expected that I’d go for Kel Histoire (9/2f) who has been tipped widely in the previews but I am drawn to others, specifically Roc Dino (17/2) for Willie Mullins, East India Express (9/1) for Nicky Henderson and Air Of Entitlement (10/1 for Henry de Bromhead. As ever, like the Bumper on Wednesday, please watch the market in the run up to the race.

Good luck!

The bookies are having a wildly good Festival after two days, so it’s time to turn the tables with a better second half performance.

There’s a chance of a significant change in the ground as we switch to the new course. Overnight watering is under consideration with the ground having changed to good during Wednesday afternoon. However, 11mm of rain is forecast from 2.00 p.m., according to wonderful yr.no website.

13:20 Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle 2m1f

Bambino Fever is the short priced favourite at 11/10 and should take this comfortably.

14:00 Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase 2m4f

Regent’s Stroll is the current favourite at 11/2 and Jordans Cross the most tipped. I prefer Meetmebythesea at an appealing 7/1 and who is running at the right distance off a decent weight (10-13).

14:40 Mares’ Hurdle 2m4f

Wodhooh (4/5) is the obvious choice, with course and distance form including last year’s Martin Pipe. However, for the second year running at the Festival, the Gordon Elliott form is a major concern, with no winners on the first two days.

With that in mind, my selection is Jade De Grugy at 5/2. There’s limited each way value with seven runners (Paddy Power 1/4 the odds 1-2), but I will also have a small interest in Feet Of A Dancer at 10/1.

15:20 Stayers’ Hurdle 3m

The Elliott form concern has no doubt played a part in Kabral Du Mathan (4/1) displacing Teahupoo (9/2) as favourite. This is a wide open race and strong cases can be made for Bob Olinger (13/2), Impose Toi (10/1) and Ma Shantou (6/1), with the latter being my selection.

16:00 Ryanair Chase 2m4f

Fact To File (8/11 nap) is 2/2 in Festival Grade 1s including this race last year. He would have been favourite had he run in the Gold Cup, but that route has been left clear for Gaelic Warrior. I see Impaire Et Passe (7/1) coming second and Jonbon (7/1) out of the first two for the first time in his career.

16:40 Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle 3m

Unusually in a race like this, a strong case can be made for the long time favourite Supremely West (4/1). The form (3546) is nothing to write home about but that means that he’s off a good mark (10-11). C’est Different for Sam Thomas is good value at 15/2 and Lavida Adiva is a decent outsider at 22/1. Look out for place offers in this race. Paddy Power are offering six places and Skybet seven places, both at 1/5 odds and William Hill four places at 1/4 odds.

17:20 Kim Muir Amateurs’ Handicap Chase 3m2f

Timeform and Racing Post both have Prends Garde A Toi as their selection at 14/1, but the Gordon Elliott caveat is in play again. Jeriko Du Reponet (7/2f) is the most tipped and has the considerable benefit of Derek O’Connor on board. Waterford Whispers (9/2 from 8/1) has been widely tipped in the preview circuit

Paddy Power are offering 5/2 for a Bambino Fever/Fact To File double which I’ve taken.

Good luck!

13:20 Turners Novices’ Hurdle 2m5f

Ballyfad (11/1) has a tendency to go right which could inconvenience him, but he’s only been beaten once (by a short head on heavy ground). The biggest threat is No Drama This End (5/2).

14:00 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase 3m1f

Romeo Coolio is uncertain over three miles and I don’t like Final Demand after his last run. My selection is the improving Kaid d’Authie at 5/1.

14:40 BetMGM Cup (Coral) Handicap Hurdle 2m5f

As usual, I probably qwon’t have a bet in this race, which could easily go to a long shot. I like Storm Heart but 9/2 is very short for a race like this. Iberico Lord (9/1) is a good each way option

15:20 Cross Country Handicap 3m5f

Favori De Champdou (2/1) has the course form but Desertmore House (6/1) is a big threat.

16:00 Champion Chase 2m

Majborough (10/11) can’t be opposed, having been revitalised with cheekpieces. As so many have said in the build up, if he jumps he wins.

Quilixios is a good each way option at 16/1.

16:40 Grand Annual Handicap Chase 2m

Jazzy Matty has a strong shout to repeat his victory in this race last year. I’m going with the improver Vanderpoel (8/1) who should relish the ground.

17:20 Champion Bumper

Love Sign d’Aunou (5/1) is the obvious pick. I’ll probably also have a saver on Keep Him Company (11/2). However, as always in this race, keep a close eye on the market before the off.

Good luck!