With 24 days until the pinnacle of National Hunt racing returns to Gloucestershire’s famous Cheltenham racecourse, British trainers rue injury to stable stars as Ireland dominate the betting markets.
2m½f – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
Irish trainers hold all the market strength in the opening race of the festival following last years top five being from Ireland. Willie Mullins dominates the market with Kopek Des Bordes as favourite following a huge victory at the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF). Kopek Des Bordes raced keen for Paul Townend through the first 11 furlongs before he hit the front and cantered to a 13 length win.
Kawaboomga drifted in the market following that performances having previously finished second behind the festival favourite.
Last years bumper runner up Romeo Coolio is being kept fresh for the race by Gordon Elliott, having not run since his win on December 27th, only second run over hurdles, finishing second in the Grade 2 Royal Bond on debut.
The lead British trained horse in the market is Stuart Edmunds Miami Magic, currently priced at 33/1. Having won his first two starts over hurdles he was run against Turners prospect Potters Charm, putting in a credible performance when two length second.
2m – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
British hopes of taking back the Prestbury cup were dealt a huge blow when ante-post favourite Sir Gino was ruled out of the season with injury. Mullins Triumph winner in 2024 Majborough will now be hunted by Harry and Dan Skelton’s L’Eau du Sud and Henderson’s number two Jango Baie.
Unbeaten over fences Majborough backed up his chase debut win at the DRF. While it was a comfortable win that justified his favouritism of the Irish challengers, Henderson and Dan Skelton will look to attack his novice like jumping.
L’Eau du Sud for the Skelton duo looks to have the best chance of upsetting Mullins perfect start to day one of the festival.
A perfect 4-4 over fences with two Grade 2’s, including over course and distance at Cheltenham and the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. Described by jockey Harry Skeleton as a “staying two-miler” his clean jumping and stamina may help him finish strong up the Cheltenham hill and lay Challenge to Majborough.
Whilst Jango Baie is Henderson’s back-up in this race, warrants plenty of respect on this seasons form. Originally trained to run over 2m4f/2m5f in his novice season he drops back in trip for the Arkle. Only two runs over fences, he won nicely on debut, clearing Springwell Bay who won at Cheltenham next time out. It was a disappointing 2nd for Jango Baie next time out, despite travelling nicely and staying on strongly was unable to get his head in-front. The drop back in trip may question his pace over two miles, but should the ground come up soft to heavy, this stayer may be able to cause an upset.
🟢🟡 Majborough wins the Triumph #CheltenhamFestival2024 pic.twitter.com/JNQ5x5pVPL
— Jasper Hudson (@JHudsonSJ) March 15, 2024
2m5f – Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
This looks set to be a a head to head rivalry between Dan Skelton’s The New Lion and the current favourite for Mullins Final Demand.
The British trained The New Lion is among the most notable novices at the festival, following his comfortable Challow Hurdle victory JP McManus purchased him for a six figure fee. After travelling strongly no turn of foot was required, as he galloped clear on the bridle in impressive style. His form was boosted when second placed Wendigo won next time out.
Final Demand also holds entries in the three mile Albert Bartlett and is second favourite in the betting for that having won a three mile Point To Point. However, both his runs under rules have come over 2m5f and has hit the line first on both occasions, winning by a total of 27 lengths. Most recently he was another star performer at the DRF, justifying his price that shortened into 11/8. Having settled nicely on the inside rail he was one of three to quicken off the bend and move clear. Townend needed minimal encouragement to get his mount to hit the front as the approached the last hurdle. Following a clean jump, Final Demand was unrelenting to the line, winning by 12 lengths.
3m½f – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)
Mullins looks to have the two best runners in his stable for this. Ballyburn who was mightily impressive as a Novice hurdler when winning the Baring Bingham, hasn’t looked as prominent over fences. Winning twice over two mile three and two mile five, his only defeat came over the shortened trip of two miles against Sir Gino. He does hold an Arkle entry and would be Townend’s only ride in that race. The extended three mile trip should benefit his chances of repeat festival success. Bred more as a stayer, and demonstrating a big engine when outstaying Croke Park, the race should ease the pressure on his jumping and give him a great chance staying on up the hill.
Dancing City for Mullins looks a more solid jumper over his fences than stablemate Ballyburn. This eight year old has plenty of experience over the distance with three wins over three miles, two of which over fences.
Elliott could potentially have the one to upset the Mullins duo. Croke Park is three from four as a chaser and his only defeat being that second to Ballyburn. A strong stayer who narrowly beat third favourite Better Days Ahead this season.
2m1f – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
Two Irish prospects are again at the head of the market. Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf is a 3/1 favourite only just ahead of Mullins Maughreen.
Sixandahalf, a two time winner on the flat made a winning transition to hurdles when at Fairyhouse. Despite being keen to post the mare stayed on strong in the finish to win by 12 lengths.
Maughreen has much less race experience, only running once last year when a comfortable winner of a bumper. Missing the major festivals last year through injury, it wasn’t an impressive win on the eye when working hard for a five length margin at the finish. However, that run was sure to improve fitness ahead of the spring festivals.
3m – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)
The Yellow Clay has plenty of race experience, with four hurdle wins this season. Yet to race over three miles, but he has travelled well to win all his starts.
Henry De Bromhead may fancy his sizeable stayer The Big Westerner as one of his chances for the festival. A three mile Point To Point winner who has improved with further distance under rules. A narrow winner over two mile five, he stayed on strong in the run in on his second start over two mile seven.
Final Demand and Jasmin de Vaux, last years champion bumper winner are the two notable Mullins entries.
🗣️”He travelled better than he’s ever travelled in a race.”@gelliott_racing is considering sending his Grade 1-winning novice The Yellow Clay straight to Cheltenham now ➡️ pic.twitter.com/nFZa6apfcm
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) January 5, 2025
