Tag Archive for: Cheltenham Festival

Blazing Khal makes eagerly-awaited return at Navan

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Blazing Khal makes his long-awaited return in the William Hill Boyne Hurdle at Navan on Sunday.

The Charles Byrnes-trained seven-year-old is three from three over obstacles and beat Gelino Bello in back-to-back Grade Two novice events at Cheltenham in the autumn of 2021.

But while Gelino Bello went on to strike Grade One glory at Aintree, Blazing Khal spent the rest of his novice campaign on the sidelines and has been off the track for over 400 days.

Byrnes said earlier in the new year his stable star was “50-50 at best” to make this year’s Cheltenham Festival, but he is now set to make his comeback in this weekend’s Grade Two contest.

“He’s in good shape and working well – we’re hoping for the best,” he said.

“We’ve had a good run for the last few weeks, so fingers crossed.”

Blazing Khal is a 9-2 shot with the sponsors for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham on March 16, a race Byrnes memorably won with Solwhit 10 years ago.

However, the Ballingarry handler is keen to see how he performs this weekend before making future plans.

He added: “We’re not really looking beyond this weekend, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Gordon Elliott with Delta Work at his yard
Gordon Elliott with Delta Work at his yard (Niall Carson/PA)

Blazing Khal is one of nine runners declared for the Boyne Hurdle, with Gordon Elliott represented by top-weight Sire Du Berlais, Grand Roi and Delta Work, with the latter warming up for his defence of the Glenfarclas Chase at Cheltenham.

Noel Meade has saddled the last two winners of the two-mile-five-furlong contest in Beacon Edge and Thedevilscoachman and Beacon Edge is in the mix once more, as is stablemate Highland Charge.

Dreal Deal (Ronan McNally), Meet And Greet (Oliver McKiernan) and Saint Sam (Willie Mullins) complete the line-up.

On the same card Grade Three honours are up for grabs in the William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase.

Likely contenders for this three-mile heat include Jonathan Sweeney’s Churchstonewarrior, Elliott’s Front Assault, the Mullins-trained Glengouly and Mahler Mission from John McConnell’s yard.

Mahler Mission winning over hurdles at Doncaster
Mahler Mission winning over hurdles at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

The latter won by 10 lengths over the course and distance on his latest appearance and is prominent in ante-post lists for the National Hunt Chase at the Festival in March.

McConnell said: “It looks a competitive race. There doesn’t look to be a superstar in it, but it’s competitive all the same.

“Obviously he’s jumped around the track no problem, so we’re hopeful of a good run.

“That (National Hunt Chase) is the plan. We’re very hopeful that he’ll be competitive in it.”

Elliott saddles three of the 10 runners declared for the I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle in American Mike, Imagine and Deeply Superficial.

American Mike, runner-up to Facile Vega in last season’s Champion Bumper, has been off the track since disappointing in the Monksfield Novice Hurdle in November, having missed an intended engagement at last weekend’s Dublin Racing Festival due to a death in the owners’ family.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t run American Mike in Leopardstown the other day. He scoped bad after Navan and there was something wrong with him, so we’ve missed a good part of the season,” said Elliott.

“I was looking forward to running him the other day, but couldn’t due to personal reasons.

“He’s running over two miles on Sunday, which isn’t ideal, but I kind of need to get a run into him because he can be a fresh horse and I just want to knock the freshness off him.”

The Mullins-trained pair of Hunters Yarn and Tactical Move also merit consideration in an intriguing Listed event, as do Gavin Cromwell’s Inothewayurthinkin and Peter Fahey’s The Big Doyen.

Harry Fry taking cautious route to Cheltenham with Love Envoi

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Harry Fry was content with his decision to err on the side of caution with Love Envoi, having taken the star mare out of her intended engagement at Warwick on Saturday.

Winner of the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, the seven-year-old was due to complete her Festival preparations in the Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Warwick Mares’ Hurdle.

But connections felt conditions were quicker than ideal, particularly with the Prestbury Park in mind.

Fry said: “She doesn’t need to prove to us how good she is, she’s shown us that, but it has all been on slower ground.

Love Envoi on the way to victory at Cheltenham last year
Love Envoi on the way to victory at Cheltenham last year (Tim Goode/PA)

“We’ve had this race in mind all season in terms of completing her Cheltenham preparation, but only if circumstances allowed and it’s just unfortunate, it’s no one’s fault. They’ve just had no rain since Classic Chase Day and it’s a great old saying ‘if in doubt, there is no doubt’.

“It’s frustrating and I also couldn’t run Gin Coco today (at Newbury) who was second-favourite for the Betfair Hurdle. It’s just been an extraordinary season with the weather.

“But we’re very happy where we are with her and we’ll take her home now. She’ll complete her preparation at home and undoubtedly we’ll take her away somewhere for a gallop having not run today. So we’ll look forward to getting there in March in tip-top form all being well.

“She has shown us her well-being at Sandown and I just didn’t want to take a risk on drying ground so close to her big day when she has showed us how effective she is on a slower surface. Admittedly if the ground is in a similar situation at Cheltenham we’ll have to make that decision nearer the time, but that is the big target.

“At some point I’m sure she will run on better ground, but in terms of this being a stepping-stone we didn’t think it was worth the risk today.”

Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore will clash with Love Envoi
Honeysuckle and Rachael Blackmore will clash with Love Envoi (Brian Lawless/PA)

Love Envoi’s target next month is the Mares’ Hurdle – which is due to feature Honeysuckle, among others.

Fry added: “It’s (the Mares’ Hurdle) looking like being as competitive a race as there is all week and there are some very talented mares in there.

“We’ll look forward to getting there in one piece and then worry about who is in opposition on the day.”

Of plans for Gin Coco, he said: “I think so (County Hurdle), he was obviously runner-up there in the Greatwood. It’s again very frustrating not to run him (at Newbury) but he missed a year with a tendon injury, so it’s not worth the risk.

“No doubt he and Love Envoi will have to go somewhere to complete their preparations together.”

Luccia ready to light up Exeter in pre-Cheltenham prep

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Luccia is aiming to book her Cheltenham Festival ticket in the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Novices’ Hurdle at Exeter on Sunday.

Nicky Henderson’s talented mare has only been seen once this season – but just like when she ran in her two bumpers, she displayed a good deal of talent.

Henderson took the unusual step of letting her make her hurdling debut in Listed company at Newbury which she won with ease and then he wanted to test her at the highest level in the Tolworth at Sandown.

Unfortunately she was ruled out of that engagement with a dirty scope, but she is ready to go again now in a Listed event against Paul Nicholls’ Lallygag and Charlie Longsdon’s Western Zephyr among others.

“She has done everything right so far and made a very impressive debut over hurdles at Newbury. She is in great form and has been working well,” said Henderson.

“It was very annoying that we had to miss the Tolworth Hurdle with her as that is where I wanted to go, but she had a little bit of a dirty scope and we had to miss a little bit of time with her.

“She is all good now and we need to get another run into her for more experience over hurdles before we go to Cheltenham.

“I could have found an easier race for her to run, but this is a decent prize to aim. Although she does act on soft, this ground will be fine for her.”

Jonbon commanding all the attention in Kingmaker

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Aidan Coleman is relishing the prospect of partnering Jonbon again, as he looks to continue his so-far flawless chasing career in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

The seven-year-old has made the step from hurdler to chaser look incredibly easy with two wide-margin successes thus far, including a Grade One victory in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase at Sandown in December.

Prior to that he won his debut at Warwick in November by seven lengths, giving him experience over both course and distance ahead of the weekend.

The market leader for the Arkle Trophy, the JP McManus-owned Jonbon is likely to face a stern challenger from across the Irish Sea in March as El Fabiolo landed the Irish equivalent of the race last weekend and will be headed to the Cheltenham Festival next.

Jonbon and Aidan Coleman
Jonbon and Aidan Coleman (Nigel French/PA)

Coleman has ridden the Nicky Henderson-trained full-brother to Douvan in all but one of his starts under rules and reports him to have schooled well in the run-up to his Kingmaker engagement.

“Jonbon has been very good this season at Warwick and at Sandown, he was very impressive on both starts,” he said.

“I’m really looking forward to getting on him, he’s very exciting. I schooled him on Thursday, and he felt great and looked great.

“I’m looking forward to it, it’s another test for him and there’s a couple of very nice horses in it, but it’s always very exciting to ride him.”

Assessing the threat of El Fabiolo come the big day, Henderson told Unibet: “It’s interesting because El Fabiolo beat Dysart Dynamo at Leopardstown over the weekend, and he is the obvious candidate to take him on.

“We met in the novice hurdle at Aintree last year and Jonbon beat him a head that day so technically there’s nothing between them. A hurdle race around Aintree and a fast-run two-mile novice chase around Cheltenham are two different things.

“Jonbon’s jumping has been very pleasing. He is clever, as well as brave, so hopefully he can do most things.”

Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager, added: “Touch wood, he’s very exciting. He’s been very good to date over fences and he seems to be really liking it.

“I believe Nicky is very happy with him and let’s hope all goes well now on Saturday.”

However, Jonbon now faces just one rival as Gary Moore’s Haddex Des Obeaux has been pulled out due to a bruised foot and Sandy Thomson’s Bass Rock scoped dirty.

Dan Skelton’s Calico is his only opponent.

Kingmaker promises to be a test for Arkle favourite Jonbon

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Jonbon is out to cement his Arkle claims in the Virgin Bet Kingmaker Novices’ Chase at Warwick on Saturday.

Nicky Henderson’s seven-year-old has taken to fences seamlessly and the only defeat in his career remains at the hands of his seemingly other-worldly stablemate Constitution Hill in last season’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

With El Fabiolo, a neck behind Jonbon at Aintree last season, setting a new marker in the Irish Arkle last weekend, the JP McManus-owned gelding needs to reassert his authority in the ante-post market.

With experience of Warwick’s tricky fences already banked, Jonbon will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Edwardstone, who won this 12 months ago before taking Arkle glory.

Frank Berry, McManus’ racing manager, said: “Touch wood, he’s very exciting. He’s been very good to date over fences and he seems to be really liking it.

“I believe Nicky is very happy with him and let’s hope all goes well now on Saturday.

“This is a competitive little race and Warwick is a lovely track which tests your jumping.

“Most of these races are competitive, Saturday is no different and that is what it is all about.”

Jonbon faces three rivals and one in particular might make him pull out all the stops.

Gary Moore’s Haddex Des Obeaux has won his last two in the style of a rapidly-improving young novice and is well worth his place in a Grade Two.

Sandy Thomson’s Bass Rock and Dan Skelton’s Calico are two other worthwhile opponents.

Elimay returns to action on familiar ground before Cheltenham

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Elimay is expected to face a tough task as she kicks off her Cheltenham Festival preparations with a hat-trick bid in Saturday’s BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase at Naas.

Willie Mullins’ runner first landed the Listed contest in 2021 before going on to take second in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham, while last year she added to her Naas laurels when repelling Pink Legend by half a length to win at Prestbury Park too.

Elimay went on to finish second at the Punchestown Festival, but has been off the track since trailing home a 16-length fourth on her return at Clonmel back in November.

The nine-year-old must concede weight all around at Naas and will be giving 12lb to fellow Closutton inmate and JP McManus-owned mare Dinoblue – a factor Mullins’ son and assistant Patrick expects will prove crucial.

Elimay was a Festival winner in 2022
Elimay was a Festival winner in 2022 (Mike Egerton/PA)

He said: “Elimay had a slight setback over the winter, so it is great to have her back out and going before Cheltenham. This is not going to be easy for her giving away all the penalties.

“Dinoblue is stepping up against more experienced mares, but she is getting all of the allowances and we’d like to think she can take advantage of all the weight she is receiving.”

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Magic Daze, a Punchestown Festival winner last season, is also among the seven runners for a race Mullins has won in six of the last seven years.

Another key Cheltenham player turns out in the Naas Farm Machinery Hunters Chase as the Mullins-trained Billaway looks to win the extended three-mile contest for a fourth year on the bounce.

Billaway (left) went from Naas to Cheltenham last year
Billaway (left) went from Naas to Cheltenham last year (David Davies/PA)

Billaway, winner of the St James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase at last year’s Festival, will team up as usual with Patrick Mullins and much like Elimay, his major rival could be a stablemate.

Annamix, who was third in last year’s Topham at Aintree, returns to racecourse action proper after a couple of point-to-point starts this winter, although longer-term targets are in mind for the 10-year-old.

Mullins said: “Billaway has won this race the last three years and we are putting a tongue-tie on him for the first time. We are expecting a big improvement from his first run which he normally has in him.

“Jamie Codd rides Annamix in the same race. We are trying to qualify him for the Aintree Foxhunters’, so hopefully he can finish in the first three on Saturday.”

Brazil took the opening event at Naas 12 months ago
Brazil took the opening event at Naas 12 months ago (Nigel French/PA)

The opening Jim Nolan Transport Supporting Kill GAA Rated Novice Hurdle is another race to watch with an eye on the Festival.

Brazil won this last year before claiming the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham and three of this year’s contenders are entered in the Triumph Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Jazzy Matty, Andrew Slattery’s Sir Allen and Almuhit from Denis Hogan’s yard are engaged in the Festival heat, while Metamorpheus and Byker were both last-time-out winners.

Colonel Mustard rethink after Newbury outing scuppered by ground

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Lorna Fowler is considering plans for Colonel Mustard after quick ground scuppered his intended run in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.

The chestnut had been well-fancied for the valuable handicap, a race in which he was due to switch back to smaller obstacles after two credible runs over fences.

But with the ground described as good at Newbury, the decision was taken not to travel from Fowler’s base in County Meath.

“I just can’t run him on the ground as it’s too quick and he has to have a bit of ease in it,” Fowler said.

“It’s very disappointing because we were keen to go there, but we won’t be running and that’s a real shame.

“At Newbury it is quite a unique situation because the ground has been under covers with the cold weather, so it’s quick ground and that’s not suitable for him.”

Colonel Mustard was third in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year, a race won by subsequent four-time Grade winner State Man – last seen beating Honeysuckle to land the Irish Champion Hurdle by four and three-quarter lengths.

Fowler’s gelding will be aimed at the race again come March, though it is likely there will be another outing before Cheltenham looms.

“We’re just taking stock now but I think we will aim to go to the County Hurdle again, that seems like a sensible option, especially given the form is so strong from last year,” Fowler said.

“We might take in something on the way and there are a few options of where we could go, so it’s likely he’ll get a run before the County Hurdle.

“It’s a real shame but sometimes you’ve got to regroup and see where you’re at, he was primed and ready to go this weekend.

“We might take something in along the way, then it’s the County after that and then maybe back to fences after that – that’s the provisional plan.”

Fry hoping Love will prevail in Festival prep

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Harry Fry is concentrating solely on Love Envoi as his star mare prepares to complete her Cheltenham Festival preparation at Warwick on Saturday.

The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle is shaping up to be one of the events of the whole week with dual champion hurdler Honeysuckle confirmed to join Love Envoi and possibly the likes of defending champion Marie’s Rock and Epatante in the line-up on March 14.

However, while admitting it will be highly competitive, Fry’s focus remains firmly fixed on getting the winner of last year’s mares’ novices’ hurdle at the Festival to peak again at Prestbury Park next month.

Love Envoi ridden by Jonathan Burke clears a fence before going on to win the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle during day three of the Cheltenham Festival in 2022
Love Envoi ridden by Jonathan Burke clears a fence before going on to win the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle during day three of the Cheltenham Festival in 2022 (Tim Goode/PA)

“Whether its Honeysuckle, Epatante or Marie’s Rock, it’s going to be a fiercely competitive race,” Fry told Tattersalls Cheltenham.

“All we can do is worry about getting Love Envoi there in tip-top form. On the day, we can think about who is in opposition and go there with confidence in our mare that she can come out on top.”

The seven-year-old has suffered just one defeat in nine starts and is unbeaten this season following two victories at Sandown.

She is now set to go to post for the Virgin Bet Warwick Mares’ Hurdle searching her second Listed prize of the season in a race won last year by eventual Mares’ Hurdle champion Marie’s Rock.

“We started off this campaign at Sandown in a handicap hurdle, purely because there were not that many options open to her,” continued Fry, whose charge was a graduate of the 2021 Tattersalls Cheltenham March Sale.

“She was a course winner in Grade Two company, so we thought it was an ideal starting point over the two miles. We were delighted when she was able to carry all that weight against the boys to make a winning start to the campaign.

“The races very much slotted into place from the turn of the year. Returning to Sandown for a Listed mares’ hurdle was always the plan then this race at Warwick is another Mares’ Hurdle ‘trial’.

“It was won by Marie’s Rock en route to winning the Mares’ Hurdle last year, so is a proven stepping-stone to the Festival. Hopefully we can follow in her footsteps.”

Marble Sands gets the better of Rare Edition at Huntingdon

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Marble Sands upset short-priced favourite Rare Edition to take the M1 Agency Sidney Banks Memorial Novices’ Hurdle at Huntingdon.

The latter was a 4-5 shot when lining up for the race undefeated under rules, having won a bumper and four hurdle contests by a combined 29 and a half lengths.

For trainer Charlie Longsdon and Sam Twiston-Davies Rare Edition made the running until the just after the second from last, when the Fergal O’Brien-trained Marble Sands – last seen finishing fifth to Hermes Allen in the Challow Hurdle – took up the lead under Kielan Woods.

Despite hanging right and then left between the penultimate fence and the line, Marble Sands was still able to pull away from the favourite and record a two-and-three-quarter-length victory at 9-2.

O’Brien said: “That is a fantastic win. Kielan gave him a fantastic ride. He would not be straightforward at home as he is very gassy.

“He is a fine horse and that is three he has won this season. He has done it well today. He missed the last and lost his shoe and we have beaten a very good horse.

“If we had finished second we would have been very happy as it would have been a good run, but I’m absolutely over the moon.

“It was much different ground at Newbury, but he didn’t run badly as it was a very good Challow Hurdle. That is where the team have been great they have brought him back from a very tough race and produced him for today.

“He was very keen in Challow and probably pulled his way out of a chance. Kielan spoke to Paddy (Brennan) and he said ‘your best chance of winning today was taking your time and coming with one run’ and it worked so I’m delighted.”

The Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is now an option, with the grey a 25-1 chance with Betfair and 33-1 with William Hill.

“We will go back and have a look, but he has done plenty this season to deserve a go at the Ballymore probably so fingers crossed. We will go back and speak to Graeme, David and Jackie (owners) and see what they want to do,” said O’Brien.

Connections were disappointed with the performance of Rare Edition and will make sure there are no underlying issues behind the defeat before considering next steps.

Syndicate manager Bill Esdaile said: “We will get him home and see if anything comes to light. We know he can hurdle better and travel better. It is one of those things and that is racing.

“Sam felt he didn’t get the same feeling as he did at Kempton Park. It might have been the ground as it was plenty quick enough. He is still a very good horse.

“I’d rather him run with a bit of cover, while the trip was a bit of a question mark. I’m not ruling Cheltenham out at the moment.

“When a bubble gets burst everyone is disappointed. One thing I would say is that Menorah got beat over two miles three before coming back and winning the Supreme over two miles.”

Betfair Hurdle day at Newbury is one Nicholls looks forward to

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Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is readying a strong squad for one of his favourite meetings of the season at Newbury on Saturday.

Two solid chances in the feature Betfair Hurdle with Hacker Des Places and Rubaud, Hitman looking to get back on track in the race named after former Ditcheat star Denman and McFabulous aiming to emulate Bravemansgame in the opening race, there is plenty to go at.

But it is Greaneteen in the Betfair Exchange Game Spirit Chase Nicholls will be watching with most interest, given how the Queen Mother Champion Chase picture has changed in recent weeks.

The defeats of Energumene, Edwardstone and Blue Lord have opened up the race and Nicholls hopes his three-time Grade One winner can re-enter the picture.

“He ran very well in the Champion Chase two years ago when I don’t think he was anywhere near as good a horse as he is now and he wasn’t beaten too far,” said Nicholls.

Greaneteen won the Haldon Gold Cup earlier in the season
Greaneteen won the Haldon Gold Cup earlier in the season (David Davies/PA)

“The last couple of weeks the (Champion Chase) waters have been muddied a little bit, which often happens at this time of year, but we’ve always thought this was the perfect race to run him before Cheltenham.

“He loves good ground and I’ve left him a little short rather than have him fully wound up like I did for the Haldon Gold Cup, which was possibly why he was a little bit flat in the Tingle Creek this year.

“We’ve left plenty to work on, he’s nice and fresh so hopefully he’ll run very well en route to Cheltenham.”

In the Betfair Hurdle Nicholls saddles the second- and third-favourites behind Emmet Mullins’ Filey Bay.

“Hacker Des Places keeps on going up a little bit and has a 5lb penalty so we could have done without that – he did surprise me by winning the other day so he could well be improving. Angus (Cheleda) does take the 5lb off,” he said.

“Angus gets on very well with him. He won at Aintree on him and the other day at Cheltenham and rides him most days at home so that 5lb is handy. He probably learned the last day not to be in front too soon.

“Rubaud has only got a mark of 130 and I actually think that’s OK compared to some of my other novices.

“It’s a competitive race, but there’s no Champion Hurdle horse in it like there can be some years so it’s a good competitive handicap.

“You always hope your novices are decent, he’d only had one poor run last year but he came from France and hadn’t acclimatised. I did always like him and I didn’t want to run again after Kempton and risk getting a penalty, praying it was going to be good ground. We’re hoping we’ve got a live chance.”

McFabulous may not go on to emulate King George winner Bravemansgame – who won this race 12 months ago – but he is already rated highly.

Nicholls said: “He’s got to run off a mark of 153 which is quite tough, but there are only two others declared. One is getting a stone off him and the other a stone and a half so that evens it up a bit.

“He loves good ground, won very nicely in a Grade Two earlier in the season and while he might have plenty of weight I’m sure he’ll take a bit of beating.”

Nicholls also runs two nice types in Fire Flyer and Meatloaf in the closing Betfair-sponsored bumper, but says nothing should be read into jockey bookings.

“In the bumper, which is always a nice race – we ran Al Ferof in it before he was second to Cue Card at Cheltenham – we have Fire Flyer who won nicely at Ascot, we like him a lot, and Meatloaf who won at Wincanton and was just touched off at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day,” said Nicholls.

“Jockey-wise Lorcan (Williams) won on Fire Flyer and Harry (Cobden) has ridden Meatloaf so I made the decisions. I wouldn’t know which is better than the other.”

For once there appears to be little doubt whether a big weekend meeting will take place, with clerk of the course Keith Ottesen and his team covering the track from the frost earlier in the week.

Ottesen said: “We’re in a good place and will be fine for Saturday. It dropped to minus 2C overnight, but by 7am there was no frost. It’s going to be slow, good ground and it’s very different to what it was in November when we were having to water it a little bit to get it to good.

“It doesn’t look as though we’re going to freeze overnight on Friday so we’ll probably take the covers off on Friday.”