Tag Archive for: Cheltenham Festival

Sir Gerhard enters Cheltenham reckoning after victorious return

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Dual Cheltenham Festival winner Sir Gerhard made a successful transition to the larger obstacles on his belated reappearance at Gowran Park.

Winner of the Champion Bumper in 2021 and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle last term, the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old’s seasonal return was delayed by a pre-Christmas injury.

Faced with just two rivals, Sir Gerhard was the 1-6 favourite for his comeback in the Daly Farrell Chartered Accountants Beginners Chase – and while he ultimately got the job done with ease, his first start over fences since his point-to-point days was not without the odd scare.

Largy Debut cut out much of the running at a sound gallop under Rachael Blackmore, with Paul Townend happy to take a lead aboard the market leader.

His supporters would have had their hearts in their mouths when he made a mess of the fence in front of the stands with a circuit to go, but he improved in the jumping department from there on and mastered Largy Debut from the home turn.

Sir Gerhard brushed through the second fence from the finish, but was safe at the last and passed the post with 38 lengths in hand.

Paddy Power left the winner’s Arkle odds unchanged at 10-1, while he is a 6-1 shot with Coral for the two-and-a-half-mile Turners Novices’ Chase and 10-1 for the even longer Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

Sir Gerhard after winning at Gowran Park
Sir Gerhard after winning at Gowran Park (Thomas Weekes/PA)

Of Sir Gerhard’s shuddering mistake, Mullins said: “My heart jumped and he stood so far back at it. I hope his back is all right in the morning as he caught it and did well to stand up and Paul did well to stay on him. That is what novices do and it is great to make that mistake early in the race as it puts manners on the horse and he jumped fine after that.

“Paul thought he wasn’t racing, so after the fourth-last sent him up and he was in his hands. He had just been a bit lazy and maybe cantering around on his own on our gallop, he probably thought he was having a quiet day. We teach them, especially the staying chasers, to settle on the mornings they’re not working but we were probably overdoing it.

“I imagine he will go to Cheltenham with very little experience and maybe just that run as I don’t see anything else in the calendar for him. We might take our chance and go straight there, maybe for the Turners or the Brown Advisory – they’ll be going that bit slower and it’ll give him a chance.

“We’re not that well represented in the three-mile race (Brown Advisory) yet, but who knows what’ll happen between now and then?”

Teahupoo advertises Stayers’ claims with Galmoy glory

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Teahupoo shot to ante-post favouritism for the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival following a facile victory in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park.

Gordon Elliott’s charge finished last behind Honeysuckle in the Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham and Punchestown last season, but turned the tables when inflicting a first career defeat on the superstar mare in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse last month.

Stepping up to three miles for the first time, Teahupoo was a 4-11 chance to give weight and a beating to five rivals at Grade Two level and could hardly have been more impressive.

Ridden by Davy Russell, enjoying his first Graded success since coming out of retirement to deputise for the injured Jack Kennedy, Teahupoo travelled like the class horse in the field before being asked to extend in the home straight.

He swiftly put any stamina doubts to bed as he powered 15 lengths clear of the veteran Summerville Boy, seeing Paddy Power slash his Stayers’ Hurdle odds to 11-4 from 7-1.

Elliott said: “He was good and is a good horse. He is going the right way and the plan is to go straight to Cheltenham for the Stayers’ Hurdle.

Gordon Elliott saddled Teahupoo to win the Galmoy Hurdle
Gordon Elliott saddled Teahupoo to win the Galmoy Hurdle (Brian Lawless/PA)

“It was two miles in Cheltenham last year and I’d say this distance is the key to him – over two miles the gun is to your head the whole time. I know he was well beaten in Punchestown after that, but he wasn’t actually beaten that far.

“At the moment we have no worries ground-wise, although it (Stayers Hurdle) is an open race too.

“Davy (Russell) said he panicked and got there a bit soon, as he is so laid-back early but when he gave a squeeze, he leapt back on the bridle. You’d love the way he quickened from the second-last to the line.”

In Excess forces his way into Festival frame

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In Excess may have earned himself a place on Willie Mullins’ formidable Cheltenham Festival squad after starring in a treble for the champion trainer at Fairyhouse on Wednesday.

The French-bred gelding was the 4-9 favourite for the Easter Festival Early Bird Maiden Hurdle, having previously finished second in a French bumper and on his Irish debut at Limerick last month.

Those who took the cramped odds will have had few concerns, with In Excess readily pulling 11 lengths clear in the hands of Sean O’Keeffe – deputising for Paul Townend, who sat out the card due to illness.

“He was keen enough during the race, but I was very happy with the way he quickened after the second-last as I thought he’d done a lot of work at that stage,” said Mullins.

“To win 11 lengths from where he was at the second-last, I thought it was a good performance on very testing ground.

“He’s a horse that could move up to graded class. I don’t know where we’ll go next, I’d like to find a winners-of-one or a Listed race maybe.

“I’d be hoping he’ll improve going into the spring time and he’ll probably go for one of the novice hurdles in Cheltenham I’d say, maybe the Ballymore.”

The trainer’s nephew Danny Mullins stood in for Townend aboard the other yard’s other two winners – Chavez (9-4) in the Fairyhouse For Your Fundraiser Beginners Chase and Hauturiere (11-10) in the HAY ‘How Are Ya’ Campaign Mares Maiden Hurdle.

Hauturiere after winning under Danny Mullins
Hauturiere after winning under Danny Mullins (Gary Carson/PA)

Of the latter, Mullins added: “I was a little bit concerned at the third last as the signals coming from Danny didn’t look great, but she was in behind a few horses and once he got clear and took her wide, she just took off and I was very happy how she finished.

“I’ve always thought a nice bit of her but was just disappointed we hadn’t got her head in front. Today she got her head in front on very testing ground and she’ll probably stay much further.

“I don’t know if she’s good enough, but she’ll probably get an entry in the Grade One here at Easter and she has a lot of experience to go to the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle in Cheltenham.”

Three Card Brag impressed for Gordon Elliott and Adrian Heskin
Three Card Brag impressed for Gordon Elliott and Adrian Heskin (Gary Carson/PA)

Another Fairyhouse winner with Cheltenham aspirations is Gordon Elliott’s Three Card Brag.

With Adrian Heskin aboard, the 8-11 favourite proved 12 lengths too strong for the Mullins-trained Spanish Harlem and was cut to 10-1 from 12-1 for the Albert Bartlett by Paddy Power.

Elliott’s assistant, Ian Amond, said: “Adrian said going out that he’d probably make the running on him because he wants further down the line.

“He’s a nice horse and he stays at it well. It probably wasn’t ideal having to make the running because he’s lazy, but Adrian said he picked up and the further he went, the better he was.”

Princess Zoe closing in on hurdling debut

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Group One-winning mare Princess Zoe could make her hurdling debut as soon as next week following a satisfactory schooling session on Tuesday.

Trained by Tony Mullins, the popular eight-year-old proved to be a consistent and versatile performer on the Flat, with highlights including a top-level success in the 2020 running of the Prix du Cadran, a Sagaro Stakes victory last year and a silver medal behind Subjectivist in the 2021 Ascot Gold Cup.

Retired from duties on the level following a fourth placed finish in the Prix Royal-Oak in October, Princess Zoe was sent to the Tattersalls Mares Sale in December – but having failed to raise what connections were expecting, Patrick Kehoe and Philomena Crampton’s high-class mare returned to Mullins, with a possible switch to the jumping game mooted.

That tentative plan is now set to become a reality, with Punchestown’s Join The Punchestown Members Club Mares Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles on January 30 a possible starting point as connections bid to discover whether a trip to the Cheltenham Festival is a realistic target.

Princess Zoe ridden by Joey Sheridan (right) winning the Longines Sagaro Stakes on Royal Ascot Trials Day
Princess Zoe ridden by Joey Sheridan (right) winning the Longines Sagaro Stakes on Royal Ascot Trials Day (John Walton/PA)

“She schooled well and we were quite happy with her,” said Mullins.

“We will see how she is and we’re considering Punchestown next Monday and we’re also looking at options at Fairyhouse (February 8) and Thurles (February 9) as well. But she schooled adequately and we’re quite happy that she is well able to jump.

“She will be out sooner rather than later because the only reason she is going hurdling is with a view to Cheltenham.”

He went on: “I think we’re leaning towards going there (Cheltenham) with just the one run.

2020 Galway Summer Festival – Day Six – Galway Racecourse
Trainer Tony Mullins after Princess Zoe wins the Galway Shopping Centre Handicap during day six of the 2020 Galway Festival (PA)

“The Johnstown Hurdle (at Naas) is an option on February 26, but it’s quite tight for Cheltenham. It’s different for those in England, but we have to travel as well, so having a run within 21 days of her prime target is not ideal I don’t think.”

Although handed an entry for the Albert Bartlett over three miles at the Festival, Mullins believes Princess Zoe’s class will see her prove versatile over obstacles and he would have no hesitation running over an extended two miles in the Mares’ Novices Hurdle – a race for which she is a best price of 25-1 with Unibet.

He added: “There’s nothing dyed in the wool, but having won a Prix du Cadran over two-and-a-half the three miles of the Albert Bartlett wouldn’t be a worry – and having won a Listed race over a mile and a half, I’m not worried about the Mares’ Novice either.

“Early on the Albert Bartlett looked the weaker of the three novice hurdles and I just wasn’t against it, so we gave her an entry. We’re keeping our options open.”

Following her ultra-successful Flat career, Princess Zoe is finally getting the chance to do what she was originally bought for by her National Hunt loving owners – despite some trepidation from the trainer.

“The owners are staunch National Hunt fans and I’ve gone along with it, but I’m quite worried about a Group One winner jumping hurdles,” said Mullins.

“I’m not against it but it wasn’t my call, I wouldn’t do it myself.

“That’s what she was originally bought for (jumping), but she’s a Group One, Group Three and Listed winner on the Flat. The owners would like to go jumping if there was a chance she would make Cheltenham, so we will give it a go.”

McConnell mapping Cheltenham Mission for Mahler

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John McConnell’s Mahler Mission has the Cheltenham Festival in his sights after an impressive Navan success.

The seven-year-old was a high-quality hurdler and made the transition to chasing this season, starting off at Cheltenham before finishing third in a Punchestown contest on New Year’s Eve.

At Navan on Saturday he lined up for a three-mile beginners’ chase and demonstrated his potential when jumping fluently and sauntering to an unchallenged 10-length victory under Ben Harvey.

“We were delighted but we weren’t surprised. We thought he’d come forward from his run at Punchestown last time and we rode him a bit more confidently this time and it paid off,” said McConnell.

“I suppose it was only a beginners’ chase at the end of the day, so we can’t get too excited or carried away, but it was a good performance.

“He jumped very well, he picked up from the back of the third last and he won well. He didn’t have a hard race and we were really happy with him.”

The National Hunt Chase, a three-mile-six-furlong affair at the Cheltenham Festival in March, is the likely target now, with McConnell undecided as to whether the gelding will have another outing in the meantime.

“I would say we’ll go for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham, I think he’s entitled to go,” he said.

“I don’t know what mark he’s got yet in the UK, but I’m sure it’ll be high enough. Whether he’ll have a run beforehand, I’m not sure, I’d say that’s it’s probably less than a 50 per cent chance.

“He stays very well, the trip won’t be an issue at all. He jumps well, he’s jumped around Cheltenham before so that box is ticked there. He could go for a Grade Two in a couple of weeks here but we’ll see, we’ll bask in the victory a bit longer!”

Metamorpheus could be aimed at Cheltenham in March

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Tim Doyle is dreaming of what would be a memorable a Cheltenham Festival victory with recent Punchestown scorer Metamorpheus.

Raced once on the Flat at two, the homebred son of Morpheus – who is Frankel’s half-brother – did not make his hurdling debut until Limerick at Christmas, where he gave a good account to finish third, beaten little over two lengths at 100-1.

He then showed plenty of improvement to run out a convincing five-length winner at Punchestown on his second outing over timber – a performance that thrilled his Moyne-based handler.

“I was delighted and I loved how he quickened up from the last to the line,” said Doyle.

“He took a good step forward, but he’s an inexperienced horse so I was hoping he would and I’m hoping there would be lots more improvement as well.”

That Punchestown contest has been a good guide to the Boodles Fred Winter in the past and last year saw the Festival-winning Brazil finish fourth to Gordon Elliott’s The Tide Turns, with Cheltenham fourth HMS Seahorse runner-up. The year before Coltor finished fourth before going on to finish fifth at Prestbury Park in the spring.

And having beaten the runner-up Almuhit by a similar distance to what current Boodles favourite Tekao did at Leopardstown over the Christmas period, Doyle acknowledges a Festival bid has to be considered.

“It’s in the back of my mind,” he said. “It’s very exciting because it’s hard to come by horses good enough to go there (Cheltenham) with a little bit of a chance. He’s a good hardy horse and he should keep progressing.

“There’s a couple of options here in Ireland I think at Naas and Fairyhouse and we’ll have to have a run in one of those to qualify.

“I’ve never had a runner at the Festival. I’ve run a few over there in the autumn, but I’ve never had a winner in Cheltenham. So we’ll see what happens and hope it works out.”

It’s For Me states Cheltenham claims with Navan romp

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It’s For Me shot to the head of the betting for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham with an impressive victory at Navan on Saturday.

Making his debut for trainer Willie Mullins, It’s For Me was sent off the 4-9 favourite for the Racing Again February 12th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race after winning his only point-to-point start last year.

Ridden by the handler’s son Patrick, the five-year-old travelled supremely well throughout and was cantering in behind before taking control around two furlongs out.

Mullins only had to push him out to come home 10 lengths clear of Suttons Hill and Paddy Power installed him as the 5-1 favourite for the Cheltenham bumper, before further cutting him to 4s.

Patrick Mullins said: “He’s much better on the track than he is at home, at home he doesn’t flash.

“Looking at the price he went off in his point-to-point, it was obviously a similar story there. He’s much better on grass.

“That was very impressive. He was a bit keen all the way but he quickened up very well.

“That was as good as anything that has been seen this year.

“When you don’t have one of Gordon Elliott’s in there to maybe have a measure, it’s a bit easier.

“The bumper horses seem to be hitting top gear now, they were a bit hit and miss before Christmas.”

When asked if the Champion Bumper was tomorrow, would he ride him, Mullins added: “I don’t know what I’m going to ride there.”

Shanbally Kid initiated a Mullins double
Shanbally Kid initiated a Mullins double (Gary Carson/PA)

The Closutton team had earlier been on the mark with Shanbally Kid (11-10 favourite) in the Buy Your Navan 2023 Membership Maiden Hurdle.

He let down his supporters when only fourth on his hurdles bow but made amends with a length-and-three-quarter verdict over Monty’s Star in the hands of Paul Townend.

“It took me a while to get him jumping to be honest,” said the winning rider.

“I was probably there a bit soon on him as he didn’t do a whole lot when he hit the front, but I was always holding them behind me.

“He’s still quite a raw individual. I kind of settled the race really quickly and then he was just doing enough. I’d say there is a bit more in the tank.

“The further he went, the better he jumped, he’ll be fine and should progress again. You’d be going out in trip with him rather than back, I’d think.”

Gavin Cromwell and Keith Donoghue were also in double form via Path D’Oroux and Pure Sirloin.

Path D’Oroux (3-1) ran out a cosy winner of the Welcome Back To Navan Racecourse Rated Novice Hurdle, in which three of the key players failed to finish.

“I know there were fallers but he won the race in a nice manner,” said Cromwell.

“He travels lovely every day, even in the Royal Bond he travelled very well but he cut out in a matter of 50 yards.

“He ran a lot better in Leopardstown the last day and hopefully he’s on the way back.

“The ground is no bother to him as he’s a big strong horse and he has plenty of gears too.

“I suppose the owners would like to go to Cheltenham for something, so we might look at one of the handicaps.”

Pure Sirloin completed the Cromwell-Donoghue double
Pure Sirloin completed the Cromwell-Donoghue double (Gary Carson/PA)

Pure Sirloin (7-1) has less lofty targets after his win in the Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle.

Cromwell added: “He would want to learn to jump better but he was good over the last two which got him out of jail.”

“He made plenty of mistakes and Keith gave him a smashing ride to land him there. He’s a work in progress and we’ll look for something similar again.”

Mahler Mission (100-30) was cut from 33-1 to 12s by Betfair for the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham after coasting home by 10 lengths in the Wilkinstown Beginners Chase.

Mahler Mission returns to the winner's enclosure
Mahler Mission returns to the winner’s enclosure (Gary Carson/PA)

Winning trainer John McConnell said: “We put him in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham this week and we’ll certainly look at it, you wouldn’t be averse to going after that.

“He’s going to get a big enough mark, so we’re going to be restricted where we can go but in a good way.

“I was bottling it last night, thinking of taking him out, and looking at other alternatives. There is nothing in Ireland though bar a couple of Grade Twos. We could do that or could go straight to Cheltenham.

“All the big handicap chases are on the agenda as well, there are a lot in the UK worth a lot of money. There are loads of options with him, he’s only a young horse.”

No anchoring HMS Seahorse at Navan

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HMS Seahorse made a stylish return to action in the Navan Handicap Hurdle, putting himself in the frame for the Cheltenham Festival in the process.

The five-year-old finished fourth in the Fred Winter at Prestbury Park last term before claiming a distant third upped to Grade One level at the Punchestown Festival, but he had been off the track since finishing down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh in September, having been gelded in the interim.

Sent off a 15-2 shot in the hands of Sean O’Keeffe, HMS Seahorse was settled on the heels of the leaders on the rail in the two-and-half-mile heat as 11-4 favourite Lucky Max set out to make all.

The market leader gave a bold sight and was still in front jumping the last, but HMS Seahorse was travelling well in behind and swept through to grab the lead on the run to the line.

Paul Nolan’s runner went on to score by two and a quarter lengths from Felix Desjy, with Rebel Ivy a further neck back in third.

Paddy Power make HMS Seahorse a 12-1 shot for the Coral Cup, while also offering 20-1 about his chances in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle and the County Hurdle – although the first event listed could be the preferred choice for connections.

“He gave him a brilliant ride. Sean said he came for him every time he asked him,” said Nolan.

“He needed to jump the last and he was long at it. He seems to be jumping far better since he was gelded.

“In Galway he jumped poorly when he was odds-on favourite and the jumping just didn’t work.

“He’s a bit more clinical now, he’d never go long before and he was very good today.

“We might look at the Coral Cup with him. That’s where the lads would love to go.

“We’d have to look at a Pertemps qualifier as well, it would be great to have more options, but that might be tight enough.”

Cobden can hardly wait for Gold-en shot with Bravemansgame

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Harry Cobden says anyone who underestimates Cheltenham Gold Cup contender Bravemansgame does so at their peril, with the in-form rider confident the King George hero can shake up the Irish contingent at Prestbury Park in March.

Despite his impressive Boxing Day success at Kempton, the Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old is a 9-1 shot with Paddy Power for the blue riband, with Galopin Des Champs all the rage to provide Willie Mullins with a third Gold Cup as the 6-4 favourite.

Grand National hero Noble Yeats is another prominent in the market at 13-2 for Emmet Mullins, with Henry de Bromhead’s reigning champion A Plus Tard and Galopin Des Champs’ stablemate Stattler also shorter in the betting than Bravemansgame, both at 8-1.

Cobden, though, is a jockey riding the wave of a big-race success this season and he is in no doubt Bravemansgame has what it takes to make his presence felt in the Cotswolds.

He told TalkSPORT2: “I haven’t sat on him (since the King George), but he looks fantastic and the plan is obviously to go straight to the Gold Cup, so I’m very much looking forward to March.

“I thought when he ran at Wetherby (winning the Charlie Hall Chase) he was only 60 or 70 per cent fit – I didn’t think he was fit at all and he blew a little bit afterwards.

“I knew there was so much improvement there. By no means did I go into the King George and think all we had to do was jump round and we’d have it sewn up, but I was very, very confident going because he’d never felt so good schooling during the week and went there fresh.

“For some reason there were quite a lot of people that were doubting Bravemansgame going into the King George, I don’t know why.

“Every time he’s gone to a big occasion he’s never really delivered as a novice and I suppose one could say he’s been fairly well placed and been minded and when he’s come to the big day he’s let us down.

“But I think Paul has got him absolutely spot-on this year. He’s probably learnt how to train him a lot better, I’ve learnt to ride him a lot better and you’re really seeing the best of Bravemansgame now.”

Bravemansgame with connections at Kempton
Bravemansgame with connections at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

Perhaps the obvious reason for Bravemansgame’s inflated odds is the fact Nicholls suggested earlier in his career he viewed him more as a King George type than a Gold Cup horse, while he was firmly put in his place by Bob Olinger on his only previous appearance at Cheltenham in the 2021 Ballymore.

But Cobden is not unduly concerned about the change of venue or a step up in trip.

“I’ve never won a Gold Cup, but I’ve ridden in a few and he’s got to be one of the best horses I’ve ever ridden,” he added.

“With regards to the track, I don’t think it’s an issue. He’s a very well-balanced horse, he’s a good jumper and the only time he’s run there before I don’t think he was right.

“Going left-handed isn’t an issue – he’s won round Newbury and Newton Abbot and Haydock and a few other tracks. Is the trip an issue? Well he went three and a half miles on Boxing Day – whether you like it or not he went five wide the whole way round there.

“It’s quite funny how many people pick faults in him, but to be fair to him he’s been nothing but brilliant this year. From a jockey’s point of view, I’m very confident going into the race and I feel quite fortunate to be riding him.”

Another factor adding to Cobden’s confidence is his faith in his boss to get one ready for the day that really matters.

He said: “Paul Nicholls comes back from Antigua on Saturday and every time he comes back from holiday he’s got the bit between his teeth, so there’ll be no stone unturned.

“Since Boxing Day he has been training him for the Gold Cup. Maybe I’m slightly biased because I ride for Paul all the time, but I promise you now, I’ve never known a bloke to ready a horse for a certain day like he does.

“When he says he’s going to train one for a day, it’s unbelievable – he gets them 110 per cent for the day. They don’t even need to go for a racecourse gallop or anything.

“I don’t know how he does it, but I’ve never seen anything like it really.”

Flooring Porter’s Cheltenham bid hanging in the balance

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Flooring Porter’s bid for a third Stayers’ Hurdle victory is in doubt after Gavin Cromwell revealed his stable star was “50-50” to make Cheltenham after suffering a setback.

The eight-year-old was a brilliant all-the-way winner of the Paddy Power-sponsored three-mile showpiece in 2021 and was similarly impressive when successfully defending his crown last season.

Just as he did last term, Flooring Porter was set to return to the Festival off the back of successive defeats after finishing fourth in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan and in Leopardstown’s Christmas Hurdle.

Gavin Cromwell and Danny Mullins at Cheltenham
Gavin Cromwell and Danny Mullins at Cheltenham (Steven Paston/PA)

But whether he lines up at Cheltenham at all this time around is now far from certain.

Cromwell said: “I suppose we’re hanging in the balance there with Cheltenham. Hopefully we won’t be set back too long, but he’s likely to miss another two or three weeks.

“It’s far from ideal. I’d say it’s probably 50-50 he’ll make Cheltenham.”