CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – WEDNESDAY
1:30 G1 Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle
Jingko Blue (Nico de Boinville)
I must admit this may not be the most logical path stepping into a Grade One straight out of Handicap Company, but he was extremely impressive under top weight at Sandown and is a horse we think a great deal of. His Hurdles from is pretty strong, and he is improving all of the time, but I was very impressed with Ballyburn at Leopardstown last time and he will be quite hard to beat. However, this chap will like the ground and whatever happens here, he remains a horse with an extremely bright future.
Unibet are PRICE BOOSTING the favourite in this race!
2:50 Handicap Hurdle
Doddiethegreat (Nico de Boinville)
We always thought he wanted two and a half and this race has pretty much been the objective for quite some time. Both his runs in defeat, at Newbury and back here in December, read very well and he won’t have an issues with the ground. He is still progressive, and I like him a lot.
Lucky Place (James Bowen)
We were toying with the idea of running in the Grade One, but I rather feel he could be quite competitive in a race like this, and I was delighted with his run behind Gidleigh Park in a Grade Two on Trials Day. He is a very uncomplicated person and would certainly have to enter calculations on his handicap debut.
First Street (Paul O’Brien)
His form is well-publicised and there isn’t much I can tell you that you don’t already know. We have, however, tinkered with his wind, and I do feel this trip suits him better nowadays. He’s only 1lb higher than when finishing second to State Man in the County Hurdle in 2022 and I would love to see him put up a bold show. He’s such a lovely boy who deserves to win a big one.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
3:30 G1 Champion Chase
Jonbon (Nico de Boinville)
I’ve no doubt he’d have won the Clarence House last time had he not made a terrible blunder four out and then making a crucial mistake at the last which ultimately cost him the race. I was so much looking forward to the clash with El Fabiolo at Ascot the weekend prior because Jonbon was absolutely primed to the second; literally the screw had been tightened to an inch of its life and he was ready to go, so when we were forced to wait another seven days, it was a very fine line to keep him in the same shape for a further week; that’s not to say he wasn’t right at Cheltenham, but the delay certainly didn’t help things. We’ve met El Fabiolo twice before, he’s beaten us and we’ve beaten him, and there is very little between them. His win in the Shloer Chase on heavy ground was extremely impressive, so I don’t agree with some critics who say he doesn’t like Cheltenham. I am looking forward to what should be a fantastic clash of two, if not three, top-class two-mile chasers.
Unibet are paying MONEY BACK AS CASH if your pick finishes 2nd or 3rd in this race!
5:30 Champion Bumper
Kingston Pride (Nico de Boinville)
I wouldn’t have too many runners in the Champion Bumper, but this chap has a lovely, relaxed attitude and works like a very good horse. We went to Lingfield thinking he’d win but unfortunately it wasn’t to be, although the first and second, who reopposes, pulled well clear of the field so it was probably a decent performance. He’s definitely improved since Lingfield, and I can see him running well at big odds with Unibet.
Unibet are paying TWO EXTRA PLACES in this race!
Out and About
Out and about and missing the action from the Greatest Show on Turf? 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 the app and never miss a second from all your favourite events, wherever you are!
Please remember to gamble responsibly. Visit our Safer Gambling section for more information, help and advice.
