CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – THURSDAY

1:30 G1 Marsh Novices’ Chase

Mister Fisher (Nico de Boinville)

We toyed with the idea of running in the Arkle on Tuesday but he’s won around the track over this trip and this looked the slightly best option. He’s a big strong horse with a lot of ability and worked very well with Altior last Friday so you’d have to be very hopeful coming into this.

2:10 G3 Pertemps Final

Welsh Saint (Nico de Boinville)

He won nicely at Haydock on heavy last time and is improving all the time. Races like this are always very hard to win but I couldn’t be happier with him at home and his work is always very good. He has the right profile and I rate his chance highly, in as much as you can in a contest with 24 runners!

In January Nicky put this in his @Unibet blog

Anyone back her after reading this!?#CheltenhamFestival pic.twitter.com/FRFezEvQC8

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) March 11, 2020

3:30 G1 Stayers’ Hurdle

L’ami Serge (Daryl Jacob)

There’s not much I can add that his form doesn’t tell you but all I can say is that he’s in fine form at home and has done plenty of work on the water treadmill and won’t have any issues with the ground. He probably should have won at Ascot in December when he found himself in front a little earlier than he liked but that still showed us that he retains plenty of ability, and while Paisley Park will be incredibly hard to beat, L’ami is more than capable of running into a place.

4:50 G2 Mares’ Novice

Floressa (Nico de Boinville)

She was a little bit unlucky at Doncaster last time when she probably should have won and her form is very strong. Her work is excellent, as is her schooling, and I rate her chances quite considerably.

5:30 Kim Muir

Champagne Platinum (Mr Derek O’Connor)

He ran a great race in the G1 Scilly Isles last time when staying on really well and he’s won a Point to Point so the extra yardage here will suit. Derek O’Connor has enjoyed plenty of success on Ok Corral so let’s hope he can continue his good strike rate for us. This is a big test but he’s a solid horse and I’ll be disappointed if he isn’t bang there.