CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – TUESDAY

1:20 G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Old Park Star (Nico De Boinville)

He’s been very impressive from what we’ve seen so far so certainly deserves his place in the line up.

Every year is different, and I cannot say he is an Altior or Constitution Hill because we were extremely confident about them, but he has done everything we’ve asked and whatever he does here I can see him being a seriously good chaser next season.

He is still a big baby with a big frame to fill and is unlike the likes of Altior who was very much the finished article at that stage of his career, but his jumping has been exemplary and he is undoubtedly a very high-class animal with an obvious chance.

He’s made all the running in every race so far, and has hardly seen a horse but hopefully in a field like this he shouldn’t need to be doing that because there should be some pace on.

2:00 G1 Arkle Chase

Lulamba (Nico De Boinville)

I think the best is very much still to come from him and I believe he’ll be a mighty three mile chaser in the future; let’s not forget he’s only a young horse, he’s just five, so most definitely has his best days ahead.

I thought he was particularly good at Sandown in the Henry VIII and he learnt plenty in the Game Spirit at Newbury, which was the main reason we went there because he needed the experience and he will be a lot sharper now.

He does everything right, his work is good, he jumps great, and while it’s not going to be easy with your likes of Kopek Des Bordes in the race, it’s a stiff track and he will love the ground.

2:40 Juvenile Hcap Hurdle

Manlaga (Nico De Boinville)

She was very good in the Victor Ludorum at Haydock where she quickened up nicely  and probably has a little more toe than I’ve given her credit for in the past, and I also liked the way she finished her race there on soft ground which she absolutely loves.

Funnily enough I took her to Chepstow for the Finale Hurdle over Christmas but had to withdraw her because the ground was too quick, which is unheard of at that time of the year there!

She’s a very nice filly who comes into this race suitably treated and I’d like to think she’ll be in the hunt.

Mustang Du Breuil (James Bowen)

We ran him in the Dovecote rather than the Adonis last time because there were more higher rated horses in the other race, but it didn’t turn out the way we hoped because they went very slow and it developed into a sprint and his strength is very much in the stamina department, so Cheltenham will suit him very well; it’s fair to say Kempton was probably not the ideal track.  

I still liked the way he finished his race where he came home strongly, and I think coming up the hill will suit him well.

3:20 Ultima Hcap Chase

Hyland (Nico De Boinville)

The better the ground the better the horse and while he was in the Kim Muir I feel the going will be more suitable on the Tuesday and he seems to have a real spring in his step at the moment, which he didn’t have earlier in the season.

I definitely think he’s starting to blossom, maybe it’s the spring air, but he’s got a good record at Cheltenham, and the cheek pieces won’t do any harm.

5:20 National Hunt Chase

Holloway Queen (James Bowen)

Ground is also quite crucial to her, but the other way round, because she is a much, much better horse on soft. She’s a big bold, front running mare who jumps well and has plenty of ability.

She was very good at Newbury where she never stopped galloping and appeared to really enjoy herself out front, although whether she will be able to employ those tactics in a race at the Cheltenham Festival is another matter because everyone will be wanting to get a good position and there no one takes any prisoners!

We will be monitoring the ground, however, because it might not be the best idea to run her if conditions aren’t suitable for her at this stage of her life, but we’ll see.

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