IT'S the week we’ve all been waiting for but it’s fair to say it’s not been without a hiccup or two getting here. Obviously it’s still up in the air where Altior is concerned and we’ll be doing everything we can to get him there on Wednesday. It’s not a major issue and is fairly common but it could not have come at a worse time so we’ll be monitoring the situation on an hour by hour basis and keep everyone up to date as best as we can.
We head into day one of Cheltenham with 11 runners and hopefully some good chances among them.
CHELTENHAM – TUESDAY
1:30 G1 Supreme Hurdle
Shishkin (Nico de Boinville)
Everything has gone to plan with him since Huntingdon and his schooling and work have been excellent. We’ve always thought a great deal of him and he’ll have no problems with the ground. This is a typically strong race packed full of very good novices but our horse is right up there with the best and on what we’ve seen so far, I’m very hopeful.
Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival Stable Tour 2020 – Part 3 Continued
Shishkin
Click the link to watch Nicky discuss his other hurdlers
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— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) March 6, 2020
Chantry House (Barry Geraghty)
It’s been well documented I would have liked him to run in the Ballymore, primarily to keep him away from Shishkin, but JP has Sporting John for that race so we’re coming here, which isn’t a problem because Chantry House is certainly not short of speed and he’s won around the track, albeit on the New Course. I think if Shishkin wasn’t in the race he’d be very near favourite and there’s not much between them at home.
Allart (James Bowen)
He got no further than the first flight at Ascot on his hurdles debut but hasn’t looked back since, winning at Ludlow and Doncaster and is improving with every run. This is another step up but he’s done nothing wrong and will cope with the ground. His work has been very good, as has his schooling, and he’s no back number by any means – he’s more than capable of running a very big race.
2:50 Ultima Handicap Chase
Brave Eagle (Nico de Boinville)
He’s developed into a pretty smart performer and despite doing all his winning on good ground, he’s actually won on heavy at Newbury back in the day so you’d be hopeful that he’ll handle conditions here and he didn’t disgrace himself at all in the Ladbrokes Trophy last time. This is a big test but he’s in great form and gets the trip well so I’d be confident he can put up a very good show.
Burbank (Jerry McGrath)
Whether he truly stays this trip is open to debate but he finished really well when winning at Newbury in December under a brilliant ride from Jerry and they get on very well together. The blinkers help him concentrate and he’s been given a pound back by the handicapper but he still needs to produce a career best to win.
3:30 G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle
Epatante (Barry Geraghty)
We had that very small issue when she coughed a few times, but it was important to get the information out there because we have to be as transparent as we can, but she hasn’t coughed for over ten days and is in absolutely rude health. I must admit at the start of the season I didn’t think she’d be favourite for the Unibet Champion Hurdle but she’s very quickly earned her place at the top of the market after impressive wins at Newbury and Kempton. I didn’t see the point in running her after the Christmas Hurdle so she has been deliberately kept fresh for this and Barry was very pleased with the way she schooled last week. I thought she was our banker of the meeting in the Mares’ Novice last year but she ran quite poorly so I’m putting it down to the flu jab she had after the EI outbreak, therefore I have no concerns where the track is concerned. We’ve always liked her and she is a mare with plenty of class.
Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival Stable Tour 2020 – Part 1
Epatante
Click the link to watch Nicky discuss his five potential runners in the @Unibet Champion Hurdle
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— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) March 2, 2020
Pentland Hills (Nico de Boinville)
We tinkered with his wind after Haydock but I wouldn’t read too much into it as it was probably more of a ‘Henderson Hunch’ rather than anything else as he hasn’t actually made a noise but it won’t do him any harm and may just help him finish up the hill. I’m confident we’ve got him back to his best that saw him win the Triumph Hurdle twelve months ago and while it’s often difficult for last year’s Juveniles, he’s showing me no signs to the contrary so I’m pretty confident he can run a huge race.
Fusil Raffles (Daryl Jacob)
It’s been a bit of a stop start season with him after winning the Unibet Elite Hurdle in November and he ran no sort of race in the Christmas Hurdle which we’re simply putting down to the ground. We had him entered in the County Hurdle on Friday in case the ground dried out but there is plenty of rain forecast so we decided to stick to plan A and come here where the ground is probably going to be as best as we’re going to get it. He’s been away to Kempton and worked very well and is fit and ready to go. I think he’s a very interesting contender in this.
Call Me Lord (James Bowen)
He ran very flat in the Contenders Hurdle last time so I’m inclined to draw a line through that because all horses have off days because he was very good in the Unibet International in December and a reproduction of that effort would give him every chance here. Now we know he goes left handed there are plenty more options in the future but he’ll have no problem whatsoever with the ground and I certainly wouldn’t put you off him. Put it this way, on ratings he’s right up there with the best of these.
4:50 Northern Trust Novices’ H’cap Chase
Precious Cargo (Nico de Boinville)
This is always a fiercely competitive race because the handicap band is so tight and there’s only 6lbs separating the whole field which just goes to show how hard it is to get in. Precious Cargo is here off 145 and to be honest I quite like his chances as the step up to 2m4f will definitely suit and he’s been in great form at home. He’s a big strong horse who will love the stiff track and jumps very well. I’m pretty hopeful where he’s concerned.
Champagne Mystery (Jerry McGrath)
He was impressive on his seasonal debut at Aintree in November and found 2m around Fakenham much too sharp last time, so this stiffer test will really play to his strengths. I’ve been happy with his work and he is a chaser through a through. He has solid claims.
Cheltenham Festival Betting
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