CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL – TUESDAY

1:30 G1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

Jeriko Du Reponet (Nico de Boinville)

He is unbeaten, and ever since he arrived at Seven Barrows, this race was always where we wanted to end up. While he may not have looked visually impressive at Doncaster last time, the race wasn’t run to suit, but has subsequently worked out very well, and there is likely to be much more pace on here which will play to his strengths. Obviously, the Irish squad will be very hard to beat, but I rather fear Jeriko may be the slightly forgotten horse and I’m very much looking forward to it. Unibet will be paying MONEY BACK AS CASH if 2nd or 3rd on this race from 9am on Tuesday. Opt-in on Betslip. T&Cs apply.

2:50 Ultima Hcap Chase

Excello (Nico de Boinville)

I thought he was a little bit disappointing at Cheltenham last time, but that was over two and a half in an extremely competitive race, so we’re going up in trip, which I am sure will be in his favour, and he handles soft ground very well. He was excellent in a schooling session last week and I’m particularly happy with him coming into this.

3:30 G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle

Iberico Lord (Nico de Boinville)

As everyone knows this was definitely not the original plan, but circumstances have meant he now slots into this, and our decision was also swayed by the fact that the ground is going to be softer in the early part of the week. Obviously, he has to improve dramatically to beat the likes of State Man, but his victory in the Unibet Greatwood Hurdle has worked out particularly well, as has his win at Newbury last time, so the form is strong, and he is an improving horse who deserves to be there.

Luccia (James Bowen)

She is the most wonderful person to have around the place and her owner has always been keen to run her in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, so here we are! Her form is very good all the way through, anyway, and she receives a 7lbs sex allowance which is a big help. We haven’t seen her since December; therefore, she arrives here a fresh mare and I’m hopeful she can run a nice race.

4:10 G1 Mares’ Hurdle

Marie’s Rock (Nico de Boinville)

She won this is 2022 and while her form has been slightly in and out since, she has still managed to win a Relkeel and valuable Grade 2 Mares’ Hurdle last time, so arrives here in good shape and the drop back in trip, on this course, will not be a problem because she’s not short of pace. Marie’s Rock has been a tremendous servant to all of her enthusiastic owners, and I really hope she can do them proud once more.

Theatre Glory (James Bowen)

She’s a very smart mare in her own right, and we’re putting cheekpieces on, but she does have to pull something out of the fire to be seriously considered win material. That said, she has given her owners plenty of pleasure and is an extremely tough mare so I’m hopeful she can run a solid race and pick up some prize money en route.

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