CHELTENHAM –  FRIDAY

1:15 Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Steal A March (Jack Tudor)

The Queen has only ever owned one winner at Cheltenham and that was Sunshade in April last year so I’m rather hoping that this person can give Her Majesty another victory at Prestbury Park and to be honest Steal A March has a great chance of doing so. He was quite immature last year but has grown into a big strong horse during the summer and he’ll probably be going chasing and stepping up in trip before long but this looks a good starting point and the track will really suit. He’s still unexposed and I’m hopeful there’s improvement in him.

3:35 G2 Ballymore Novices Hurdle

Grand Mogul (Nico de Boinville)

He came to us from Gordon Elliott’s having won his bumper but things didn’t really go to plan afterwards so we put him away and gave him a nice break and he came back to win nicely on his first run back at Chepstow last month. This is however, a completely different ball game but he has the physique and shape to be a very good horse and I’m hopeful he can finally fulfil his potential.

4:05 Novice Handicap Hurdle

Chasamax (Nico de Boinville)

He’s taken rather longer than I anticipated but he’s always looked a very promising prospect and I’ve no doubt he has all the right credentials to step up on what he’s shown so far. I thought he ran well at Ludlow last time and a stiff two miles around Cheltenham will suit.