NEW YEAR’S DAY – CHELTENHAM

12:15 Listed Novices’ Hurdle

Welsh Saint (Nico de Boinville)

We tinkered with his wind over the summer and it has really helped as he came back with a great effort at Exeter, when he would have needed it, and then won at Warwick last time in a race that really fell apart and he was pretty much left as last man standing. This is a big step up but he’s improving and will have no problem with the ground.

Grand Mogul (Jerry McGrath)

He came to us from Gordon Elliott’s and was running a nice race at Newbury last time but seemed to lose his action turning into the straight so Nico looked after him and pulled him up, which was the right thing to do. He’s absolutely fine and I’ve been very happy with his work and schooling ever since. A stiff track like this could suit and I’m hopeful he can put his debut run behind him and we can move forward.

1:25 G2 Dipper Novices’ Chase

Champ (Barry Geraghty)

We looked at the Kauto Star (Feltham) on Boxing Day but this race just gave us another week after Newbury so the plan had been to come here for a while and it will also give him valuable experience over fences at the course. Whether we go down the RSA route or JLT (of which I see he’s favourite with Unibet for both races) will be a lot clearer after this but I’m extremely happy with him and see no reason why he shouldn’t put up a very bold show.

2:00 G3 Handicap Chase

Ok Corral (Barry Geraghty)

He lost a front shoe in the Ladbrokes Trophy which wouldn’t have done him any favours although I’m not convinced it stopped him winning. We’re going back down to two and a half miles which he’s won over before and the likely good gallop here will suit. The handicapper has dropped him a couple of pounds and he’s extremely lightly raced for a ten year old. He’ll have no issue with the ground and I think he has a great chance.

2:35 Handicap Hurdle

Might Bite (Nico de Boinville)

He hasn’t raced over hurdles for yonks but we all saw what happened at Aintree when he got rid of Nico then decided to carry on enjoying himself and showing off to the crowd! But he’s a few pounds lower over hurdles and the return to the smaller obstacles will help his confidence. Things haven’t gone his way for quite a while and we’ll be doing well to return to the days of winning King Georges and RSAs but the raw ability is still there and hopefully he can take advantage of running in a handicap hurdle for the first time since April 2016!

Beware The Bear (Jerry McGrath)

He ran his usual race in the Ladbrokes Trophy last time when staying in to finish fourth (again!) and we’ll probably end up at Aintree but this looks a good opportunity to get him out and hopefully he’ll go out there and enjoy himself. Jerry gets on very well with him and they know each other inside out. He’s in great form at home but don’t expect to see him doing anything too quickly early on.

3:10 G2 Relkeel Hurdle

Janika (James Bowen)

He’s been chasing but Anthony (Bromley) suggested this race could be worth a shot and as he was right with Call Me Lord in the Unibet International and indeed this horse in the Haldon Gold Cup, who am I to argue! We could have run in the Handicap Chase but this race has cut up nicely and he certainly isn’t there just for the day out.

William Henry (Nico de Boinville)

He won the Coral Cup over course and distance in March and then put up a very good effort over three miles at Aintree after that but this trip is probably his optimum and the ground should be ideal. He’ll probably come on for the run but is as fit as I can get him (without a run) and is a very solid person who has every chance here.

3:50 Bumper

Grand Roi (Nico de Boinville)

We had him entered over hurdles earlier in the season but thought we’d stick to bumpers while we can and I have to admit I thought he put up a very good performance at Sandown last month. This looks a very competitive bumper but Daphne Du Clos came very close to winning it a few years back so we need to rectify the situation. There are lots of unknown quantities here but I’m happy with our horse and he should put up a decent show.