1.30pm Cheltenham

Jeriko Du Reponet

There is clearly no stand-out in here after Ballyburn went to the Gallagher – someone told me the other day there is now no Grade 1 winner in the race – so the door is open for a horse to make a big leap forward. And hopefully that horse is Jeriko Du Reponet. Of course, he still has a good bit to find with the best of the Irish but we have always thought he was a very nice prospect and I think the Doncaster win last time, when he had to get down and battle, may just have made a man of him after a couple of easy wins at Newbury. A better race and a strong gallop may just suit him, and the soft ground could be a big help too. He will probably stay further down the line, so any greater emphasis is probably welcomed. 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.  

2.50pm Cheltenham

Excello

He clearly didn’t run up to his best in the Paddy Power last time but at least he got dropped 2lb for it and we know he is a much better horse than he showed there. He was very good for me at Ascot previously, and he is certainly relatively unexposed over fences and the soft ground will suit. The 3m1f trip is an unknown but we obviously think it is well worth trying.

3:30 G1 Unibet Champion Hurdle

Iberico Lord

It is obviously a bold call to come here but, take out State Man, and second spot looks attainable. And, you never know, State Man may have an off-day or meet some trouble. It happens in racing, and sometimes to the best, as we all know. We think soft ground is important to him, so the recent rain is an obvious plus, and we know he is on a big upward curve after wins here in the Unibet Greatwood and then at Newbury. Of course, this is another league altogether but we don’t think we have seen the best of him yet.  A place would be great, but we can dream, too!

4.10pm Cheltenham

Marie’s Rock

I’d ignore her disappointing run in this race last season, as they went no pace, and a stop-start gallop, and that didn’t suit her at all. She obviously won this race in 2022 and was very impressive in the Relkeel last season and hopefully she signalled she was on the way back to that level of form when winning at Doncaster last time. Lossiemouth is obviously the one to beat but stamina is an unknown for her, and that is another reason why I want to see a solid end-to-end gallop.

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