I have two rides on the opening day but I will also give you my brief thoughts on the other contests.
1.30pm Supreme
Although Facile Vega disappointed last time, there were excuses for him and his earlier Leopardstown win is the best form on offer here.
Unibet are offering MONEY BACK AS CASH if 2nd or 3rd on this race (from 17:30pm Monday) and are paying an EXTRA PLACE too!
2.10pm Arkle
Jonbon for me. He has at least three serious rivals but he has everything you look for in an Arkle winner.
Unibet are BOOSTING the favourite in this race (from Noon).
2.50pm Ultima
Oscar Elite beat me in the Reynoldstown and I think he has another big run in him, having finished third in this race last season.
Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES in this race!
3.30pm Unibet Champion Hurdle
Constitution Hill
Whenever we discuss our high-profile horses on here, I often find there is actually very little to say about them as everyone knows as much as me! You can take it as read that we have been delighted with him in the build-up to the race or else we wouldn’t be here – and you have probably seen the videos of him on social media working and schooling yourself – and of course he goes into the race as the one to beat after his spellbinding win in the Supreme here last year and his Newcastle and Kempton wins this season. He just has an amazing temperament and, allied to his undoubted ability, that is a powerful combination. But let’s not forget this is the biggest test he has faced, and he has to go out and pass it against State Man and the rest, and history is littered with odds-on defeats on the biggest stage. Do I think he will win? Yes. Can he get beaten? Yes. This is horse racing, nothing is a given, and the hurdles are there to be jumped. People have mentioned that his low, fast, jumping style could actually be a weakness as there is no margin for error – Buveur D’Air fell in this race in 2019 – but I’d rather be sitting on a horse who hurdles like him rather than a more careful sort. Famous last words!
Unibet are TOP INDUSTRY PRICE EVERY RUNNER in the Champion Hurdle!
4.10pm Mares’ Hurdle
Marie’s Rock
There was obviously a lot of debate over whether she would come here, or the Stayers’ Hurdle, but with the current ground description and an unsettled forecast, I think we all agreed this was the right path to tread. She is unproven over 3m after all, without factoring in testing ground. With the likes of Honeysuckle and Epatante in the line-up, to name but two, this is clearly a race with incredible depth this year but she won it well last season and her form this season has reached a new level. That Relkeel win on her reappearance, a race we thought she would need, was hugely encouraging. She won’t relinquish her crown lightly. This is one red-hot race then and we did have the option of the Coral Cup for Theatre Glory, but everyone was keen to given her the chance to shine in the top grade after what she did at Warwick. She really was hugely impressive there, beating some good mares with dismissive ease, and I think she deserved a shot at the big guns in the division. She has won around here and, although better ground probably would have been ideal, she handles soft ground well if required and she could just surprise a few of the higher-rated horses.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race
4.50pm Boodles Handicap
The buzz horse of this race in recent weeks has been Ben’s French recruit Bad, and this is a horse who I have worked and schooled at home. He wouldn’t be the biggest but he certainly shapes as though he’d have his chance off a mark of 126. It’s obviously a hugely competitive handicap, though.
Unibet are paying EXTRA PLACES in this race
5.30pm National Hunt Chase
I better stay loyal to the stable and give Mister Coffey a good shout. But I genuinely do think this test will suit him.
Unibet are BOOSTING the favourite in this race (from Noon).
