Cheltenham

12:10

Firestep

This is another horse that people asked about in our Unibet Q & A before Christmas, and I said he was working away and would be seen in the New Year. And here we are on January 1! He had an issue after winning bumpers at Southwell and Chepstow, so you haven’t seen him for a long time, and his is going to tell us a lot more. But we always thought he was a very good horse and hopefully our patience will be rewarded. He has also had a wind op. This looks a very decent race, though.

13:55

Fantastic Lady

Given what Zambella has done since we beat her at Market Rasen in November, then I am sure many people will think she is well treated off 142, and hopefully they are right.  That win came over 3m but she should be fine over this shorter trip and she clearly has a good chance if handling the hurly-burly of a big-field handicap.

14:30

Marie’s Rock

This looks a very competitive race and we hold two strong hands in here with First Street and Marie’s Rock. I ride the latter, who we haven’t seen since winning at Punchestown in April, and hopefully she will run well with a view to defending her mares’ hurdle crown here in March. She has been going nicely at home and she clearly has a major form chance, even with her penalty, but she is meeting race-fit rivals and that does play on my mind a touch. Her progress last season was something else though, and hopefully there is more to come.