FROM those who walked the course yesterday, it was described as soft ground that horses would get through at this stage, although with the heavy rain forecast this could be quite testing by the time racing starts.
This is a cracking renewal of the Unibet Champion Hurdle and outside of the Altior delivering a star performance in the Champion Chase, this is clearly the most fascinating Grade 1 race of The Festival, with the marvellous and still underrated twice Champion Hurdler Buveur D’Air going for a remarkable three-timer, whilst Apple’s Jade put herself right in the picture over this trip with a devising performance at Leopardstown over the minimum trip last time out.
With the weather forecast we mustn’t exclude Laurina for the Willie Mullins team, as the more rain that falls, the more her chances will increase. Fascinating!
Angels Breath
O O Seven
Brain Power
Lough Derg SpiritFour rides for @NdeBoinville including one in the @Unibet Champion Hurdle
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— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) March 10, 2019
1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle 2m
Al Dancer (nap) surprisingly may not go off favourite in a contest where he has the best form with four wins from four starts this season, which includes an impressive success at Ascot last time out.
He has started favourite in all his four starts, has won at Cheltenham in December, shown he can handle soft going and his jockey Sam Twiston-Davies has been very confident about his chances.
Brandon Castle is an interesting outsider for the inform Neil King yard, with regular pilot Bryony Frost in the plate. Strictly on what he’s done over hurdles he’s a lot to find, but he can do no more than win 3-3 and it should not be forgotten he’s a 100-rated Flat horse that revels in soft/heavy ground. I can see him lasting out on the front end a lot longer than his odds would imply.
2.10 Arkle Chase 2m
Sadly the soft ground has probably gone against Lalor and Hardline, who will love the ground can strike for the Irish and the Gordon Elliott yard.
Hardline has that extra bit of stamina needed to win an Arkle and acts well on soft ground. Beaten 6l by La Bague Au Roi last time, giving her 7lb, and to my eyes that’s just about the best bit of form here with two graded success. Expect to see him late on the scene.
So here you have it; the first of many @UnibetRacing blogs this week as we embark on what the whole season is all geared towards! #CheltenhamFestival2019 #ad https://t.co/NsT3OLiUd4
— Nicky Henderson (@sevenbarrows) March 11, 2019
3.30 Cheltenham Unibet Champion Hurdle 2m
Buveur D’Air can win a third Unibet Champion Hurdle for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, although there is no doubt that this is his tougher assignment to date with the mares Apple’s Jade and Laurina posing a tremendous threat.
Buveur D’Air is a tremendous traveller and jumper as well as being able to handle ground conditions. He success at Sandown last time out will have put him right back on song.
4.10 Mares’ Hurdle 2m 4f
Roksana has stamina in abundance, which is a good thing as by now the ground will be very soft indeed, and ran a very eye-catching third to Buveur D’Air over a trip too short at Sandown (needed the run too). Excellent second to Santini at Aintree last year too and that is strong form.
Given Benie Des Dieux is the winner here, Roksana is an excellent each way bet.
5.30 National Hunt Chase 3m 7½
OK Corral can struck for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, following up on his smart Warwick success on Classic Chase day in January. He was really eye-catching on that occasion and looks the type that is open to further improvement. He has course form on his CV with his second to Kilbricken Storm in the Albert Bartlett last year.
Impulsive Star was fourth in this race last year in the soft to Rathvinden and has a very good chance of being placed once again with Sam Wahey-Cohen once again in the plate.
Impulsive Star won Warwick’s Classic Chase in good style in January, having finished runner-up to OK Corral on his penultimate start.
