Daryl Jacob: The inside track on my Cheltenham Festival hopes

Daryl Jacob has been enjoying a successful season for his retainers Simon Munir and Isaac Souede who are set to have some strong chances at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

El Fabiolo, who is vying for favouritism with Jonbon, looks to be their leading hope of Festival glory in the Sporting Life Arkle on the opening day, and while it remains to be seen who will wear the famous double green silks in that race, Jacob is confident there is a lot more to come from the impressive Goffs Irish Arkle winner.

With El Fabiolo and Blue Lord both trained by Willie Mullins, Paul Townend could ride that pair at the Cheltenham Festival, but jockey arrangements will be decided closer to the time.

Jacob joined Nick Luck on Racing TV's weekly breakfast show, Luck On Sunday, to discuss the leading owners' key contenders over the four days (watch above) and provided the lowdown on their chances.

Race:Sporting Life Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase.

To be honest with you, Paul [Townend] could have chosen any of them [Willie Mullins' runners in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown]. Like I said before the race, it was pretty much going to be the horse that jumped the slickest and got into the best jumping rhythm that was going to come out on top.

I just got my lad into a lovely rhythm. Dysart Dynamo went out in front but I always felt that I could control the race from where I was sat and I always felt, from where I was in the race, very happy.

Bar the mistake I made, and not the horse, at three out or four out, wherever it was, I thought he was very, very good.

El Fabiolo is relatively unexposed. I think that was only his seventh run of his life - Jonbon has had a lot more runs and is a lot more streetwise.

When they met at Aintree, it was only El Fabiolo’s second run over hurdles whereas Jonbon had the whole season, so I think there is a lot of scope for our horse to improve, and I think he has done - he’s done immensely well from last year to this.

I think he’s going to get better. He’s a big, strong, powerful horse and I think he’s going to be a really exciting horse for Willie Mullins and double green.

It’s just great to be part of it. We don’t know what the riding arrangements will be but it’s great to be part of it and I’m enjoying the ride.

Race:Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase or Ryanair Chase.

I knew halfway down the back straight [at Leopardstown] that Blue Lord wasn’t travelling in the same way as when I rode him the previous time.

That previous run he was always in his comfort zone but the other day when Paul rode him, I just think the horse was a little bit flat.

You’ve got the master in Willie and you can guarantee your bottom dollar that when it comes to Cheltenham, he’ll be A1 and one hundred per cent ready to go to war.

He’s got pace and I just think he’s a very good horse so whatever angle we go down [trip wise], I think he’s going to be very competitive.

As you know, things change. Willie’s main horse [Allaho] got injured so that door is open, but then you have got Shishkin – he was good and I thought Nico [De Boinville] was beautiful on him [at Ascot]. I was chuffed to bits for Nicky [Henderson] and Nico that day.

Race:Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase.

She’s taken a lot of time to get her jumping together. She’s never been the most straightforward; she can land on one or gallop through one as a novice but Nigel [Twiston Davies] and his team have done a lot of work, and this year is the best that she’s ever felt. She feels really, really good.

When I won on her at Doncaster she was brilliant. I think she can be a lot more competitive in the Mares’ Chase than last year, although she finished fourth and wasn’t beaten far, but I think she can hopefully have a good chance and be there or thereabouts.

She’s as game as a pebble, she tries very hard and that’s her forte. She’s got a big heart. She’s got the head down and the ears back, she’s so eager to please.

He’s a really nice horse. Funnily enough, we go back quite a while because a few years before we were thinking about jumping I rode him up the gallops as a two-year-old, and I thought ‘this could be a really nice jumper.'

I said it to them at the time, but they were hoping he was going to be a really nice Flat horse.

He’s got a lot of power, he’s a good jumper, and he’s got a lovely way about going, he’s got a nice bit of speed.

I was starting to get a head of steam and going down to the last I thought I had Jamie [Moore] beaten.

He’s not in the Triumph Hurdle and he’s still got the Boodles entry, but I think there are bigger and better targets later in the year, to be honest with you.

I’ve always liked him, he’s always had a great attitude and I think Joseph [O’Brien] has done very well with him but, I think coming over yesterday, going back and coming back again for Cheltenham might be a step too far.

There are loads more spring targets, lots of Festivals, he likes good ground and he prefers going right-handed – he can go left but I think he would prefer going right-handed.

There are other targets and I wouldn’t be too disappointed if he didn’t go to Cheltenham, put it that way.