Let's Talk Racing: Cheltenham handicap picks and more

ANDREW: The handicaps are still extremely tricky to pick apart at this stage, but at least we are beginning to see some shape to some of these markets now.

I am quite keen on Feet Of A Dancer for the Pertemps Final, with the small but tough mare making progressive strides in her career yet again this season. She was impressive at Wexford back in May and subsequently posted two very solid efforts in pattern class races before a third at Christmas in the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown, travelling there with almost too much zest and just getting caught on the run-in. I would assume she might go straight to Cheltenham, and very similar to the stable’s Mrs Milner - who won this race in 2021 - she possesses the natural pace to be able to lie up in a race of this nature and her jumping is often accurate. If they can keep a lid on her in the early stages she should be going very close.

JOSH: If Nicky Henderson happens to be reading this, may I suggest sending Hyland to the Ultima? He’s had five chase starts, all of which he’s completed and with three victories to his name. Add to that his extensive experience over hurdles and his impressive record as a three-time course winner and it’s clear he’s a horse with plenty of ability. Over fences, only The Jukebox Man has managed to defeat him outside of handicap company. I truly believe he would thrive for the challenge on the opening day at the Festival and, with a handicap mark of 147, he looks more than capable of being competitive.

ANDREW: I am not saying that the following will catapult themselves to the top of the betting for their respective races but I think some horses that could easily shorten up after the DRF must be topped by Sainte Lucie. The Triumph Hurdle looks a strong division in the UK with Lulamba and East India Dock setting a strong standard. However, I expect Sainte Lucie to announce herself as the leading Irish hope. 

I would expect to see Kaid D’Authie shorten for the Supreme, as I see him running well in the 2m novice hurdle. Although he might have to go some to beat Kopek Des Bordes, he should be well able to give him a good race. 

And keep your eyes glued to the mares' bumper on the Sunday, as I feel whoever wins might make themselves favourite for the Champion Bumper in March given I fancy the mares' form to be better than the geldings in Ireland at the moment. Future Prospect, Amen Kate and Rock On By should be top of the list of horses to be keeping an eye on. 

JOSH: The real question here is who’s going to come out on top at Cheltenham Trials Day or the Dublin Racing Festival? 

Romeo Coolio would likely be much shorter than 9/2 if he were an intended runner in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle, which leaves Willie Mullins’ two contenders to battle it out. I’m siding against Andrew’s Kaid D'Authie, and taking him on with Kopek Des Bordes. The latter had no right to win at Leopardstown over Christmas given the way he jumped but his engine saw him through. In a year without a standout Mullins banker, I think Kopek Des Bordes could stick to the two-mile route and shorten from 14/1 for the Supreme.

Diva Luna at 14/1 looks generous for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle. If she lines up against Potters Charm at Cheltenham I’m confident she’ll put in a solid performance, but should she skip that engagement I can easily see her winning in mares’ company and arriving on the day at least half her current price.

Finally, Final Demand made a huge impression at Limerick over Christmas and is poised to take his place in the staying novice hurdle at the DRF. I think he’ll win that, and Willie Mullins may well be tempted to send him to the Turners Novices' Hurdle instead of the Albert Bartlett. At 16/1, he could look very big indeed.

ANDREW: He has a lot more questions than answers for me after what I thought was a disappointing run at Windsor last weekend. I was very keen to give him a second chance going into that race, but there were no excuses and I’m not sure whether this horse is massively keen on a battle if I’m being honest. 

He wouldn’t be on my radar for a handicap at this stage and, although he is sure to win plenty of races in his career, he would be off my list at this stage.

JOSH: "Soft in a finish"? I’m starting to think Andrew uses that phrase for any horse that doesn’t stay or gets beaten decisively. Perhaps it's a bit of pocket talk. As Paul Nicholls reluctantly conceded, the horse is good, but he’s no champion. That said, he’s not been beaten far in a Grade Two by a very capable rival, so it's not as if connections need to start from scratch. I’d forget about the money spent on him, dial down on the Grade One expectations and run him as the decent novice he clearly is.

ANDREW: L’Homme Presse has been a horse that has split opinion for quite a while now, with trip and ground being a general discussion point for plenty. He ran quite well over three miles in the King George at Kempton - a race and a track or race that has not suited in the past - and I don’t feel there was anything to suggest that was different this time around. 

He looks like the perfect type of horse for the Ryanair, but connections haven’t even given themselves that option this year with the Gold Cup his only Festival entry. With that in mind, he really needs to be winning the Cotswold Chase this weekend to vindicate that decision. It looks like Gentlemansgame is the main challenger to him looking at those entries, but given his course form I would be disappointed should L'Homme Presse not get the job done. 

JOSH: Many seem to overlook the fact that l'Homme Presse was still in the picture with Galopin Des Champs two out in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup – you’ve got to be a serious horse to do that. His return in the King George was full of promise, and Cheltenham will suit him much better this weekend, where I’d expect him to win. If all goes well, I’d say take your chance in the Gold Cup, skip Aintree, and focus on getting him ready for the Betfair Chase. He looks every bit the rightful heir to Royale Pagaille.

NOLAN / MCKIERNAN / CONNELL HORSE TO BACK: A year in the making. The Goffs Thyestes Chase has been the long-term plan for the likeable and progressive Bushmans Pass, who sneaks in at the bottom of the weights for the Gowran feature. McKiernan’s horses have been operating above themselves this season, and although this is the horse's first run back he has been primed for this all season. I would be very hopeful that he can outrun his current 14/1 price, and perhaps land the big race for the underdogs. 

NEWCOMER TO FOLLOW: Sending a Derby winner hurdling has always been one of the fantasies I’ve entertained when imagining what I'd do if I won £100 million on the lottery. While we're talking about a German Derby, Palladium is an extremely exciting addition to the juvenile hurdling division. It should be fascinating to see him take on the older horses at Huntingdon and I’m looking forward to seeing him on Thursday.