In this section of her latest column, Lydia Hislop focuses upon the novices and weighs up some of the drama of the Dublin Racing Festival.
NOVICE HURDLERS
Sir Gerhard emerges favourably in a course-and-distance time comparison with the unbeaten triple Irish Champion Hurdler Honeysuckle in the succeeding Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle – but he’s still going to have to improve his jumping if taking on the likes of Constitution Hill and Jonbon – and, yes, stablemates Dysart Dynamo and Kilcruit – in the Sky Bet Supreme.
And – as ever – what trainer Willie Mullins concludes about how his Cheltenham squad is best distributed at the Festival might be completely different from our interpretation.
“I was disappointed in how he jumped down the back [straight] – he galloped through two or three hurdles. I was giving out before the race that the second last was taken out but halfway down the back I thought, maybe it’s a good thing!” Mullins confessed immediately after Sir Gerhard’s success. “But he galloped all the way to the line which was fantastic.
“He hung off the bend here past the stands and then was all over the place going to the hurdle away from the stands. So, was he just idling in front? I don’t know. Was something annoying him? We’ll find out when Paul comes back in. And then he got very keen around the top bend and when he got keen, he didn’t jump well. But he was so efficient here at Christmas – he jumped like a handicapper, so I was disappointed with his jumping.”
Willie Mullins talks to Nick Luck after Sir Gerhard's success
It appears Team Closutton has since concluded that Sir Gerhard’s jumping regressed from his debut because he was asked to make his own running – presumably forgetting he adopted the exact same tactics then. Whatever, they’ll be looking for a race in which he can get a strong-paced lead, and that reasoning directs you towards the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and not the Ballymore over five furlongs further.
That’s fair enough but I still think I’d have my heart in my mouth if I’d backed Sir Gerhard because that’s how it felt watching him live at Leopardstown. Having watched him string his field out with his classy pace, I expected him to fluff the last – which he did, but helpfully the staying-on Three Stripe Life did too. Then the winner pulled out even more – coming home about 0.6 seconds faster than (a probably idling) Honeysuckle from halfway according to my hand-times.
Bear in mind that the runners in this race also covered more ground than the Irish Champion Hurdle because they had to bypass the second-last flight due to the low sun. Theirs was the only race affected in this way, with that obstacle having been entirely removed by the time the succeeding two-mile handicap hurdle – won by Call Me Lyreen – was conducted at a strong pace.
The jumping wasn't great... but what an engine! Sir Gerhard wins at Leopardstown
The linearists will point out that Sir Gerhard beat Colonel Mustard more than four times farther than did Jonbon at Ascot last December, but this was a soundly run race and that a crawl so it’s apples and pears. What it does mean is that the Supreme is only getting stronger and deeper, so surely at least one of those leading novices is going to bail out – chick-chick-chicken – and head for the seemingly shallower waters of the Ballymore.
From the sound of things, it won’t be Sir Gerhard. “I think he can do either,” Mullins said. “We’ll see what’s in either race and then make our minds up.” Therefore, the calculation from his perspective is: which of the two can Dysart Dynamo win if the other is, in his mind, already in the bag? Answer: whichever race they think their impressive Punchestown winner will settle in best.
By the way, impressive Tramore winner El Fabiolo was withdrawn pre-race by the IHRB vets who examined the minor cut he’d sustained in transit. He’s now in the same boat as Haut En Couleurs but for different reasons and will be given his papers for whichever event Mullins believes he needs reinforcements.
Mind your Minellas: the Cocooner beat the Crooner at the Dublin Racing Festival last Saturday but might it be a different story if they both pitch up, as seems likely, for the Albert Bartlett? Interestingly, the runner-up is now shorter than the winner in many ante-post markets – three points shorter at 5/1 if you go by Coral – but closer together with NRNB firms.
Danny Mullins delivered a well-judged ride from the front, controlling a stop-start pace, on Minella Cocooner in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle – worth a bonus E50,000 to the stable staff if the winner follows up in any race at Cheltenham. He was aided and abetted by his mount’s excellent jumping, which took lengths out of Eric Bloodaxe and half-lengths out of Hollow Games.
Here's what the winning jockey made of Minella Cocooner's victory
Mullins had opted to put first-time cheekpieces on Minella Cocooner – a horse whom he’d suggested might need more time when winning over 2m4f at Navan in December. “He’s a horse I’m looking forward to over fences,” he said then. “I don’t think he’s [yet] matured anything like he will mature. He’s just taking a long time... Another year under his belt, he’ll be fine.”
With just five lifetime starts to his name, history suggests he’ll need to be Bobs Worth-smart to win the Potato Race, but he is likeable and progressive. There are some footnotes to bear in mind about his comportment last Saturday: he required two paddock-handlers, sweated on his neck to post and raced (in the wind) with his tail held high. These were obviously no debar to a top-drawer performance and his propulsive hurdling technique is an asset.
“The way he gets so fast from A to B over hurdles, that gives you a lot of options. In races over a shorter distance, they’ll go a bit quicker and he’ll even settle better, so that will leave a little bit more petrol in the tank you’d hope at the business end. But staying is no issue to him as well,” Danny Mullins said immediately after the race.
The trainer was more definitive. “I was thinking we’d be going out in trip,” he said. “[It was] 2m6f there... He can do either but he’s a Point-to-Pointer – he’s bred to stay... I don’t think there’s any point in trying to beat the speed horses. It might not be his forte.”
After being held up farther off the pace than his third-placed stablemate Hollow Games, Minella Crooner came home the quickest of the three principals from three out. By contrast to the Cocooner, he is a relaxed individual – perhaps even a shade too laidback, as that partly caused him to get out of his ground.
All the way for Minella Cocooner, but Minella Crooner takes the eye in the finish
His jumping was inferior to that of the winner. Having been nudged into the bridle after a hesitant leap past the stands first time, he made a more significant error at the penultimate flight – having just moved up to pretty much the heels of the leader, it knocked him back to second last. Having rallied strongly, he then came up well but still slightly reached for the last before narrowing his margin of defeat to just under three lengths.
Stepping back up to three miles for the Albert Bartlett is clearly going to suit him and it will be interesting to see whether Gordon Elliott reaches for cheekpieces at the Festival, just to sharpen him up over the flights and hold his position better, or whether the extra trip will be deemed enough to make a difference. How his medium-term future is currently appraised at the yard will also be a factor, but his best half-brother Adrrastos (admittedly not such a stayer) produced a career-best with first-time cheekpieces.
Back in third, stable companion Hollow Games was slightly disappointing – not only for the Elliott team, who at least had a deputy emerging in the same race, but also for this column’s ante-post position. It surely means I’ll have to find a second, hopefully better vessel for the Potato Race nearer the time.
In contrast to last time, Davy Russell settled Hollow Games on the outside of the pack to allow him to use his stride but was twice inconvenienced by Eric Bloodaxe’s ragged jumping. Moving up to press the leader two out, he jumped it well but found that Minella Cocooner could again readily draw away from him on landing. Although he stuck on as though three miles would help, perhaps inclined to hang left, Minella Crooner still went past him.
In fourth, Freedom To Dream turned around his Limerick form with Eric Bloodaxe but looks in need of an ease in grade.
The Mullins-trained Bronn, who was on his toes beforehand, ran better than his distant fifth suggests, shaping like a non-stayer on this six-furlong step up in trip and not persisted with once this was apparent. Interestingly, Townend opted for him ahead of the winner, having originally been intended for stablemate Whatdeawant, who missed the race through lameness.
Grand Jury – who’d looked immature when splitting Albert Bartlett favourite Ginto and Hollow Games in the Lawlor’s Of Naas, hanging in behind the winner and finding less than seemed likely – needed his two handlers in the paddock and got warm to post. Rachael Blackmore settled him in last but he couldn’t get involved when asked approaching two out.
Journey With Me – remarkably favourite for the Albert Bartlett in William Hill’s NRNB market (but about third-in with other bookmakers) and widely second favourite for the Ballymore – ducked the Dublin Racing Festival in favour of what should be a penalty kick in this Saturday’s EBF auction hurdle at Naas.
Jumping a shade haphazardly, he beat Minella Crooner by three-and-a-half lengths on his hurdling debut over 2m4f at Leopardstown over Christmas, with the since-revivified Kilcruit back in third. Trainer Henry de Bromhead regards him as a thorough stayer, but he’d need to have the talent of distinguished stablemate Minella Indo to win the Potato Race after just four lifetime starts.
Up at Musselburgh that same day, Bardenstown Lad beat fellow Irish raider Where It All Began by 11 lengths with the sole British representative, the regressive Lyrical Genius, tailed off in last. Winning trainer John McConnell is doing a nice line in staying novices lately, with Make Good and Streets Of Doyen last season and improving Mahler Mission, recent winner of the River Don, this.
John McConnell talks to Racing TV about Bardenstown Lad's performance
Here, the three-strong field pottered around until the two Irish horses injected some pace on the final circuit. Bardenstown Lad looked fleetingly in trouble three out, but his stamina soon kicked in and he narrowly headed Where It All Began at the next prior to drawing clear from the last, despite getting in tight and being far from tidy.
With eight starts under various disciplines to his CV, Bardenstown Lad has the requisite experience for the Albert Bartlett and should improve further for both a greater test of stamina and a more galloping track. Blessed with a good attitude to boot, he could outperform likely expectations at Cheltenham. Where It All Began, a half-brother to NH Chase winner Rathvinden, looks more likely to uphold the family name with more time and over fences.
Back at Leopardstown on Sunday, Elliott sent out the mare Party Central to win the opening two-mile mares’ handicap hurdle. It was a smooth success, even though the winning margin was less than two lengths, and she would be well worth her place in the Grade Two Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival. Her trainer suggested she’d have another start beforehand, so she’ll be long-suited in experience by March which should be an asset.
NOVICE CHASERS
I’m now utterly convinced that
Galopin Des Champs should take on
Bob Olinger in the Turners rather than the more efficient-jumping
Bravemansgame in the Brown Advisory. Yet the Mullins camp has a policy of targeting the weaker race and, based on last year’s Ballymore result, they might decide that means the three-miler and not the shorter trip.
Of course, the complicating factor here is that Bravemansgame might run pants at Newbury this Saturday, even in handicap company, in line with the recent form of the majority in Paul Nicholls’ yard since the turn of the year. If that turns out to be the case, combined with the announcement from Lucinda Russell that Ahoy Senor might not run at Cheltenham at all this season, then the Brown Advisory will look like the lower-hanging fruit.
There is, of course, a rival who could yet prove more potent than the safety-first jumper Bob Olinger in the Turners and that’s L’Homme Pressé, who brought jockey Charlie Deutsch his first Grade One success in the Scilly Isles at Sandown last Saturday. So, he’s another factor to take into account.
Yet taken in isolation, the Turners is the better fit for Galopin Des Champs because he gains ground at his fences like a quick horse and he has a tendency to adjust right, so the galloping New Course – host to the 2m4f event – will suit him more ideally than the tightly left-turning Old Course where the Brown Advisory is staged.
Where next for Galopin des Champs after this impressive win? Lydia is in no doubt!
The manner of his victory in last Sunday’s Ladbrokes Novice Chase was hugely impressive on the clock, even if a couple of his perceived key rivals checked out before halfway – stable companion Capodanno when making a mistake at the fifth, unseating Mark Walsh, and Drinmore winner Beacon Edge brushing through the top of the next and falling.
Nonetheless, the headlong fractions set by early leader French Dynamite – until his jumping started to become slightly ragged at halfway, causing him to be headed five out and then weaken quickly two fences later – and then maintained by Galopin Des Champs compared favourably to other races on the card. This was not only when contrasted with the later strongly run course-and-distance handicap chase won by Birchdale, who carried more than two stone less, but also against Chacun Pour Soi’s remarkably similar closing splits in the Dublin Chase.
It is an unknown – indeed, it might perhaps even be considered unlikely – that Galopin Des Champs could sustain such natural pace over more than three undulating furlongs further at Cheltenham compared with Leopardstown.
On the day, I was mildly concerned about some of his jumps – as was trainer Willie Mullins – but on reflection, I was inclined to put this down to both the helter-skelter pace and the strength of the wind (as there appeared to me to be a point where he was clearly buffeted about). More of an issue for the Brown Advisory was the way he adjusted right at the sixth and eighth in particular. More of an asset for the Turners was how far he stood off three out.
“I think Paul didn’t want to be bold with him and they weren’t a unit at times,” Mullins reflected when interviewed by Nick Luck for Racing TV. “But they were going so fast – a lot of the jockeys said it was one of the fastest chases they ever rode in.
“I think Paul will have a lot more confidence in him now and they’ll go back to what they were doing at Christmas. It was a much slower pace then but I think, after what he did today, they’ll be better again the next day.”
"A proper feel again". Paul Townend gave a brief assessment of his own to Racing TV.
This suggests Mullins might be inclined towards the Brown Advisory but I can’t see how Townend reining this horse back, nullifying one of his key assets, is a good plan. I’d far rather take on the hesitant jumping of Bob Olinger over 2m4f with a horse designed to fly fences at that trip than try to mimic the naturally efficient technique of Bravemansgame, which is tailormade for the Brown Advisory.
It would have been frustrating for Mullins not to have learned anything much about Capodanno, except that his jumping requires improvement. It wasn’t just the fence at which he decanted Walsh – he screwed the first, too. Again, perhaps the wind was partly to blame. I suspect they’ll end up plumping for the Brown Advisory with him. It would be a race against time to qualify him for the NH Chase and the yard already boasts a clutch of candidates for that – chiefly, Stattler.
The other two stablemates were Gaillard Du Mesnil, who made a mistake at the fourth and appeared to find the pace too spicy until staying on belatedly for third (albeit fluffing the last) for a best-yet effort over fences, and Fighter Allen, who was outclassed. Depending on the final field, the former is not be a forlorn each-way hope for the Brown Advisory – albeit, provided he’s right, you’d side with Bravemansgame’s economic jumping to turn around the form of their Ballymore encounter.
Master McShee performed admirably for Paddy Corkery in second – looking unable to deal with the tempo with a slow jump at the second, where he lost his position, prior to rallying to chase the leader from three out and briefly looking mildly threatening on the home turn before being shrugged off again. Afterwards, the rightly proud trainer said he had no intention of leaving Ireland with the horse this season but might reframe his campaign next term.
It can hardly have been surprising that Beacon Edge couldn’t withstand this tempo, given he’d struggled to hold his position early at Fairyhouse last November before coming home strongly. Noel Meade had applied first-time cheekpieces to sharpen him up, but they couldn’t keep him on his feet. I’d also expect him to step back up to three miles – a trip over which he was not proven over hurdles but shapes as if he needs over fences.
Fellow Gigginstown soldier Fury Road, wearing cheekpieces for the second time after their transformative effect in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase over Christmas, also couldn’t keep his jumping together at this gallop. Finally, a jolting blunder when reaching for the fourth-last fence put paid to his chances of any minor honours. Yet another for whom a return to three miles beckons.
All of which supplementary evidence again adds up to Galopin Des Champs being better suited to the Turners, for which he is now best-priced 11/4 on ante-post terms with Betfair Sportsbook or 11/10 NRNB with BetVictor or Boylesports. He’s 11/8 ante-post with Betfair for the Brown Advisory or Evens NRNB with Paddy Power. I’ve just backed him at 8/1 for the 2023 Ryanair. He wins it.
Meanwhile at Sandown, L’Homme Pressé again jumped well albeit with his proven habit of going out to his left. It was not as marked as at Ascot, unsurprisingly, but enough to suggest that returning to a course like Cheltenham would suit better. He didn’t have to improve to beat Mister Coffey by 21 lengths, with the still error-prone Pic D’Orhy – who somehow lined up on a mark 1lb superior to the winner on official ratings – a further six lengths back in third.
Whether Nicholls-trained Pic D’Orhy was beaten so far due to trying to match leaps with the winner, or as a result of a serious error at the second of the Railway Fences on the final circuit, or because of the dire form of his yard causing him to finish tired – or a combination of all three – it’s hard to say, but he was well below his best. Despite jumping persistently left and even demolishing the open ditch in front of the stands on the first circuit, Mister Coffey even caught him.
L’Homme Pressé himself was unperturbed by being taken on at his fences, whether by Pic D’Orhy or the loose Gladiateur Allen – the latter pestered him from his unseat at the seventh until running out before the Pond Fence three from home.
I’m not sure I’d want to watch the replay of this race back-to-back with Galopin Des Champ’s latest success if I were Henry de Bromhead. If I had to step one of that pair up in trip, it would be the Sandown winner. He has a Brown Advisory entry, too, by the way but he gallops with more control, jumps more economically and finishes off his races strongly. But trainer Venetia Williams was not thinking that way as she resigned herself to targeting Cheltenham.
“You’d only change a successful distance if you’ve got particular reason to do so,” she said. “I can’t see us wanting to alter that because obviously he won’t race again between now and then.”
Up at Warwick on the same day, Kauto Star runner-up Ahoy Senor made a winning return to action in the Grade Two Towton Novices’ Chase. After flirting with running him against more experienced horses in the Cotswold Chase at the end of last month, Lucinda Russell fixed on this confidence-boosting Wetherby event.
Leading from flag-fall, he again jumped right persistently in the hands of jockey Derek Fox – even ending up in the middle to outside of this galloping track replete with easy, sweeping bends. However, he was hassled at times by Ashtown Lad and still outjumped him – plus he kept a much straighter course when upping the tempo to draw away by more than five comfortable lengths in the straight. His most fluent leaps came three out and at the last; his worst error was a peck on landing when getting in too close to the penultimate fence.
Ultimately,
Noble Yeats came through for second after a patient ride and shaped well for whatever target trainer Emmet Mullins has in mind – perhaps with the application of headgear following the publication of the
Grand National weights?
Of the winner, Russell reflected in the Racing Post: “Derek gave him a lovely ride round at the weekend and I think it was educational as well as a very good race for him.” She then issued a warning about Cheltenham – a change in position from her immediate post-race instinct at Wetherby to nominate the Brown Advisory.
“We want to see how he gets on this week, and make more of a decision about his future targets then,” she added. “He’s a novice still and our big aim is the 2023 Gold Cup, so it’s all about how we get him there.”
The evidence of Wetherby to my mind confirms that he’d hate the Old Course at Cheltenham, making the Brown Advisory simply unsuitable. It’s interesting that he’s been left in the Boodles Gold Cup at this week’s forfeit stage because that, at least, is staged on the more galloping New Course. However, Ahoy Senor looks too raw for such a stern interrogation on what would be merely his fifth chase start.
Ahoy Senor makes every yard - but jumps out to the right - on his way to victory
Given he won the Sefton Hurdle at Aintree last term, you can understand why Russell is considering the Mildmay Novices’ Chase instead. Personally, April’s Champion Novice Chase at right-handed Punchestown would be top of my list. Unfortunately for these purposes, however, those two races are barely more than a fortnight apart this season. As a powerful galloper and thorough stayer, Ahoy Senor remains a feasible 2023 Gold Cup prospect in my mind.
Meanwhile up at Musselburgh on Saturday, the application of first-time cheekpieces helped to sharpen up Kiltealy Briggs’ jumping in the Frodon Chase and his rider Adrian Heskin’s aggressive tactics meant that favourite Pay The Piper was always under pressure at his obstacles. This and some low, slightly chancy jumps from the latter – a smaller model than the winner – added up to the difference of half a length.
Kiltealy Briggs was last seen when finishing more than 17 lengths behind Bravemansgame in the Kauto Star. Having been raised 4lb to a rating of 141 for this success, trainer Jamie Snowden is reportedly heading towards the Ultima at the Festival – suggesting sights remain higher for Threeunderthrufive, who’s in the same ownership at the Nicholls’ yard.
Talking of Nicholls and his Grade One Kempton winner, Bravemansgame is likely to stick to novice company at Newbury this Saturday despite appearing as one of just six entries – including much-decorated stablemate Clan Des Obeaux – for in the Grade Two Betfair Denman Chase on the same card.
“The intention is for Bravemansgame to run in the novices’ handicap over two-mile-seven as a prep for Cheltenham. We’ve put him in the Denman in case anything happened to Clan, but the intention is to run in the handicap,” Nicholls reported in a press conference staged by Newbury.
“We haven’t too many options for Bravemansgame. When Denman won this race, it was a level-weights race but it got changed back to a handicap. I don’t want to go to Ascot next week [for the Reynoldstown] as that is getting close to Cheltenham, so this was the only opportunity for him.”
Let’s now drop back to the two-mile division and the Grade One Irish Arkle Novice Chase at Leopardstown last Saturday. In the absence of the injured Ferny Hollow, Willie Mullins felt beforehand that Blue Lord “set the standard”.
He might well have been right about his own team – albeit Haut En Couleurs departed at the third – but the filly Riviere D’Etel would surely have beaten him bar for fluffing the last and suffering a professional foul on landing. It was a controversial finish to an enlightening race.
A fascinating conclusion and smart performances from the first two home
The second of the winner’s stable companions Saint Sam set a scorcher of a pace, jumping most fences dynamically but at others seemingly going a shade too fast for his own sense of accuracy. He strung his field right out, however, with Riviere D’Etel giving closest chase and Blue Lord settling – not surprisingly at this tempo – in mid-division.
No doubt, these fractions – and perhaps the strong winds – contributed to the inexperienced Haut En Couleur’s careful jump at the first and the error two fences later when he hit the top and came down. This means he won’t get to call any shots about his Festival target – he’ll be slotted in wherever his trainer needs reinforcements, rather than leading any charge. Gigginstown’s Embittered and Busselton, his stablemate at Joseph O’Brien’s yard, were soon burned off.
Having kept readily in touch, Riviere D’Etel outjumped the leader two out, where Blue Lord also comfortably took closer order. The principals then breezed on but the relegated Saint Sam stuck to his guns and, having gone too fast, rallied gutsily. He could run well in either the Sporting Life Arkle or the Turners on this evidence, having speed for the former but stamina for further than two miles.
Up front there was a battle royal – the best finish of all the DRF’s graded races – with Blue Lord looking to be going better until Riviere D’Etel pulled out more for pressure approaching the last. What happened next made the difference between victory and defeat.
Having jumped well throughout, the mare bravely stood off the final fence too far and reached characteristically to her right – the direction in which she adjusts when necessary. But she had miscalculated and crashed through it, pecking on landing. It cost her remarkably little ground but Paul Townend immediately took advantage on Blue Lord.
Having jumped it clean and straight, the winner was galvanised into the lead and then rolled left – both for his rider’s left-hand-down rein and his right-hand whip. This checked the mare for a couple of strides before she gamely rallied for pressure from rider Jack Kennedy – for which he would later receive a four-day ban for exceeding the whip guidelines. She was denied by just half a length.
Kennedy reported to Leopardstown’s clerk of the scales that this interference had cost him the race. In the stewards’ enquiry, Townend invoked the gods of the elements, arguing that he’d been “caught by a gust of wind” when crossing the mare on landing after the last. The stewards ruled in favour of the status quo, concluding that Blue Lord hadn’t improved his finishing position as a result of causing interference.
I’d need to see the stewards’ comprehensive and synchronised camera angles to be sure but I think she might well have won if, as the sufferer, she’d enjoyed an uninterrupted run to the line. The disparity between them when the interference began appeared to be – at an absolute maximum – no more than that which separated them at the winning post and yet the runner-up ended up more than a length behind the winner after their paths had crossed. Combined with a jumping mistake that came for trying too hard, this was a bad beat for Riviere D’Etel.
Despite her being 2lb worse off with Blue Lord, due to the age allowance she received here having been rescinded in Britain long ago, I’d still fancy her to reverse this form at Cheltenham. Her right-handed adjustments are typical and therefore a worry on the Old Course, but I am reminded how straight she jumped in last term’s Boodles Fred Winter after displaying the same tendency elsewhere. Her speed and accuracy – usually, when she’s not standing off too far – might well be rewarded in the Sporting Life Arkle. Both the 1-2 here are players.
Lydia’s portfolio:
Advised 26/04/21: Energumene at 14/1 (general) for the Ryanair Chase
Advised 10/11/21: Nube Negra each-way at 25/1 with Bet365 for the Champion Chase
Advised 30/12/21: Galvin at 6/1 (general) for the Cheltenham Gold Cup
Advised 06/01/22: Telmesomethinggirl at 13/2 with Bet365 for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Advised 06/01/22: Burning Victory at 16/1 with Paddy Power for the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
Advised 13/01/22: Hollow Games at 8/1 (with various firms) for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Advised 13/01/22: Dinoblue at 8/1 (general) for the Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
Advised 20/01/22: Galopin Des Champs at 8/1 for the Turners Novices’ Chase
Advised 04/02/22: Klassical Dream at 5/1 NRNB (various) for the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
_Back now: Il Etait Temps at 20/1 each-way with Bet 365 for the JCB Triumph Hurdle (16/1 more widely also acceptable) _
Ruby’s portfolio:
30/12/21: Al Boum Photo at 16/1 (general) for the Cheltenham Gold Cup
0:18
Lots to pick out from this mascot race!
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6:19
Nicky Henderson unleashed another exciting prospect at Market Rasen as Roccontier hacked up in fine style.
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Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
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0:14
What drama at Fakenham at the final hurdle!
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Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
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21:09
The Luck on Sunday team dive into all the key talking points after Cheltenham Festival 2026, including the starts and Fact to File's future!
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
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10:23
Jockey James Bowen enjoyed his first two winners at this year's Cheltenham Festival and he spoke to Nick Luck about the double aboard Holloway Queen and Jingko Blue.
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
Read less
12:03
Rich Ricci joins the show after doing the double at Cheltenham Festival 2026, The Champion Hurdle and The Gold Cup. The owner triumphed with both Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior.
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
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2:13
Roger Varian with the latest update on the Racing TV x RaceShare syndicate horse The Lost Sock who is set to run over five furlongs at Wolverhampton later this month.
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
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10:24
Ruby and Lydia are back for the fourth and final episode of Road To Cheltenham live from the Cheltenham Festival to reflect on the concluding day of action at the track which saw Gaelic Warrior steal the show with his awesome performance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
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15:27
Ireland captured the Prestbury Cup 15-13 as Gaelic Warrior stole the headlines with his awesome performance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins was also on the scoresheet courtesy of 50/1 Triumph Hurdle winner Apolon De Chernie and Dinoblue who defended her crown in the Mares' Chase. Air Of Entitlement recorded a bittersweet win for Henry De Bromhead in the Martin Pipe after the sad passing of Envoi Allen.
Elsewhere on the card, British-trained runners struck in the County Hurdle (Wilful), the Albert bartlett (Johnny's Jury) and the Foxhunters' (Barton Snow).
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
Read less
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