Day 1 – TUESDAY
A BUMPER crowd filled the Walter Raleigh Hotel last Friday night, keen for any insights and titbits from an impressive panel at the Cheltenham Preview Night in association with Boylesports.
A.P. McCoy flew in for the event, in aid of the KGK Community Development Fund, joining David Casey, Johnny Dineen, Davy Russell, Ian ‘Busty’ Amond and John ‘Shark’ Hanlon, with Gary O’Brien acting as MC.
There was plenty of banter between the panellists through the night, particularly between Shark and Dineen, who got the ball rolling with the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
“No English horse will win the novice hurdles, including Old Park Star,” the punter stated, preferring Mighty Park and Leader d’Allier, while admitting that the former would be up against it, having run just once under rules.
Hanlon retorted: “I’m delighted that Johnny has gone against Old Park Star. In fairness to him, he’s consistent - he doesn’t tip any winners.”
Shark’s support of the favourite - also chosen by Davy Russell - was influenced by his son Paddy’s time with Nicky Henderson, he explained.
Neither McCoy nor Casey confirmed whether Mighty Park would run in the opener, but Mullins’ assistant trainer said: “Mark (Walsh) is very keen to run here. He’s got a huge chance, but I think it’s a very deep race.
“I thought it was a huge performance by Talk The Talk last time, coming from where he did. There wouldn’t be a lot between Leader d’Allier and King Rasko Grey.”
After admitting it’s difficult to know what Mighty Park beat on rules debut, McCoy shared his respect for El Cairos at his price (7/1 at the time).
Gordon Elliott’s assistant trainer Busty Amond was very strong on their hope, saying: “He’s a very, very quick horse. We haven’t had a horse work as well as him for a long time. He’s too big a price.”
Amond then gave a positive update on Arkle Novices’ Chase entry Romeo Coolio, acknowledging that Elliott would be tempted to skip Cheltenham, adding: “The owners are very keen to run and they’ll probably get their way.”
Following a less than ideal preparation, Casey described Kopek Des Bordes’ price of 2/1 as ‘fair’. “He’s very well. He lacks experience, but has the ability. The strong pace will suit, whereas Lulamba looked like he wanted two and a half miles the last day.”
McCoy went on to suggest that Lulamba wants three miles, whereas Dineen was very strong on Henderson’s novice. Meanwhile, Russell suggested Steel Ally ‘could pick up the pieces’, while Hanlon described Irish Panther as ‘a great each-way chance.’
Hanlon and Dineen once again disagreed in the Champion Hurdle, the trainer highlighting Golden Ace as the best value, while Dineen quipped: “Shark will want to fly back Tuesday night!”
The punter described The New Lion as “probably the one I fancy most at the meeting”, with Gary O’Brien in agreement. Russell added: “His jumping is a slight worry, but he’s the Brad Pitt of the field.”
McCoy and Amond sided with Brighterdaysahead, while Casey admitted he’d choose the mares’ hurdle for Lossiemouth, if the decision was his. On the favourite, he said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up on the floor,” with a number of the others sharing his concerns.
Day 2 – Wednesday
McCoy was the only panellist to side with Turners’ Novices Hurdle favourite No Drama This End. The former jockey did also highlight Sober as an each-way bet, as did Dineen, with Casey describing Mullins’ unbeaten hurdler as ‘a cracking each-way bet’.
He added: “I could see Sortudo running a big race. Saint Baco was sick after Naas, but he’s turned a corner since.”
The Elliott pair of Ballyfad and Skylight Hustle are closely matched in the betting, with Amond commenting: “Jack (Kennedy) will have a tough call. I’d probably go with Skylight Hustle, he’s turned inside out since Leopardstown.”
Hanlon and Russell sided with Ballyfad, while Dineen concluded by pointing out that I’ll Sort That has done very little wrong.
Despite having yet to win a Grade 1, Gordon Elliott’s 8/1 shot Western Fold received the most votes for the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. With the ground drying, McCoy and Russell liked his chances, while Amond described the Galway Plate winner as ‘a good each-way bet’.
Final Demand is currently favourite, despite disappointing last time out, on which Casey commented: “I always forgive one bad run. I was more disappointed with his jumping, but he schooled well this morning and seems well in himself. It’s a competitive race, Kaid d’Authie will definitely be in the mix and Kitzbuhel also runs.”
Dineen is opting to lay Final Demand and, given that The Big Westerner - Hanlon’s choice - would prefer a cut in the ground, rates Wendigo as very solid.
There was a unanimous verdict for the Queen Mother Chase, no one brave enough to go against Majborough after his devastating performance at the Dublin Racing Festival. “You can have as much as you like on him,” Casey said.
The J.P. McManus-owned bay has been difficult to watch at times, with often erratic jumping, but McCoy thinks tactics would override any jumping concerns, saying: “I’d go flat out; you can afford to make mistakes as long as you go fast.”
The consensus on the Champion Bumper was much weaker, with Casey confessing: “I find it hard to get a handle on the bumpers now, as they’re not as competitive any more.” He went on to highlight Quiryn as an each-way bet, with McCoy also impressed by her debut win at Naas.
Elliott will run four in the race and, according to Amond, their best chance is Charismatic Kid, currently a 25/1 shot after finishing third on his stable debut last month.
Day 3 – THURSDAY
MC Gary O’Brien initially focussed on the Grade 1s, but the Mares’ Novice Hurdle made the feature line-up, due to the much-anticipated rematch between Bambino Fever and Oldschool Outlaw.
Mullins and Elliott’s representatives were equally strong on their chances, with Casey stating: “Bambino will take all the beating,” while Amond said: “Oldschool Outlaw’s one of Gordon’s best chances going over. She’s improving the whole time.”
Moving on to the Mares’ Hurdle, described by Amond as ‘a two-horse race’ between Lossiemouth and Wodhooh.
On Elliott’s mare, Amond said: “She keeps improving and she’s very straightforward, nothing phases her. She worked well with Brighterdaysahead this morning.”
Dineen commented: “The vibe is Lossiemouth won’t be 100%, whatever race she runs in. For me, there’s not a lot between her and Wodhooh, but Lossiemouth had a hard race at the DRF and Wodhooh comes here fresher.”
Despite Dineen’s comments, Casey had no negatives on Lossiemouth, adding that, if she opts to go for the Champion Hurdle, the team would then run Jade De Grugy. “We’ve a strong chance either way,” he said.
Cullentra have the top two in the betting for the Stayers’ Hurdle and, on their chances, Amond said: “Honesty Policy is improving - he could be next year’s winner, but he still has plenty to find with Teahupoo.”
The ground will be the deciding factor in their finishing order, McCoy believes, preferring good to soft for Honesty Policy and soft to heavy for the nine-year-old.
Russell likes neither, and knows the favourite better than most, having finished third in the 2023 running, when he was sent off 9/4 favourite. Instead, the former rider likes the look of Ma Shantou.
The Dan Skelton-trained Kabral Du Mathan is the shortest-priced of the British contenders, but McCoy thinks the six-year-old is too keen for three miles, but he got a tentative vote from Dineen.
Hanlon described himself as ‘excited’ ahead of Hewick’s second run at Cheltenham, and expects an improved effort from his stable star. “I thought he would run a big race at Newbury, but he stopped. We did a wind op after and he seems to have improved since.
“It’s a wide-open race; I wouldn’t change him. I’d be very disappointed if he didn’t finish in the first three.”
Ballyburn is another who has to bounce back and, while Casey admits he has to improve, he believes that Mullins’ sole entry in the race is overpriced.
As with the earlier races, Casey explained that plans remain undecided for the Ryanair Chase, however he believes that Fact To File will run in the two-and-a-half-mile contest, while Gaelic Warrior is likely to line up in the Gold Cup. “I don’t see both running, but whichever runs wins,” he said.
J.P. McManus has the top two in the betting - Fact To File and Jonbon - but McCoy imagines that, if Mullins runs the current favourite, then Jonbon won’t run. He, too, appeared confident that Fact To File would run, saying: “There’s no opposition, so why not.”
Dineen was the only one to offer an alternative, saying: “Banbridge is the only one with a chance of beating Fact To File if the ground dries up.”
Day 4 – FRIDAY
None of the panellists had a strong view on the Triumph Hurdle, with Hanlon remarking: “There’ll be a long queue at the bar for this!” Casey will have earned a drink after Friday’s opener, with Mullins set to run nine in the race.
J.P. McManus’ French import Proactif is the current favourite, but he isn’t the standout for Casey, who said: “I think Proactif is a good horse, but on his homework, he shouldn’t be favourite.
“Paul likes Macho Man, there’ll be huge improvement from Charme De Faust and Apolon De Charnie works very well. Back Mon Creuset each way for next year’s Supreme.”
Casey offered another outsider in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, for which Doctor Steinberg is currently favourite. “Doctor Steinberg impressed at Leopardstown, though it probably wasn’t the strongest Grade 1,” he said.
“He has a good chance, but it’s an open race and has thrown strange results in the past. Hipop De Loir could run well at a big price.” McCoy and Gary O’Brien also nominated horses at big odds, choosing King’s Bucks and Dalston Lad respectively.
Kazansky chased Doctor Steinberg home at Leopardstown last time out and Almond believes they will be to the head of affairs at Cheltenham, too.
Jimmy Mangan was in attendance and provided a positive report on Spillane’s Tower ahead of his Cheltenham Gold Cup bid. “We’re really looking forward to it,” said the trainer.
“To run any horse in it is great, but to have one with a live chance is even better. I have nothing to do [with jockey bookings], but if Inothewayurthinkin runs, I’d imagine Jack (Kennedy) will ride my lad. I fancy my fella and, if he’s in the form he was the last day, anything that beats him will win.”
On Inothewayurthinkin, McCoy said: “They’re meant to be very happy with him at home. It’s as good a Gold Cup as I’ve seen. I think Gaelic Warrior was unlucky in the King George; he’s the most talented and he’s probably my pick. He’ll have to settle, but he’s a bit of an enigma.”
Mullins’ assistant trainer reported: “Gaelic Warrior has to settle, Jango Baie the same.”
Hanlon added: “I give The Jukebox Man a chance, but he’s by Ask, who I don’t like,” to which Russell replied: “What’s Hewick by?”
REMAINING RACES
Tuesday
Ultima Handicap Chase: Iroko (McCoy)
Plate Handicap Chase: Dee Capo (Amond)
Wednesday
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase: Favori De Champdou (Amond)
Thursday
Golden Miller Chase: Koktail Divin (Casey)
Pertemps Final: Bold Endeavour (McCoy)
Friday
Mares’ Chase: Dinoblue (Casey)
Hunters’ Chase: Wrappedupinmay (Russell)
Martin Pipe Hurdle: Open Secret (Amond), He Can’t Dance (Amond)