O’Leary questions merit of 7lb mares’ allowance

THE first Champion Hurdle was run in 1927 and, in that period, there have been nine renewals won by mares.

Six of those victories have come in the last 11 runnings, so this is clearly a golden period for mares trying to take advantage of the 7lb allowance on offer from the geldings.

Michael O’Leary, owner of runner-up Brighterdaysahead, said: “I’m not sure the mares should get a 7lb allowance in these championship races, and I’ve owned the likes of Apples Jade, I own Brighterdaysahead - I think it is a little unfair on the geldings.

“They should be off level weights - that’s what championships should be about. There’s a Mares’ Hurdle if you want to go for that, but this weight allowance in championship races is a little unfair on the geldings.”

Danny still defying his outsider tag

WHAT is the common theme between the 33 Grade 1 winners Danny Mullins has ridden? Spectacularly, none of them have gone off favourite. His four Cheltenham Festival winners? Not a single one was sent off the market leader either.

He showed just how good he can be tactically with the ride he delivered on Kargese at 7/1 to kick off the 2026 Festival.

British fightback begins in novice ranks

WHAT a difference a year makes. In the 2025 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, there was only one British-trained runner in the field, finishing a 27-and-a-half-length sixth. In 2024, the eight Irish runners featured in the first nine home - and even in 2023, the first eight home were all visiting runners.

That is what made the outcome of Tuesday’s Supreme all the more noteworthy. The only four British-trained horses in the line-up finished 1-2-3-4. There has been considerable talk of a British resurgence in the lead-up to this year’s meeting, and the Supreme result bodes well for their fightback.

Kopek vs the hill?

HE ran a blinding race in second and clearly has the scope to improve, but is there a chance that Kopek Des Bordes isn’t totally in love with the Cheltenham hill?

When he won last year’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, it looked for a period as if he was going to finish further clear of William Munny, though the gap didn’t quite extend on the run-in as you might have guessed.

According to the sectionals in the final furlong that day, he was slower than well-beaten sixth Tutti Quanti and runner-up William Munny.

As for Tuesday’s Arkle, the top-class talent was a full half second slower than Kargese in the final furlong up the hill. Now, he did obviously lose momentum at the last, but he looked to have the race in safe keeping and couldn’t collect. Allaho is believed to be the only chaser by his sire No Risk At All to have won at the Cheltenham Festival, and others by the sire like Allegorie De Vassy have come and been found wanting in the closing stages in chases here.

It will be fascinating to watch how he handles the final incline when returning here next year, potentially for a Champion Chase. Maybe he’ll be a different prospect with a different prep.

Cheekpieces continue to click with many of the Festival stars

YOU know what sounds like an excellent industry to be involved in right now? Selling cheekpieces to trainers.

After they worked their magic at the Dublin Racing Festival with first-time user Majborough, Lossiemouth and Johnnywho both collected in the newly-applied equipment here.

In-running drama of the day

Sober Glory, one of the best-backed horses of the day, traded at 4/9 in the in-running markets (from an SP of 9/2) before being run down by Old Park Star (sent off 15/8 and touched as big as 6/1 in-running).

Kopek Des Bordes went as short as 2/13 when taking command at the last, only to be worn down by Kargese, who traded at 31/1.

Quebecois, a 10/1 chance in the Ultima, tightened up to 4/5 in-running only to fade to third late against Johnnywho, although 40/1 outsider Search For Glory was closing in on a 6/4 chance when departing at the last.

In the National Hunt Chase, the front-running Pic Roc had been sent off at 20/1 but traded as low as 6/4 only to end up finishing a well-held seventh.

King Of Answers (22/1) tried to throw down a challenge in second and hit 11/10 in-running.

Ground reaction

AFTER the opener, winning rider Nico de Boinville noted: “The ground is good to soft, good in places in my opinion, but drying out all the time.”

Hansard loss

THE Gary and Josh Moore-trained Hansard suffered a fatal injury on the flat in the Arkle.

A spokesperson for Cheltenham Racecourse said the 100/1 shot was immediately attended to by a team of expert veterinary professionals and, in their assessment, it was concluded that the best course of action for the horse’s welfare was for him to be humanely euthanised.