Iroko

Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (Tuesday)

Jagwar may be a course specialist, but Iroko is a Grade 1 horse in a handicap, as he was when winning the Martin Pipe three years ago. Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s charge went on to finish third in the Sefton Novices’s Hurdle, and gained further Grade 1 blacktype when finishing second to Inothewayurthinkin in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase 12 months later.

Both of those efforts proved his stamina, as did his fourth in the Aintree Grand National, that also proving his capabilities on drier ground. He looks as good as ever this season too, claiming runner-up honours behind Gold Cup hope The Jukebox Man on his seasonal return, but it was the way he powered home at Ascot last time out that really impressed.

Like all good horses, he’s clever enough to overcome mistakes – he got close to the second last at Ascot, but barely missed a beat. The only time he’s hit the floor was after being hampered. What’s more, he comes here fresh from a break – what’s not to like?

Brighterdaysahead

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Tuesday)

I, for one, was surprised by the positive reaction to The New Lion’s win over course and distance in January. Granted, the slow pace didn’t suit, but if worthy of Champion Hurdle favouritism, he should have won by further, especially given the 3lb he received from the lower-rated runner-up.

A faller on his seasonal debut, the market’s favour must be based on his unbeaten novice campaign, but the Challow often works out as a weak race and he won the Turners by three parts of a length from The Yellow Clay, who has been found wanting since.

To my mind, this race is between Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth, predominantly due to their class, but also helped by the mares’ allowances. Having been strongly in favour of Gordon Elliott’s brilliant mare last month, I see no reason to abandon her now.

That win came on heavy ground, Brighterdaysahead’s previous Grade 1 wins came on good to yielding, soft, and good to soft.

There is also some concern that she has disappointed on her two previous starts at Prestbury Park, but she had excuses. She was out of sorts 12 months ago and comes here fresher with two runs under her belt as opposed to three.

A year prior, the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle was run at an unsuitably steady pace, making her race too keenly under a 5lb penalty.

Kaid d’Authie

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Wednesday)

Kaid d’Authie’s Grade 1 win at the Dublin Racing Festival was somewhat overshadowed by Final Demand’s disappointing performance. This, and punters’ unwavering faith in Willie Mullins’ magical prowess, offers some value in Kaid d’Authie’s price at Cheltenham.

You couldn’t pick any holes in his Leopardstown performance, and the manner in which he stayed on in the closing stages, as he did at Fairyhouse previously, suggested he has the stamina for this extended test.

His chase debut, when he finished a length-and-a-half second to Kitzbuhel, was also informative, with the winner having gone on to land the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase in fine style next time out.

That run and his latest win prove his liking for softer conditions – something that was suggested as a possible reason for Final Demand’s tame effort, given that his prior win at Limerick lacked much competition.

Final Demand is not guaranteed to bounce back here, and if testing conditions are the reason, even less so.

Sixmilebridge

Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (Thursday)

The ratings given to Irish contenders is much discussed in the run up to both Aintree and Cheltenham, the British handicapper doing his best to level the playing field between Team Ireland and the UK.

What does it say about British racing that Grade 1 winner is rated on par to an Irish horse who’s won a beginners chase and placed in a Grade 2? That’s the case with Scilly Isles winner Sixmilebridge, rated 150, and Koktail Divin.

Granted, the Irish novice won by 21 lengths last time, and his blacktype second came to a progressive horse in Oscars Brother, but Sixmilebridge has done nothing wrong over fences. Fergal O’Brien’s charge is three from three this term, the second success coming by 13 lengths over course and distance.

He had only two horses to beat that day, and three at Sandown, but one of those was Kitzbuhel, a commanding winner of the Kauto Star a month prior. Following that win, Fergal O’Brien expressed his surprise at the novice’s new mark and admitted it would be tempting to go down the handicap route, rather than remain at Grade 1 level.

Kai Lung

JCB Triumph Hurdle JCB Triumph Hurdle (Friday)

I may be setting myself up for a fall choosing a horse in the Triumph, given that a 100/1 shot won it last year, but I love an each-way bet at a big price, so it’s hard to resist.

When Willie Mullins earmarked Mon Creuset as a dark horse earlier this week, the grey’s price tumbled from 33/1 to 16/1, and so for me, the value is now gone. As his trainer pointed out, the French recruit looked likely to finish better on his Irish debut until sprawling after the second last, while stablemate Kai Lung was never headed.

Mistakes like the one Mon Creuset made then won’t be forgiven at Cheltenham. Kai Lung’s final two leaps weren’t his best, but he too was making his hurdle debut and was likely tiring on his first start of the season, having also raced keenly.

The Galiway gelding’s flat experience should stand to him next week – he had six starts in France - and suggests that he will be even better on Cheltenham’s drying ground, compared to the heavy going at Naas.