Stay on the Journey

Thursday 1.30pm

Turners Novices’ Chase

(Grade 1) 2m 3f 168y

Mighty Potter surpassed his Drinmore rating with a dominant display at the Dublin Racing Festival and heads to Cheltenham a worthy favourite for this race.

A patient ride by jockey Davy Russell saw the six-year-old much more concentrated at his fences, with the veteran pilot taking responsibility for the sole jumping error. Sent for home after the second last the Caldwell Construction-owned bay demonstrated he has a smart turn of speed, finishing off his race 1.7secs quicker than Gentlemen De Mee.

Banbridge dropped down in trip for the Irish Arkle and, after never being in contention, finished off his race strongly to snatch second from Appreciate It.

As the Grade 1 contest was so impressive on the clock neither lost anything in defeat and, if headed here, the pair will pose a serious challenge to the favourite.

Banbridge has ground to find with the favourite on their Fairyhouse running although, with ground conditions against him on the day, he acquitted himself well. Joseph O’Brien’s gelding is a fine jumper of a fence and has already proven his liking for Prestbury Park with his novice chase win at the November meeting. The key point from that race was a circuit time 2.2secs quicker than Paddy Power winner Ga Law.

Appreciate It will be venturing into the unknown trip-wise, although his finishing effort in the Arkle looked more about stamina than speed as he recovered from a slow jump at the second last to head Dysart Dynamo, before Banbridge appeared on the scene.

Journey With Me looked decidedly lacklustre on each of his first two chase starts even though the second of them produced a victory.

However, in finishing second to Impervious at Punchestown he posted a time figure of substance, which was supported by the sectional data. The first two home, who were separated by just half a length in the Grade 2 contest, covered the final circuit 10.7secs quicker than the 123-rated Royal Thief.

Henry de Bromhead’s seven-year-old helped to force the strong pace and jumped with more precision than previously and it would be no surprise to see Rachael Blackmore employ similar tactics on a course where attacking rides have yielded success in the past.

Adamantly Chosen would enter each-way calculations if repeating his Leopardstown performance while Balco Coastal and Thunder Rock ran to a high level behind Gerri Colombe. The last named also represents the Dipper Chase form as he filled the same position behind The Real Whacker.

Fakir best placed to capitalise

Dream alive on last year’s form

Thursday 3.30pm

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

(Grade 1) 2m 7f 213y

Teahupoo posted the best time figure of the season, with this contest in mind, when winning the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.

Having completed his preparation with a romp in the mud at Gowran Park, when not required to be as impressive on the clock. The six-year-old still needs to prove his capabilities on better ground although if granted his favoured soft ground his chances of justifying his market position will increase.

Klassical Dream was just a neck in arrears at Fairyhouse so has very little to find with the favourite. He is still not confirmed to be fully on track to make it back from a setback but should he do so, it will be another positive as he has recorded his best ratings when returning from an absence.

Home By The Lee has proved a revelation this season, taking two of the significant trials for this race in the shape of the Lismullen Hurdle and more recently the Grade 1 Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown. However, he has yet to match the rating he achieved in last year’s renewal, which probably says more about his rivals being below par than suggesting he has improved.

It goes without saying if defending champion Flooring Porter makes the big day he will set the standard as he bids for a hat-trick of wins. However, it is well documented Gavin Cromwell has a race against time to ready his stable star after his setback.

Gold Tweet looks set to be supplemented and based on his performance on Festival trials day over course and distance it would be money well spent by connections.

The six-year-old was tackling three miles for the first time and, although a shade keen in the early stages of the contest, he saw the trip out strongly in a well-run race, brushing aside the tough-as teak Dashel Drasher who contextualises the performance as he ran to the same level as when chasing home Marie’s Rock.

The sectional data supports the time figure as the French raider covered the final circuit quicker than the other hurdle winners, notably 3.9secs quicker than Rock My Way.

If Marie’s Rock were to take up this entry rather than defending her Mares’ Hurdle crown she will have the beating of Gold Tweet on a line through Dashel Drasher, which the clock confirms.

Luccia sets the standard

Thursday 4.50pm

Ryanair Mares’ Novice Hurdle

(Grade 2) 2m 179y

Luccia sets the standard on the ratings with her sole start over hurdles yielding victory. A minor setback prevented her from taking up an engagement in the Tolworth Hurdle although, with the ground as it was at Sandown, it might have been a blessing in disguise.

The circuit time and closing sectional at Newbury made for good reading when compared to stable companion First Street. The race would also bring She’s A Saint into focus, although Dan Skelton’s mare has since been beaten at Taunton.

Ashroe Diamond kept company with the geldings prior to winning the Grade 3 Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle, running with credit behind Marine Nationale and Facile Vega.

That Grade 3 is usually a good trial and the final circuit time was 4.5secs quicker than the next best winner to confirm the pace was strong.

Gordon Elliott could be multi-handed with Liberty Dance, Harmonya Maker and Deeply Superficial trading at a similar price to Halka Du Tabert. Of the quartet Deeply Superficial makes the most appeal judged on her performance in the Grade 2 Navan Novice Hurdle at Naas. In finishing fourth to Inthepocket the Alymer Stud-owned mare covered the final circuit quicker than Halka Du Tabert.

Night And Day added her name to the Closutton roster for this race with an exuberant victory at Clonmel. However, she may find this a culture shock in terms of track and ground.

This article is taken from The Irish Field Cheltenham Magazine 2023. CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR COPY