THE Cheltenham preview panel discussion held at The Castle, Glanmire, located in the north east of Cork City, was met by an overwhelming turnout on Tuesday night.

The famed panellists, comprising of Davy Russell, Gary O’Brien, Ian ‘Busty’ Amond, David Casey and Jamie Codd, flanked to their right by the popular racing presenter, Kevin O’Ryan, were all embraced by a warm cheer from the audience as they took their seats on the stage.

The mood was very cordial and light hearted. When Codd lifted his jumper to reveal the county GAA jersey of his native Wexford, it was received with a mixed response, composed rather humorously of cheers and heckles. However, when Russell briefly donned a red Cork jersey over his sleeveless jacket, an almost sound-barrier breaking cheer and applause erupted in the bar.

In addition, the half-time break hosted a hotly contested charity raffle. The event was sponsored by Fitzwilliam Sports bookmakers.

O’Ryan, who lead the discussion and posed the questions for the evening, was initially joined on a telephone call by Grand National-winning trainer, Gordon Elliot, who could not make it to the venue that evening.

In the call, Elliott claimed that Galvin, competing in the Gold Cup, had a “serious chance” of success and was “improving,” whereas Zanahiyr had a good chance of winning in the Champion Hurdle race. Elliott was also optimistic with Riviere D’Etel’s chances of triumph.

Super form

In the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Davy Russell conveyed his view that Sir Gerhard would be “difficult to beat” and believed that Mighty Potter was on “super form.” Jamie Codd thought that Jonbon and Kilcruit would fare well, and David Casey voiced his confidence in State Man. Gary O’Brien put his support in Sir Gerhard and Mighty Potter. Ian Amond also favoured the latter.

Discussing the Arkle Chase, Codd did not harbour the view Edwardstone would win the race, and Casey thought the same of Blue Lord. However, Codd did appear to express confidence in the ability of Coeur Sublime to finish well in this chase. Russell favoured Riviere D’Etel, and O’Brien was confident in the potential of Haut En Couleurs.

Moving on to the day one feature, the Champion Hurdle, Appreciate It easily won over the convincing support of O’Brien, Casey (delivering a pun based on the horse’s name while doing so) and Codd. Russell claimed that former winner Epatente was “talented”, but that the bay mare needed to improve.

He reckoned that the “second and third favourites,” were worth watching out for. Honeysuckle won the approval of both Russell and Codd, whereas O’Brien thought that Zanahiyr would be a good nap.

pUT THEIR Trust

In the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, Codd and Casey put their trust in Dysart Dynamo to deliver a result, but O’Brien, Russell, Casey and Codd all thought that Ginto, the gelding trained by Gordon Elliot, could win this competition. However, O’Brien and Casey believed that Journey With Me, trained by Henry De Bromhead, would be a worthwhile bet.

Discussing the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, O’Brien and Casey again agreed on their prediction, being that Galopin Des Champs, the French-bred, black gelding trained by Willie Mullins, would win this particular race.

Both panelists also expressed confidence in L’Homme Presse’s strong contention for victory. O’Brien further expressed his support for Bravemansgame. Russell, however, deviated slightly from the consensus, believing that Ahoy Señor and Capodanno were ones to watch out for and could well prove to be good naps.

In the Champion Chase, Codd and Russell placed their confidence in Shishkin, whose odds on the night had planted him as the firm favourite. Jamie Codd also gave the view that Energueme could prove himself in this contest.

When it came to the Turners’ Novices’ Chase, it was not surprising when Galopin Des Champs, ranked by Paddy Power at 6/5, again won the firm approval of Casey, O’Brien and Codd. The horse most expected to win the race, Bob Olinger (a namesake of the famed frontier lawman), also trained by De Bromhead, received the backing of Russell and O’Brien.

First preference

For the Ryanair Chase, Allaho, the bay gelding trained by Mullins, was Russell’s first preference, as was O’Brien’s. However, Conflated also won support of the panelists and Casey spoke well of Janidil.

The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle sparked a great and thorough discussion, which was predicted to be an extremely tight fixture, in which the majority of the horses competing could come out as the winner.

O’Brien expressed his first preference for Flooring Porter, but also maintained that Klassical Dream and Royal Kahala would be worthwhile naps. Codd was of the opinion that any horse out of Flooring Porter, Paisley Park, Royal Kahala and Sporting John could deliver a victory on the day.

Russell was not as certain about Paisley Park’s chances, and instead favoured Royal Kahala. Amond supported Thyme Hill, whereas Casey was disappointed with Champ’s performances in recent times.

The predictions for the JCB Triumph Hurdle were more straightforward, with Casey speaking well of Vauban, Porticello and Icare Allen.

O’Brien fancied that Il Etait Temps, Icare and Allen and Pied Piper were all strong contenders, with Russell believing that Pied Piper had “improved” over the last number of races and that “the ground will be a major factor” for this race.

According to Codd, the horse most likely to win the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle would have to be “tough”. Russell was very impressed with Ginto’s potential and arguing that the gelding was worth strong consideration.

Finally, reviewing the odds of the Boodles’ Gold Cup, perhaps the Festival’s ‘jewel in the crown,’ Gary O’Brien regarded A Plus Tard as his first preference and both Russell and Codd fixed their confidence in the horse. Codd, Russell, Amond and O’Brien were all very impressed by Galvin, the subject of much compliment, and David Casey believed that Al Boum Photo was a “tough” horse. O’Brien also articulated his support for Protektorat and Conflated.

Upon the event’s conclusion, the panelists were thanked for their appearance and insight, with applause from those in attendance.