Cheltenham Festival: Thursday wrap ...
After two days without a winner, Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins returned with a supersonic bang-bang-bang-bang on the third day of the Festival, teaming up to score a 179-1 four-timer that included the day’s two feature races.
On an afternoon when Irish trainers won six races for the first time in Festival history, the favourite Un De Sceaux took matters into his own hands to give Walsh an armchair ride to victory with a spectacular display of jumping in the Ryanair Chase before Nichols Canyon came back gamely after being headed on the run-in to win the Stayers’ Hurdle.
Earlier the trainer-jockey duo had teamed up to win the JLT Novices’ Chase, with Walsh given plenty of work to do as he and Yorkhill negotiated their way through traffic to win by a length. In the day’s penultimate race, Let’s Dance justified favouritism to win the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and complete the four-timer.
Others did get a look in. In the day’s second race, trainer Pat Kelly and owner Philip Reynolds teamed up to win their second successive Pertemps Handicap Hurdle when Presenting Percy triumphed in fine style under a patient ride from Davy Russell. Road To Respect made it five out of five for the Irish under Bryan Cooper in the Brown & Merrible Plater, giving trainer Noel Meade his first Festival winner over fences.
British trainers finally got a look-in in the day’s final race, the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir. Amateur rider Gina Andrews became the second woman to ride a winner at this year’s Festival when she drove 40-1 rank outsider Domesday Book home to give Stuart Edmunds a victory for one of training’s smaller operators.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir (5.30) result
1 Domesday Book (Miss G Andrews) 40-1
2 Pendra (Mr Derek O’Connor) 16-1
3 Premier Bond (Mr S Waley-Cohen) 9-1
4 Potters Legend (Mr M Legg) 10-1
24 ran
Also: 5-1 Fav Squouateur
Tote: win 64.00 places 10.00 6.00 2.50 3.20
Tote Exacta: 1423.70
CSF: 570.62
Tricast: 6187.45
Updated
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir (5.30) 3m 2f
Domesday Book, Pendra and Premier Bond lead them around the home turn. Pendra and Domesday Book head over the second last ... Pendra leaps the last with top weight on her back ... Pendra wearies on the run-in and is headed by Domesday Book. Domesday Book springs a surprise to win the Fulke Walwyn under Gina Andrews. The Brits have one on the board at last!
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir (5.30) 3m 2f
Pendra and Lessons In Milan continue to make all with the field well strung out and a circuit to go. Balbir Du Mathan takes up the pace at the head of proceedings and is joined by Domesday Book, while What’s Happening and Potters Legend improve. Mall Dini is being held up towards the rear ...
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir (5.30) 3m 2f
The race is well under way in the final contest of an afternoon when the Irish are looking for an unprecedented clean sweep. Pendra and Lessons In Milan are making the running as Southfield Royale and Venetien De Mai fall ...
With 14 winners already (one off their all-time record), all 6 today and 8 races left to go, the Irish are having a pretty good Festival pic.twitter.com/nAp8tlk7ka
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) March 16, 2017
Let's Dance busts some moves in Mares' Novices' Hurdle
Let’s Dance gave trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh a remarkable four-timer on day three of the Cheltenham Festival when taking her winning run to five in the Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Walsh oozed confidence on the 11-8 favourite as he kept the Rich Ricci-owned five-year-old towards the back of the field for most of the race.
Verdana Blue led into the straight from Barra but a big leap took Let’s Dance to the front and she galloped on strongly up the hill to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Barra. Dusky Legend was a neck away in third.
“What a day, the horses ran well the first two days, they just weren’t winning,” said Walsh. “In previous years we were front-loaded and this year we were back-loaded, we knew we had great chances today and we think we have a couple tomorrow.”
Updated
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir (5.30) preview
A staying chase for amateur riders with quite a good history of significant winners, including Cause Of Causes, who won again this week in the cross-country. Squouateur is a bit of a talking horse and looks likely to start favourite despite hardly ever winning. He was favourite for the Martin Pipe at the last Festival and got stuffed that day, too.
Mall Dini might be a different proposition, having won the Pertemps here last year, and he might give Katie Walsh a good spin. Derek O’Connor is on Pendra, who hasn’t run since being pulled up in the Grand National 11 months ago, which is hardly encouraging. He also has first-time blinkers. What’s Happening won round here in October and could get involved. Another Hero wears a first-time tongue tie, although his jockey is Jonjo O’Neill Jr, who lacks experience. Southfield Royale is believed to have had a wind operation since his Great Yorkshire flop.
Mares' Novices' Hurdle (4.50)
1 Let’s Dance (R Walsh) 11-8 Fav
2 Barra (B J Cooper) 12-1
3 Dusky Legend (Wayne Hutchinson) 20-1
16 ran
Also: 25-1 Verdana Blue 4th
Tote: win 2.10 places 1.40 3.70 4.90
Tote Exacta: 20.30
CSF: 17.63
Tricast: 235.61
Cheltenham Gold Cup: Cue Card ready for take six at the Festival | Greg Wood https://t.co/q0jwaTWXvT via @guardian_sport
— The Guardian (@guardian) March 16, 2017
Mares' Novices' Hurdle (4.50) 2m 1f
La Bague Au Roi takes up the running with Airlie Beach on her inside and Tahira on the outside ... Tahira leads with Barra making headway up the outside as they approach the last hurdle ... Let’s Dance comes through as they hit the last ... Let’s Dance heads up the run-in with a two-length lead. Let’s Dance makes it a four-timer for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins.
Updated
Mares' Novices' Hurdle (4.50) 2m 1f
Off they go at the second attempt after Barra broke the tapes first time around. La Bague Au Roi and Airlie Beach making the running ... Airlie Beach takes the lead, named as she is after a lovely spot in Australia ... Toe The Line falls on the flat so if you backed her you can throw your ticket away ... [pause as I throw my ticket away] ... Airlie Beach leads from La Bague Au Roi with the field well strung out ...
Mares' Novices' Hurdle (4.50)
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh team up with the favourite here, hoping to chalk up their fourth win of the day with Lets Dance, who is currently priced up at 11-8. Mullins also saddles Airlie Beach, with Paul Townend in the saddle and she’ll go off at around 4-1. The best of the rest in the betting is Forge Meadow, which is currently 12-1 across the boards.
Road To Respect hoses up in Brown Plate
Road To Respect recovered from a bad mistake at the first fence to run away with the Brown Advisory & Merribale Stable Plate Handicap Chase. The six-year-old, trained by Noel Meade, stormed up the hill in the hands of Bryan Cooper to give owners Gigginstown House Stud their third Festival win of the week.
Baron Alco kept on well for second place, as Road To Respect (14-1) came home six lengths clear. Bouvreuil was a length and three-quarters back in third with Thomas Crapper fourth.
“He travelled really well, he’s been running in good novice races all winter long and I was a bit worried if he lacked the experience,” said Cooper. “He didn’t jump the first great, but after that I gave him a bit of room to get his confidence. It was a messy race but he bolted up. Noel is a great person to ride for. I had a lot of luck for him early in my job. I’ve struggled to ride a winner for him the last couple of years, but he does a great job. It’s great to get another one on the board.”
Updated
Mares' Novices' Hurdle (4.50) preview
Here’s a race that might have been designed to Willie Mullins’s specifications and he duly won it last year. This time, he has the two most likely to head the betting. Let’s Dance has won a couple of Graded races, which is all very fine, but Airlie Beach, at a bigger price, arguably has stronger credentials after winning a Grade One against males, the Royal Bond, with a subsequent Grade One winner in second.
La Bague Au Roi is unbeaten over hurdles but hasn’t yet shown she belongs at this level. That is even more true of most of the others, although Titi De Montmartre has some smart-looking French form and could run above her odds.
Updated
Brown Advisory Plate (4.10) result
1 Road To Respect (B J Cooper) 14-1
2 Baron Alco (J E Moore) 10-1
3 Bouvreuil (Sam Twiston-Davies) 10-1
4 Thomas Crapper (C Poste) 7-1
24 ran
Also: 5-1 Fav Diamond King
CSF: 131.80
Tricast: 1510.45
Updated
Brown Advisory Plate (4.10) 2m 5f
It’s Baron Alco and Road To Respect ... Road To Respect leads over the last and sets off up the run-in. Road To Respect wins pulling away from Baron Alco under Bryan Cooper for Noel Meade.
Brown Advisory Plate (4.10) 2m 5f
Baron Alco takes over in the lead, while diamond King is badly hampered at the back of the field after Germany Calling falls. Diamond King is pulled up. The Favourite is gone! Thomas Crapper makes progress up the outside as Baron Alco leads them around the bend with four to jump. Cold March has been pulled up, while Katachenko is going backwards ...
Brown Advisory Plate (4.10) 2m 5f
Off they go with Cold March and Katachenko leading the charge as the field gets well strung out in the race’s early stages. Cold March from Baron Alco, then Katachenko, Village Vic. The Favourite Diamond King pecks badly on landing and almost goes, but Davy Russell picks his nose off the floor at the back of the field ...
Brown Advisory Plate (4.10) preview
What a tricky thing this race is, with one winning favourite in the last decade and others priced at 66-1, 50-1, 33-1 and 33-1 again. When it comes to the Plate, you’re a mug if you just back the favourite. That being said, Diamond King is a properly worthy favourite, having won a handicap hurdle at the last Festival and being trained by Gordon ‘Handicaps’ Elliott.
Starchitect just missed the frame in last year’s County Hurdle and looks to be getting his act together over fences. Bouvreuil has been fragile but threatens to win a big one at some point. Sizing Codelco has a first-time tongue tie after running fourth here on New Year’s Day. Champagne At Tara needs to be delivered right on the line or he might stop, so good luck to Aidan Coleman. Thomas Crapper has snuck in at the bottom and is reckoned to be better for a wind operation this winter.
Updated
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30)
A disappointing run from UknowwhatImeanharry, who found two too good for him on the day. It was a gutting defeat for Lil Rockerfeller, who looked good for the win after getting his nose in front on the run-in, only to be passed again and go down by a length or less.
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) result
1 Nichols Canyon (R Walsh) 10-1
2 Lil Rockerfeller (T E Whelan) 33-1
3 Unowhatimeanharry (N D Fehily) 5-6 Fav
12 ran
Also: 9-1 Cole Harden 4th
Non Runners: 5,11,13,15
CSF: 291.34
Tricast: 567.95
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) 3m
Nichols Canyon comes up the outside rail to complete a treble for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins, just collaring Lil Rockerfeller, who put in a really brave effort.
Updated
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) 3m
Cole Harden gets another squeeze and has a three length lead over Ballyoptic with three hurdles to jump. Gavin Sheehan kicks Cole Harden in the ribs and tries to burn off some off of his rivals, but hasn’t yet managed to shake off any off his pursuers. UknowwhatImeanharry is nicely poised as Jezki makes ground ...
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) 3m
Cole Harden is having it his own way at the momnent, taking them along at a fast gallop. Ballyoptic is second, with Lil Rockerfeller next and Nicholks Canyon about six lengths behind. They’ve a circuit to go ... ...
Updated
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) 3m
The flag goes down in the Stayers’ Hurdle, with Uknowwhatimeanharry going off the odds-on favourite. Cole Harden makes the running as expected, with his fellow frontrunner Ballyoptic upsides him. Lil Rockerfeller is next in the procession ...
Un De Sceaux flies home in Ryanair Chase
From PA Sport: Un De Sceaux put up a tremendous performance to win the Ryanair Chase and give trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh a big-race double on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival after taking the JLT Novices’ Chase with Yorkhill.
Walsh made a brave call to take Un De Sceaux to the front as early as the fifth fence as the horse was keen to get on with things.From then on Un De Sceaux proceeded to put the opposition to the sword with a series of spectacular leaps.
Though Sub Lieutenant made inroads into the deficit on the run to the line, Un De Sceaux was not for stopping and passed the post a length and a half clear. Aso was six lengths away in third. “I was a passenger,” said Walsh. “I got him back at the first fence down the back, but he attacked and jumped and he stayed. The jump at the last was special. He’s a cracking little horse and he’s so consistent, he must be a joy to own, he’s a little tiger.”
Presentation watch ...
Following their acrimonious split last year, which led to the removal of 60 Michael O’Leary horses from Willie Mullins’s yard, the former congratulated the latter after the race but left it to his wife to present the trophies for the Ryanair Chase. “What a super horse, an iron horse,” says Mullins. “I’ve never worried about his stamina,” he adds, paying homage to a horse that appeared to tear up the pre-race tactics, completely ignore the instructions of his jockey and follow his own ideas of how best to win the race. Walsh threw Un De Sceaux into his fences and gave him a couple of breathers, but I think it’s fair to say the horse was in charge throughout.
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) preview
Harry Fry narrowly missed out yesterday with his hotly fancied Neon Wolf and goes again here with Unowhatimeanharry, a winner at the last Festival and the dominant stayer of this winter. He should be fine on this ground, as it must have been fairly similar when he won here last year, and he has Noel ‘Midas Touch’ Fehily aboard, so what can go wrong?
Cole Harden won this from the front two years ago and, although he has not won since, he did run the favourite to a length and three-quarters in January. He might be dangerous again if granted a soft lead on this ground. Jezki is a converted Champion Hurdler who has shown good form this season, albeit at shorter distances.
This has been an unproductive week for Nigel Twiston-Davies but his Ballyoptic has twice run well against Unowhatimeanharry and is interesting in a first-time tongue tie. Snow Falcon can be relied on to travel well on this ground and offers some each-way value at big odds.
Ryanair Chase (2.50)
“He attacked, he jumped, he stayed,” says Ruby Walsh. “He’s a cracking little horse, he’s so consistent. He’s so forward going, so honest, he wears his heart on his sleeve. He’s a little tiger.”
Ryanair Chase (2.50) result
1 Un De Sceaux (R Walsh) 7-4 Fav
2 Sub Lieutenant (D J Mullins) 8-1
3 Aso (Charlie Deutsch) 40-1
8 ran
Also: 11-4 Empire Of Dirt 4th
CSF: 15.33
Tricast: 372.13
Updated
Ryanair Chase (2.50) 2m 5f
Un De Sceaux continues to make all, barrelling along as if his tail is on fire. Josses Hill and Aso put in a challenge as Empire of Dirt stays on up the outside. Un De Sceaux takes the last and leads by five lengths. Un De Sceaus leads up the hill to win by a length from Sub Lieutenant. It’s another winner for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins. Un De Sceaux wins the Ryanair Chase.
Updated
Ryanair Chase (2.50) 2m 5f
Un De Sceaux is tanking along threatening to pull Ruby Walsh’s arms out of his shoulder sockets and his jockey lets him move to the front, where he opens a 12 length lead. Uxizandre is in second, with Aso in third, followecd by Josses Hill. Empire of Dirt is currently in last place and gets a reminder from Bryan Cooper as Ruby tries to get a breather into Un De Sceaux. They’ve four to jump ...
Ryanair Chase (2.50) 2m 5f
They’re off and running in the Ryanair chase with Un De Sceaux the favourite at around 7-4 and sponsor Michael O’Leary’s Empire of Dirt second in the betting at 11-4. “It’s been a while since Willie Mullins had a few quid off Michael O’Leary so he’d be delighted to win this,” says ITV jester AP McCoy. Uxizandre makes the running, with Sub Lieutenant a length behind. Josses Hill is next, with Un De Sceaux running wide behind him ...
Presenting Percy romps heads Pertemps Procession
Presenting Percy turned the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle into a procession as he gave trainer Pat Kelly and jockey Davy Russell back-to-back victories.
Mall Dini had struck for the same Irish team 12 months ago and Presenting Percy (11-1) followed up in devastating fashion. Russell brought the six-year-old through the pack to lead before the final flight and storm up the hill to win from Barney Dawn, Jury Duty and The Tourard Man.
“To be honest the credit has to go to Pat Kelly, he’s a master and he improved for the better ground and I’d like to apologise to Phil Smith [BHA handicapper], maybe he was right [to give him more weight that his official Irish rating]. Probably 99 times out of 100 the handicapper does a good job, but I thought he’d been a bit harsh on him. Pat has obviously found improvement in him.
“I rode my luck a bit and jumped him off at the back, but he settled lovely and it all went well. I’ve been to a lot of sporting occasions, but this is the ultimate.”
Ryanair Chase (2.50) preview
Empire Of Dirt is a monster in my eyes and I shall be most disappointed if he can’t win this, hopefully finishing strongly enough to make everyone see that he should have run in the Gold Cup. Un De Sceaux won’t get his ground and it’s not hard to see him being beaten, given the way Willie Mullins’s week is going. Uxizandre won this two years ago and made a very promising comeback from injury in January. Alary had a big reputation in France which he has rather blown with two non-completions since joining Colin Tizzard but perhaps this is where we’ll see the vaunted ability. Vaniteux has plenty of pace and is interesting with Noel ‘Grade 1’ Fehily aboard for the first time.
Pertemps Final (2.10)
It’s a winner for Galway-based trainer Pat Kelly, who masterminded victory in this race last year as well. Davy Russell gave him a super ride, settling in at the back of the field before slicing through the field like a hot knife through butter.
Pertemps Final (2.10) result
1 Presenting Percy (D N Russell) 11-1
2 Barney Dwan (P J Brennan) 16-1
3 Jury Duty (J W Kennedy) 9-1
4 The Tourard Man (Kevin Dowling) 66-1
24 ran
Also: 8-1 Fav Impulsive Star
CSF: 161.10
Tricast: 1682.52
Updated
Pertemps Final (2.10) 3m
Barney Dwan takes up the running with Jury Duty in hot pursuit. Presenting Percy takes the lead at the last and surges clear up the hill to win for Davy Russell. Presenting Percy wins under a patient ride from Davy Russell, who said before the race that he thought the horse was carrying too much weight and suggested punters should look elsewhere.
Updated
Pertemps Final (2.10) 3m
The field completely demolishes three panels of the seventh from home, which they’ll have to jump again, with Arctic Gold out in front, ahead of Ballymallin, Tobefair, Sutton Manor and Impulsive Star ...
Pertemps Final (2.10) 3m
Splash Of Ginge, Ballymallin and Arctic Gold contoinue to make the running as the field plods along with over a circuit to go. Mr Mix, Sutton Manor, Jury Duty are also prominent ...
Updated
Pertemps Final (2.10) 3m
The 24 runners and riders are away and running in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle with little or nothing to choose between Jury Duty, For Good Measure and Impulsive Star at the head of the betting market. Ballymallin, Arctic Gold and Splash of Ginge make the early running as they take the first couple of hurdles ...
Updated
An innovative wheeze from ITV
They had an infra-red camera in the unsaddling enclosure to show how hot the horses can be after racing and how important it is that they’re sluiced down with buckets of cold water after the race to help cool them down. Here’s Yorkhill getting cooled down by his handler.
Infrared camera from @itvracing a nice idea, but just a little too much revealed here pic.twitter.com/mK8zchiWgU
— Alan Smith (@alansmith90) March 16, 2017
Updated
Yorkhill gets Walsh and Mullins on the board
Yorkhill gave trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh a belated first winner of this year’s Cheltenham Festival when winning a dramatic race for the JLT Novices’ Chase, write PA Sport.
Walsh had Graham Wylie’s seven-year-old switched off at the back of the field as Balko Des Flos made the running. Baily Cloud fell six out and badly hampered Flying Angel, and the complexion of the race changed even more when Balko Des Flos came down at the fourth-last with Yorkhill doing well to avoid him.
His exit saw Disko go on but Top Notch, Kilcrea Vale and Yorkhill were also bang there and it was the latter who showed his class. Leading before the final fence, the 6-4 favourite had to be driven out to hold Top Notch by a length, with Disko three lengths away in third.
“There’s been a lot of toing and froing about whether to go chasing or stay hurdling, but he’s got Gold Cup horse written all over him and always had,” said Walsh.
“People crab him because of his jumping, but he has a huge kink in him - people never realised the job Paul Nicholls did with Denman, because he was the same. Both are chestnuts by Presenting, the best ones all have a kink, he has a massive engine. He’s brilliant. He slipped taking off at the first down the back and when he landed I thought ‘your luck could be in today’. Everything can’t go your way all the time and you have to prepare for that.”
Updated
Pertemps Final (2.10) preview
The Cresselly Arms on Cresswell Quay, Pembroke is your destination for tonight if Tobefair wins this, the Welsh-trained handicapper being owned by 17 regulars of that venerable pub. He’s on a winning run of seven and seems to be constantly underestimated by punters. The run will end some day but will it be here? Paddy Power thin so, as they seem to have pushed him out to 11-1 as I type.
Gordon ‘This Year’s Willie’ Elliott has Jury Duty, who trailed Gayebury last time but is 13lb better off here and looks a likely sort. Impulsive Star is on a steep upward curve, while Isleofhopendreams is having a late-career flourish for Willie Mullins. Patrick Kelly, who won this last year with Mall Dini, fields Presenting Percy but believes his chance has been dished by a 16lb hike for his most recent win. Caid Du Berlais has another go after falling at the first over fences on Tuesday.
Updated
JLT Novice Chase (1.30)
“He’s a racehorse,” says Ruby Walsh, who had to skip around a couple of fallers en route to victory. “To me he’s a Gold Cup horse. He’s got a huge kink in him like Denman but he’s a massive engine. It’s brilliant. He slipped taking off at the first down the back and I remember thinking ‘our luck could be in today’.”
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) result
1 Yorkhill (R Walsh) 6-4 Fav
2 Top Notch (D A Jacob) 7-2
3 Disko (B J Cooper) 4-1
8 ran
Also: 10-1 Politologue 4th
CSF: 7.18
Tricast: 16.46
Updated
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) 2m 4f
Yorkhill leads over the last with Top Notch in hot pursuit ... Yorkhill starts to idle in front but pulls a length clear. Yorkhill wins to put one on the board for Ruby Walsh and Willie Mullins.
Updated
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) 2m 4f
I spoke too soon: Baily Cloud falls and hampers Flying Angel, then Balko Des Flos comes a cropper at the next. They’re approaching the second last with Yorkhill about to make his move up the inside ...
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) 2m 4f
Kilcrea Vale leads the field with Disko lolling along behind him. They’re a length or so clear of Disko and Politologue, two of three greys in the field. They’ve seven to jump and everyone’s still in contention ...
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) 2m 4f
They’re away in the first of the day, starting out in the country with Yorkhill at the back of the field as they leap the first. Balko Des Flos makes the running from Kilcrea Vale and Disko ...
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) 2m 4f
As the horses went down to post, Yorkhill overshot the start. He has a reputation for petulance, so Ruby Walsh looks like he’ll have his work cut out today. According to Willie Mullins, he has a habit of jumping left, which could pose a problem at the third last. “Fingers crossed we might get going today,” says Mullins. “But it wouldn’t be any fun if having winners here was easy. Hopefully we’ll get one or two over the line.”
Weather report
While Cheltenham was bathed in warm sunshine yesterday, today it’s comparatively overcast and gloomy. It’s nine degrees, but there’s no rain forecast.
JLT Novices' Chase (1.30) betting
- Yorkhill 6-4
- Top Notch 7-2
- Disko 9-2
- Politologue 8-1
- FLying Angel 10-1
- Kilcrea Vale 20-1
Yuks and giggles with AP McCoy
The champion jockey-turned -ITV pundit has been on fire with his off the cuff witticisms this week and has already unleashed his first Wildean bon mot of the afternoon. In a piece to camera filmed alongside the statue of himself that was unveiled on Tuesday, he tells Ed Chamberlin “it’s more popular than I ever was and it’s more animated than I am”.
Less than half an hour to go ...
With the first race coming up in less than half an hour, it’s time to get your entries in for our tipping competition if you haven’t done so already. Obviously the Guardian Towers tipping competition - featuring such luminaries as the Fashioon Desk’s Imogen Fox, obsessive gambling’s Sean Ingle and feature writing’s Stephen Moss - is the one they’re all talking about. There are over 20 entrants this year, the pot is well over a ton and I currently lead the standings by .75 of a point after 14 races, having been nearly 20 points clear of everyone at the end of day one. After tipping seven losers yesterday, things can only improve. Or stay the same.
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) preview
I’m working on a theory, prompted by the successes of Labaik, Tiger Roll and Might Bite, that what you really want for the Cheltenham Festival is a thorough bampot, a horse who knows his own mind and is only marginally interested in what you’d like him to do.
Jonjo O’Neill got me thinking along these lines. He reckons a nice, sweet, biddable animal may not respond so well to the hurly burly of these races as a horse with a serious attitude problem. Anyway, if true, this theory is a pointer to Yorkhill, last seen tearing around Leopardstown when Ruby was trying to school him a fortnight ago. A winner at the last Festival, he seems to have a huge engine and should win if Walsh can persuade him to give the fences proper consideration.
That would be a relief to Willie Mullins, anyway, as the great Irishman seeks his first success of this Festival. The opposition comes from Top Notch and Politologue, who have been beating up small fields on soft ground all winter and will find this a different matter. It might be dangerous to under-rate Noel Meade’s Disko, though.
Today's non-runners
3.30: No5 Dedigout, No11 The New One, No13 Un Temps Pour Tout, No15 Yanworth
The Love The Jumps podcast coming in your ears
In today’s episode, the team recap all the action from Ladies Day at the Festival, with contributions from Henry De Bromhead, Ben Pauling, Jamie Codd, and Gordon Elliott. Plus, Matt Woolston provides his tips for this afternoon.
Ruby Walsh on Douvan's poor run yesterday
Ruby Walsh has been talking on ITV’s Opening Show programme about the bitter disappointment of Douvan’s defeat in Wednesday’s Queen Mother Champion Chase.
“I don’t know how you can put it into words, shock maybe, but it wasn’t happening from a long way out,” Walsh said. “He wasn’t jumping with his usual fluency. He was erratic and he even put down on me at the fence past the stands.
“When I faced into the back straight I was struggling to keep up with Special Tiara and from the top of the hill I was hoping for a miracle and it never came off.
“When he guessed at the first, then gave the second so much air, I knew it wasn’t the normal Douvan. He’s stiff and sore today and I think he’ll be scanned later in the week, but he’s standing up. He’s okay, and lives to fight another day. He’ll definitely race again.”
Willie Mullins reports Douvan will undergo an MRI scan after finishing lame behind in Champion Chase yesterday
— Racing Post (@RacingPost) March 16, 2017
Mullins v O'Leary (round three)
We’re tracking the relative success this week of Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary, a powerful owner in jump racing, and the champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins. The pair of them fell out in September, resulting in about 60 horses being moved to other Irish trainers. So far at this Festival, O’Leary is faring the better, his two winners on opening day including one, Apple’s Jade, that was moved from Mullins to Gordon Elliott in the autumn.
Their runners today
1.30
-
Mullins: Yorkhill
- O’Leary: Disko, Balko Des Flos
2.10
-
Mullins: Isleofhopendreams
-
O’Leary: Sutton Manor
2.50
-
Mullins: Un De Sceaux
-
O’Leary: Empire Of Dirt, Sub Lieutenant
3.30
-
Mullins: Clondaw Warrior, Nichols Canyon, Shaneshill
- O’Leary: Dedigout
4.10
-
Mullins: nil
-
O’Leary: Road To Respect
4.50
-
Mullins: Airlie Beach, Let’s Dance, Asthuria
-
O’Leary: Barra
5.30
-
Mullins: nil
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O’Leary: nil
Our tips for today's races ...
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1.30 JLT Novice Chase Yorkhill 11-8
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2.10 Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Isleofhopendreams 12-1
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2.50 Ryanair Chase Empire Of Dirt 11-4
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3.30 World Hurdle Snow Falcon 20-1
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4.10 Brown Advisory Plate Thomas Crapper 10-1
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4.50 Mares Novice Hurdle Titi De Montmartre 40-1
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5.30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Southfield Royale 9-1
Is it too much to hope for a double in the opening two races for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh? The forgotten men of jump racing have a couple of fine chances in my eyes and I’m prepared to back their resilience. My own resilience is another matter. I notice, on reflection, that if I’m right about these, Robin Dickin and Neil Mulholland will be the only British-based trainers to get a winner on this card. Doesn’t seem very likely, does it? Oh well, too late to change it now...
And Mark Walsh's rides go to ...
JP McManus needed a new jockey for some of his runners today, following the concussion suffered yesterday by Mark Walsh. The owner has allowed his trainers to use their stable jockeys on some of them, so Wayne Hutchinson is on Uxizandre in the Ryanair and Robbie Power gets the leg-up on Jezki in the Stayers, while Sam Twiston-Davies rides Bouvreuil in the Plate. Twiston-Davies has switched across from Rock Gone, for whom Dr Newland has now got Josh Moore and will be hoping Sam has made a shocking mistake.
For tomorrow’s Gold Cup, McManus has moved Aidan Coleman across from Minella Rocco to More Of That, giving Noel Fehily the ride on Minella Rocco. I’m afraid Coleman has some history of misfortune in this kind of thing, having picked the wrong horse when Mon Mome won the National and having lost the ride on Thistlecrack when he chose instead to ride one for Emma Lavell at Aintree a couple of years ago. I believe he was also offered the ride on Finian’s Oscar when that one made its British debut but chose instead to get on a 100-1 shot for Jonjo, which presumably indicates where he sees his future.
Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir (5.30) preview
A staying chase for amateur riders with quite a good history of significant winners, including Cause Of Causes, who won again this week in the cross-country. Squouateur is a bit of a talking horse and looks likely to start favourite despite hardly ever winning. He was favourite for the Martin Pipe at the last Festival and got stuffed that day, too.
Mall Dini might be a different proposition, having won the Pertemps here last year, and he might give Katie Walsh a good spin. Derek O’Connor is on Pendra, who hasn’t run since being pulled up in the Grand National 11 months ago, which is hardly encouraging. He also has first-time blinkers. What’s Happening won round here in October and could get involved. Another Hero wears a first-time tongue tie, although his jockey is Jonjo O’Neill Jr, who lacks experience. Southfield Royale is believed to have had a wind operation since his Great Yorkshire flop.
Mares' Novice Hurdle (4.50) preview
Here’s a race that might have been designed to Willie Mullins’s specifications and he duly won it last year. This time, he has the two most likely to head the betting. Let’s Dance has won a couple of Graded races, which is all very fine, but Airlie Beach, at a bigger price, arguably has stronger credentials after winning a Grade One against males, the Royal Bond, with a subsequent Grade One winner in second.
La Bague Au Roi is unbeaten over hurdles but hasn’t yet shown she belongs at this level. That is even more true of most of the others, although Titi De Montmartre has some smart-looking French form and could run above her odds.
Brown Advisory Plate (4.10) preview
What a tricky thing this race is, with one winning favourite in the last decade and others priced at 66-1, 50-1, 33-1 and 33-1 again. When it comes to the Plate, you’re a mug if you just back the favourite. That being said, Diamond King is a properly worthy favourite, having won a handicap hurdle at the last Festival and being trained by Gordon ‘Handicaps’ Elliott.
Starchitect just missed the frame in last year’s County Hurdle and looks to be getting his act together over fences. Bouvreuil has been fragile but threatens to win a big one at some point. Sizing Codelco has a first-time tongue tie after running fourth here on New Year’s Day. Champagne At Tara needs to be delivered right on the line or he might stop, so good luck to Aidan Coleman. Thomas Crapper has snuck in at the bottom and is reckoned to be better for a wind operation this winter.
Stayers' Hurdle (3.30) preview
Harry Fry narrowly missed out yesterday with his hotly fancied Neon Wolf and goes again here with Unowhatimeanharry, a winner at the last Festival and the dominant stayer of this winter. He should be fine on this ground, as it must have been fairly similar when he won here last year, and he has Noel ‘Midas Touch’ Fehily aboard, so what can go wrong? Cole Harden won this from the front two years ago and, although he has not won since, he did run the favourite to a length and three-quarters in January.
He might be dangerous again if granted a soft lead on this ground. Jezki is a converted Champion Hurdler who has shown good form this season, albeit at shorter distances. This has been an unproductive week for Nigel Twiston-Davies but his Ballyoptic has twice run well against Unowhatimeanharry and is interesting in a first-time tongue tie. Snow Falcon can be relied on to travel well on this ground and offers some each-way value at big odds.
Ryanair Chase (2.50) preview
Empire Of Dirt is a monster in my eyes and I shall be most disappointed if he can’t win this, hopefully finishing strongly enough to make everyone see that he should have run in the Gold Cup. Un De Sceaux won’t get his ground and it’s not hard to see him being beaten, given the way Willie Mullins’s week is going.
Uxizandre won this two years ago and made a very promising comeback from injury in January. Alary had a big reputation in France which he has rather blown with two non-completions since joining Colin Tizzard but perhaps this is where we’ll see the vaunted ability. Vaniteux has plenty of pace and is interesting with Noel ‘Grade 1’ Fehily aboard for the first time.
Pertemps Final (2.10) preview
The Cresselly Arms on Cresswell Quay, Pembroke is your destination for tonight if Tobefair wins this, the Welsh-trained handicapper being owned by 17 regulars of that venerable pub. He’s on a winning run of seven and seems to be constantly underestimated by punters. The run will end some day but will it be here? Paddy Power think so, as they seem to have pushed him out to 11-1 as I type.
Gordon ‘This Year’s Willie’ Elliott has Jury Duty, who trailed Gayebury last time but is 13lb better off here and looks a likely sort. Impulsive Star is on a steep upward curve, while Isleofhopendreams is having a late-career flourish for Willie Mullins. Patrick Kelly, who won this last year with Mall Dini, fields Presenting Percy but believes his chance has been dished by a 16lb hike for his most recent win. Caid Du Berlais has another go after falling at the first over fences on Tuesday.
JLT Novice Chase (1.30) preview
I’m working on a theory, prompted by the successes of Labaik, Tiger Roll and Might Bite, that what you really want for the Cheltenham Festival is a thorough bampot, a horse who knows his own mind and is only marginally interested in what you’d like him to do.
Jonjo O’Neill got me thinking along these lines. He reckons a nice, sweet, biddable animal may not respond so well to the hurly burly of these races as a horse with a serious attitude problem. Anyway, if true, this theory is a pointer to Yorkhill, last seen tearing around Leopardstown when Ruby was trying to school him a fortnight ago. A winner at the last Festival, he seems to have a huge engine and should win if Walsh can persuade him to give the fences proper consideration.
That would be a relief to Willie Mullins, anyway, as the great Irishman seeks his first success of this Festival. The opposition comes from Top Notch and Politologue, who have been beating up small fields on soft ground all winter and will find this a different matter. It might be dangerous to under-rate Noel Meade’s Disko, though.
The 32Red Cheltenham Festival tipping competition
Congratulations to Bacciodilupo, who won Wednesday’s competition on a final score of +27, having been the only tipster to pick out Flying Tiger (33-1). Commiserations to barneyrubblesbubbles, who had winners at 16-1 and 14-1 but still came up short on +25, while Toptrapper (+20) also scored well. Baccio, we’ll be in touch by email next week.
You could win a £50 bet from 32Red by proving your tipping prowess on today’s races. All you have to do is give us your selections for all of today’s races at Cheltenham. As ever, our champion will be the tipster who returns the best profit to notional stakes of £1 at starting price on each tip. Non-runners count as losers.
Please post all your tips in a single posting, using the comment facility below, before the first race at 1.30pm. There are seven races at Cheltenham today and you must post a single selection for each race. Our usual terms and conditions will apply, except that this will be a strictly one-day thing. If we get a tie after all the races have been run, the winner will be the one who posted their tips earliest out of those with the highest score. If an entrant has to repost their selections because of a non-runner, we will use the time of their later posting for tiebreak purposes.
If you don’t win today, don’t despair. There will be one more chance to win tomorrow.
Top jockeys after Day Two
- Noel Fehily 2
- Nico De Boinville 2
- Jamie Codd 2
- Bryan Cooper 1
- David Bass 1
- Richard Johnson 1
- Jack Kennedy 1
- Lisa O’Neill 1
- Denis O’Regan 1
- Robbie Power 1
- Tom Scudamore 1
Noel Fehily must be in dreamland, finally getting the big-race victories his talent deserves, having spent at least half his career making the most of modest opportunities. Richard Johnson has got his first Festival victory since 2014. Ruby Walsh, of course, is still waiting but the top of this table could have a very different look by this time tomorrow.
Top trainers after Day Two
- Gordon Elliott 5 wins
- Nicky Henderson 3
- Henry De Bromhead 1
- Alan Fleming 1
- Jessica Harrington 1
- Ben Pauling 1
- David Pipe 1
- Nick Williams 1
The seat of power has well and truly shifted. As Willie Mullins remains glued to the starting blocks, Gordon Elliott powers clear of the pack and Nicky Henderson chugs along at his usual, reliable pace. Ben Pauling has cemented his position as a young trainer to follow with a first Festival success, while Williams has been made to wait rather longer, having been inches away with Maljimar eight years ago. All of which means the score in country terms is: Ireland 8-6 Britain.
It's moving day at the Festival
The carnage continued yesterday as six out of seven favourites got turned over and four more winners priced at 11-1 or more had the bookmakers summoning fleets of armoured trucks to get their takings for the day back home. Ahead of Gold Cup day tomorrow, we have seven more races to get through this afternoon, the pick of them being the Ryanair Chase (2.50) and the Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30), both offering a first prize of £170,850 to the winning connections.
We’ll be here until close of play after the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir (5.30) so stay tuned for going and weather reports, race previews, betting updates, news of non-runners and the best photographs from Cheltenham until racing begins with the JLT Novices’ Chase at 1.30pm (GMT). And remember, when the fun stops, stop NOW IS THE TIME TO BET LIKE MEN!!!
