Get on the Brandy to warm the cockles of your wallet in the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.
This is billed as one of the races of the Festival with Champion Hurdlers Honeysuckle and Epatante taking on last year’s winner Marie’s Rock but I fancy BRANDY LOVE (4.10) to spoil the party.
She thrashed another of today’s runners, Love Envoi, with an awesome display to land a Fairyhouse Grade 1 mares’ novice last spring.
Her comeback run when third behind Queens Brook at Punchestown last month was satisfactory and she should have improved a huge amount for that run.
This will also be her first hurdles run on a left-handed track and that has always looked likely to suit Willie Mullins’ mare. Have 2pts to win at 11-2.
MONBEG GENUIS (2.50) has taken to chasing like a thirsty Cheltenham punter takes to Guinness and he is the one to be on in the Ultima Chase.
His jumping was superb when landing a hat-trick of wins at Chepstow last month. The form of that race looks very solid.
If he gets into a nice rhythm up with the pace he will take some stopping. Have 2pts each-way at 9-1. Sky Bet are paying out on eight places and others are going seven.
French imports have a good record in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
JAZZY MATTY (4.50) started off with a fifth at Auteuil in September and he has kicked on since joining Gordon Elliott.
This half-brother of top-class chaser Delta Work had the favourite for this race, Tekao, behind him when runner-up on his Irish debut.
His two races since winning at Fairyhouse haven’t panned out for him and he remains nicely treated.
Top claiming jockey Michael O’Sullivan is an excellent booking. Have 2pts each-way at 18-1. Plenty of bookies are paying out on six places.
