The 2026 Lavazza Handicap Hurdle at Ascot

I guess it's a sign of the times. 

Newton Abbot passes an 8.00 am inspection on Wednesday after heavy rain had left patches of broken ground on the course while the West Country Weekend (scheduled for Friday and Saturday November 6-7) has been called off after the dry summer left both Exeter and Wincanton 'unraceable'.

Ludlow has already lost three meetings this autumn, with clerk of the course Simon Sherwood telling the Racing Post the track is in a race against time to save its remaining winter fixtures. 

So, unfortunately, no racing for this year's pilgrimage into the Shropshire countryside; tell me, what's a downbeat punter supposed to do to celebrate formal entry into the septuagenarian populace? Well, place a couple of bets at the 'away' meeting at Carlisle (Isabelle Ryder helped the cause aboard Magna Victor, reeling in Sytadel in the shadow of the post, the winner trained in Bridgnorth, Shropshire by Alastair Ralph) - and then take a tour of the local Ludlow Brewery... Hic. 

Sixteen have been declared for the Lavazza Handicap Hurdle (3.43 Ascot); the going is described as good to firm.

Earlier in the week Williethebuilder and Trustintimes were in a tussle for favouritism at the head of the market - a battle Trustintimes appears to have won this evening. Back in December Williethebuilder beat Trustintimes three and a half lengths in a handicap at Kempton (Indemnity well behind in fourth). 

Christian Williams' charge advertised his current wellbeing by winning a Sedgefield handicap with something to spare 13 days ago; he comes into this on a career-high mark of 140.

Before that defeat Trustintimes beat Fortune De Mer one length over course and distance; Harry Fry has a good record at Ascot and his charge, only beaten four lengths in a pipe-opener on the Flat at Nottingham 17 days ago, certainly looks weighted to reverse that Kempton form.

In the past ten years the winner has come from the first three in the betting on six occasions and has been between five and seven years of age; four of the past five winners have carried 11-04 or more.

Since moving to the O'Neill yard in the spring Gower Prince hasn't finished outside the first two in four chase and two hurdle starts - his effort behind Breaking Cover at Stratford in September reads well. 

Last time he beat Haas Boy a neck in a seniors' handicap hurdle at Chepstow and races from six pounds out of the handicap here although Benjamin Macey's claim offsets most of the additional weight. The yard won the 2021 renewal with Soaring Glory.

Emerald Time goes from three pounds out of the handicap.

Moveit Like Minnie has some respectable form in the book, including third behind Alexei and Indemnity in this race last year (Fasol fifth); he subsequently finished fifth behind Trustintimes over course and distance before being campaigned over further. 

The step back to two miles looks a positive move but he's always struck me as a tricky customer and he didn't go well for Nico De Boinville in the Sussex Stayers' Hurdle at Plumpton in April.

Ben Pauling and Paul Nicholls have struggled for winners in the very early stages of the season. The former saddles Messerschmitt for the first time while the latter recorded a welcome double at Ffos Las on Thursday and runs Fasol.

In my preview of last year's renewal, I noted Mr Nicholls hinted that Fasol doesn't always find what might be expected at the business end of a race - the handler fits first-time blinkers here.

Nap Hand, rated 78 on the Flat, has been busy since moving out of Alan King's yard in the spring, running four times over hurdles and winning twice. He won easily enough at Plumpton 12 days ago and has been raised just three pounds for his trouble. 

Stablemate Kocktail Bleu, who arguably boasts stronger form, held a five-day entry for this but didn't make the final declaration stage; at the time of writing that gelding holds an entry in a Class 2 handicap at Plumpton on Monday, run over an extended two and a half miles.

The yard won the 2024 renewal of this race with Our Champ.

Mare Brendas Asking was off the track for the best part of a year before finishing third at Haydock in April. Next time out she won at Warwick off a mark of 113 under 10 pound claimer Aamilah Aswat and takes her chance here off a career-high mark of 118. 

20/1 about Indemnity looks quite a big price; this one finished second in this race last year (off 121) and then third behind Tutti Quanti in the Gerry Feilden before disappointing behind Williethebuilder and Trustintimes at Kempton. 

Given a break, Emma Lavelle's charge bounced back to win the Sussex Champion Hurdle in eye-catching fashion off 124 (Fasol fourth, Hamlet's Knight fifth, Nap Hand eighth) before putting in a below par effort in the Swinton. 

His second next time behind High Fibre in the Market Rasen Summer Hurdle reads well (Morning Mayhem fourth) but he pulled too hard next time behind Un Sens A La Vie (Morning Mayhem second) and then weakened quickly on the all-weather at Kempton 10 days ago.

Morning Mayhem has runs 16 times - and gone up 30 pounds - since the turn of the year; second behind Pioneer Pete in the Welsh Champion Hurdle (Gibbs Island seventh, Hamlet's Knight tenth) represents a noteworthy effort. 

Rightsotom finished seventh behind Our Champ in the 2024 renewal and probably wants further; connections try blinkers for the first time. In a recent stable tour article on the Sporting Life website, handler Joe Tizzard said:

"He has got an engine, but it is a case of him putting his mind to it. He is off a mark where he will win, and his Doncaster form is good."

Just over 12 months ago Gibbs Island won the Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow 'Four Year Old' Hurdle at Chepstow off 132. He hasn't won since but was just six lengths behind Wilful in the County Hurdle in March; he runs off his lowest handicap mark to date but his profile suggests he may prefer some cut underfoot.

Parchment's defeat of Pourquoi Pas Papa at Clairefontaine last summer catches the eye. 

The four-year-old gelding 'could be anything', as the saying goes, on his first run in a handicap off 116 - and there has been money for David Pipe's charge through the day. Pourquoi Pas Papa is currently rated 130 over hurdles, 131 over fences.

83 on the Flat, Hamlet's Knight was only seven lengths behind Wilful in the Listed Panoramic Hurdle nine days ago, probably the best ever hurdle race staged at Carlisle. That may have flattered James Owen's charge but the handicapper was sufficiently impressed to raise him four pounds; Rian Corcoran claims five and underfoot conditions should suit. 

Zillow boasts a Flat rating of 92 but has yet to show any worthwhile form in Britain since his move from Willie Mullins' yard in June.

A very competitive renewal.

Racing off a mark 15 pounds higher than last year - enough to give anyone a double dose of the spooks - Indemnity comes with plenty of risk and no insurance guarantee. His tendency to pull too hard in races is a major concern; if he fails to settle here, no doubt a Halloween horror show will ensue. 

That said, off a mark of 133, he was five lengths clear of his field coming to the last in the Summer Hurdle at Market Rasen, eventually caught close home by High Fibre. 

Placed in eight of 12 hurdle starts to date, Indemnity looks handicapped to the hilt but I can't let Emma Lavelle's charge go unbacked at 20/1. 

Indemnity is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 20/1 generally, with most layers paying five places.

A quick pick for Saturday's Cheltenham Showcase 2026

Late returning from an extended summer vacation, I'm still some way off full race fitness. 

Nonetheless I'm going to take a chance and a small each-way interest in Kitty Foyle in the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2.20 Cheltenham); seven of the 19 declared race from out of the handicap, although I note booked claimer Robbie David's lowest riding weight in the past 12 months is 10-00. 

Second behind Sunray Shadow (now rated 129) off her current mark in a handicap hurdle at Huntingdon in May, Daisy Hitchins' mare finished third behind American Sniper at Newton Abbot towards the end of August and will likely appreciate the step back up in trip here. 

She won a Goodwood handicap on soft ground in August 2024 so if the forecast rain arrives, I'd like to think she could handle underfoot conditions.

In a Straight from the Stable article (RP Weekender 18-22.03.26) the trainer said of her bargain basement buy:

"She's a brilliant mare to have and was great value at £5,000 after she'd lost her way. We've really turned her form around and she hasn't looked back. She'd have to be my trainer's pick as I think she's going to progress well when she carries on over longer distances."

Kitty Foyle is the each-way selection, 28/1 generally, with most layers paying five places.

Waiting for the jumpers to go a-jumping...

The dog days of summer have led to a number of problems for jump racing. Abandonments include: Warwick (September 30th); Ludlow (October 7th); Exeter (October 15th & October 20th); Fakenham (October 16th); along with the opening fixtures of the season at Kempton (October 18th) and Wincanton (October 25th). 

There are no steeplechase races at Chepstow's three day Welsh Racing Festival meet this weekend. 

Earlier today Pioneer Pete went off 3/1 favourite for the Welsh Champion Hurdle and made most to win four lengths while 16/1 shot West Hill Verde fought back after the last to deny La Cote Fleurie in the Persian War Hurdle.

I thought Welsh Charger, on a mark of 123 and sporting first-time cheekpieces, worthy of a second look in the DragonBet Born In Wales Seniors' Handicap Hurdle on Sunday's card (4.22). 

Back in the spring several trainers voiced their displeasure when Cheltenham cancelled their final two fixtures in order to begin drainage work after a large hole opened up in the home straight at the Trials Day meeting in January. 

Clerk of the course Jon Pullin reports the upgrade work has now been successfully completed and racing returns to Prestbury Park with the Showcase meeting at the end of the month.  

Regardless, Dan Skelton marches on in pursuit of Martin Pipe's record of 243 winners in a season; he has made an impressive start with 93 wins from 308 runs, a strike-rate of over 30%. 

High profile purchases have found their way to Lodge Hill and Badbury Hill Barn in recent months including Push The Limit (580,000 euros, owned by Coates-Smith Racing); Isaac Of York (500,000 euros, owned by Mr Robert Kirkland); Walkonseas (500,000 euros, owned by Mr J P McManus); Kaiser Ball (£360,000, owned by Carsberg Morrall Redknapp Wilding partnership); Ilians Way (260,000 euros, owned by Babbitt Racing); Different Story (£160,000, owned by Tony Bloom & Ian McAleavy partnership); and Risky Obsession (£130,000, owned by Mr Robert Kirkland). 

Harry Skelton leads the jump jockey title race with 91 wins, 24 ahead of current champion Sean Bowen.

Paul Nicholls tells readers of his Betfair blog he needs just eight more winners to beat Martin Pipe's record of GB National Hunt winners and 48 more to have 4,000 winners across all codes. 

During National Racehorse Week in August I paid a visit to Tom Ellis' yard at Marton, just outside Princethorpe - a mere seven miles from Coventry; it seemed like horse sense to add the following chasers into the notebook...

Desertmore News goes chasing this term.

After the gelding won a novice hurdle at Sedgefield in March, the trainer said:

"We probably pitched Desertmore News in a bit too deep at Kempton [in the Dovecote], but I do hope he's going to get to that level at some point. It might well be when he has fences in front of him....

"He's a big, scopey type who likes nice ground and is very straightforward - it's exciting."

Subsequently beaten 15 lengths in the Novices' Championship Final at Sandown, he would have finished a lot closer but for a bad mistake at the penultimate flight. 

In a schooling session on the day the gelding put himself right at the obstacles on a couple of occasions and is considered better than his current hurdle mark of 123.  

The highest rated chaser in the yard behind stable veteran Latenightpass (135c) is Daytime Dreaming (130c) - a particular habit I've found difficult to throw off for the best part of 50 years. 

This one wasn't able to concede 12 pounds to the Ben Pauling trained As Legends Have It at Uttoxeter in March but prior to that had won a Newbury handicap chase. 

There was a quiet word too for The Dog Thief over the smaller obstacles. 

When we'll get to see these, and other old friends, on a racecourse remains largely dependent on when the rains arrive...

Market Rasen Summer Handicap Hurdle 2026

Just three days after Dan Skelton had been crowned champion trainer at Sandown, news emerged that owners Johnny and Samantha de la Hey had moved 11 horses from Paul Nicholls' yard at Ditcheat; seven - including Pic D'Orhy - have gone to Skelton, while Welcome To Cartries and Joyau Allen are destined for Jamie Snowden and Captain Bellamy and Ivaldi for Chris Gordon.

Two weeks later, after riding a double at Newton Abbot aboard Viroflay and Golden Sun, Paul's daughter Olive announced her retirement from the saddle to become assistant trainer to her father. Meanwhile Megan helped the team secure a half-brother to Luccia at the Goffs UK Spring Store Sale for £140,000; after the event, she said:

"In previous years Dad might've bought more stores but the game plan this time around is to potentially keep it to five or six across the sales, so we have the option of then buying the French recruits, juveniles off the Flat or the point-to-pointers."

Dan Skelton, who has Martin Pipe's record of 243 winners in a season in his sights this season, has made a strong start with 58 winners from 155 runners so far, a strike rate of 37%. 

Having spent a pretty penny at the sales, including 500,000 euros on Isaac Of York at Arqana's Grand Steeple auction, the handler said:

"There's a few we've bought over the last couple of days with Martin Pipe's record in mind. We've bought a few that'll run in the summer and early autumn and others that are going to be winter horses."

Team Tizzard joined in the fun as well, paying 370,000 euros for a half-brother to Brighterdaysahead and Caldwell Potter at the first day of the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.

Money talks, as they say.

Market Rasen's Summer Plate card marks the mid-point of the summer jumps programme; I usually like to take an interest in the Plate (2.45) - just to keep my hand in, you understand - but this year the Summer Handicap Hurdle (2.10) has piqued more interest.

Thirteen declared, with the Dan Skelton trained Louis Veron the clear market leader. 

Carrying a penalty, Bryan Drew's gelding won a Stratford novice 16 lengths last time; allocated a mark of 124 for this handicap debut, he could well be 'thrown in' and is some way clear of rivals on Racing Post ratings, but is priced accordingly and races right-handed for the first time. The favourite has obliged just once in the past ten renewals.

Of the J.P. McManus owned pair, Harry Cobden rides Mojito Des Mottes. 

This one caught the eye when only beaten a neck by King Al in a juvenile handicap at Ascot in March, having met trouble in running three out. The last four-year-old to come home in front was the Skelton trained Red Tornado in 2016.

Newtown Rambler and Oakley Brown have clocked up three wins over fences this summer; rated 132 over fences, he goes off a hurdle mark of 124 with the jockey claiming a further five pounds. Last time out Adrian Keatley's charge beat Kingston Narcissus, favourite for the Summer Plate, half a length over a two mile trip at Uttoxeter.

Rated 70 on the Flat, course and distance winner Squeezebox beat Captain Cool with something to spare in a Southwell handicap last time and has been raised eight pounds to a mark of 119.

Mare Letterston Lily is on a career high mark and, to date, has shown her best form around two and a half miles.

Sporting a first-time tongue-tie 33/1 shot Moon Chime collared top weight Laafi in the Swinton at Haydock in May (Indemnity tenth) and has since backed that effort up with a win on the all-weather at Kempton.

I fancied Indemnity's chance in the Swinton on the back of his third behind Tuttti Quanti in the Gerry Feilden last November and his five and a half length win in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton in April but Emma Lavelle's charge made a mistake three out and weakened out of contention before the final flight at Haydock. His mark, nine pounds higher than when winning at Plumpton, looks high enough.

High Fibre has moved to James Owen's yard for a change of diet. 

Rated 79 on the Flat, he looks well treated on 112 and the booking of Sean Bowen catches the eye. Third in a 12 furlong handicap at York eight days ago, he sports a first-time visor here. One to monitor in the market.

Formerly with Willie Mullins, Charlus, stablemate of the favourite, hasn't shown any worthwhile form for current connections and would probably prefer more cut underfoot.

Arctic Voyage pipped Howth a nose for second, the pair 26 lengths behind runaway winner Morning Mayhem in a Newton Abbot handicap at the beginning of June; a month later Arctic Voyage returned to beat Continuance and Charlus over the same course and distance.

It's difficult to know quite what to make of Morning Mayhem's race. Favourite American Land never went a yard while Centara was 20 lengths clear of his field with a circuit to go but quickly folded and hasn't been seen out since.

Nine days after that Newton Abbot win, Morning Mayhem returned to the track and was sent off favourite for a two mile two and a half furlong hurdle; in the event Nick Scholfield's charge didn't appear to find an awful lot off the bridle and finished fourth of the four runners, beaten three lengths.

Pigeon House has a few miles on the clock for a six-year-old and likes to race from the front.  

At the time of writing the two horses representing the Swinton form can be backed at double figure prices, as can Newton Rambler; High Fibre looks to have come in for significant support and is now as low as 6/1 in a couple of places.

There has been a nibble or two for Morning Mayhem who needs to step up on his latest effort; connections have opted to fit cheekpieces for the first time. On balance I prefer Newtown Rambler. 

Newtown Rambler is the each-way suggestion, 11/1 generally but 14/1 with William Hill; the majority of layers pay four places.

A brief review of the 2025/26 jumps season

Champion jockey: Sean Bowen

Champion trainer: Dan Skelton

Winning owner: J P McManus

Champion conditional jockey: Tristan Durrell

Willie Mullins had pipped Dan Skelton to the past two British trainers' championships but there was no treble for the Irish maestro as Skelton adjusted his strategy accordingly and in the process broke through the £5m prize money barrier.

Some commentators suggested that this year's end-of season bash at Sandown lacked pizazz but try telling that to Team Skelton who turned up en masse to celebrate the trainer's first title and a final prize money total of £5,044,586.

In the jockeys' championship Sean Bowen, with 241 winners a distance clear of nearest pursuer Harry Skelton, indicated Sir Anthony Peter McCoy's record of 289 winners in a season was in his sights.

When I Am Maximus beat Iroko in the Grand National, J P McManus became the first owner to have the first and second in the race; several respected judges thought Ben Jones threw away his winning chance on eventual third Jordans when he kicked for home and went clear before two out.

The King George at Kempton on Boxing Day delivered a 'race for the ages' with Ben Jones aboard Harry Redknapp owned The Jukebox Man beating Banbridge and Gaelic Warrior a nose and a nose, and Jango Baie half a length adrift in fourth.

11 weeks later Gaelic Warrior beat Jango Baie eight lengths in the Cheltenham Gold Cup with The Jukebox Man well behind in eighth, Ben Jones reporting his mount had made a respiratory noise.

40 minutes after the Gold Cup Mr Henry Crow and Barton Snow won the Princes Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase and four weeks later the pair added the Randox Foxhunters' Open Hunters' Chase to their haul.  

This year connections decided to let Lossiemouth take her chance in the Champion Hurdle; the grey mare won with the minimum of fuss. Another Willie Mullins trained grey, Il Etait Temps, won the Champion Chase, with stablemate and market leader Majborough's jumping failing to cut the mustard.

Home By The Lee had run in every renewal of the Stayers' Hurdle since 2022 and, at the fifth time of asking and at the grand old age of 11, Joseph O'Brien's veteran obliged. Four weeks later he went to Aintree and won the Liverpool Hurdle.

66/1 shot Martator won the Grand Annual, giving trainer Venetia Williams something to remember in a season she'll want to forget.

Attendance figures at this year's Festival showed a marked improvement on last year but trouble at the starts, which had plagued last year's meeting, showed no signs of improvement whatsoever. 

Irish amateur Declan Queally alleged Nico De Boinville had made racist comments towards him before the start of the Turners, allegations De Boinville vehemently denied. The pair appeared on ITV Racing the next day, sheepishly shaking hands in front of the weighing room, telling viewers it was all sorted. We were not convinced.  

Sent off the 5/2 favourite for the Turners following a comfortable win in the Challow, No Drama This End suffered plenty of drama of his own down at the start where it quickly transpired he had lost whatever chance he might have held. He was pulled up before the last, trainer Paul Nicholls telling the stewards that, 'having been squeezed out at the start, the gelding was further back than intended and continued to meet trouble in running thereafter.'

In the autumn Alexei and Wilful finished second and third respectively behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle. Five weeks later Alexei won the Greatwood six lengths and talk of a Champion Hurdle entry started to take hold. His third behind Wilful off top weight at Ascot just before Christmas did little to dampen the chatter. Joe Tizzard's charge won the Kingwell at Wincanton before finishing a respectable fourth in the Champion.

Ascot second Hot Fuss beat Wilful at Windsor in January but Wilful came out to win the County Hurdle, beating Persian War winner Sticktotheplan with something to spare.  

Some observers were surprised to see Harry Skelton prefer the nine-year-old Panic Attack to stablemate Hoe Joly Smoke in the Paddy Power Gold Cup but Harry had made the correct call - the mare scooted up the hill four lengths clear of nearest pursuer Vincenzo. 

Two weeks later the mare won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury, Tristan Durrell claiming three, while Harry rode The New Lion in the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle. In a race with uncanny similarities to the 2025 Champion Hurdle, Constitution Hill fell and the mare Golden Ace collected the spoils; The New Lion came to grief two out when a length up but under pressure. 

That fall proved the final straw for connections of Constitution Hill; the gelding has the 2022 Supreme Hurdle and the 2023 Champion Hurdle on his curriculum vitae but he's now forging a new career on the Flat.    

Haiti Couleurs disappointed badly on his first try in graded company behind Grey Dawning in the Betfair Chase at Haydock but next time, in the Welsh Grand National, Sean Bowen sent Rebecca Curtis' charge to the front with a circuit to go and the pair never saw another rival. In the Gold Cup the gelding hit the fourth last, weakened quickly, and was pulled up. 

Twig pipped Mr Vango in the Becher while 33/1 chance Glengouly led his better fancied rivals a merry dance in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham, giving new trainer Faye Bramley her biggest win to date.

Bought out of James Ewart's yard over the summer for just £11,000, Thistle Ask won a Kelso handicap chase on his first start for Dan Skelton off 115; less than three months later, rated 158, he was beaten three lengths by Jonbon in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. His remarkable journey ended in the most poignant fashion when he was fatally injured falling at the seventh in the Celebration Chase at Sandown.

Tutti Quanti made a mockery of his mark in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury, making most to beat Wellington Arch 15 lengths. Supplemented for the Champion Hurdle at a cost £18,000, the gelding was reluctant to line up and trailed in 20 lengths behind Lossiemouth. Next time, in the Scottish Champion Hurdle, he was one length to the good but under pressure when falling at the penultimate flight.

Anglers Crag won the Eider Chase for a second time, unexposed six-year-old Kap Vert the Scottish Grand National and Havaila the bet365 Gold Cup.

Harry Cobden had his last ride as stable jockey for Paul Nicholls in the Select Hurdle at Sandown, Rubaud finishing last of the four runners. Having teamed up with Nicholls in 2018, Cobden was crowned champion jockey in 2023/24 with 164 winners. He leaves Nicholls to become the retained rider for J P McManus; Sam Twiston-Davies returns for a second spell at Ditcheat.

The beginning of April marked 20 years since the first blog post; in apposite fashion the suggested selection to mark the milestone, Triple Trade in the Middle Distance Veterans' Final at Haydock, pecked on landing at the first and unseated Brendan Powell.

And finally...

On Thursday December 18th 2025 Blowers - named after retired cricket commentator Henry Blofeld - became the longest price winner in British racing history, winning the pricedup.bet Maiden Hurdle at Exeter at odds of 300/1, despite jumping left throughout. After the race winning jockey James Best said:

"Ella Herbison was meant to ride Blowers. I was on my way to riding out on the M5 at ten past six and a random unknown Irish number rang me. Sometimes I don't answer and I didn't know who it was. It was Ella. 'Do you want to ride one in the first at Exeter?' Sadly she got stuck in traffic and didn't make her flight. Thank you to Ella for thinking of me and for Nigel and the owners to allow me to ride." 

On Thursday April 2nd 2026 the mare Crokes Cross won the Every Race Live On Racing TV Novices' Hurdle at Kelso, also at odds of 300/1, beating her better fancied stablemate Changemyluck (5/2) one and a quarter lengths. After the race winning trainer Stuart Coltherd said:

"It's unbelievable. Crokes Cross has just kept on improving. I think it's the nice sunny weather, she's been getting out in the field and in the last fortnight she's really started to thrive." 

Unfortunately I had no financial interest in either runner. 

The 2026 bet365 Gold Cup

Fourteen have been declared for tomorrow's bet365 Gold Cup (3.30 Sandown), with four - Ask Brewster, Montregard, Our Power and Road To Home - re-routed here having being withdrawn from last Saturday's Scottish Grand National at Ayr on account of the heavy ground. Gabby's Cross took his chance in that race seven days ago but didn't jump well and was eventually pulled up.  

The going at the Esher track is described as good, good to firm in places, with jockeys at today's Flat meeting reporting plenty of watering has taken place. 

Five weeks ago Havaila beat Some Scope seven lengths in a handicap chase at Newbury off a mark of 116. To quote from Richard Russell's analysis of the race in the RP Weekender:

"HAVAILA went through this like a dream, comfortably called the winner a long way out, with a monster leap at the last not needed but still impressive."

16 days later Gary and Josh Moore's charge, racing off 125, won the Sussex National at Plumpton 'readily' over an extended three and a half miles (Transmission nine lengths back in third). The chestnut has been described as a similar type to former stablemate and Welsh Grand National winner Nassalam (now with Tom Ellis); after that win jockey Caoilin Quinn said:

"Havaila travels very strongly and jumps superbly. He seems to love this better ground and he's still on the up."

Havaila - now rated 135 over fences, 71 on the Flat - still holds an entry in next month's Chester Cup for which he is quoted a 66/1 chance with Paddy Power...

This afternoon In D'Or and Montregard are challenging Havaila for favouritism. 

Favourites do not have a good record in this race; since Mr Frisk in 1990, only one outright market leader has obliged - Kitty's Light in 2023.

Bought out of the David Maxwell dispersal sale for £220,000, In D'Or has run twice for current connections, finishing third to Welcom To Cartries at this track in December and then third behind The Jukebox Kid at Ascot in January (Montregard second, last week's Scottish Grand National winner Kap Vert fourth).

In D'Or won the 2025 renewal of that Ascot race off 125; although weighted to reverse recent form with Montregard, his current mark of 137 looks high enough to me, while his run when sixth behind Haiti Couleurs in the 2025 National Hunt Challenge Cup at Cheltenham (Rock My Way second, Resplendent Grey fourth, Transmission fifth) hints that this trip may test the limits of his stamina.

On two other trips to Ascot this season Montregard has come home in front on both occasions, last time off a mark of 128 (Invincible Nao beaten over 30 lengths in sixth). He is now 16 pounds higher than in the autumn and tries this trip for the first time; trainer Tom Lacey thinks he will stay.

Just over six weeks ago Ask Brewster held Road To Home a neck on good ground in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham run over an extended three and a quarter miles; after five starts Willie Mullins' charge remains a maiden over fences but on revised terms here is weighted to come home ahead of Ask Brewster.

Resplendent Grey won last year's renewal of this race carrying 10-02 off a mark of 142 - one pound out of the handicap; Olly Murphy's charge tries to repeat the feat this year carrying top weight off a mark ten pounds higher and conceding a minimum of eight pounds to all his rivals. 

The grey didn't jump well behind Panic Attack in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November and connections replace the blinkers tried in the Ultima with cheekpieces. He is the best horse in a substandard renewal.

Sporting a first time visor Transmission beat Rock My Way 12 lengths in the Edinburgh National at Musselburgh at the beginning of February but next time was outpaced by Havaila coming to the last in the Sussex National. 

A horse aged either seven or eight has won nine of the past ten renewals.

Back in November Rock My Way won the Berkshire National at Ascot off 131 and last time gave Isaac Des Obeaux six pounds and a right run for his money in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, eventually conceding defeat on the run-in, beaten eight lengths.

Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell should have a reasonable idea where they stand with Rock My Way in relation to Livin On Luco as Rivers Corner pipped that one a short head at Exeter five weeks ago. Team Tizzard are going through a quiet spell although Striking A Pose made all to win at Newton Abbot last week and West Orchard has won the V2 Radio Handicap Hurdle at Fontwell this evening.

Livin On Luco won the Southern National at Fontwell in November and finished a respectable fourth behind Haiti Couleurs in the Welsh National but was well beaten behind Anglers Crag in the Eider; the slightly shorter trip here should help.

Henry's Friend won at Ascot on seasonal reappearance but has been a bit disappointing since; connections fit cheekpieces for the first time, with handler Ben Pauling saying he has been trained for this race.

Our Power, 20 lengths behind Rock My Way in the Berkshire National, hasn't won for over three years and this season in particular has appeared out of sorts; potentially well handicapped if returning to some sort of form, he sports first-time blinkers.

Certainly Red has always had a soft spot for Sandown.

Lydia Richards' veteran finished seventh behind Kitty's Light in the 2023 running of this race and a close-up fourth behind Minella Cocooner the following year. After a protracted spell on the sidelines he came home a very third creditable third behind Calimystic at this track last month despite jumping left on occasions; now 12 years of age, younger rivals are likely to have a bit more toe.

Invincible Nao, stablemate of Havaila, runs from two pounds out of the handicap.

Livin On Luco and Rock My Way are on the shortlist; both looked to have hard enough races last time out. Philip Hobbs won this with Lacdoudal (rated 152) in 2006 and Monkerhostin (rated 153) in 2008 but, on balance, I prefer the form of Rock My Way and hope he can run his race after those exertions in the Midlands Grand National.

Rock My Way is the each-way suggestion, 14/1 generally, with most layers paying four places.

Footnote:

Two I'll monitor in the Novices' Championship Final (1.45 Sandown) are Race To Base and Desertmore News.

The former beat Captain Hugo in a Hereford bumper this time last year and finished fifth in a Uttoxeter maiden on seasonal debut. The winner, De Temps En Temps, is now rated 126, second Tiptoptim finished third in the Challow behind No Drama This End, and fourth Marsiac is on 127. After he won next time (again at Hereford) jockey Sam Twiston-Davies said: "He's very quick, one of the pacier ones at home, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see him stay at the minimum trip." Pulled up on his first run for new connections over 2m 4f on soft ground, he has undergone wind surgery since.

After the latter won a novice hurdle at Sedgefield last month, handler Tom Ellis said: "We probably pitched Desertmore News in a bit too deep at Kempton [the Dovecote] but I do hope he's going to get to that level at some point. It might well be when he has fences in front of him, but the final of the series will be the aim for now. He's a big, scopey type who likes nice ground and is very straightforward - it's exciting."

The 2026 Scottish Grand National

David Smith, economics editor of The Sunday Times, wrote in Wednesday's edition of The Times:

"One of the jibes made against economists - and there are many - is that they see something working in theory and then wonder if it will work in practice." 

I'm no economist but that sentiment struck a bit of a chord...

21 have been declared for this year's Scottish Grand National (3.35 Ayr), the second smallest field in the past ten years; 18 contested the 2023 renewal won by Kitty's Light.

The going at the track today was changed to soft, heavy in places, before the final race at 5.15; showers are predicted before racing tomorrow.  

Top weight this year is rated 145.

The fact the past nine winners have all been rated 135 or above with only two carrying more than 11-00 - Mighty Thunder (144) 11-02, 2021 and Win My Wings (140) 11-08, 2022 - highlights this renewal is some way below the usual standard.

With the exception of Kap Vert, younger horses find themselves towards the head of the market. 

Just over five weeks ago Ask Brewster held Road To Home a neck in the Kim Muir on good ground at Cheltenham with Kim Roque eight lengths adrift in fourth and Herakles Westwood fading badly from three out to finish well beaten in mid division.

On revised terms Road To Home would be expected to reverse placings, especially as, to date, Ask Brewster has shown his best form on decent ground; Kim Roque and Road To Home look closely matched, although Kim Roque appeared to be closing on the leaders at the finish.

King Of Answers seemed to take a step forward in first-time cheekpieces at Kelso in February (Maximillian third) and, raised ten pounds, lost nothing in defeat to Holloway Queen over three and three quarters miles in the National Hunt Challenge Cup at the Festival (eighth Holokea won at Haydock on Wednesday); the handicapper has raised him a further three pounds for that effort.

Paul Nicholls saddles two - Quebecois and Isaac Des Obeaux; the trainer has won the race three times previously with Belmont King (1997) and Vicente twice (2016 and 2017). 

Quebecois is still a maiden over fences. 

He finished third behind Johnnywho and Jagwar in the Ultima (the first named fourth in the Grand National last week, the latter unseating Mark Walsh following a bad mistake in the same race) with Blaze The Way seventh and the grey Stolen Silver beaten over 45 lengths in fourteenth. 

On his blog the handler concedes his charge 'is probably on a tough mark now' and continues:

"On good ground I have no doubt he [Quebecois] would get the trip but on this ground I don't know.

"He is a half brother to an Albert Bartlett winner and he did get the trip at Cheltenham the other day."  

On his penultimate start Isaac Des Obeaux was beaten 21 lengths by Rivers Corner in the Somerset National at Wincanton. 

I had the beast down as a doubtful stayer after that effort but next time out, over a mile further and under an inspired Sam Twiston-Davies ride, the gelding stayed on stoutly to beat Rock My Way eight lengths in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter, with Git Maker third and Collectors Item pulled up. 

He looked to have a hard race that day and has been raised seven pounds to a career high mark of 139.

Blinkers appear to have helped Git Maker.

His stamina gave out over four and a quarter miles at Uttoxeter but Jamie Snowden's charge was third in this race on soft ground in 2024 off 133; two years on he tries again off 129.

Montregard has spent the season racing right-handed, winning twice at Ascot and finishing second behind The Jukebox Kid (Kap Vert fourth) at the same track on his penultimate start. 

16 pounds higher than in the autumn, he comes here with a progressive profile and will be fresher than most. He tries a trip beyond three miles for the first time but his trainer thinks he'll stay.

Chasingouttheblues has won three of his seven chase starts to date and caught the eye four weeks ago when staying on to reel in Fierce Warrior after the last over an extended three miles at Carlisle. After the race Tim Walford, father of trainer Mark, said:

"Chasingouttheblues loves a horse to aim at. He wants far further and he's a Nationals horse. We might have a crack at the Scottish National if there's a bit of give, he wouldn't run on quick ground. He's improving. This track suited him better than last time [beat Paddy O'Mahler half a length at Catterick], when he wasn't quite right."

Promontory didn't run until he was eight but won the Dublin National Handicap Chase at Leopardstown over an extended three and a half miles at the beginning of March. He was raised nine pounds for the win and races here off a mark five pounds higher than that Irish rating; the gelding has been the subject of some market support during the day.

Kap Vert finished under eight lengths behind Montregard in the race won by The Jukebox Kid at Ascot in January before winning a Class 3 handicap chase on good ground at Taunton at the beginning of last month. Only six years of age, he hails from a yard who don't make a habit of overfacing their charges.

Herakles Westwood, my each-way selection for the Kim Muir, faded from three out for no obvious reason - another instance when a theory of mine didn't work out in practice. 

He finished behind Blaze The Way at Cheltenham in December before beating Katate Dori on New Year's Day; any benefit derived from the wind surgery undergone in February was difficult to discern at the Festival.

Sam Thomas saddles two - Katate Dori and Our Power.

Our Power, third in this last year with Famous Bridge and Magna Sam both pulled up, has been out of sorts this season; connections fit first-time blinkers but Dylan Johnson rides Katate Dori whose sixth behind Panic Attack in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury reads well enough. 

Collectors Item beat Katate Dori off a mark of 132 in the 2025 Somerset National at Wincanton but Jonjo O'Neill's charge is another who has too often failed to transfer my working theories into practice.  

Gabbys Cross has the assistance of Sean Bowen in the saddle but has been contesting veterans chases since joining Nick Schofield. 

Since 2000 there have been three winners older than ten: Hello Bud (2009); Merigo (2012); and Wayward Prince (2015).

Certainly not the highest quality renewal but very competitive nonetheless. 

Novices boast a good record in the race and both Promontory and Kap Vert look unexposed but Git Maker, third last year, arrives in form and should appreciate the soft ground. 

Git Maker is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 16/1 with bet365, Ladbrokes and Coral, all paying five places.

That's the theory. Will it work in practice?

Aintree Grand National 2026

The Grand National (4.00) is a different race these days.

This represents the third renewal with a reduced field of 34 runners. Nine of the past ten winners have been aged either eight or nine, with the exception Noble Yeats who won the 2022 renewal when seven.

22 of the 34 runners are trained in Ireland, with Willie Mullins saddling eight, Gordon Elliott five and Henry De Bromhead three.

Owner J.P. McManus relies on six in an attempt to secure his fourth win in the race: I Am Maximus (W.P. Mullins); Jagwar and Iroko (Ollie Greenall and Josh Guerriero); Johnnywho (Jonjo & A.J. O'Neill); Oscars Brother (Connor King); and Perceval Legallois (Gavin Cromwell). 

Last year Willie Mullins was responsible for four of the first five home, his son Patrick guiding Nick Rockett to a two and a half length victory over 2024 winner I Am Maximus, with Grangeclare West a further half length adrift in third. 

Nick Rockett misses this year's race having had just one start since last April; Mr P.W. Mullins rides Grangeclare West. 

Current favourite I Am Maximus won off a rating of 159 in 2024 and was second off 167 last year; he goes off 168 tomorrow. Grangeclare West (166) is rated three pounds higher than last year.

The British challenge is headed by Panic Attack trained by champion trainer elect Dan Skelton. 

The mare won the Paddy Power Gold Cup over a trip of two and a half miles in November and two weeks later won the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury over an extended three and a quarter miles - the first horse to pull off that double since Celestial Gold, trained by Martin Pipe, in 2004. 

The following day the handler nominated this race as the mare's main target; the last mare to come home in front was Nickel Coin in 1951.

Johnnywho had Jagwar (second), Imperial Saint (eighth), and Iroko (tenth) behind in the Ultima at Cheltenham last month. He's six pounds 'well in' here and has experience over these fences when fifth behind Colonel Harry in the Grand Sefton last November. Wind surgery in January appears to have brought about improvement. 

Both Jagwar and Iroko are trained in Cheshire by Ollie Greenall and Josh Guerriero.

Jagwar hasn't managed to get his head in front since winning over an extended two and a half miles at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival. Plenty think this test will suit but his tendency to make niggling jumping errors is a concern; connections will hope first-time cheekpieces can help.

Iroko was fourth in last year's renewal - and the only British trained runner to finish in the first nine; he scoped scoped dirty after that run in the Ultima and goes off a mark five pounds higher than last year.

Captain Cody looked good winning last year's Scottish Grand National off 140 but he finished behind Grangeclare West, Gerri Colombe and Stellar Story on heavy ground in the Bobbyjo seven weeks ago. Spring ground will suit but he's on a mark 12 pounds higher than when winning at Ayr.

Haiti Couleurs has a Welsh National and an Irish National to his name but he was pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock in November and in last month's Gold Cup won by Gaelic Warrior.

On jockey bookings Monty's Star looks the pick of Henry De Bromead's trio. 

Fourth behind Fact To File in the 2024 Brown Advisory at Cheltenham, he finished fourth behind Inothewayurthinkin in the 2025 Gold Cup. Having contested Graded events, he was well behind Panic Attack on handicap debut at Newbury in November and this represents his second start in handicap company.

Doorstepped by Matt Chapman on ITV, handler Gordon Elliott nominated Gerri Colombe as the pick of his five entries.

A quick word too for the Glenfarclas Cross Country form from Cheltenham - Tiger Roll won the Cheltenham race before going on to win the National in 2018 and 2019 while Delta Work won at Cheltenham in 2023 and finished second behind I Am Maximus in the 2024 National.

Last month Final Orders beat Favori De Champdou - pair clear - in a time 8.61 seconds below standard; the drying ground that day was officially described as good to soft. 

Gavin Cromwell's charge attacked those fences with a zest and relish I haven't seen for quite some time. Not the biggest, he clearly appreciated better ground. After that win the trainer said:

"He ran really well on Trials Day [fifth behind Favori De Champdou on soft ground over the Cheltenham Cross Country course] but his wind wasn't so good on soft ground and we actually gave him a little wind surgery after that and it really worked for him."

Conceding 13 pounds and beaten just over two lengths, Favori De Champdou meets Final Orders three pounds better off here but at the line I thought the winner looked to have a bit more in the locker; the pair appear closely matched. 

Provided the rain keeps away, I'd like to think Final Orders can run well; jockey Conor Stone-Walsh rode Will The Wise to win the Topham earlier this afternoon.

For those who like to make their own selections, the BBC's Grand National Pinstickers' Guide may be of some use.

In summary...

Last year's renewal highlights the chances of I Am Maximus, Grangeclare West and Iroko.

Panic Attack races beyond three and a quarter miles for the first time.

Of those towards the head of the market Johnnywho makes plenty of appeal, but I'm going chance Final Orders.

Final Orders is the each-way suggestion, currently 25/1 with a number of layers; Sky offer 22/1 and pay seven places. 

Aintree 2026 - Friday

On Ladies' Day, a tip for the Topham (4.05) run over two miles five - and the National fences.

At the time of writing 29 are set to face the starter at 4.05; Pour Les Filles, Jipcot, The King Of Prs, Primoz, Indiana Jones and Excello all race from out of the handicap. 

The going remains good to soft on both the Mildmay and National courses.

Favourite Madara won the Racing Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham 31 days ago in the manner of a horse some way ahead of his handicap mark; Will The Wise, seven and a half lengths away in second, may have finished slightly closer had he not jumped markedly right at the first, hampering a number of rivals in the process. 

In behind were O'Moore Park (sixth), Boombawn (ninth), Peaky Boy (twelfth), Jipcot (thirteenth), and Booster Bob (fell at the last when a placed finish appeared a distinct possibility, after being carried right around the home turn).

The handicapper has reacted by raising Dan Skelton's charge ten pounds to a mark of 150; the last market leader to oblige was joint favourite Gwanako in 2008.

If I've read the formbook correctly, Keith Donoghue put up two pounds overweight on Will The Wise at Cheltenham; with the revised ratings and three pound claimer Conor Stone-Walsh now in the saddle, Gavin Cromwell's charge looks to have his chance of reversing placings.

In the past ten years Willie Mullins has trained the winner on three occasions: Cadmium (2019); Livelovelaugh (2021) and last year Gentleman De Mee; this year he saddles Ile Atlantique - the choice of Paul Townend - Gentleman De Mee and O'Moore Park.

At Tramore on New Year's Day Il Atlantique finished some way behind Heart Wood in second but some way ahead of Croke Park in third and Gentleman De Mee in sixth. Next time at the Dublin Racing Festival he made a mistake two out and weakened off the home turn when eighth behind Backmeorsackme, with O'Moore Park twelfth and Croke Park thirteenth.  

Gentleman De Mee won off a mark of 155 last year (Lisnamult Lad second, The King Of Prs eighth, Soul Icon ninth, Excello fourteenth, and Eldorado Allen seventeenth) while 2023 winner Bill Baxter tries again and looked to have benefitted from wind surgery when second to King Of Answers at Kelso eight weeks ago.

Boombawn, fourth off 153 in the Old Roan behind Hitman in the autumn, was sent off an 80/1 shot for the Racing Plate; he runs off 146 here and won a handicap hurdle race at this track in 2023.

Back in November I tipped Coming Up Easy for the Paddy Power Gold Cup won by Panic Attack.

Henry De Bromhead's charge raced prominently but made an absolute howler three out and was pulled up; he hasn't seen a racecourse since. In a rushed interview just before the off at Cheltenham the trainer seemed to indicate soft ground wouldn't be ideal so I imagine connections won't want to see much more rain.

Top weight Il Est Francais will forever be remembered for the way he destroyed his field from the front in the 2023 Kauto Star at Kempton. He nearly repeated the trick in the 2024 King George but made a mistake at the last and was collared by Banbridge on the run-in. 

This season he has been pulled up twice, behind Jango Baie at Ascot and The Jukebox Man (et al) back at Kempton. Wind surgery since may have helped but, to date, he has shown his best form in this country on a right-handed track.

Confirmed front runner Mahons Glory showed his liking for these fences when finishing fourth behind Colonel Harry in the 2025 Great Sefton and then, four weeks later, fifth behind Twig in the Becher; he goes off a career high mark of 139.

The one I like and will chance is Prairie Wolf who has shown improvement this season particularly in his last two runs - I'm hoping there's more to come - and who now goes off a career high mark of 141; his ninth at Cheltenham on Trials Day is forgiven as the yard was out of sorts around that time.

His third behind Booster Bob over an extended trip in the Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial at Newbury in November suggests the pair are closely matched. 

Connections have opted to come here rather than go to Ayr next weekend and he has been supported in the market this evening; in a recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 28.01-01.02.26] Joel Parkinson said, 'Two miles on good to soft ground is perfect for him.' 

Prairie Wolf is the each-way suggestion, 12/1 at the time of writing with bet365, Betfred and Coral all paying six places.

Aintree 2026 - Thursday

A quick post with a suggestion for the Foxhunters' Chase on the first day of the Grand National meeting.

The going on both the Mildmay and National courses is described as good to soft.

The opening juvenile hurdle (1.45) sees five from last month's Triumph Hurdle renew rivalry: Maestro Conti (second at Cheltenham); Minella Study (third); Selma De Vary (fourth); Wolf Rayet (eighth); and Indian River (tenth). 

The first three named look closely matched; Aintree may suit Minella Study more than Maestro Conti.

25 have been declared for the Foxhunters' Chase (3.30) run over two miles five furlongs and the National fences.  

Four weeks ago in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup - run 40 minutes after the Gold Cup over the Gold Cup trip - Barton Snow held Its On The Line a neck, with Music Drive third, Golden Sun fourth, Take All eighth and Gracchus De Balme, stablemate of the winner, pulled up.

Favourite Barton Snow remains unbeaten in five chase starts under rules. 

He came to the last with the proverbial  'double handful' at Cheltenham last time and, despite a mistake, held Its On The Line and Mr Derek O'Connor a neck - although he wasn't doing an awful lot in front. 

Its On The Line won the 2024 renewal of this race run on heavy ground; connections will be keen to reverse the latest Cheltenham form.

On official ratings Unexpected Party is the best horse in the field, rated 147, two pounds clear of Barton Snow (145) and seven clear of Its On The Line (140). 

Dan Skelton's grey was last seen in February, winning the Walrus Open Hunters' Chase at Haydock, easily accounting for Take All. 

The first three from last year's Walrus - My Drogo, Gracchus De Balme and Jet Plane, finished fourth, first and second respectively in this race last year; rated 142, My Drogo was the best horse to contest that renewal. 

Winner Gracchus De Balme went on to claim the 65th running for the Horse & Hound Cup at Stratford at the end of last May and wasn't seen out again until the middle of January. He ran well to a point at Cheltenham last time; despite his stablemate heading the market, I'm hoping last year's winner can build on his latest effort.

Gracchus De Balme is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 20/1 with both bet365 and Coral who are paying five places.

I note that connections of Gaboriot - third over these fences in the 2024 Grand Sefton and second in the 2025 renewal - have opted to try a first-time visor; stable form remains the concern, with just one winner from 24 runners in the past fortnight.

Twenty years of PG's Tips

When I published the first blog post on Monday 3rd April 2006, nobody told me it was going to end up like this.

Ten Years of PG's Tips covered the first decade; a short summary of what has happened since follows. 

Back in 2016 I described this undertaking as 'an exercise in self-indulgence with the odd wry laugh here and there helping to ease the pain of egregious performance'. 

Not a lot has changed. 

I'm retired now but, for the avoidance of any doubt, betting on slow horses helped to elongate the working life rather than shorten it. 

Sweet dreams have been few and far between.

Too many selections have been associated with comments-in-running such as: lost many lengths at the start; never travelling; never went a yard; never on terms; hung left / right (like a drunk); outpaced; hampered; headed; no extra; weakened (quickly - vet had nothing to report); in rear / mid div, no impression; (always) behind; struggling; detached (like a big house); beaten (after the first fence); cooked; pulled up; brought down; mistake / bad mistake; didn't jump with fluency; slow jump; fell (in a heap); no chance (when); unseated; slipped up; also ran; ran like a drain; made a (respiratory) noise; bled (from the nose); lost position; and lost x place(s) on the run-in (where x represents an integer between 1 and the number of finishers -1).

I'm struggling to recall a selection associated with descriptors such as easily, comfortably, impressive.

ITV took charge of terrestrial free-to-air racing coverage on 1st January 2017 and the 2018/19 season provided proof that, if you throw enough darts, one day you'll hit the bullseye - the blog's selections showed a profit over the core season and a return on investment of 168% at the Cheltenham Festival. 

Some commentators might describe that performance as a 'hot streak' but my own preferred term remains 'outlier' - I spent large parts of the following summer prostrate on the cheap seats of the living room, desperately trying to fathom what the hell I'd done differently. I was reading 'The Rocking-Horse Winner' by D.H. Lawrence at the time but it offered little in the way of sustenance.

A gift horse at Christmas proved one of the more popular postings, as did these Christmas musings before Ascot's final card of 2025. 

Immediately after the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, racing in the UK was suspended on account of the coronavirus pandemic; that meeting became widely regarded as a significant 'superspreader event' with Sir David King, a former government adviser, describing it as 'the best possible way to accelerate the spread of the virus'. 

For years I attended the Festival on Champion Chase day - a visit to the gents could seem like an expedition into one of Dante's nine circles of Hell where you were obliged to negotiate a Faustian pact of sorts in order to secure a timeous return to the land of the living to do your dough in the bookmakers' benefit once called the Coral Cup.

4.8 million people watched the 2020 Virtual Grand National on television which raised more than £2.6 million for NHS Charities. Cornelius Lysaght declared Potters Corner (18/1) a 'surprise winner' while winning jockey Jack Tudor was not even qualified to ride in the race when the suspension was brought into effect.

Twelve months later Rachael Blackmore, riding Minella Times, became the first female jockey to win the Grand National, but there were no spectators at the track due to the pandemic restrictions in place at that time. In 2022 she won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on A Plus Tard; she has since retired from the saddle and has written a book called 'Granny National', aimed at children aged 8-10.

Constitution Hill beat Jonbon 22 lengths in the 2022 Supreme. Rated 170 over hurdles, the gelding is currently building a career for himself on the Flat and is now on a mark of 101 in that sphere; talk of a tilt at the Melbourne Cup has reportedly reached Jack Irish and Harry Strang. 

Tiger Roll won two consecutive Grand Nationals (2018, 2019), Galopin Des Champs two Gold Cups (2023, 2024) and on Boxing Day last year we were treated to 'a race for the ages' when The Jukebox Man pipped Banbridge and Gaelic Warrior a nose and a nose - Jango Baie half a length adrift in fourth - in the King George at Kempton.

These days the betting landscape is noticeably different. For old times' sake, one Saturday morning I decided to go retro and struck a wager in a William Hill shop; that chastening experience was described in An old man walks into a betting shop...

Enough of that sort of drivel. Try this sort instead - a word from a veteran for a veteran in the Middle Distance Veterans' Final at Haydock tomorrow (3.20); 17 are set to face the starter with the going described as good to soft, good in places. 

Numitor won the 2024 running, The Flier Begley the 2025, both when they were ten years of age. 

Genois had Outlaw Peter, Numitor and Neon Moon behind in a qualifier four weeks ago.

Filanderer had Minella Drama and The Flier Begley behind at Market Rasen in January before being pulled up in the Ultima. 

After a long layoff Guard Your Dreams beat Fugitif 13 lengths on heavy ground at Warwick in February (Le Milos third, and probably needs three miles now, Outlaw Peter fourth, and sports first-time cheekpieces, Lord Baddesley fifth) and was subsequently raised eight pounds. He looked unfortunate to be brought down by Will The Wise who jumped badly right at the first in the Racing Plate at the Festival.   

Courtland's second to Twig over three miles at Sandown in November reads well, given Twig pipped Mr Vango in the Becher four weeks later; handler Mickey Bowen recently said [RP Weekender 25-29.03.26]: 'I rode him up the gallop last week and he's as good as he's ever been.'

Preference is for Triple Trade who has been consistent this term, winning twice - once over two miles and once over two and half. The race was run in a time below standard when he finished third behind David's Well and JPR One at Cheltenham in December and he appeared to win a tactical affair with a turn of foot and something in hand at Sandown in January; he starts here off a mark two pounds higher.

Triple Trade is the each-way suggestion; earlier this afternoon he was 14/1 in a place but at the time of writing he's 9/1 with bet365 who are paying five places.   

Finally I'd like to put on record my thanks to regular contributor TW who has provided ratings for the races I've randomly selected these past ten years.  

That's it, twenty years, a score, odds against I've got another ten in me. I shall sign off with the rallying cry known to bettors across the land:

"Back to the drawing board, then!"

The BetWright Beeswing Mares' Hurdle at Kelso

What's this? The Beeswing at Kelso? I've always associated the race with Newcastle - on the Flat - at the end of July.

Lavida Adiva won the inaugural Kelso running last year; the Beeswing in question was a broodmare from the 1830s.

I have passed through Beeswing - a long, thin village - on countless occasions, riding the A711 when visiting family. In days gone by, when the kids were small and the speed limit 50 mph, we used to play this game. 

On the approach to the village all occupants of the vehicle, irrespective of age, were obliged to take one single, deep breath and then, while travelling through, make a buzzing noise similar to that of a bee - without stopping or taking another breath.

A significant challenge - not as difficult as picking the winner of a 20 odd runner handicap at Cheltenham, or the winner of a Listed mares' hurdle at Kelso for that matter, but a challenge nonetheless; Grandpa practically passed out on one occasion, so we always made sure we had a bottle of water to hand after that unfortunate episode. 

The secret was to start buzzing softly, quietly but, of course, the kids could never resist. There were times minor deceptions took place: 'Are you still buzzing, Mum? I can't hear you...'  uttered under the breath while still maintaining your own buzzing noise - that sort of thing, but they hadn't invented VAR in those days so alleged transgressions proved very difficult to prove. When we had passed through the village, a loud, united shout, a great exhalation, took place, completely filling the vehicle.

And then, one day, Dumfries & Galloway council reduced the speed limit to 40 mph - and Grandpa said he wasn't going to play any more...

Nine have been declared for the second running of the Beeswing Mares' Hurdle (1.00 Kelso); the going is described as good to soft, soft in places.

Without making too much of a song and dance about it, Hollygrove Cha Cha was allowed her own way out in front in a four runner Listed mares' hurdle at Warwick last time over two miles five; when her rivals closed in approaching the home turn she quickly put the race to bed in a manner that suggested a step up to three miles should be no problem. 

That said, the ground was heavy at Warwick and the second and third, Jubilee Alpha and La Pinsonniere - third behind Intosomethinggood at Kempton last weekend - have shown better form on better ground. 

On official ratings she's the best horse in this race but still has to concede weight to her rivals and the drying conditions here won't be ideal.

Just over 12 months ago, conceding five pounds, Irish raider World Of Fortunes beat Star Walking more than four lengths in a Listed mares' novices' hurdle at Doncaster. 

In December, back at the Yorkshire track, the chestnut mare was less impressive when fourth behind Lavida Adiva - that one went on to finish fourth in the Yorkshire Rose in February (Rockola Vogue sixth) and then second behind Supremely West in the Pertemps Final at this year's Cheltenham Festival. 

Last time, over a shorter trip, World Of Fortunes dropped to last three out but stayed on stoutly to be beaten under a length by Graiine A Croi in a Grade 3 event at Punchestown.

On her penultimate start Listentoyourheart beat East India Express a neck at Windsor on New Year's Day with 7/2 favourite Wellington Arch fading out of contention at the last, beaten over 15 lengths in ninth; since then the O'Neills' runner has finished second behind Tutti Quanti in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury and then won a competitive handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter last Saturday. 

Listentoyourheart raced prominently at Ascot five weeks ago but faded into seventh behind Fiercely Proud; underfoot conditions should suit but there's a question mark about the step up in trip.

In November Rockola Vogue gave Star Walking nine pounds and a one and threequarters length beating in an Ascot mares' handicap; on occasions she has shown a tendency to jump out right. Over Christmas Star Walking, owned by the Noel Fehily Racing Syndicate, beat Holly Hartingo a head on good ground at Kempton off a mark of 116.

Sunset Marquesa fell in the Mares' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival nine days ago; her profile suggests she may prefer racing right-handed. 

She jumped left in a mares' maiden at Uttoxeter (November 2024); in the past 15 months she has raced left-handed three times, falling twice - at Newbury and Cheltenham - and stumbling at the penultimate flight at Ffos Las before beating Followango easily.

I've followed Tankardstown Diva quite closely since she moved to Tom Ellis' yard in Rugby in the summer and started racing over a trip around the three mile mark. 

The grey first came to my attention when she was declared to run at Ludlow's second October meeting, having won at Market Rasen nine days earlier off a mark of 96, Jack Andrews claiming three. 

Having watched a replay of that race at Market Rasen, where her hurdling caught the eye, I fancied her to beat favourite Prince De Juilley in a Class 5 handicap hurdle at the Shropshire track and she did so with the minimum of fuss on ground described as good.

A tentative foray over fences followed but didn't flourish; she finished within two and a half lengths of Molto Bene at Huntingdon but the wheels came off at Fakenham just before Christmas when she took a crashing fall four out.

Reverting to the smaller obstacles, Tom Ellis' charge has since won a Class 4 handicap at Plumpton off 110 and then back at Ludlow she looked particularly slick at her hurdles when beating Masked Dance (121), Magical Maggie (117) and Love Of Neymore (119) - the last-named had finished third behind Ma Shantou at Cheltenham on New Year's Day and then fourth behind Go To War, Doughmore Bay and Lud'or in a Class 2 handicap at Windsor.

She has been raised nine pounds to 124 for that last win at Ludlow - a mark 28 pounds higher than the one she won off at Ludlow in October; since joining Tom Ellis she is 4-4 when racing over hurdles and a trip of around three miles.  

On official ratings Pitwood Road has a bit to find with the principals and Starlyte quite a bit more.

In a Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 31.12.25-04.01.26] handler Nicky Richards said of Pitwood Road:

"She won nicely on her debut for us...at Carlisle in mid-December off a mark of 105. She jumped well and enjoyed the soft ground. I liked the way she battled on strongly to the line and it'll be interesting to see how far she goes up the handicap ladder."

Starlyte won a Class 2 handicap hurdle at this meeting last year over two miles five off a mark of 102. She hasn't really shown much form since and is now rated 96.

Hollygrove Cha Cha and World Of Fortunes dominate the market; of the pair slight preference is for the latter as the former seems to relish soft / heavy ground. 

I don't know if there's further improvement to come from Tankardstown Diva - and there will need to be for her to be competitive here - but at 11/1 I'm going to take the chance.

Tankardstown Diva is the each-way suggestion, currently 11/1 generally with layers paying three places.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - the betting debrief

Shown below the recorded loss to level stakes (1 point win, 0.5 points each-way) of the blog's highlighted selections, returns calculated to the price taken when the wager was placed.

Outlay: 9 points

Return: 8.5 points

Profit / Loss: -0.5 points

Loss as a percentage of outlay: 5.55%

Jingko Blue (won, 10/1) and Bass Hunter (third, 10/1) provided some transient relief on Wednesday but the other seven selections - El Cairos, Golden Ace, Holokea, Western Fold, Impose Toi, Herakles Westwood and The Jukebox Man - were all soundly beaten. After the Gold Cup trainer Ben Pauling indicated The Jukebox Man had made a respiratory noise - as, indeed, I did myself.

Gaelic Warrior was simply magnificent in the Gold Cup while Lossiemouth was similarly imperious in Tuesday's Champion Hurdle, landing a famous double for owner Mrs S. Ricci.

Willie Mullins was top trainer at the meeting for the eighth consecutive year (eight winners) and Paul Townend the top jockey for the fifth consecutive year (five winners). Ireland won the Prestbury Cup 15-13.

Once again shambolic starts plagued the meeting and, on the Thursday, both Willie Mullins and J P McManus indicated they were unhappy with the amount of watering that had taken place as favourite Fact To File was withdrawn from the Ryanair Chase.

To my untrained eye, it looked like a Festival for layers rather than punters but, to finish on a more positive note, the overall attendance over the four days of 226,223 represents a 3.7% increase on last year's figure of 218,093.

Need anything from Tesco, PG? Of course I do - I've a list as long as your arm...

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Friday

The pre-race talk of young pretenders in the Stayers' Hurdle proved wide of the mark with two 11-year-olds, Home By The Lee and Bob Olinger, finishing first and third respectively.

Also noted - since Cath Williams took over the training licence from husband Evan who has been found guilty of assaulting a dog walker, she has had, to date, just the two runners, both at Cheltenham. Ask Brewster won the Kim Muir earlier today at 22/1 while Libberty Hunter finished second in the Champion Chase yesterday at odds of 50/1.  

At the time of writing the going is described as good, good to soft in places, with rain forecast overnight and light showers during the afternoon tomorrow.

 

4.00 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Last week Galopin Des Champs, Gold Cup winner in 2023 and 2024, and second behind Inothewayurthinkin in last year's renewal, was declared a non-runner for this year's race after suffering a setback. Stablemate Gaelic Warrior was immediately promoted to the head of the market but presently The Jukebox Man holds that spot priced at 100/30, with Gaelic Warrior 7/2, Haiti Couleurs 11/2 and Jango Baie on the drift at 6/1.

In this year's King George at Kempton - a race for the ages that rescued this Christmas - The Jukebox Man, owned by Harry Redknapp, famously pipped Banbridge a nose, with Gaelic Warrior a further nose away in third and Jango Baie half a length adrift in fourth. 

An extended three and a quarter miles around the New Course at Cheltenham is a very different proposition to three miles at Kempton. 

Maddy Playle writes in the RP Weekender:

"If I had a list of horses to oppose at this year's festival Gaelic Warrior would be towards the top.

"I cannot fathom why he is favourite for the Gold Cup as, despite being an Arkle winner, he does not seem particularly well suited to Cheltenham. He was beaten in the Fred Winter off a mark of 129 before being bested by Impaire Et Passe in the following year's Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.

"...in my view [he] seems better suited to intermediate distances due to his tendency to race enthusiastically..."     

The Jukebox Man is unbeaten over fences and looked a shade unlucky when collared by Stellar Story in the shadow of the post in the 2024 Albert Bartlett.

Jango Baie rallied to win last year's Arkle and then won the 1965 Chase at Ascot in November in a quick time.  

Haiti Couleurs disappointed on his first try in Graded company, pulled up in the Betfair Chase at Haydock won by Grey Dawning. Just after Christmas he won the Welsh National carrying 11-13 and then the Grade 2 Denman Chase at Newbury five weeks ago.

In a recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 25.02-01.03.26] handler Rebecca Curtis said:

"He didn't particularly like the heavy ground in the Denman at Newbury but won by seven lengths and it will have sharpened him up for the Gold Cup. That's the one we all want to win."

In receipt of six pounds Spillane's Tower beat L'Homme Presse threequarters of a length and Grey Dawning five lengths in the Cotswold Chase on Trials Day. 

Both L'Homme Presse and Envoi Allen are at the veteran stage; the last horse older than nine to come home in front was ten-year-old Cool Dawn in 1998.

Inothewayurthinkin has run poorly on his three starts this season following last year's exploits. 

At one point trainer Gavin Cromwell indicated it was doubtful whether his charge would defend his crown but the gelding was backed at around 18/1 last week and sports first-time cheekpieces. The yard is emerging from a torrid season; several have run well in recent days and Final Orders won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase on Wednesday.

Firefox stayed on from the rear to claim fourth behind Fact to File in the Irish Gold Cup last month but all his previous form has been gained over shorter distances.

Gold Tweet caused a shock when winning the 2023 Cleeve Hurdle; that will seem as nothing if he were to win the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup. 

A very open renewal. Only two of the top five in the market have form over the trip: Haiti Couleurs and Inothewayurthinkin; of the pair I prefer the former.

Maddy Playle wrote, 'Gaelic might win but not with my cash,' and I'm in the same camp. Jango Baie's drift in the market this evening is disconcerting so The Jukebox Man gets the vote. 

The Jukebox Man is the win selection, 3/1 generally at the time of writing.

Pushed for time but a very quick footnote on Piper Park in the Mares' Chase (2.40). She's is on the 'dark horse' list after a creditable second behind Jasmin Bliss in a Listed Mares' Chase at Huntingdon five weeks ago; two out she looked the likely winner.

Quoting the form analysis:

"Sporting a first-time tongue-tie, she'd only had two previous starts under rules but evidently has bundles of ability and could even step forward for this first start in 405 days. An intriguing prospect."

By my reckoning she'll need to step forward in excess of 20lbs to have even a remote chance here but at 125/1 - I missed 150/1 - I thought she was worth some of my hard-earned shrapnel.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Thursday

In the introduction to last year's Thursday Festival post I wrote:

"Two days in, and there have been some unsatisfactory starts to races..."

Twelve months later and we don't appear to be much further forward. This evening the Racing Post reports an allegation of racial abuse by Nico De Boinville has been lodged with the stewards following chaotic scenes before the start of the Turners earlier today.

The going on the New Course is currently described as good, good to soft in places.

A couple of suggestions for Thursday...

3.20 Stayers' Hurdle 

Teahupoo finished third behind Sire Du Berlais and Dashel Drasher in the 2023 renewal of this race, beat Flooring Porter in 2024, and finished second behind Bob Olinger last year.

Last time out Gordon Elliott's charge won the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown with Bob Olinger second, Ballyburn third, and Home By The Lee fourth.  

After winning the Relkeel aboard Kabral Du Mathan on New Year's Day jockey Harry Skelton said: 

"He doesn't race like a three miler."

Dan Skelton said:

"In my heart I think I trust him enough to relax enough and get the three mile trip, but the question is can he stay three miles hard as a six-year-old when you're against those battle-hardened horses who have been doing it for eight to ten runs over many years." 

His first try at the trip was scheduled to be in the Rendlesham at Haydock in mid February, for which he was priced up 4/7 favourite, but he was pulled out on account of the ground.

Former trainer Paul Nicholls posted this comment on his blog [13.02.26]:

"Kabral Du Mathan as some will know I bought and trained previously and to me, he was a speed horse. He only just got beat in a Scottish Champion Hurdle and he was obviously effective over 2m 4f last time..." 

Writing in this week's RP Weekender Tom Segal names Kabral Du Mathan as the horse he's most looking forward to seeing at the Festival and continues:

"...his win in the Relkeel Hurdle at the track [beat Jingko Blue, winner of the BetMGM Cup today, five and a half lengths] ..was one of the most impressive performances of the season.

"What I liked most was the way he snapped straight back on the bridle after an early mistake and then how he sprinted away from some decent rivals up the hill.

"Over the years one punting maxim that has always worked for me is to concentrate on finding the horse who can run the fastest whatever the trip. It's always better to back fast horses going up in distance than slow ones who are proven over the trip..."   

Ballyburn didn't appear to stay when 14 lengths behind Teahupoo in the Christmas Hurdle; connections fit a hood for the first time here and he has been well supported in the market this evening.  

Honesty Policy, the other six-year-old in the field, finished third behind Impose Toi in the Long Walk at Ascot just before Christmas (Doddiethegreat fifth, Gwennie May Boy pulled up).

Ma Shantou looked good when beating Impose Toi seven lengths in the Cleeve on Trials Day (Doddiethegreat third); connections won this with Paisley Park in 2019. Writing in the RP Weekender trainer Emma Lavelle says:

"While he's probably susceptible to something with an extra gear, that's less of a worry in this race than in most others as it's a thorough test and you need a genuine ability to stay, which he has." 

Impose Toi was conceding six pounds in the Cleeve; Nicky Henderson has said:

"Impose Toi has done nothing wrong all season and what he really wants is good ground." 

Hewick, one of three 11-year-olds in the field, will appreciate good ground and can give a good account on his first run after wind surgery.

Impose Toi looked good beating Strong Leader in the Long Walk and is better than we saw in the Cleeve; with good ground to suit, he gets the vote.

Impose Toi is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 with bet365 who pay four places.  

The Ryanair (4.00) will be one to watch rather than bet on, while the ground has gone against Kikijo, my fancy for the Pertemps Final (4.40). 

5.20 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup

Favourite Jeriko Du Reponet hasn't always jumped with fluency over the fences; jockey Mr Derek O'Connor is an amateur in name only. 

Herakles Westwood is my pick for this. 

Last time out he beat Katate Dori and New Order over three miles one and a half furlongs on the New Course; that form reads well. 

He has run well at Cheltenham previously, although he failed to land a blow behind Haiti Couleurs over the extended trip in last year's National Hunt Challenge Cup. In a Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 07-11.01.26] handler Warren Greatrex said:

"All three of his starts this season have been at Cheltenham and it's a track that suits him. He needed his first run but still finished second and then ran a good fourth to Blaze The Way in a premier handicap chase. He then got his head back in front on New Year's Day when he stayed on well all the way to the line. He did it nicely and jumped well. Looking ahead he could go for one of the festival handicaps such as the Ultima or Kim Muir. And looking even further ahead, the Welsh Grand National would be a target. He handles just about any ground."  

Herakles Westwood is the each-way suggestion, 9/1 generally, with a number of layers paying five places.

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Wednesday

A few notes on tomorrow's card quickly bashed out after watching Lossiemouth win the Champion Hurdle by six and a half lengths...

Light rain is forecast overnight with sunny intervals tomorrow.

2.00 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase

A large field this year; the top three in the market are all trained in Ireland but have yet to win at the trip under rules, although Romeo Coolio and Final Demand have both won an Irish point over three miles.

Favourite Romeo Coolio is unbeaten in his four starts over fences.

On seasonal debut he beat Koktail Divin 14 lengths over two and a half miles at Down Royal; on Boxing Day he beat Irish Panther over two miles one furlong at Leopardstown - Irish Panther goes in the Champion Chase at 4.00;.and at the Dublin Racing Festival he beat Kargese - winner of the Arkle earlier this afternoon -  a neck. Connections fit a first-time hood, presumably to help him settle over the longer trip.

Final Demand won his first two starts over fences but finished behind Kaid d'Authie and Western Fold over two miles five and a half furlongs at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Koktail Divin finished behind Oscars Brother at Punchesstown in November before making all to win 21 lengths over two miles five and a half at Leopardstown. The suspicion is he's better over the shorter trip but connections have opted to run here rather than in the Jack Richards on Thursday.

Mare The Big Westerner finished second behind Jasmin De Vaux in last year's Albert Bartlett (Wendigo fifth) and may prefer more cut underfoot but Western Fold should appreciate drying ground and back in July won the Galway Plate.  

Last night I watched a replay of the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day. 

Kitzbuhel went some clip that day on good ground, throwing in some extravagant jumps to boot. The jumping wasn't so assured next time at Sandown where once or twice he shifted out right and then unshipped Paul Townend at the sixth; Townend prefers Final Demand.

Thomas Mor and Wendigo finished second and third respectively in the Kauto Star; this track is likely to suit Wendigo better than Kempton. After winning at Ayr in January, Wendigo's trainer Jamie Snowden said:

"It was a bit of a trek up to Ayr, but it was the only three mile novice chase going left-handed between now and Cheltenham. We found at Kempton that he did jump slightly left, it's all about chase experience. 

"The Brown Advisory is is the obvious route. He's the best of the British novice chasers over three miles..." 

Moot point perhaps, given he finished behind Thomas Mor who recorded a personal best at Kempton. Philip Hobbs and Johnson White's charge held an entry for the Reynoldstown at Ascot in February but missed that appointment due to an abscess. 

The handicapper has the pair on 147; Wendigo has been well touted and is an 8/1 shot while nine-year-old Thomas Mor is 66/1 with bet365.

Since 2000 only three horses older than seven have won the Brown Advisory and they were all eight-year-olds: Rule Supreme (2004); Might Bite (2017 - although he did his best to gift the race to nine-year-old Whisper); and Champ (2020). The last nine-year-old to win was Miinnehoma in 1992, trained by Martin Pipe, ridden by Peter Scudamore, and owned by comedian Freddie Starr; the horse went on to win the 1994 Grand National.

The Irish appear to hold a strong hand; I can see Thomas Mor - fifth behind Stay Away Fay in the 2023 Albert Bartlett before a protracted spell off the track- outrunning odds of 66/1.

Western Fold is the each-way suggestion, currently 14/1 generally but 16/1 with bet365 who pay four places.   

2.40 BetMGM Cup

24 declared and highly competitive as usual. 

Connections of Jinko Blue have reverted to hurdles this season after the gelding unseated Nico De Boinville in last year's Reynoldstown. 

His hurdling has been far from foot perfect in two runs so far but his second behind Kabral Du Mathan in the Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle on the New Course on New Year's Day reads well. He'll appreciate better ground and his current hurdle mark is seven pounds lower than his last chase rating. 

Jinko Blue is the each-way suggestion, 10/1 at the time of writing with Betfred, Unibet and bet365 among the layers paying six places.

5.20 Weatherbys Champion Bumper

Flat jockey Colin Keane rides The Mourne Rambler.

Sean Bowen rides Broadway Ted who beat stablemates With Nolimit and Charismatic Kid along with It's Only A Game at Leopardstown five weeks ago.

It's a long, long time since I've had a bet in the bumper but Bass Hunter gets the nod on the back of these comments made by trainer Chris Gordon after the gelding had beaten Tally Ho Back and Vango Can Go at Ascot just before Christmas.

"It's brilliant. I ride Bass Hunter every day, and in my 18 years of training he's the best I've sat on at home, and I think he showed that to an extent. Cheltenham and Aintree will be considered, but for him to win at those sorts of tracks, he'll need to settle down."

Bass Hunter is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 with Ladbrokes and William Hill who are paying four places.  

Cheltenham Festival 2026 - Tuesday

Need anything from Tesco? It'll have to wait until the weekend now.

Racing may be in crisis - Brant Dunshea has recently been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the BHA following the resignation of Lord Allen - but punters have four days of the Festival to look forward to - and six favourites obliged at Sandown on Saturday...

Last year Tutti Quanti was the only British trained runner to contest the Supreme, finishing sixth at 125/1 behind 4/6 favourite Kopek Des Bordes. At the time of writing British trained novices head the markets for the Supreme (Old Park Star) and the Turners (No Drama This End).

The final hurdle on both courses has been moved closer to the home turn after the discovery of a hole in the ground on Trials Day, the cause later found to be a collapsed drain. The run-in will now be a furlong or so in distance; I recall a number of hurdle races with a long run-in at Haydock where the apparent result changed within the shadow of the post.

The going on the Old Course is currently described as good to soft, good in places, with selective watering carried out earlier today.

1.20 Supreme Novices' Hurdle 

An intriguing renewal with the Nicky Henderson trained Old Park Star the only runner to have won at the track previously. 

Talk The Talk, Mighty Park and El Cairos spearhead a strong Irish challenge. 

With just one start over hurdles to his name Mighty Park could be anything. 

Both Talk The Talk and El Cairos are likely to be ridden for their turn of foot. 

El Cairos, bought out of the David Maxwell dispersal sale for £410,000, hasn't always appeared fluent at the hurdles but looks a bit of a speed merchant.

Back in November Mydaddypaddy was ante-post favourite for this race; his run in the Formby behind Idaho Sun is easily forgiven as four of the nine hurdles were omitted due to the low sun. 

A few in this like to go from the front including Sober Glory, described by Harry Cobden as the best novice he has ridden this season; on official ratings he has three pounds to find with Old Park Star. Finished behind Hurricane Pat at Sandown in December - Old Park Star beat that one 18 lengths at Haydock the following month. 

With the race likely to be run to suit, El Cairos is the each-way suggestion, currently 8/1 generally.

4.00 Champion Hurdle

Three mares take their chance in this year's renewal.

Favourite Lossiemouth won the Triumph in 2023 and the Mares' Hurdle over two and a half miles in 2024 and 2025; connections fit cheekpieces for the first time. 

Brighterdaysahead reversed previous Leopardstown form with Lossiemouth over two miles, beating her three and a quarter lengths in the Irish Champion Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival just over five weeks ago. To date she hasn't shown her very best form at this track. 

Golden Ace beat Brighterdaysahead in the 2024 Mares' Novices' Hurdle and had the same rival back in fourth in last year's Champion Hurdle; she was considered a somewhat fortunate winner that day after State Man, five lengths clear, came to grief at the last. 

The New Lion was one length to the good when he fell at Newcastle allowing Golden Ace to add the Fighting Fifth to her curriculum vitae. She scoped dirty when beaten in a two horse race at Wetherby in November and had no chance when second behind Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle. Trainer Jeremy Scott has said he thinks he has her in better order this season than last.

We haven't seen much of The New Lion since winning the Turners last year. After falling in the Fighting Fifth, he won the International on Trials Day - run on the New Course over two miles one furlong - when main market rival Sir Gino was pulled up quickly after three out having gone lame.   

Poniros won the Triumph (run on the New Course) last year at odds of 100/1. Only two five-year-olds have won since 2000: Katchit (2008) and Espoir D'Allen (2019).

Alexei raced off a mark of 127 when second behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle in October and five weeks later won the Greatwood over course and distance off 134. The handicapper now has him on 148; trainer Joe Tizzard has said he'll travel well into the race and then we'll find out how good he is.

Tutti Quanti was well beaten behind Celtic Dino in the Welsh Champion Hurdle on seasonal debut. He subsequently came out to win the Gerry Feilden and then the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury by 15 lengths on heavy ground off 138. Now rated 151, he has been supplemented for this.

Golden Ace is the each-way suggestion; she looks overpriced at 10/1 with William Hill at the time of writing. 

  

5.20 National Hunt Challenge Cup

I fancied Herakles Westwood for this race last year (finished seventh behind Haiti Couleurs); he held an entry this year too but it looks as though connections prefer the Kim Muir (5.20 Thursday).

Favourite Backmeorsackme ran well when second behind Three Card Brag over three miles one furlong here in October.

Wade Out is the only course winner in this field. At Worcester in October he beat Wendigo (declared for the Brown Advisory on Wednesday) and then beat One Big Bang over three miles one furlong here in a Listed race. Cheekpieces added for the first time but this looks a stiff task under top weight.

King Of Answers (dam: Queen Of Questions) finished second behind Wendigo in an Irish point back in 2023. Having finished behind Guard The Moon at Windsor, King Of Answers sported first-time cheekpieces at Kelso next time and evident improvement followed. He has gone up ten pounds for that effort; has the odd mistake in him.

Grande Geste certainly stays having won the Grand National Trial over an extended three and a half miles at Haydock three and a half weeks ago. Co-trainers' comment in the RP Weekender [28.01-01.02.26]: 'He's very straightforward to train - you could put your granny on him.'

Holokea was pulled up behind Grand Geste at Haydock but in December looked to have a race in the bag on the New Course over three miles one and a half furlongs before being collared by Zertakt.

I'm going to forgive Holokea that run last time; Shane Fenelon takes off five pounds.

Holokea is the each-way suggestion, as I write 40/1 with bet365, Paddy Power and Sky who pay five places. 

Cheltenham, Chelsea, Cinquenta

Preparations for this year's Cheltenham Festival have been thrown into total disarray by an unexpected telephone call and the EBF Final at Sandown.

Earlier this week I was offered the chance of a ticket for Wrexham's FA Cup fifth round home tie against Chelsea on Saturday - the club's highest profile fixture since they beat Arsenal in the same competition back in 1992. 

As a lifelong fan I jumped at the chance and immediately after the call rushed off to check prices: Wrexham 6/1 in places, 4/1 the draw. 

I was tempted too, but after watching highlights of Chelsea's win at Villa Park on Wednesday evening, I decided I was never all that keen on football betting anyway...

And then, bless my old boots, two caught my eye in the European Breeders' Fund Betfair "National Hunt" Novices' Handicap Hurdle Final, handily shortened in racing parlance to the EBF Final (1.50 Sandown).

The two in question are Tennessee Tango and Cinquenta.

18 months ago, after attending Ludlow's second October meeting, I bumped into a gentleman in a local hostelry who tried to sell me a share in a horse for £2,000. 'Unusual that for a Thursday,' I remember thinking to myself afterwards. The horse in question was Tennessee Tango. 

At the time the gelding was unraced under rules but held an entry in a Wincanton bumper the following Sunday. The gent concerned clearly held the horse in high regard - a possible entry in the Festival bumper was mentioned - but I don't regularly carry that amount of cash inside the inside lining of my faux tweed jacket and, anyway, I'd done my dough at the races, so I politely declined his kind offer.

Still, I had enough about me to monitor the market for that Wincanton bumper all the same. 

Now, as a general rule, Sunday markets can be quite static early doors, no doubt bookmakers still busy counting their winnings from the day before. At around ten o'clock the opening price of 12/1 about Tennessee Tango started to contract quite sharply. By roughly midday, as I recall, he was half the price so I decided to leave well alone. In the event, Tennessee Tango drifted back out to 12/1 at the off and beat Neil Mulholland's well-backed filly Pollyana's Dream two and a half lengths.

I've followed the fortunes of Tennessee Tango ever since that bumper, which, incidentally, was run on good ground. He has further bumper form behind Windbeneathmywings, and hurdle form behind Sinchi Roca (beat Wolf Walker at Wincanton in January), Sober Glory (14/1 for the Supreme on Tuesday), Gentleman Toboot (gave subsequent Dovecote winner Klub De Reve six pounds and a beating at Exeter in December) and Mossy Fen Road.

In complete contrast Cinquenta only came on the radar five weeks ago.

My hairdresser was due to go the Wetherby races at the end of January and, in what can only be described as a blatant breach of self discipline, she asked me to mark her card. 

I did the necessary and thought I'd managed to get away scot-free when the fixture was (un)fortunately abandoned but a timeous email the following morning indicated her party were en route to Market Rasen instead so updated selections were required - as quickly as possible.

Initially Gee Force Flyer was priced up favourite in the two and a half mile novice hurdle with Cinquenta his market rival but by the off the pair had flip-flopped; the market called it correctly too with Cinquenta coming home eight and a half lengths clear.

After the race handler Jamie Snowden said:

"It was a nice performance. Cinquenta stepped up for the step up in trip and a bit of softer ground. The penny is beginning to drop, but he's a big backward baby and he's learning all of the time. Today was a slightly easier race than the ones he's been competing in. We won the EBF Final last year with Laurens Bay [off 123] and I'd say he's in a similar mould, he's a future staying chaser."

Of the pair marginal preference is for Cinquenta who has won over the distance while Tennessee Tango tries the trip for the first time.

Of course, as always, the EBF Final is a highly competitive affair; 18 have been declared for this year's renewal with the going on the hurdles track currently described as soft, good to soft in places.

Favourite Scorpio Rising is unbeaten this term, last time finishing one and threequarters lengths ahead of Top Jimmy at Windsor (Top Jimmy contests the Imperial Cup at 2.27). Readers may recall the brouhaha that followed when Harry (Skelton) met Sean (Bowen) - not Sally - on the way back to the unsaddling enclosure.

Formerly with Willie Mullins, Unknown Entity is probably well-named but remains a maiden in five starts and looks short enough in the market.

Kaka's Cousin was bought for £160,000 after being pipped a short head in an Irish point 15 months ago. He finished 15 lengths behind Starzand at Wetherby in January but looked impressive next time beating even money favourite Kocktail Bleu (second behind Klub De Reve in the Dovecote) eight and a half lengths at Kelso. 

Four Springs jumped right on occasions when second behind Sinnatra at Warwick the last day. He should prefer Sandown and sports cheekpieces for the first time; Sinnatra is currently quoted a 12/1 chance for the County Hurdle at Cheltenham next week.

Laguna Beach finished behind Hurricane Pat - holds an entry in the Turners at Cheltenham - in November and wasn't foot perfect at his hurdles when second behind Whiskey Yankee at Ascot over an extended two miles five furlongs seven weeks ago; the slightly shorter trip here should help his cause.

I'd be prepared to forgive top weight Gentleman Toboot his last run at Leicester. David Pipe's charge proved he stays the trip when beating A Pai De Nom - subsequently third in the Lanzarote and currently holding entries for the Albert Bartlett and the Martin Pipe - at Newton Abbot at the end of October. Stable form is a concern.

Race To Base finished fifth in a Uttoxeter maiden at the beginning of October and, for what it's worth, I wasn't the only one to mark that particular race up as well above average: winner De Temps En Temps went on to claim a Cheltenham novice and looked to have benefitted from wind surgery when third in a competitive Ascot handicap next time; second Tiptoptim finished third in the Challow behind No Drama This End; third Loriko has form behind Give It To Me Oj and Kripticjim while fourth Marsiac went on to beat Big Ticket in an Aintree novice.

After winning his novice at Hereford - on decent ground - Race To Base's jockey Sam-Twiston-Davies said: 'He's very quick, one of the pacier ones at home...' The gelding has his first run for new connections here and wears a tongue-tie for the first time.

Draco Malfoy can turn on the magic in the jumping department and looks a stayer in the making; he was beaten by Get On George at Doncaster just after Christmas. 

Get On George is better than he showed when pulled up behind Thedeviluno in the River Don. In their Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 28.01-01.02.26] Joel Parkinson and Sue Smith say:

"He's a lovely horse who's definitely one to watch. He could be the one to go chasing and do something similar to what Grand Geste has done this season - and better. He's got everything - he's fast, he stays, he jumps and he's got a good attitude - and this is his first season in training. It was a very good race at Doncaster last Saturday [River Don] and it wasn't our day. He's going to be better over a fence."

On his penultimate start Rathkenny, owned by Robert Waley-Cohen, made all to beat West Hill Verde at Doncaster. That reads well now given that West Hill Verde finished third in the Premier Novices' Hurdle at Kelso last Saturday, despite nearly coming to grief four from home. In a Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 04-08.02.26] trainer Neil Mulholland says:

"He'd won his point-to-point when we bought him. He then won his bumper first time out for us at Uttoxeter. He ran at Fontwell the second time but pulled a front shoe off, so you can put a line through that run. He then went to Doncaster and ran a lovely race to win nicely [West Hill Verde second]. He's got a great attitude and jumps well. He'll be a nice chaser next season and would be my trainer's pick." 

The two Henrietta Knight trained runners have form with Cinquenta.

Conceding three pounds Precious Metal beat Cinquenta a neck over two miles at Lingfield but didn't appear to stay behind Bollin Thou over this course and distance next time while Roi Du Risk was struggling with a circuit to go behind Cinquenta at Market Rasen but then kept on to finish third.

Jury's In finished fourth behind Starzand at Ffos Las in the autumn (Gee Force Flyer third). It was an open and shut case at Fakenham three weeks ago when Stuart Edmunds' charge beat The Boss Bear 20 lengths at Fakenham; the penalty is an 11 pound hike in the weights.

As always a very competitive renewal - it's possible to make a case for a couple of these at a price. I'm going stick with Cinquenta who hurdled fluently for the most part last time and stayed on strongly to the line. 

Cinquenta is the each-way suggestion, generally 12/1 at the time of writing with some firms paying five places including bet365 and Unibet.

Footnote: Harry Redknapp is on record saying he's found himself dreaming about The Jukebox Man winning next week's Gold Cup. I haven't had any dreams about Wrexham beating Chelsea tomorrow, basically because I haven't been able to get much sleep. In time honoured fashion, I'll aim to post some selections for each of the four days at Cheltenham.