The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is nearly upon us. Last year I seem to recall the starters having more trouble starting than I used to have with a Vauxhall Viva bought in 1979.
It's quite a long time since I've embraced this particular challenge but punters who travel to Cheltenham by train - thereby avoiding problems with a car that won't start - and then opt to walk to the track - an undertaking that necessitates a lengthy stopover at The Rotunda to take on board ample liquid refreshment for the trials that lie ahead - usually turn right out of the station forecourt and then walk straight past Eldorado Road (leading to Eldorado Crescent).
When I was younger, you know, I used to think how aptly named that road was...
Anyway, I couldn't get started on the Morebattle Hurdle (2.55 Kelso) so I've spent a bit of time on the Grimthorpe (2.30 Doncaster) instead.
The going on the chase course is described as good to soft; heavy rain is forecast overnight and a number in this field wouldn't want to see conditions deteriorate any further.
Moroder won the 2023 running of this race off 131 carrying 10-2 and last year's renewal off 125 carrying 10-7 (Some Scope pulled up after a bad mistake). This year Moroder goes off a mark of 120 yet carries 10-11 - which only serves to highlight a drop in quality.
Earlier today top weight King's Threshold was at the head of the market but this evening Emma Lavelle's charge has relinquished top spot to Dartmoor Pirate.
King's Threshold won the Mandarin at Newbury just after Christmas off 131 and has since missed a couple of potential engagements - the Great Yorkshire Handicap Chase at this track five weeks ago and then the Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot a fortnight ago - on account of soft ground.
Writing in this week's RP Weekender the trainer says:
"...King's Threshold showed himself a progressive chaser when winning the Mandarin at Newbury in December and, although that was nearly two months ago, he remains in good form.
"He doesn't overdo himself at home, he never stops eating, so I don't think being ready to run for a while will have sent him over the top. And I've long thought there's a big race in him."
Dartmoor Pirate won the aforementioned Great Yorkshire, beating New Order three and threequarters lengths - initially he appeared outpaced up the home straight before staying on stoutly to win with something in hand.
Anthony Honeyball's charge has two furlongs further to travel here; the gelding has won both chase starts with a tongue-tie fitted.
New Order reopposes five pounds better off. He was left in the lead when Joyeux Machin, five lengths clear, came to grief at the final open ditch and Charlie Longsdon's charge looked to tire coming to the final flight.
His previous third behind Herakles Westwood and Katate Dori over three miles one and a half furlongs at Cheltenham reads well.
Jasmin De Grugy, stablemate of Dartmoor Pirate, wasn't foot perfect behind Herakles Westwood that day.
Hampered by the fall of Excello on the first circuit, he was towards the rear when coming to grief on the second circuit. Prior to that he'd finished fourth behind Konfusion in the Rehearsal at Newcastle; connections fit cheekpieces for the first time.
On his penultimate start just after Christmas Some Scope, sporting a first time visor, made all to win a three mile handicap chase at Doncaster (Moroder third, beaten 12 lengths).
Next time the visor was left off in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham where he raced in rear throughout, beaten over 70 lengths.
After that race the vet reported the gelding had lost his left fore shoe and suffered a small overreach on his left fore leg. Four days later he underwent wind surgery.
Neil Mulholland saddles three; comments on each runner from the recent Straight from the Stable article [RP Weekender 04-08.02.26] are reproduced below.
Kelce
"He finished second at Aintree on Boxing Day behind Fortunate Man and then won at Musselburgh on Saturday [31.01.26]. He's had three wins now for us and is a good, solid horse. He's just creeping up a little bit in the ratings now, which might just allow us to get into a couple of those nicer 3m handicap chases off bottom weight. He's going the right way."
Broomfields Cave
"He won last time out on Boxing Day at Wincanton. The third horse, Jupiter Allen, came out and won again last week [29.01.26], so the form is working out well. The ground would just be a little bit soft for him at present, but once we get a bit of proper good to soft ground again he'll be out. He's a nice staying chaser and there'll be plenty more to come from him."
Lord Accord
"We're just waiting for the ground really. He's a very solid horse and my top earner this season. He's run 37 times, winning nine and been second on six occasions. He's won more than £165,000 in prize money. He was second last time at Ascot in the Berkshire National and was in good order, giving a good account of himself. There's no reason why he can't continue to do so in the spring time when he gets his ground. He could go for the Kim Muir at the festival."
To my mind Destroytheevidence didn't see out this trip - admittedly on heavy ground - at Wincanton last month.
King Turgeon is back down to 133, his last winning mark. When last seen he finished sixth behind Blaze The Way at Cheltenham in December - nine lengths behind Herakles Westwood in fourth at level weights.
Theformismighty bounced back to form at Newcastle last month and has only gone up three pounds.
Around this time last year, conceding 13 pounds, he was beaten a head by New Order in a novices' handicap chase at Wetherby; mighty form indeed.
However, in between those two efforts, there have been a couple of real stinkers; he tries a trip beyond three miles for the first time.
Jubilant's fifth behind Montregard at Ascot in November - beaten just over eight lengths - is worth a quick mention, given Montregard finished second to subsequent Reynoldstown winner The Jukebox Kid in January; to date James Owen's charge has form mostly in Class 4 handicap chases.
All of which leads back to our old friend Moroder - 12 years of age and still going strong.
He was returned at 18/1 when he won in 2023 and 33/1 last year, both renewals run on good ground. If he gets into a jumping rhythm up front...
New Order's form stacks up well but at the prices I'm going to take a chance on Broomfields Cave who was highlighted by Neil Clark as the 'reporter's pick' in that referenced Straight from the Stable article; Bradley Harris claims three pounds.
Broomfields Cave is the each-way suggestion, at the time of writing 10/1 generally with the layers paying four places, but Ladbrokes and Coral stand out offering 11/1.
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