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.