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.
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