A number of Cheltenham Competition-winning jockey Jamie Codd returns with a glance via day two, that includes a pair of fancies within the concluding Champion Bumper and a robust case within the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.
1.30pm – Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle
It is onerous to oppose BALLYBURN in Wednesday’s opener. He is been superb since his defeat to Firefox, successful his maiden hurdle with ease after which kicking good horses like Slade Metal and King Of Kingsfield out of the way in which on the Dublin Racing Competition.
I count on Paul Townend will maintain it quite simple. He’ll come out within the first two or three and let the horse do his factor and hopefully he’ll justify his huge status.
Handstands remains to be unexposed for the in-form Ben Pauling and has an each-way squeak, however he is received a great bit to search out with the Irish. I’ve heard good issues about Jimmy Du Seuil, so he is positively one to keep watch over too. Actually, all 5 of Willie Mullins’ runners right here look to have huge potential for the longer term. The energy in depth at Closutton is solely scary.
2.10pm – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
I have been an enormous fan of STAY AWAY FAY for some time, and I am as robust as ever on him within the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. He jumps properly, stays effectively and comes right here already a Cheltenham Competition winner, having landed the Albert Bartlett over hurdles final 12 months.
His final run in open firm behind Capodanno and The Actual Whacker is a correct piece of type and he is nonetheless open to loads of enchancment in first time cheekpieces, which I am guessing Paul Nicholls feels will sharpen him up for the large day. I am actually trying ahead to the race.
2.50pm – Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle
I am very eager on JIGORO right here for Gordon Elliott and the Morans. He is very unexposed first time right into a handicap and has run effectively behind Tullyhill and Mystical Energy, which seems helpful type after Mystical Energy ran so effectively within the Supreme. He might look well-treated off a mark of 141. He is stepping up in journey and can want some luck in working, however he ought to keep, and he is effectively price an each-way curiosity at first rate odds (14/1).
3.30pm – Betway Queen Mom Champion Chase
I am completely satisfied to confess I’ve received a mushy spot for Jonbon, however head has to rule coronary heart right here, and EL FABIOLO ought to actually have sufficient in hand to land the Champion Chase. He was spectacular within the Arkle final 12 months, and whereas he isn’t all the time been foot good together with his leaping since then, he is by no means seemed in hassle and has notched three extra wins since, two of these in Grade 1s.
The bottom will likely be tremendous for him and the race guarantees to be well-run, with a few apparent tempo angles in there. I am positive they will go ahead with Edwardstone once more, however I concern he is proven his hand to some extent. He was good at Newbury, but when he’d popped out and finished that for the primary time within the Champion Chase, he may simply have caught them without warning.
4.10pm – Glenfarclas Chase
I do know the Cross Nation monitor at Cheltenham effectively, and given the moist climate we have had and the shortage of drainage on the course, this guarantees to be onerous work. What a race that is although, with a number of Competition winners in motion together with Gold Cup winner MINELLA INDO, who has a lot going for him.
He actually did take to the duty effectively in December when he was giving numerous weight to his rivals and he is been freshened up since. There are only a few negatives with him and he is the very best horse within the race, so why does not he win? Delta Work needs to be revered in his hat-trick bid however Galvin would love nicer floor, and I believe Coko Seashore could possibly be the decide of Gordon Elliott’s. It is his first strive at this, however he dealt with the banks effectively at Punchestown and he is a cultured handicapper who goes effectively on mushy floor.
4.50pm – Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Problem Cup Handicap Chase
I believe MASKADA can hit the heights once more and go back-to-back within the Grand Annual for Darragh O’Keefe and Henry de Bromhead. She’s now 8lbs increased than final 12 months, however given she had Dinoblue effectively behind in second that day, I really feel she nonetheless could possibly be effectively sufficient handicapped on that type.
She’d needed to do the donkey work in entrance in a few smaller subject races to this point this 12 months and wasn’t disgraced behind El Fabiolo within the Hilly Manner. A return to this kind of take a look at is what she wants and to me she’s been crying out for a lead and a robust tempo to run at. That is what you get in a Grand Annual which is a race tailored for her. I believe there is a huge run on this mare.
5.50pm – Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Nothing has blown me away within the bumper division this 12 months and this race seems large open. Two catch my eye, however how are you going to not tip one in every of Willie Mullins’s within the bumper? TEESHAN was vastly spectacular in his level to level, and arrived at Exeter with an enormous status, successful by seven lengths on unhealthy floor. He is open to enchancment and will go effectively for a workforce who got here shut with Captain Teague final 12 months.
I additionally like THE YELLOW CLAY, who ran a cracker on his return from a good previous break when fourth at Leopardstown final time. He did not get the smoothest run that day and I might say he’ll be ridden for luck once more, which could be a sensible tactic in a race which is commonly run at a great gallop. I received two races on him final 12 months, and he is a great horse who tries onerous and handles mushy floor.
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