BEST of the BETS

Its going to be very strange this year. No roar at the start, no cheering at the finish and no crowds to greet the winners in the enclosure. It will be very interesting to see what the tv audience is like and betting turnover etc. On the plus side there will be more people able to watch it at home, but will it still have the buzz?

Yes Mugz, will be very strange this year given the circumstances but you cannot beat the the quality on display at Cheltenham and the buzz of this great, great meeting.

Looking forward to it, Let's hope we all back many winners. :lol:

JT

There is nothing like it for me in a normal year, its everything you want from a sporting event. I think a lot will depend on how the participants react to the new festival environment and I hope we get plenty of great races and stories to cut through the gloom.

My sentiments exactly and I am sure the trainers, jockeys and indeed the owners will be as competitive as ever regardless of the crowds.

Cheltenham is a spectacular of the best of the national hunt elite and as a spectator and a punter from around the middle of February my thoughts are firmly on the fesitval starting.

Good to hear ITV will feature the full card live on TV. Let the show begin. :up:

JT

as for the quality JT, can't find any new info on the irish runners, normally they have
about 40% of the runners that would be greatly reduced i think.

Yes Brian Mullins and Elliot will have the majority. Google both those trainers and they might have info of their intended runners for Cheltenham.

As far as I am aware Brian all the irish fancied horses are crossing the water for the festival unless I have missed something. Cheltenham would not have the same buzz without the irish horses.

JT

On Google today ruby Walsh has a column on his gold cup fancies. But underneath those they have horses and odds for the races at Cheltenham. But most will be non runner no bet. One would imagine. At some bookmakers.

As far as I am aware Brian all the irish fancied horses are crossing the water for the festival unless I have missed something. Cheltenham would not have the same buzz without the irish horses. — Jack Trotter

There were concerns over VAT payable on the Irish horses value related to Brexit, but it seems as the travel is temporary they wont have to pay any VAT.

Crikey there is a word I have not heard for a while "Brexit". :lol:

JT

wont the irish when they come over need be quaratined or is it another rule for them during this covid

RP Cheltenham Stable Tour - Willie Mullins

There are 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival and right now Willie Mullins is responsible for the favourite in 13 of them.

Yes, you read it right, 13. Two on day one, five on day two, two on day three, and four on day four. Two are currently odds-on and five are shorter than 2-1. He has been the leading trainer at the festival seven times since 2011 and is 1-3 with Betfair Sportsbook to claim title number eight next month.

If the ante-post markets are anything to go by, Mullins' best return of eight winners in 2015 could be surpassed.

As usual, Mullins kickstarts the festival with a hot favourite in the Supreme. The honour falls to Appreciate It this time as last year's Weatherbys Champion Bumper runner-up bids to emulate Tourist Attraction (1995), Ebaziyan (2007), Champagne Fever (2013), Vautour (2014), Douvan (2015) and Klassical Dream (2019).

Sharjah leads the Champion Hurdle squad into battle, attempting to go one better than last year while Concertista has been all the rage for weeks now in the mares' hurdle.

Gaillard Du Mesnil was glorious at Leopardstown and immediately promoted to Ballymore favourite. Albert Bartlett winner Monkfish has taken to fences superbly and is the Irish banker for so many in the newly-named Brown Advisory Novices' Chase.

The only championship race Mullins has yet to win is the Queen Mother Champion Chase. He is hoping that sentence will never be said again after March 17. Chacun Pour Soi has been flawless so far this season and, provided there are no last-minute issues like 12 months ago, it will take something special to beat him.

Kilcruit looked awesome at Leopardstown and heads to the Champion Bumper with a big reputation. Wednesday will make or break Mullins' week you sense.

Allaho (Ryanair) and Hook Up (Mares Novices' Hurdle) top two of the markets on Thursday, while Stattler (Albert Bartlett), Elimay (Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase) and Billaway (Hunters' Chase) are three of his Friday favourites.

That leaves us with Al Boum Photo – the horse who is just under seven minutes away from emulating Best Mate and Arkle. The tried and tested Tramore route has been taken to the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup as he seeks a stunning hat-trick and Mullins has him right where he wants him.

We haven't even mentioned Energumene or Min yet. The firepower is frightening.

Al Boum Photo
WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup
The champ is in great order. I was initially a bit disappointed leaving the stand at Tramore on New Year's Day, but when I got back home and put all the elements together I was much happier with the performance. He hadn't run in the autumn because Punchestown was cancelled and he'd gone out to grass much earlier than others so he was more backward than I thought he would be. He seems to be in great order and I'm very happy with where I have him at this stage with a few weeks to go.

Allaho
Ryanair Chase
He's coming along nicely now. He ran a big race in the RSA last year and his Thurles win was much more like it. We rode him positively and he answered every call Paul [Townend] gave him. He's entered in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran but I think we might give that a miss and bring him straight to Cheltenham for the Ryanair. He might just have enough done.

Appreciate It
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
He's come through all his trials very well. I have to be honest, he's surprised me with how much speed he's shown. That said, you need to stay very well in the Supreme and he does stay the trip very well. It's hard to win the Supreme with just a speed horse. He's come out of his Leopardstown win in very good form and we won't be doing a whole lot with him between now and March 16. He's where I want him to be.

Asterion Forlonge
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, Marsh Novices' Chase
Things just haven't gone his way since he won his beginners' chase at Punchestown. I'm not sure whether he will travel to Cheltenham now, we might wait until Fairyhouse instead.

Bacardys
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
He's all set to head over for his sixth festival. He's run well in the last three Stayers' Hurdles and he'll have another go in it.

Bachasson
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
He's been in terrific form this season, winning all three starts. He's entered in the Stayers' Hurdle but his record at Cheltenham isn't great so I'm not sure whether I want to bring him over or not. It might be wiser to keep him at home for something here.

Blackbow
Sporting Life Arkle, Marsh Novices' Chase
He ran much better last time behind Energumene at Leopardstown and we might let him take his chance in the Arkle.

Billaway
St James's Place Challenge Cup Open Hunters' Chase
He was second in it last year but I thought his lack of jumping experience caught him out. He knows a lot more about his trade now and he must have a big chance.

Blue Lord
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
I'm not sure which race he'll run in yet but, at the moment, I'm probably leaning towards the Supreme. When he won his maiden hurdle at Punchestown he looked like he needed 2m4f. Then when we ran him over that trip in the Grade 1 at Naas it looked like he wanted two miles. I thought he ran very well behind Appreciate It over two miles at Leopardstown and he's progressing nicely.

Brandy Love
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
I know she was favourite at Leopardstown and didn't win, but she didn't run badly and travelled well for a long way. She's a nice mare and I wouldn't be afraid to let her take her chance.

Brooklynn Glory
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
I thought she ran a fine race in defeat at Leopardstown. She deserves to take her chance in another top-class race.

Chacun Pour Soi
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
From day one at home he told us he was well above average, certainly not a Joe Soap. He's had a very good preparation for the Champion Chase this season. Everything has gone smoothly and we're keeping our fingers and toes crossed that he gets to Cheltenham in one piece and lines up at the start. He's been great since Leopardstown.

Colreevy
Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
She's taken really well to fences and you'd have to say her form looks good enough to go to Cheltenham. There are a few things we need to take into consideration and we'll wait until closer to the time to decide whether she travels over or not. I've been thrilled with her all season.

Concertista
Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle
It took her an awful long time to come to hand last season and she hadn't even won a race for me before she landed the mares' novice hurdle at the festival. Thankfully, things have been a bit different this season and she's won both her starts impressively. We know she handles the track and she goes there with a major shout.

Elimay
Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
She put in a fine performance at Naas last Saturday week and that should sharpen her up for the Mares' Chase. She's put two really good runs back to back now and everything seems to be in place for a big run.

Energumene
Sporting Life Arkle
We had a fair idea he was going to make a decent chaser when we bought him but what he's done has been a pleasant surprise. He's been flawless. He jumps and he stays and he seems to be improving with every run over fences so he goes to the Arkle as a live candidate.

Franco De Port
Sporting Life Arkle
He chased home Energumene at Leopardstown and he's a good horse to have on your side in the Arkle because he's guaranteed to stay if the conditions are testing.

French Aseel
JCB Triumph Hurdle
He was very impressive at Christmas, winning his maiden hurdle by a long way. He had a lot of experience on the Flat but his lack of jumping experience would obviously be a worry. With that in mind, we've done a huge amount of schooling with him and he's been very good. He's a horse who is going to keep improving with age.

Frere Tuck
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
He's in the Ballymore but also in the Michael Purcell at Thurles on Thursday. I'd imagine the Michael Purcell is the favourite at the moment.

Gaillard Du Mesnil
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
He's doing everything right. He jumps and stays and looks to have all the credentials you need to be very competitive in a Ballymore. I'd be very hopeful that he will be involved in the business end of it.

Gauloise
Daylesford Mares' Novices' Hurdle
She stayed on quite well to be third at Fairyhouse, but I suppose I was a little disappointed. She'll take her chance at Cheltenham and hopefully she can step up on what she showed at Fairyhouse.

Ganapathi
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
I ran him over two mile six furlongs at Leopardstown the other day to get more racecourse experience into him. It's more than likely he will run in the Supreme I would say.

Glens Of Antrim
Daylesford Mares' Novices' Hurdle
I know she was beaten at Naas but I thought she ran a cracker. She was 33 lengths clear of the third there and I think coming back in trip for the mares' novice hurdle will suit her. She's a lovely mare.

Grangee
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
She deserves to take her chance after what she did at Leopardstown. She hit the line hard there and her 7lb allowance will make her very competitive.

James Du Berlais
Unibet Champion Hurdle
He was among the top four-year-olds in France last season. Simon Munir and Isaac Souede bought him as a novice chaser rather than a hurdler, but we're going to have a crack at the Champion Hurdle with him. It's a case of the Champion Hurdle or the Stayers' and I think the Stayers' would be too much of an ask for a five-year-old. I'd be hoping he can pick up a share of the prize-money too, he's a nice horse. He's goes straight there.

Janidil
Marsh Novices' Chase
He's been a little disappointing this season and certainly hasn't come forward as we would have liked over fences. We thought he'd be even better over fences than he was over hurdles but it hasn't worked out that way so far. He also has the option of the Arkle but the Marsh would look to be the race for him.

Kemboy
Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle, WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup
No decision has been made yet. His record over fences at Cheltenham is a little bit average, so the Stayers' is not out of the question and skipping Cheltenham and going straight to Aintree is another option. We know he likes it there. We'll decide nearer the time.

Kilcruit
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Visually he couldn't have been any more impressive at Leopardstown. Whether that was down to the way the race was run or because of his raw ability I'm not quite sure. Cheltenham is a similar sort of track to Leopardstown in that it's left-handed and up a hill at the finish and I'm hoping he can repeat his Leopardstown performance there.

Lord Royal
National Hunt Challenge Cup
He was originally disappointing over fences, especially since he jumps so well, but there were more encouraging signs at Navan last time. We were very gentle with him there and he finished out his race much better. He's qualified for the National Hunt Chase now and that Navan runs puts him right back in the picture.

Melon
Ryanair Chase, WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup
He just didn't enjoy being held up in the Irish Gold Cup at all. Wherever he goes – whether it's the Ryanair or the Gold Cup – he certainly won't be doing that again. He enjoyed being ridden positively in the Marsh and we might think about doing something similar in the Ryanair. He always seems to reserve his best for Cheltenham so hopefully that's the case again this year.

Monkfish
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
He's been a natural over fences from day one and his performances this season have been flawless. He coped very well with the drop in trip at Leopardstown in the Flogas, and we know he stays too. He's going to carry an awful lot of Irish hopes going to Cheltenham –including mine.

Min
Ryanair Chase
Of course he was disappointing at Leopardstown but I'm not too concerned about that. We all have our off days and he does too. He had an off day in the Champion Chase a few years ago as well. He won the Ryanair last year and I have no doubt he will be a force to be reckoned with in the race again. He likes to get on with it and that's the way we'll ride him.

N'Golo
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
He's been disappointing lately and would need the ground to really dry out for us to think about bringing him over for something.

Pont Aval
Daylesford Mares' Novices' Hurdle
She couldn't have won any easier at Punchestown and she could have booked her ticket to Cheltenham on the back of that. She's improving all the time.

Ramillies
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
I like this horse and I even told Patrick [Mullins] to ride him instead of Kilcruit at Leopardstown. He didn't listen to me but I thought he actually ran a cracker and feel there could be a lot of improvement to come from him.

Saint Roi
Unibet Champion Hurdle
You'd have to say he's been a little disappointing. He came alive when he got to Cheltenham last year in the County Hurdle and hopefully he can do something similar this year. He has to improve a lot, though.

Saint Sam
JCB Triumph Hurdle, Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
The plan all along was to go for the Triumph Hurdle with him, but he hasn't troubled the top horses in the division thus far so the Boodles could be an option.

Saldier
Unibet Champion Hurdle
He was disappointing at Leopardstown, but he's a very good horse on his day. He'll go to the rescheduled Red Mills at Gowran Park and we'll make a decision with regard to Cheltenham after that.

Sharjah
Unibet Champion Hurdle
He's a funny horse in that he's run really poorly in the Irish Champion Hurdle for two years in a row now and I don't really know why. Maybe it just comes up too soon after Christmas. It didn't stop him from running a big race in last year's Champion Hurdle and I'm hoping it won't this year either. We know he goes well at Cheltenham and I'd like to think he's got a good each-way chance. He's been perfectly fine since Leopardstown.

Stattler
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
He ran a cracker behind Gaillard Du Mesnil at Leopardstown and that run should put him right for the Albert Bartlett. He jumps and stays so he looks an ideal candidate for the race to me anyway.

Youmdor
JCB Triumph Hurdle
He had a very nasty fall at Fairyhouse when he looked set to win and I think we just ran him back too quickly at Leopardstown. He's much better than that.

Cheltenham Stable Tours GORDON ELLIOTT

'I wouldn't swap him for anything - he's not fancy but he's a good horse'

The powerhouse trainer with the latest on his festival team



Less than a month before battle and Gordon Elliott is remarkably calm. The fact he has been here before and conquered all before him is a help.
The promise of more riches to add to his 31 Cheltenham Festival winners could explain the mood. Envoi Allen is a red-hot favourite to maintain his unbeaten record in the Marsh Novices' Chase. Zanahiyr and Quilixios make up the deadliest of two-pronged attacks in the JCB Triumph Hurdle while Sir Gerhard is a leading contender in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.


The trainer has Abacadabras for the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Ballyadam for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Galvin for the National Hunt Chase and Sire Du Berlais for the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
Elliott describes himself as happy with the team he has assembled.
He explained: "It will be a very different festival but as long as I train a few winners I don't mind. It's a meeting I always like to have winners at and we have targeted it again this year."
He added: "I'm very happy with the team we have going there. We have lots of chances and are well represented in a lot of races. Hopefully we can have a bit of luck."

Abracadabras
Unibet Champion Hurdle
I wouldn’t be giving up on him for the Champion Hurdle. He didn’t run too badly in the Irish Champion Hurdle for a horse who scoped dirty at Christmas. I couldn’t be happier with him and this has been the plan all year. We know he wants a strong pace to aim at on nice ground, and he should get that at Cheltenham. I have plenty of faith in this horse.

Ballyadam
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
He scoped dirty after Christmas but I thought he ran a blinder at the Dublin Racing Festival when he didn’t really get the run of the race – he missed the last and he was good for being a couple of lengths closer. If the ground dries up he has a big chance – he’s a classy horse. I have a lot of respect for Appreciate It but we’ll definitely be a lot closer to him at Cheltenham.

Black Tears
Mares' Hurdle
She runs on Wednesday in the Quevega Hurdle and then it will be on to Cheltenham, where she has run well twice before. She's got a Coral Cup entry but at this stage the Mares' Hurdle would look more likely.

Chemical Energy
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
I think you will see a better horse on better ground. The ground was a bit too soft for him at Leopardstown and he just got stuck in it. He’s a lot better than that.

Chosen Mate
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
The plan is to go back and try and win the Grand Annual again. Hopefully spring ground will bring the best out of him.

Conflated
Paddy Power Plate
He has some decent form with some of the good novices and he could be another for the Paddy Power Plate.

Eclair De Beaufeu
County Hurdle
The County Hurdle is the plan for him. He has experience at the track and that is always a help.

Envoi Allen
Marsh Novices' Chase
There’s not a whole lot I can say about this horse. People keep knocking him and the day will come when he gets beaten, but to be honest I wouldn’t swap him for anything else in training and I count myself very lucky to have him. We bought him thinking he’d be a Gold Cup horse and, while there is a lot of water to go under the bridge yet, that’s what we're hoping he will be. Envoi is Envoi. He only ever does what he has to. He would work the same with a 150-rated horse as he would one rated in the 0-95 bracket. He doesn’t do anything exciting and he carries that over to his races as well.

Escariaten
Ultima Handicap Chase/National Hunt Chase
He’s in everything. It will be between the National Hunt Chase and the Ultima for him.

Eskylane
Coral Cup/Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
I think he's a bit better than what he has shown so far. He had a wind operation before Leopardstown and he came home well. He could go for the Martin Pipe and could have a squeak in that. He’ll get an entry in the Coral Cup as well.

Fakiera
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
He ran very well at Leopardstown. He just got stuck in a pocket and flew home. I think the Albert Bartlett will suit him.

Farclas
Paddy Power Plate
The Paddy Power Plate could be the race for him. He ran very well in the Paddy Power and the Leopardstown Chase. He was probably unlucky not to win the latter race as he made a couple of mistakes and the one at the second-last knocked the stuffing out of him. He is a former Triumph Hurdle winner and handles the track so you’d be hopeful.

Floueur
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
He didn’t take to chasing but ran well in a good handicap hurdle at Navan, where he came home well. He could have an outside chance in the Martin Pipe.

Folcano
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
The plan is the Martin Pipe. I don’t think he’d be without a chance in that.


Felix Desjy
County Hurdle
He’s been a small bit disappointing over fences and we have given him an entry in the County Hurdle. I wouldn’t be shocked if we decided to run there rather than the Arkle.

Galvin
National Hunt Chase
The National Hunt Chase has been the plan all year. He has loads of experience and has been around Cheltenham. We’d like to think he can run very well.

Glorious Zoff
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
He looks an obvious one for the Boodles and you’d be hoping he’d have an each-way chance.

Grand Roi
Coral Cup
He’s had a good preparation for the Coral Cup. He has some decent form to his name and the step up in trip should really suit him.

Mighty Stowaway
The St James's Place Hunters' Chase
He’s in good form and goes there fresh. The only thing I would say is, if the amateurs aren’t able to ride in these races it’s going to be a massive disadvantage to me. You have half a stone up your sleeve with Jamie Codd, Patrick Mullins, Derek O’Connor and Barry O’Neill and those boys riding for you. It will be more of a level playing field if professionals can ride and any advantage I would have had with Jamie in my corner will be taken away.

Milan Native
Ultima Handicap Chase
He could be one for the Ultima. He won the Kim Muir last season and he’s had a wind operation since his last run.

Mount Ida
Kim Muir Handicap Chase
She will go in there under the radar but I could see her running a big race at a nice price. She could be a lively outsider for the race.

Or Jaune De Somoza
Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
He goes for the Grand Annual. I think there is a nice race in him on good ground. Once the ground dries out he’ll be okay.

Pencilfulloflead
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
He is a possible runner. It looks a hot race and Monkfish would look as though he will be hard to beat, but you should never be afraid of one horse.

Petit Mouchoir
County Hurdle
He’ll run in the County Hurdle. His best recent runs have come when he was dropped in. He ran a cracker off top weight to finish third in the Galway Hurdle last summer so hopefully he can do something similar.

Quilixios
JCB Triumph Hurdle
He probably doesn’t do things as fancy as Zanahiyr but he stays well and Cheltenham could suit him. He was to go to Chepstow because I didn’t want to run him against Zanahiyr but obviously we couldn’t do that at the time. That’s the only reason why he didn’t run between Down Royal and Leopardstown. You’d have to love the way he did it at Leopardstown and I don’t think there’s much between him and Zanahiyr. They look to be two very nice horses to have for the race.

Run Wild Fred
Kim Muir Handicap Chase
He looks one for the Kim Muir. He ran a big race in the Thyestes and hopefully there's a nice pot in him.

Riviere D'Etel
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
Her Navan run could be a bit better than what people thought at the time because Noel Meade’s horse [Thedevilscoachman] came out and won since. She’s entered in the mares’ novice and the Boodles.

Samcro
Ryanair Chase
The ground is going to be a major factor for Samcro. He’s not an easy horse to train and we're hoping to get a clear run with him between now and Cheltenham. He hasn’t quite peaked yet this season but hopefully better ground and returning to Cheltenham will bring out the best in him.

Shattered Love
Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
She ran very well over two miles at Naas and stayed on well to the line. The Mares’ Chase is the plan and then on to the Grand National.

Sire Du Berlais
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
I think he has a great each-way chance in the Stayers’ Hurdle. He’s won the Pertemps the past two years and we know he handles the track very well, which is a massive help. He deserves his shot at the race.

Sir Gerhard
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
I’ll probably run two or three in the Champion Bumper and I wouldn’t be swapping Sir Gerhard for anything. Kilcruit looked good at Leopardstown and he’s obviously a classy horse but I just thought it was a falsely run race – they went flat out early and Patrick [Mullins] had the balls to sit and wait. I’d say they went way too quick up front. They’ll know they have it done if they beat my horse. He doesn’t do anything fancy but he’s a good horse.

The Bosses Oscar
Pertemps Final
We might claim off him in the Pertemps – I thought the handicapper was harsh enough. This race has been the plan since last year and he looks an obvious one.

The Storyteller
Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle
He’s won nearly half a million euros in prize-money, which is a fair achievement. He's been a model of consistency all season and the plan is to run in the Stayers’ Hurdle and then on to the Grand National.

Three Stripe Life
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
He's a smart horse. I know the ground was very soft the day he won at Navan but he has plenty of speed.

Tiger Roll
Glenfarclas Cross County Chase
Obviously we'd have liked him to run a bit better in the Boyne Hurdle on Sunday but he travelled into the race with plenty of his old spark and just got tired on ground he hated. It's all systems go for the Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham and there should be plenty of improvement in him.

Torygraph
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
He has a lot of the right attributes for the race. He races behind the bridle and nothing fazes him. He’s a galloper and he's there for you at the end of a race, which is what you need in the Albert Bartlett.

Wide Receiver
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle
He could have a good chance in the Martin Pipe. He's probably not at the level required to run well in those Graded novices, but if he's on a going day he could have a chance in a race like the Martin Pipe.

Zanahiyr
JCB Triumph Hurdle
We're lucky to have two very good horses in this division. Zanahiyr did it in Fairyhouse off a very fast gallop and he did at Leopardstown when they crawled. That shows he’s a very good horse – I’d say he’s a very smart horse. He’s definitely more than just a juvenile hurdler. I’d be looking forward to him for the future as well as this season, which isn’t always the way with these juveniles.

Dan Skelton Cheltenham stable tour

In many ways their flagship horse at this year’s Cheltenham Festival encapsulates perfectly the attitude and approach brothers Dan and Harry Skelton take to racing.Allmankind, the freewheeling five-year-old switched to fences after one less than satisfactory run over hurdles this season and unbeaten in three chase starts since, heads for what looks to be the clash of the week with Shishkin and Energumene – and the Skeltons cannot wait for it.
Dan Skelton has sent out four winners at the Cheltenham Festival to date, with three coming in the Vincent O’Brien County Hurdle, and the thoughtfulness and boldness employed by the yard offers optimism for further success.
While their past record makes their handicappers worth more than a second look, Nube Negra and Roksana hold strong prospects in the Champion Chase and Mares’ Hurdle respectively with some useful novices also joining the team this year.
Allmankind
Sporting Life Arkle
I was happy with the performance in the Kingmaker at Warwick and I think being so authoritative that day gives him a good figure. The ground was very holding and he couldn’t get into the rhythm he normally does on better ground. I know his jumping can be better than it was at Warwick, but I think I’ve explained why and it’s not like anyone was concerned about his jumping first time or second time. Cheltenham doesn’t hold any fears for me in terms of the track. We’re well aware of the quality of race that he’s going to be contesting, but all we can do is get on with it and focus on ourselves and getting the best out of our horse.


Tactically we know how best to ride him and the opposition all know how they want to ride theirs, but they’re going to be experienced jockeys and aren’t going to be getting in a fight up front. Our horse is a lot more rideable than he was a year ago and I think you can see that in how Harry has been riding him. I don’t think there’s going to be a clash of heads from the off but then I also don’t think this is an ordinary Arkle – our horse is undefeated over fences, including winning a Grade 1 and a Grade 2, and we’re third favourite. We’re quite happy for the chat to be about the others and we’re just looking forward to him getting there and having a race. The owners, myself and Harry love to have them out there competing and we hope the race lives up to expectations.
Alnadam
Ultima Handicap Chase
He won well at Sandown last time and will need soft ground for his participation, but he’s a progressive horse and I don’t see the trip being any issue.
Cabot Cliffs
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
I think he’ll get into the race off his rating. He’s a very tough horse and has won under a penalty. He won’t mind the argy-bargy of the race but I don’t know how much he might have in hand or otherwise.
Cadzand
McCoy Contractors County Hurdle
He was a bit disappointing in the Betfair Hurdle at the weekend. He got to them three out going nicely and didn't find the extra gear he did at Kempton. We'll give him an entry and see where we are closer to the time.
Elle Est Belle
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
I've trained her specifically for this race and mares have a good record in it getting 7lb. She’s a very talented horse and precocious. She travels very strongly, sees the trip out well and we have no concerns about the track either. I’m really looking forward to it and I think she’ll run very well. What Kilcruit did looked unusual to me, to be able to do that in that race leaves you staring with an open mouth and it really was an incredible run, but we can’t wait to give it a go.
Nube Negra
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
He’s a very strong-travelling and slick-jumping horse and if he can get into a rhythm like he did at Kempton then he’s got a lot of pace to use. If we can conserve his energy the whole way around, and try to keep a bit up our sleeves as best we can, then that will help us too. Sometimes around Cheltenham, you’ve got to be using something somewhere to maintain your position, but this horse can travel very well and hopefully not have to do that. I’ve got a lot of respect for the other horses and they’ve been in these races a lot more than Nube Negra has, but I just have so much belief in my horse, and so does Harry. I’ve never had any fears about running him at Cheltenham and he’s always got up the hill just fine, but he’s a different horse now to the one who last ran at the course. Any drying ground helps him a lot too.

Roksana

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
We’re going to aim for the Mares’ Hurdle unless come declaration time the ground is good, good to soft in which case she’ll go three miles in the Stayers’ Hurdle. If it’s normal first-day conditions she’ll be in the mares’ race. It was a great performance at Ascot in the Warfield Hurdle and she’s a bigger, stronger mare this season. She’s more rideable too and we’ve worked out exactly how to ride her. The way we manage her at home is slightly different to most horses and we’ve just got to know her, which is what you do over time. The form she’s been in this year means that no one frightens us, in Britain anyway. The Irish raiders are going to be an unknown in the mares’ race and that’s where the strength lies, but we’re happy and we’re looking forward to it.

Shan Blue

Marsh Novices’ Chase
He came out of the Scilly Isles at Sandown in good shape, albeit he was tired for a day or two having had such a race. I have no complaints about it and no negatives from the day either. He jumped very well, travelled very well and just got outstayed by a horse [Sporting John] who has a lot of ability and always had the capability to do that. He handles all ground but on slightly better ground he can get away from fences a bit quicker as he’s so fast through the air, it’s his real asset. That is negated on heavy ground because he doesn’t land and get away from his fences in a flash – his jumping is twice the asset on better ground as it is on slower ground. However, he is taking on everyone’s idea of a good thing in Envoi Allen.
Third Time Lucki
Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
You have to forgive him his finishing position at Musselburgh and I don’t think it was a particularly bad run. It was a slowly run race which didn’t suit us and he made a mistake that cost him a couple of places. He’ll also get an entry in the County Hurdle as I’d quite like to see what weight he might get for the race.
Other runners
We have Amoola Gold, Marracudja and Not That Fuisse in the Grand Annual and I think they are real players. Marracudja ran nicely in his last race and was bang there at Cheltenham last year off a much higher mark. He’s on a much more realistic mark this time and I think he’ll outrun his price. Amoola Gold has been very progressive this year and his form with Sky Pirate and First Flow is very good. Not That Fuisse would like some dry ground and if we got that he’d be a real contender as he’s been waiting for those conditions. We gave him a wind op and he won a jumpers’ bumper easily as his prep.
For the Paddy Power Plate, Spiritofthegames needed it last time, Oldgrangewood got stuck in the mud at Warwick but always runs his race around Cheltenham, and Romain De Senam will be in the race too. Proschema will also be in the County Hurdle. He’ll need to go up in the weights but he’s desperate for a bit of decent ground.

Kim Bailey

First Flow
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
His greatest asset on the track has always been his jumping. We've struggled to get him to jump properly at home – we don't school over fences because I was fed up of repairing them! – but at Ascot he jumped so well. The important thing for him is getting into a rhythm and I hope he does the same at Cheltenham. I hope he will handle the course – if you go back to his novice days he lugged right at every hurdle whereas at Ascot he went slightly left, so perhaps age has made it a different matter. There are so many phenomenal horses in there, but I know First Flow will try his guts out, he's a freak.
Happygolucky
Ultima Handicap Chase
I'm very happy with him and, although he's been left in the novice races, the plan is to go for the Ultima. He's rated 147 and on form he can't win the others, but we left him in because anything can happen before Cheltenham.

Imperial Aura

Ryanair Chase
He looks very well and did his first pre-Cheltenham work on Monday last week, which set him off. He had a break after his Kempton demise but all has been good since. David [Bass] said his eye was taken off the fence by something on the inside of it and his head definitely moved towards something. Under normal circumstances, he's a sound jumper and good traveller. He won at the meeting last year and I don't see why him racing on the New course will make a huge amount of difference. Wherever you run him, he's very adaptable.
Vinndication
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup
He worked with Imperial Aura last Monday and I was really happy with him. That was his first piece of work as he was lame after Newbury and had a break. My problem is that I'm not 100 per cent sure which race he wants to go for, so we're sitting on the fence at the moment.
Gavin Cromwell

Flooring Porter
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
We’re really happy with him and he runs well fresh. It’s a small bit of a concern not having a true running rail. He’s not ungenuine or anything but that’s a concern. I think we’ll be keeping tactics the same with him and we’re looking forward to running him there.
Darver Star
Sporting Life Arkle, Marsh Novices' Chase
We’re not sure if we go for Cheltenham or wait for the Powers Gold Cup at Fairyhouse. We could step him up in trip in the Marsh, but is Envoi Allen beatable? We’re not ruling out the Arkle. If it was nice ground, he could run in the Arkle. The ground would be the key factor. He shows a lot more class and speed on nice ground. Slow ground makes him look slow, but he’s clearly not because he ran well in the Champion Hurdle last year.
Letsbeclearaboutit
Weatherbys Champion Bumper
He has been beaten by Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard and whether he can turn the form around with them, I don’t know. His grand dam [Refinement] was second in it and he has plenty of experience. He’s in good nick and I wouldn’t rule it out.
Gabynako
Coral Cup, Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle,
He’s likely to go for the Martin Pipe. He gained a bit of handicap experience over the Christmas and we’re happy with him.
Rebecca Curtis

Lisnagar Oscar
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
We were trying to get a run into him before the Stayers' Hurdle, but there wasn't much for him after the Cleeve Hurdle was off. We found a race at Exeter, but the ground went against us so he went to Haydock on Saturday and finished second. I thought he might just win but he did himself justice. We'd had his wind done, which should help as I think that was the problem on his previous two runs. My faith hasn't been dented and I think he's as good as when he won last year.
Peter Fahey

Royal Kahala
Parnell Properties Dawn Run Mares' Novices' Hurdle
I was a little disappointed with her at Fairyhouse and there's no point saying I wasn't because we went there expecting to win. Dropping back to two miles won't be as much of a problem for her this year because it's on the New course and it could be a help to her more than anything. This is more of a staying track. She's in great form so fingers crossed. I think she can run a huge race.
Harry Fry

If The Cap Fits
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
We tried him up in trip last time at Taunton but he bumped into a very consistent, tough opponent in Yala Enki. However, that was only our fourth start over fences. He's running well without winning – at Christmas he did look laboured but the final result looks better than the race actually went. The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase is his only engagement over fences as we scratched him from both the Marsh and the National Hunt Chase.

Metier

Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle
We've kept our powder dry and skipped the rearranged Betfair Hurdle to head straight for the Supreme. It was an easy decision to make as he would have had quite a tough task being a Grade 1 winner and it's just over three weeks to Cheltenham. We're delighted with the progress he's made and he'll go there all guns blazing. What excites us is that he has a very high cruising speed and his jumping is a strong asset, particularly when it matters most. He ticks all the boxes and, while he has a bit to find with Appreciate It, the favourites don't win every race and we have plenty of confidence.
Jessica Harrington

Ashdale Bob
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
It wasn't his true running last time at Leopardstown. I don't know whether he'll go to Cheltenham or not, but we'll see how things are closer to the time.
Emma Lavelle

Paisley Park
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle
Touch wood, he's good to go. We went to Newbury to have a proper racecourse gallop as it was a shame he didn't get to run in the Cleeve Hurdle, and all went extremely well. The weather hasn't made it easy, but we're really looking forward to getting back to Cheltenham. He's been great this year all round, so straightforward, and hopefully his troubles are behind him. There were concerns about where we would be this season, but he gave us so much confidence at Newbury and it was heartwarming to see his old desire and battle to win at Ascot. We'll have him spot on and we have nervous excitement, we're counting down the days.
Nicky Martin

Bear Ghylls
Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
He's in seriously good form, but we're on to Plan H with him. There's nothing for him so he's going straight to Cheltenham. He does need mileage on the clock and I really wanted him to go to Cheltenham to have a run around there before the festival because it is different from elsewhere, but I know he's good. We haven't been able to prove it yet and, being such a small yard, we haven't got anything like Nicky Henderson has to compare him against. He's probably the best chance we've ever had; he's very exciting.
Gary Moore

Goshen
Unibet Champion Hurdle
He trotted up sound the day after Wincanton and he came out of the race with no cuts, bruises or any problems. It was fantastic to see what he did, he couldn't do any more than win in the manner he did and it was a massive relief. I know it wasn't the Champion Hurdle but it meant a lot to see the horse back and it's lovely to have something like Cheltenham to look forward to with him. There will still be some worry on the way to get him there healthy and sound, but fingers crossed he'll show his true colours again against two great mares [Epatante and Honeysuckle].
Jonjo O'Neill

Annie Mc
Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase
She came out of her Warwick win great and it's all systems go. Soft ground does help her, but everything has fallen right recently and she's been doing the job nicely. She's a grand jumper and is more than entitled to be there. As we saw with Benie Des Dieux, it's a long way to go until Cheltenham, but if she gets there safe and sound she's got a great chance.

Sky Pirate

Sporting Life Arkle, Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase
He knows he had a race last time and was more than entitled to be a bit tired. The winner is a very good horse so I was delighted to finish second. We'll leave him in the races until much closer to the time, but the Arkle is very hot looking – Energumene and Shishkin look like superstars and I think Allmankind is an underrated horse.
Joseph O'Brien

Keskonrisk
Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle, Ballymore Novices' Hurdle
If he's to go to Cheltenham, it'll be a case of heading straight there. Given he hasn't had a third run over hurdles, it'll be in a Graded race if he does run at the festival. We'll keep our options open.
David Pipe

Adagio
JCB Triumph Hurdle
He's in really good form and all roads lead to the Triumph Hurdle. I wasn't sure he was up to that quality but he performed with that class at Chepstow and keeps improving. The Irish have a strong hold on the race but he doesn't mind any ground, travels and jumps well. He has to be one of the best British challengers.
Harry Whittington

Rouge Vif
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase
He's in exceptional form and had a little break since Kempton, but we'll need the ground to dry out. The plan is for him to run as long as conditions are suitable, but if not we're more than happy to wait for Aintree or Sandown at the end of the season.
Saint Calvados
Ryanair Chase, WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup
He came out of his Sandown unseat absolutely fine thankfully. There's no doubt he loves Cheltenham, he's much better left-handed and is a very good horse when fresh, so we'll go straight there. He's been left in both races and we'll keep both in mind, but he's much shorter for the Ryanair and was only beaten a neck last year, so we'd assume that's his greater chance. One may become a weaker race, but we'll make sure he's ready wherever he goes.
Evan Williams

Coole Cody
Paddy Power Plate
He's happy and I wanted to run him last week but the ground was a bit too deep. I'm very keen to run him this weekend as a pipe-opener and then he'll go for the handicap. He's a grand horse who's good fresh and hopefully he can have a busy spring campaign.
Secret Reprieve
National Hunt Chase, Brown Advisory Novices' Chase
I'd be in no rush to go to Cheltenham as I'd like to go for the Grand National and personally want to go straight there. We'll decide what we want to do in a couple of weeks with the owners.

Silver Streak

Unibet Champion Hurdle
Everything with him has gone smoothly so far. The beauty of my job is that I always hoped he'd win a Grade 1 and it was very satisfying to do so. There's no doubt Epatante ran below par at Kempton and I expect her to be far better at Cheltenham – she will be very difficult to beat again. He needs a lot of improvement to keep tabs on the principals, it's almost an impossible task as they set such a high standard. If he could finish in the first six we'd be delighted, but he owes us nothing. Horses like him are very difficult to find.
Venetia Williams

Royale Pagaille
National Hunt Chase, Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup
He came out of Haydock very well and retains three entries. I need to talk to connections and a target will be decided in the near future.
Mick Winters

Chatham Street Lad
Marsh Novices' Chase and other entries
He's fit and well and the plan is the Marsh. He was a small bit stiff and sore after the Dan Moore, but we've been taking him to the beach and walking him in the water. It's working wonders for him and he's a lot stronger in himself.