CHELTENHAM is back and the pressure is on — especially for the big names.
Your season is judged on these four days at the Festival and it can be daunting.
The sooner you get on the board, the better. It’ll take the world off your shoulders.
Nicky Henderson will be feeling the heat but he’ll have a big smile on his face if CONSTITUTION HILL (4.00) delivers.
What a race we have in store in the Champion Hurdle. It’s brilliant Brighterdaysahead is taking her chance and likewise that State Man is back to defend his crown.
It’s going to be a real test, but Constitution Hill relished that in the Supreme and broke the track record as a result.
I was blown away by the video of him schooling during the week — he just looked like a horse who was on springs.
That to me suggests he is the Constitution Hill of old, and I think you’ll see a very big performance from him.
It’s hard to make a case against KOPEK DES BORDES (1.20) in the Supreme.
He was so impressive at Leopardstown, the only slight concern is whether he can get through the preliminaries — he is very keen and he could be his own worst enemy.
That’s the only way I can envisage him getting beaten.
I thought Workahead was interesting, and I can see his stablemate Sky Lord outrunning his odds.
MAJBOROUGH (2.00) looks tough to beat in the Arkle. He’s just such an impressive individual.
He won the Triumph round here last year, so he has course form.
He was good at Leopardstown and his jumping improved throughout the race.
Unless something goes amiss for him, which always can in a novice chase, it’s difficult to see him beaten.
The Ultima is highly competitive as usual. One horse I have liked through the season, although he ’s been disappointing of late, is KING TURGEON (2.40).
He was good when winning the Grand Sefton at Aintree, jumping really well and showing a good attitude, and he then won well at Cheltenham in December.
He wasn’t so good at Wincanton or Musselburgh, but I don’t think those sharp, flat tracks suited him. I’m happy to draw a line through his last few runs.
LOSSIEMOUTH (3.20) will be part of many short-priced four-folds on day one and it’s hard to look past her in the Mares’ Hurdle.
It was uncharacteristic that she fell last time out at Leopardstown but she has by far and away holds the strongest level of form here.
Jade De Grugy definitely has a big shout and Hendo’s Joyeuse is the dark horse.
Lady luck plays a big part in the Fred Winter as these are youngsters with limited experience and things need to go right on the day.
I’m drawn to STENCIL (4.40), who put in a great run behind East India Dock last time out, while Gavin Cromwell’s Total Look is another of interest.
Perhaps RESPLENDENT GREY (5.20) can make finish the day in style in the National Hunt Chase.
He was only three and a half lengths behind Handstands at Sandown, form that has been well advertised, and I would expect improvement from that stepping up in trip.