WEDNESDAY
CHELTENHAM
1.30 NEPTUNE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT NOVICES HURDLE (GRADE 1) – 2 M 5 F
Outlander looked right back to his best when winning at Leopardstown last time out. That was his first try at two and a half miles having found heavy ground and three miles much to his disdain at Limerick the time before. In that latest race he saw off the well regarded Gordon Elliott trained No More Heroes as well as the likes of Martello Tower and the likely to be re-opposing Windsor Park.
4.00 GLENFARCLAS HANDICAP CHASE (CROSS COUNTRY) – 3 M 7 F
Any Currency does not look at all well handicapped. It is worth noting that he absolutely dotted in over the course and distance when last seen out back in December. He has plenty of course and distance experience that will stand him in good order and with Aidan Coleman likely to ride him once again, he has to be high on any shortlist. The big danger looks to be the French challenger Toutancarmont.
THURSDAY
CHELTENHAM
4.00 BROWN ADVISORY & MERRIEBELLE STABLE PLATE (GRADE 3 HANDICAP CHASE) – 2 M 3F
Hunt Ball is not getting any younger, but he is back down to his last winning mark. He has had somewhat of a turbulent career particularly over the last couple of years, but Nicky Henderson loves to land a handicap around this track and it would not be the biggest of shocks to see this 10 year old roll back the years. In his prime Hunt Ball won four races in succession including around Prestbury Park at the Festival back in 2012.
FRIDAY
CHELTENHAM
4.00 ST JAMES’S PLACE FOXHUNTER CHASE CHALLENGE CUP – 3 M 2 F 110 YDS
Paint The Clouds has successfully made the move from distances of around 3m to those races that exceed this trip. He has picked up a Stratford and a Doncaster Foxhunters by wide margins this season and is the well fancied to triumph in the highly regarded Cheltenham equivalent. The 10-year-old had four outings at this course as a hurdler, two of these runs ending in with victory.
Cheltenham Selections:
Wednesday 1.30 – Outlander
Wednesday 4.00 – Any Currency
Thursday 4.00 – Hunt Ball
Friday 4.00 – Paint The Clouds
