Triumph Hurdle

The Triumph Hurdle is the leading event in the National Hunt calendar to be exclusively contested by juveniles.

Leading Trainer (7 wins):

Nicky Henderson – First Bout (1985), Alone Success (1987), Katarino (1999), Zaynar (2009), Soldatino (2010), Peace And Co (2015), Pentland Hills (2019)

Trends

Age – Race is for 4yo’s only
Price – Only 3 of the last 12 favourites have won, 7/12 winners have been in the top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 8/12 winners won on their last run before the Triumph Hurdle, 12/12 winners had their last run no more than 55 days ago
5/12 winners ran in the Spring Juvenile on their last run, 1 of the 5 won, 3 placed
2/12 winners ran in the Finesse on their last run, 2 of the 2 won
2/12 winners ran in the Adonis on their last run, 2 of the 2 won
Previous Course Form – 2/12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 2/12 had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham
Previous Distance Form – 8/12 winners had at least 2 runs over 15-17 Furlongs, 11/12 winners had at least 1 win over 15-17 furlongs
Previous Hurdle Form – 9/12 winners had at least 2 previous runs over hurdles, 11/12 winners had at least 1 win over hurdles
Rating – 8/12 winners were rated 140 or higher (4/12 didn’t have a rating yet)
Graded Wins – 6/12 winners had at least 1 win in a grade 1-3 race
Season Form – 9/12 winners had at least 2 previous runs that season, 11/12 winners had at least 1 win that season

Zanahiyr is a strong fav here, and I can see why. He was very impressive on the day of the royal bond, where he beat Saint Sam very easily. I’m not going to pretend that zanahiyr doesn't have a big chance here, however that was a Saint Sam on yard debut and he has progressed considerably since. Zanahiyr did not massively impress me last time, Busselton had him at it for a brief moment, and Saint Sam had some misfortune in running. I do not think his form is unbeatable. The yard keep signalling that he is much he best of himself and Quilixios, so if that is the case, then he has an almighty chance here.

Quilixios has a fair shout here, if you are going just on racecourse form. He faced imo the best Saint Sam and gave him a pasting, he is not lacking pace, and stays the trip very well. The unknown here is the ground, and that is a slight negative, to me he would ideally have a bit of cut. However, he has his chance, and there will be no excuses.

Tritonic won very easily last time, and improved significantly on his prior run, you can knock the form all you want, but he cruised away and hit the line hard. If he improves on from that run as much as he did his 1st, then He has every chance here.

Haut en couleurs is a nice horse, he beat a horse that is held in very high regard by david cottin, He jumped, travelled and stayed on well, This is obviously much tougher, and it depends on how he has gone on at home, they have elected to run him here which is a good sign. He will not be found out here for a lack of experience, so it is just down to how much ability he has, and we will not find that out until he has ran his race.

Adagio he is a solid sort of horse, he is uncomplicated and will run his race, However his race is not strong enough to be winning this, despite his popularity and relatively short odds.

County Handicap Hurdle

Leading Trainer since 1946 (4 wins):

Paul Nicholls – Sporazene (2004), Desert Quest (2006), American Trilogy (2009), Lac Fontana (2014)
Willie Mullins – Thousand Stars (2010), Final Approach (2011), Wicklow Brave (2015), Arctic Fire (2017)
Master Tern, trained by Jonjo O'Neill and ridden by Tony Dobbin set the quickest time of 3:51.30 in the 2000 renewal.

Trends

Age – 9 of the last 12 winners have been aged 5 or 6
Price – 1 of the last 12 winners have been favourites/joint favourites, 3/12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
Weight – 9/12 winners weighed 11st 1lb or less
Last Run – 3/12 winners won on their last run before the County Hurdle, 8/12 winners ran within the last 72 days
Previous Course Form – 8/12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 1/12 winners had a previous win at Cheltenham
Previous Distance Form – 11/12 winners had at least 3 previous runs over 15-17 furlongs, 12/12 winners had at least 1 win over 15-17 furlongs
Previous Hurdle Form – 9/12 winners had at least 5 previous runs over hurdles, 12/12 winners had at least 1 previous win over hurdles
Rating – 12/12 winners were rated 134 or higher
Season Form – 11/12 winners had at least 2 runs that season, 8/12 winners had at least 1 win that season

Ganapathi is a horse that i have taken a decent cut at for this race at considerably bigger odds. I think he is very well in at the weights off a mark of 140. I like the experience he has gained, everything is a positive for me here with him, I think he has a cracking chance in a very competitive race. I am expecting him to come there swinging on the bridle 2 furlongs out, then its down to luck in running.

Third Time Lucki comes in to this as a novice for a yard who have a very good record in this race, and you have to respect that, however i see him as over bet due to that, i do not think he is particularly well in off 143, and i am aware that he is open to further improvement, however where the difference lies for me, is that Ganapathi could have ran in the supreme and i would have had no doubt that he would have been competitive enough to have been around the minor places, it was a choice to come here. Third time lucki has form which would see him have no chance there, so he has had to move down to this level. Therefore i am very happy to take him on with the horse that i believe would beat him off levels.

Petit Mouchoir should actually run quite well without winning, he has a claimer on here, will be prominent, and due to both his consistency and a fair mark, should run with considerable credit.

Cayd boy has experience in a big field handicap, though i do feel he is quite harshly treated here off his mark. He would need to run considerably better than he ever has before to be winning this. I respect that connections have sent him over, so they clearly feel that he has a shout, he just is not for me.

Edwardstone is a nice horse that i just feel has found his mark in terms of being able to win, i am sure he will run with credit, but i see him running in to a couple here.,

Drop the anchor is not the type of horse i look for, i prefer dropping in grade and hidden in graded company, where as he is rising quickly through the handicap ranks while His mark is going up the whole time, I highly respect him, he is just not for me.

Eclair de beaufeu has his chance again here, and i would not particularly put anyone off, however i feel that he has had his chance, and due to him being a weak finisher, he his hard to win with. Not for me.

Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle

The Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle was one of several new races introduced at the Festival when a fourth day was added to the meeting in 2005.

Leading Trainer (2 wins):

Jonjo O'Neil– Black Jack Ketchum (2006), Wichita Lineman (2007)
Willie Mullins– Penhill (2017), Monkfish (2020)

Trends

Age – 10 of the last 12 winners were aged 6 or 7
Price – 2 of the last 12 winners have been favourites, 4/12 winners have been in the top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 5/12 winners won on their previous run before the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, 9/12 winners had their last run within 54 days
Previous Course Form – 5/12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 4/12 winners had a previous win at Cheltenham
Previous Distance Form – 11/12 winners had at least 1 run over 23-25 furlongs, 10/12 winners had at least 1 win over 23-25 furlongs
Previous Hurdle Form – 11/12 winners had at least 3 runs over hurdles, 9/12 winners had at least 4 runs over hurdles, 11/12 winners had at least 1 previous win over hurdles, 10/12 winners had at least 2 previous wins over hurdles
Rating – 10/12 winners were rated 139 or higher
Graded Wins – 8/12 winners had at least 1 win in a grade 1-3 race
Season Form – 11/12 winners had at least 3 runs that season, 10/12 winners had at least 1 win that season

Stattler I was very impressed with last time, he doesn't need to go so hard over this longer trip, which sees Fakiera with a task on. The slight change in tactics here, will make Stattler the one to beat, win or lose, he is the only one which interests me here.

Fakiera imo was flattered by Stattler going hard at it from the front, and kicking for home early to set the race up for Gaillard du Mesnil

Alaphillipe I quite like, of the English challengers, he would be my pick of them, he is a strong stayer, with a bit of class about him, I would not put anyone off.

Barbados Bucks is short here, and I do not see the hype, consistent and hardy yes, however for me there is little substance to his form, and he is lacking a bit of class, anything can win the Albert bartlett, however he is not for me.

Torygraph looks the ideal Albert Bartlett horse on paper, he stays all day. However I question his form, and his tactical pace in a much bigger field, I feel that he is going to need some luck in running, and for me, by the time he gets out and makes his bid, the bird may have already flown.

Threeunderthroughfive has a chance here, he stays well and has enough tactical pace, I do see further improvement in him, which he does need to find.

Adrimel is a nice horse who I do like, he is strong and hardy, however on the evidence of his last run, he may become a sitting duck in the closing stages for win purposes.

The Gold Cup

Best Mate won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2002, 2003, and 2004 with jockey Jim Culloty matching the record of Arkle.

Arkle won 27 of his 35 starts and won at distances from 1m 6f up to 3m 5f winning three consecutive Gold Cups (1964, 1965, 1966)

in 2020, Al Boum Photo won the Cheltenham Gold Cup for the second Year in a row, and bids to join the above illustrious company.

Kauto Star was one of the most successful Steeplechasers of the modern era finishing his racing career with a National Hunt record of £3,775,883 in earnings, which consisted of £2,375,883 in race prize money,£1,000,000 bonus for the completion of the 2006/2007 Stayers Chase triple crown, He won the Gold cup twice, in 2007 and 2009, becoming the first horse to regain the cup after losing it in 2008 by seven lengths behind Denman

Native river bids to match the feat of kauto star, in being only the 2nd Horse to regain his Gold Cup crown.

Trends

Age – 11 of last 12 winners were aged between 7-9
Price – 5 of last 12 winners were favourites/joint favourites, 7/12 winners were top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 10 of last 12 winners won on their previous run before the Cheltenham Gold Cup, 9/12 winners had their last run within the last 77 days, 12/12 winners had their last run 33 days or longer ago
3/12 winners ran in the King George on their last run, 2 of the 3 won, 0 placed
3/12 winners ran in the Denman Chase on their last run, 3 of the 3 won
Previous Course Form – 12/12 winners had at least 1 previous Cheltenham run, 6/12 had a previous win at Cheltenham
Previous Distance Form – 11/12 winners had at least 2 runs over 24 furlongs or further, 11/12 winners had at least 1 previous win over 24 furlongs or further, 7/12 winners had at least 2 wins over 24 furlongs or further
Previous Hurdle Form – 12/12 winners had at least 4 runs over hurdles, 10/12 had at least 2 wins over hurdles
Previous Chase Form – 10/12 winners had at least 7 previous chase runs, 12/12 had at least 2 previous chase wins, 8/12 had at least 4 previous chase wins
Rating – 9/12 winners were rated 166 or higher, 6/12 were rated 170 or higher
Grade 1 Wins – 12/12 winners had won at least 1 Grade 1 race, 6/12 had won at least 2
Grade 2 Wins – 9/12 winners had won at least 1 Grade 2 race, 6/12 had won at least 2
Grade 3 Wins – 9/12 winners had won at least 1 Grade 3 race
Season Form – 9/12 winners had at least 2 runs that season, 10/12 had at least 1 win that season

Al boum photo has won the last 2 and has every chance of doing so again, I love this horse and would love nothing more than him to do the treble, the ground has come against him this year, and I do not like his current price, and I work with prices rather than sentiment, so this time, I am willing to take him on with........

Kemboy is my selection here EW, more positive tactics on the quicker ground should see him come in to this with a fair chance, he is in good form, and the market under rated his chances, he is the value play here, and I do think he has a win chance.

A plus Tard has a solid chance here, his run at Christmas was very good, I would not put anybody off him.

Champ I do not like for this, his RSA winning form is weak, I also question his jumping at the pace this will be ran, I do not like his prep, and I can not see him winning here.

Santini I do not like, he lacks class and tactical pace, I can easily oppose him.

Native river is a brilliant horse, the stats are against him here, and he has made a revival this season, though tbf he has never been gone and always produces, it's quite hard to completely rule him out to be fair, so I am certainly taking him on, but do respect him.

Royal pagaille I am against here, this is a huge step up in class, he has never jumped round at this pace, and he jumps so low that I see him found out here, not for me.

Fox Hunters Chase

The event is contested over the same course and distance as the Gold Cup and it is sometimes referred to as the "amateur Gold Cup". It was established in 1904, and the inaugural running was won by Palmy Boy.

Leading Trainer since 1946 (4 wins):

Richard Barber – Rushing Wild (1992), Fantus (1995, 1997), Earthmover (1998)
Paul nicholls – Earthmover (2004), Sleeping Night (2005), Pacha du Polder (2017, 2018)

Trends

Age – 10 of the last 12 winners were aged 8 or older
Price – 4 of the last 12 winners were favourites/joint favourites, 7/12 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 7/12 winners won on their last run before the Hunters Chase, 9/12 winners won or placed on their last run before Cheltenham, 9/12 winners had their last run within the last 41 days
Previous Course Form – 8/12 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 3/12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham
Previous Distance Form – 7/12 winners had at least 1 previous run over 26/27 furlongs, 3 of the 7 had at least 1 win over 26/27 furlongs
Previous Chase Form – 10/12 winners had at least 6 previous chase runs, 11/12 winners had at least 1 previous chase win
Rating – 9/12 winners had a rating of 134 or higher
Season Form – 11/12 winners had at least 1 previous run that season, 8/12 winners had at least 1 previous win that season

Billaway is in fine form and has every chance here, I do not see many options at big prices, and would not put anyone off him at all.

Bob and co has a fair chance here, he has a bit of class about him for theses races, he can be quite keen, and that could question his finishing effort over this trip. He can also throw in the odd blunder, as can the fav. I would not put anyone off him, but I do prefer the fav at the prices.

It came to pass threw in a freak performance in last year to run away with this, he comes in with similarly poor form, he gets his ground, and though I want to oppose him, it would not be a shock this time.

Red indian seems to be the hipsters pick, he will be popular, he has youth on his side, however I highly question the substance to his form, his under rules form will be referenced, however that is not great either, and I am very willing to take him on here.

Hazel hill is a lovely horse who has passed his peak, he has lost a yard of pace, and I find it easy to take him on here.

porlock bay his form has not worked out great, so I am willing to take him on, but one thing I will note is that he has been ridden to qualify and has not had a particularly hard race at all, there is more to come, he just has to find a whole lot. I can see him trading shorter in running, and now he has drifted, I do see him out running his odds.

Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase

The BHA announced in August last year that a mares' chase would be added to the four-day meeting,

Ruth Quinn, Director of International Racing and Racing Development at the BHA, said:

“The addition of a Grade 2 Mares’ Chase at The Festival is another tangible, positive step in the efforts being made to encourage owners and trainers to continue to enhance the population of quality Jumping mares. Having such a tempting target to aim for is sure to have a long-term impact on breeders, owners and trainers when it comes to thinking about buying a mare or keeping a mare in training and campaigning her over fences.

Cheltenham's clerk of the course, Simon Claisse, said: "We're looking forward to being able to bring the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase into the racing calendar for The Festival 2021.

"Not only is this a great example of the sport working together to boost the mares' race programme in Britain to benefit the industry, but we also now have an improved mares' population providing quality competition.

Paul Nicholls, the 11-times Champion Trainer, said:

“I fully support the introduction of the Mares’ Chase, and the positive impact that it will have on the racing industry.

“There will certainly be plenty of good mares in both Britain and Ireland to contest it and I hope to have a good candidate in Laurina. It looks like the obvious race for her, and she already has good form at Cheltenham so it will definitely be a potential target for her come March.

“It will no doubt have been a tough decision in choosing which of the races to lose, but in this case at least those horses will have lots of opportunities elsewhere.”

Ruby Walsh, winner of 59 races at The Festival, added:

“The Mares’ Chase will prove a great addition to The Festival, especially when it beds in over a three or four year period. Jumps horses rarely have a financial value when they finish racing but for owners who are lucky enough to have a good mare, they can be worth a considerable amount as brood mares and thus owners get some return on their investment.

“Therefore the need for mares-only races is paramount for the value of unraced fillies, to encourage owners to buy them as racehorses. Having the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase to go along with the Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle adds to the attraction of purchasing a filly. Cheltenham are showing their support to the breeding industry by adding this race and in my opinion showing a loyalty to the whole horseracing industry and not just the sport.”

Elimay is a lovely horse, who travels well and finds off the bridle, she jumps well and has every chance of winning here.

Colreevy is a nice mare, the ground has gone against her here so there is no excuses if elimay does not beat her, colreevy holds solid claims here.

shattered love is a solid yard stick in the open mares division, she is sure to run with credit, though I do see her held by elimay.

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle

On eight occasions Martin Pipe trained over 200 winners in one season, with a record tally of 243 in 1999-2000 and an amazing lifetime tally of 4183 European winners. He saddled a total of 34 winners at the Cheltenham Festival including two Champion Hurdles with Granville Again in 1993 and novice Make a stand in 1997, though victory in the Gold Cup eluded him (Rushing Wild came second in 1993). He also won the 1994 Grand National with Miinehoma

Leading Trainer (3 wins):

Willie Mullins– Sir Des Champs (2011), Don Poli (2014), Killultagh Vic (2015)

Trends

Age – 10 of the last 12 winners have been aged 5 or 6
Price – 1 of the 12 winners has been favourite, 3/12 winners have been in the top 3 in the betting
Last Run – 6 of the last 12 winners won on their last run before the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 11/12 winners ran within the last 52 days
Previous Course Form – 7/11 winners had at least 1 previous run at Cheltenham, 2/12 winners had at least 1 previous win at Cheltenham
Previous Distance Form – 11/12 winners had at least 1 previous run over 19-21 furlongs, 6/12 winners had at least 1 previous win over 19-21 furlongs
Previous Hurdle Form – 11/12 winners had at least 3 previous runs over hurdles, 12/12 winners had at least 1 previous win over hurdles, 8/12 had at least 2 previous wins over hurdles
Rating – 12/12 winners had a rating of 133 or higher
Season Form – 10/12 winners had at least 3 previous runs that season, 9/12 winners had at least 1 previous win that season.

Gentlemen de mee has been laid out for this, I gave him a chance in the ballymore NRNB so I would have to give him a big chance here. I did want to put him up, however at the time I had comumn of fire and wide receiver that I expected to run, and 3 in a race is not for me, anyway, Big Chance.

Fire attack I see as a 2 miler, though has a chance here, he has more hurdles to jump in this race and can be keen, I think they have made the wrong call on the race, however he would have had it all to do with ganapathi anyway in the county. Fire attack has a chance.

Galopin des champs made a much improved effort last time, and since he has ran in france, I always thought this was his trip, at big prices I have seen the claims, howeverbat current prices, I question his run 2 starts ago, and that leads me to wonder about his consistency, so that would lead me to take him on.

gabynako has a very shrewd trainer who I greatly respect, I question his run last time, and I will take him on, but if last time was a plan to keep his mark down, then he has claims.

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