The Tipsters Tips 25/26

[Eggs]

….Mark Howard;

C’EST DIFFERENT – Pertemps Final​

Good fortune was in short supply over the Festive period as far as Sam Thomas was concerned. The drying conditions compromised Jubilee Express’s chances in the Welsh National, Lump Sum was lame after finishing last in the Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase at Kempton on the same day, and Katate Dori couldn’t have done any more when narrowly denied in a valuable handicap chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

The stable’s progressive hurdler C’EST DIFFERENT was denied a run at Prestbury Park on New Year’s Day, too, due to the lack of rain. The former Gold Cup winning rider is aiming the six year old at the Pertemps Final in March but is keen to give him one more outing to ensure he is high enough in the ratings to guarantee his place in the line up.

Rated 121, the bottom weight in the last three renewals have raced off 121, 129 and 124, hence his handler’s reluctance to leave the Manatee gelding off until the spring. Unbeaten in three runs since going down the handicap route, the youngster scored twice in two days in February last year, registering wins at Carlisle and Chepstow off 92, appreciating the step up to middle distances in the process.

Raised 17 pounds, the Dai Walters owned runner looked even better on his seasonal return at Market Rasen in late November. Tackling two miles seven for the first time, Dylan Johnston’s mount raced handily before putting his stamp on the race early in the homestraight and stretching away for a clear cut win – the fourth has won a Listed hurdle since. Upped another dozen pounds for his eight and a half lengths victory, he is developing into a smart stayer who may still have a few pounds in hand.

CLONDAW PARK – Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle​

Rising star Harry Derham is blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to novice hurdlers. Cristal D’Estruval (Rossington Main NH at Haydock (17th January)), Le Frimeur, Mossy Fen Road (Newbury (7th February) or Exeter (8th February)) and The Burren Man (Ascot (17th January)) all remain unbeaten over timber and are set to test their credentials in a higher grade in the coming weeks.

Former Irish pointer CLONDAW PARK was due to contest a mares’ novice hurdle at Exeter on New Year’s Day, but the weather didn’t play ball. All being well, the daughter of Walk In The Park will be in action shortly and atone for her unfortunate departure at Newbury’s Winter Festival.

The former Michael Goff trained mare, who cost her current connections £320,000 last March, made her Rules debut in a Listed mares’ novice hurdle at the Berkshire venue and was poised to challenge when unseating her rider at the third last.

Speaking to Derham a few days later, he reported that jockey Paul O’Brien felt the mare was still doing a half speed when parting company and there was plenty left in the tank. The mares’ novice hurdle at the Festival is very much on their radar and convincing victory on her next start will likely book her place in the line up. The 33/1 and 25/1 freely available at the time of writing is tempting.

FANTASY WORLD – Triumph Hurdle ​

The Bamford family seem determined to win the JCB Triumph Hurdle, a race they sponsor. Thirteen months ago, they bought the German Derby winner Palladium for €1,400,000 at the Arqana Arc Sale. Despite winning on his hurdles debut at Huntingdon in January, the Gleneagles gelding was only workmanlike in victory and his jumping career was shelved.

Transferred from Nicky Henderson to John & Thady Gosden, the four year old proceeded to win one of his next five outings on the Flat. He reportedly bled when pulling up in the Listed Rose Bowl Stakes at Newmarket in September. Those disappointments evidently haven’t dampened the Bamford’s enthusiasm though with the same owners paying 600,000gns for FANTASY WORLD.

Rated 103 on the Flat, the gelded son of Make Believe won 3 of his 7 races earlier this year for Andrew Balding. Successful at Ffos Las (1m 2f : Good/Soft), Yarmouth (1m 3f : Soft) and Ascot (1m 6f : Good/Soft), he won the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at the last named venue. A neck victor from Nightwalker, he improved by twenty eight pounds in five races and is most effective with ease in the ground – his form figures on good to soft or slower are 7111.

It is possible he will make his hurdling bow at Kempton on Saturday (10th January) or alternatively at Ascot the following week (17th January) in an event Henderson has introduced French recruits Binocular (2008) and Lulamba (2025). The Seven Barrows outfit have won the Triumph Hurdle on seven occasions – that is what Fantasy World has been bought for.

MACHO MAN – Triumph Hurdle​

Joe and Marie Donnelly bought MACHO MAN following his five lengths success in the Prix Pride of Kildare at Auteuil (2m 2f : Very Soft) at the start of October when trained by Gab Leenders. He looked a smart prospect and every inch a Triumph Hurdle contender in the making when comfortably brushing aside his 13 opponents.

The chestnut was fitted with a noseband and held up during the early stages. With the exception of one hurdle in front of the stands with a circuit to run, the son of Ivanhowe jumped well and made smooth headway towards the end of the backstraight. Switched to the stands’ rail in the homestraight, he picked up strongly after the second last and was in front between the final two hurdles. Pulling clear on the run-in, it was no surprise he was snapped up soon afterwards. Gelded since arriving at Closutton,

Willie Mullins’ new recruit is 16/1 and 14/1 (generally) for the Triumph Hurdle in March. It is possible he will make his Irish debut in the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at the DRF at Leopardstown in early February.

TAURUS BAY – Turners Novices’ Hurdle​

It is nine years since Willoughby Court captured the Neptune Investments Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. The Paul & Clare Rooney owned gelding was trained by Ben Pauling and Nicky Henderson’s former assistant may have a live contender for the 2026 version – the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

Like stablemate and King George winner The Jukebox Man, TAURUS BAY is owned by Harry Redknapp and has impressed in both his wins over hurdles this term. A winning pointer for Denis Murphy in Ireland, the Poet’s Word gelding was acquired for £155,000 at the Cheltenham February Sale last year.

An eight-and-a-half lengths victor at Stratford in late October, he quickened clear in the homestraight and the second, fourth and sixth have franked the form since. Reappearing in a three runner affair at Aintree’s Becher Chase fixture early last month, he proved too strong for subsequent Haydock winner Captain Hugo pulling away after the last to record a four and a quarter lengths win.

Both those successes have been achieved over the minimum trip and the five year old has left the impression more improvement will be forthcoming over an extra half a mile. The Grade 2 novice hurdle over two and a half miles at Cheltenham’s Trials meeting (24th January) has been pencilled in for his next assignment. Priced at 33/1 with Sky Bet for the Grade 1 novice on the second day of the Festival, those odds could look huge if extending his unbeaten record later this month.

 

[Eggs]

Matt Brocklebank takes an early look at the Ryanair Chase after the publications of the entries this week, with a 33/1 outsider expected to shorten between now and the spring.

Young gun can make the grade​

When it comes to taking a chance on likely participation, the golden rule has to be to focus on price and the one I see moving most in the market between now and mid-March is JAGWAR.

He’s the outsider of JP McManus’s five potential runners right now, but I doubt we’ve seen anything like the best of him yet. His joint-trainer Oliver Greenall actually stated earlier this week he feels Jagwar has more natural talent than stable companion Iroko, who is officially rated 155 (6lb higher than Jagwar).

The Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase back at Cheltenham on Trials Day later this month is the target for last season’s Festival Plate winner Jagwar, and he’ll line up on the back of a really eyecatching run when third to the enterprisingly-ridden Glengouly in the December Gold Cup (replay below).

Jonjo O'Neill junior probably just found himself a bit further back than ideal in that race and he was then briefly denied a clear run when attempting to make up ground. It didn't happen on the day, but loads of good horses have been beaten off big weights in that handicap and it was his first run of the season after he skipped the Paddy Power on the Old Course when the ground turned soft. He should sharpen up appreciably.

Having completed the Trials Day-Festival double last time around, we know this seven-year-old absolutely loves the New Course at Prestbury Park and while three miles is likely to be considered at some point, a strongly-run Ryanair should really play to his strengths. The Ultima (another possible Festival option) is run on the Old Course.

Scruffy jumping has been a slight pitfall but he’s 4-6 over fences already and clearly has a significant engine when at the top of his game. If he’s only just beginning to mature physically this season, then the sizeable Jagwar has plenty of major days ahead of him and would look a huge price at 33/1 if all goes to plan next time we see the horse in action.

 

[Eggs]

….Graham North;

When the ground is as testing as it was at Naas and the first race of the day is contested by 25 runners, there has to be an element of ground deterioration built into any timefigures returned but even allowing for that I was impressed by the figures posted by Mullins' Future Prospect in the opening maiden hurdle.

As in the Ballymore, the flights in the straight were omitted, the race was contested over four furlongs less and the winner carried 5lb less, but the tracking data showed she ran the penultimate furlong 1.34 seconds faster than I’ll Sort That (around seven lengths) and the final furlong 1.66 seconds (around eight lengths) quicker and that too after running the distance to the mile marker (assuming the official race distances were correct) at an average 0.25 seconds per furlong (around a length) faster than I’ll Sort That did in the Ballymore.

Enthusiasm for her prospects might be tempered by the fact she didn’t go on after her debut last year (she won well enough on her first start to ensure she was sent off favourite well ahead of stablemate Bambino Fever in the Deep Run Mares Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival) but Paul Townend rode her for the first time at Naas having had a tendency to pull hard for Patrick Mullins last season and it was interesting to read him report afterwards that she settled much better once she met her first hurdle and that was likely the cause of her problems in bumpers.

25/1 for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle looks a fair price to me.

 

[Eggs]

….Jamie Codd;

NO WALKOVER STROLLS INTO CHAMPION BUMPER PICTURE​

Willie Mullins has unleashed several promising bumper horses in the past couple of days, and given it’s been a relatively quiet couple of weeks on the track, it seems like a sensible time to discuss the current bumper crop, and who I think might be good enough to play a role at Cheltenham. The Champion Bumper is a race I won twice, aboard Fayonagh and Envoi Allen, and given my background in Point-to-Points and the sales, it’s a division I love to keep tabs on. Kicking off with Willie, my pick of his so far would be Bentraghhill , a fine big son of Getaway who looked promising when winning at Leopardstown under Jody Townend over Christmas. He was free enough in the early part of the race, and given he hit the front a good way out, his finishing effort was very strong indeed. I prefer him to Quiryn , who won by a street in testing conditions at Naas the other day. He was ready to run on the Flat before being bought by Willie Mullins and clearly has a big future, but it’s tough to win a race like the Champion Bumper as a four-year-old. The last to do so was Cue Card, and he wasn’t bad, was he?

The Mourne Rambler was another winner for Noel Meade at Leopardstown, and I’d strongly suggest keeping an eye on him and a number of beaten runners in the race. The contest just shaped like a particularly strong one, and by all accounts plenty of connections had high hopes for their representatives. Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham could be on the agenda for Noel’s horse, but I’d say there will be winners galore in behind. Cityofblindinlites , Outofafrika , Minella Machine and Heldam will all be getting their heads in front soon. Finally in Ireland, Young Rebel is 40-1 for the Champion Bumper, but looks worthy of his place after winning at Fairyhouse for Anna McGuinness and Mags Mullins. He came from a long way back that day, and this was another race in which plenty of runners were fancied. He’s well-regarded and is by a sire I love in Crystal Ocean. The runner-up has since won at Cork, and Mags Mullins again showed she’s well capable of sending horses to Cheltenham and winning, saddling Blaze The Way to score at the track in December. Don’t forget, her Debuchet finished second in the Champion Bumper in 2017.

Given the feast of racing over Christmas, it’s quite easy for some performances to go under the radar, and I think that’s what might have happened with NO WALKOVER , who could be worth a few quid at 33-1 for the big one at Cheltenham. The son of Crystal Ocean was winning his second bumper, this time under a penalty at Aintree on December 26 and there were a few things about the run I really liked. He took a good grip early, but still moved powerfully into contention as the race progressed, tanking to the front and looking really strong at the finish, ultimately winning by five lengths but leaving the impression that he still has plenty to learn. It was a good step forward from his previous win at Chepstow though, and it’s also worth noting that he pulled miles clear of the third when just denied by Harry Derham’s very promising Cristal D’Estruval in a Lisronagh Point-to-Point.

I also like to keep a close eye on the Hunter Chase division at this time of year. It’s usually about now that a few lurkers can start to start show their hands, but I will say that last year’s winner Wonderwall and the very consistent Its On The Line hold strong claims again. I might be wrong, but I’m not sure there’s an emerging horse to trouble them. CHEMICAL ENERGY might not be up and coming, but he’s still just a 10-year-old, and at 16-1 I think he could rattle a few cages in the race, myself. He’s a very classy horse, and fresh from two easy Point-to-Point wins for Gordon Elliott and the Morans, I think the plan is to go straight to the Cheltenham Festival. He’s been part of Gordon’s Cheltenham squad quite a few times, including when I rode him to finish a very good second to Gaillard Du Mesnil in the 2023 National Hunt Chase. He also ran quite well in the Martin Pipe over hurdles, and has a 61-length victory over fences at Cheltenham to his name too. Gordon is an expert in freshening horses like this up, and if he turns up on the day and the ground is nice, I think Chemical Energy will have a fantastic chance.

 

[Eggs]

….interesting that after the entries two differentnSL tipsters pick the same 40-1 shot for AB;

Give me one our horse on your radar for the Albert Barlett?​

JI: Kazansky is 40/1 in places but has won his last two for Gordon Elliott, taking a marked step up in trip when successful in a Grade 2 novice at Limerick last time. The same race was won the year before by The Big Westerner who was runner-up in the Albert Bartlett, and Kazansky looks as though he’ll improve again given a stronger gallop at around three miles. He’s bred to stay well, too, being related to Irish Grand National winner Thunder And Roses.

TM: The fact this is 14/1 the field shows how wide open it is. Kazansky is worth a second look at a massive price given he has a stout pedigree - his dam is a sister to Irish Grand National winner Thunder And Roses - and he stayed on strongly to win a two-mile-seven-furlong Grade 2 on testing ground at Limerick last time. He appeals as one who should cope better than most with what can be an extreme test for young horses.

DO: I'm going to stick with that Ballymore form at Naas and third that day was Fruit De Mer for Henry de Bromhead. He's bred to want a marathon trip and looked every inch as if he does that day - plugging on behind the two principals.

He's a potential significant improver if and when he goes up to three miles and it will be interesting to see if he takes up his engagement in the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle over two miles six at the DRF.

 

[Big Zeb]

Matt Brocklebank'-1pt win Sortudo in Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at 14/1 (General)

Old Park Star flew to the head of the betting for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle last weekend but I’m not sure we’ve ever got this far into the season with so little solid evidence to call upon, most significantly when it comes to the budding stars in Ireland.

Not only have Willie Mullins’ novices’ been a bit behind in terms of fitness, by all accounts, but the final-flight falls of Talk The Talk (Joseph O’Brien) and El Cairos (Gordon Elliott) at Leopardstown over Christmas only served to muddy the water even further.

Nicky Henderson’s commanding Haydock winner Old Park Star is now no bigger than 9/4 for the Festival opener which is understandable but it would take a brave punter to back him this side of the Dublin Racing Festival, and the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle a week on Sunday will hopefully give us a lot more to chew on.

What price Old Park Star if something bolts up in that Grade 1 contest, followed by El Cairos landing his maiden hurdle in effortless fashion just a day or two later?

For what it’s worth, I reckon the Elliott horse could be the most talented of the lot but he’s only 5/1 at this point too and I’m just not willing to take a flier on something among the outsiders.

WATCH: Cheltenham Trials Day Preview & Tips

The same sort of thinking applies in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle which amazingly also has a British-based favourite in No Drama This End, not that Paul Nicholls’ horse shouldn’t be regarded as a genuinely top prospect.

Doctor Du Mesnil is the Mullins horse I’ve got in mind at this stage but he’ll be keen to get a maiden success on the board before even seriously considering sending him to Cheltenham and hopefully we get to see the six-year-old in action at Naas on Sunday, or 24 hours later at Punchestown.

Look to budding stayer for early value​

The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle has thrown up the odd shock in years gone by but the past couple of winners have fit the mould of quality bumper horses who didn’t quite cut the mustard in Irish Graded novice hurdles before being stepped up to three miles at Cheltenham.

Stellar Story, the 2024 winner, scored a couple of times in bumpers while last year’s winner Jasmin De Vaux was the Weatherbys Champion Bumper winner, no less, and I suspect that same Festival race might hold the key clue again this time around.

The form of the 2025 Champion Bumper already looks strong, given the subsequent exploits of of Bambino Fever, Heads Up, El Cairos, Idaho Sun, No Drama This End and Kalypso’chance among others.

They are all smart recruits to hurdles – over two or two and a half miles in the main – and right amongst that lot last March was SORTUDO, Willie Mullins’ horse looking a shade outpaced that day despite having filled the runner-up spot in a Grade 2 at the Dublin Racing Festival on his previous start.

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Click here to back Sortudo for the Albert Bartlett with Sky Bet​

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He duly took his form to another level again when signing off with an all-the-way victory at Fairyhouse towards the end of April, beating I’ll Sort That by 12 lengths, while there was also a lot to like about his maiden hurdle win (two miles, prominent from the off) under Danny Mullins, when fitted with a hood for the first time, at Cork in November.

The immediate return to Grade 1 company looked a stiff enough task on the face of it at Naas earlier this month, but Sortudo attracted significant market support under Patrick Mullins - Paul Townend having expressed pre-race concerns that he might have made the wrong call in electing to ride Saint Baco.

The money proved spot-on and while Sortudo couldn’t quite reel in his old rival, the game front-runner I’ll Sort That, he stuck to the task admirably on what was an extended run-in due to the two hurdles in the home straight being omitted.


He definitely got the two and a half-mile trip very well, as his breeding suggested he might. Mullins has always placed a huge amount of emphasis on pedigree when it comes to the campaigning of his horses and it’s worth underlining that Sortudo is by Authorized, out of the Saint Des Saints mare Sainte Des Bordes.

Derby winner Authorized is the sire of some of the best staying jumpers of recent times, including Tiger Roll, I Am Maximus and Nichols Canyon, the latter having famously won the Stayers’ Hurdle for the Closutton yard in 2016 when stepped up markedly in trip from two miles to three at Cheltenham.

Sortudo has been given entries in the Supreme, Turners and the Albert Bartlett but, all things considered, it’s hard to believe a move up to the longer race won’t be seen as a catalyst for further improvement when it comes to this horse in the spring. Another solid enough run in one of the Grade 1 events at the DRF, or elsewhere, should serve as the perfect stepping-stone.

It’s a relatively immature market at this stage but prominent racers with similar profiles have fared well in this race over the years and the general 14/1 for this particular test of stamina makes plenty of appeal.

 

[Eggs]

….a couple of professional punters on ATR (Matt Williams was one) just gave Genealogy a big shout at 25-1 (365) in Fred Winter. Needs another run to qualify but entered at DRF. GDC was Matt Williams’ suggestion.

Had a little e/w interest on the 168-1 double.

 

[Eggs]

….Mark Howard with a few novice hurdle ‘dark horses’;

PROACTIF - Sky Bet Supreme Novices Hurdle​

It is 27 years since the A.P. McCoy-ridden Hors La Loi trounced Joe Mac by 17 lengths in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and, while another French import Binocular came close nine years later, no four-year-old has managed to replicate the Martin Pipe-trained gelding since. Ironically, the latter was denied by the same owner’s Captain Cee Bee, which was the last time J.P. McManus plundered the Festival opener.

A trio from the same age group have been entered in the 2026 version, including PROACTIF who sports the famous green and gold silks. Similar to Hors La Loi and Binocular, the Masked Marvel gelding began his career across the English Channel winning the prestigious Prix Finot at Auteuil in September when handled by Daniela Mele (same source as Majborough and State Man among others).

The two miles two event has kickstarted the careers of many high-class National Hunt horses over the years. Grade 1 winners L’Ami Serge (3rd in 2013), Min (4th in 2014), Protektorat (2nd in 2018), Ptit Zig (9th in 2012) and Saint Roi (3rd in 2018) all made their racecourse debuts in the same contest. A six-length victor, he was snapped up immediately afterwards and, along with the runner-up (Apolon De Charnie), joined Willie Mullins.

Following a four-month break, Proactif made a successful start to life at Closutton when beating stablemate and compatriot Macho Man (also entered in the Supreme) by nearly three lengths at Fairyhouse last week. Always to the fore, he jumped slickly and responded generously when tackled briefly after the last.

With the same owner currently responsible for the ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle, namely Narciso Has, it is not beyond the realms of possibility he will take on the older horses receiving a healthy ten pounds allowance. Unless the legendary owner opens his wallet once again, Davy Crockett would appear to be his only prime candidate for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle otherwise, and that unbeaten son of Camelot hasn’t been seen since September. Currently priced at 33/1, those odds will contract substantially once the Non Runner No Bet concessions become available.

CHARME DE FAUST – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle / Triumph Hurdle​

Allegorie De Vassy, Benie Des Dieux, Let’s Dance, Limini, Lossiemouth and Vroum Vroum Mag developed into high-class mares for the pink and green of Rich and Susannah Ricci having begun their careers in France. The same owners have purchased a couple of three year old fillies in recent months which are included in this article. This daughter of Goliath Du Berlais was trained by Gab Leenders – Willie Mullins bought Blood Destiny, and Franco De Port from the same stable – and she finished a good second at Auteuil (2m 2f : Very Soft) in September.

Lining up in the fillies’ version of the Prix Finot (the aforementioned Proactif won the colts and geldings version), a conditions hurdle, she couldn’t match the impressive winner Maskina but stayed on well on the run-in having made a mistake at the last. Beaten nine and a half lengths, she was in rear during the early exchanges before making smooth headway through the final circuit.

Overcoming an error at the final flight, it was an eyecatching performance which bodes well for the future. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she is campaigned in Graded company this term and, if unsuccessful, she will remain a novice for next winter.

MUSTANG DU BREUIL – Triumph Hurdle​

Giada Menato trained this Goliath Du Berlais gelding to win the prestigious Prix Emilius at Auteuil (2m 2f : Heavy) – a conditions hurdle for unraced horses over obstacles – at Auteuil in October. Teahupoo won the 2020 version. Ridden by Baptiste Le Clerc, he raced on the outside in the first half dozen (13 runners) throughout. Having jumped well, he got in close to the third last and was around eight lengths behind the leaders early in the home straight.

Despite that, his jockey oozed confidence and his mount picked up strongly after the last to reel in Mailloche (sold since) and win snugly by a length. Even though the time was considerably slower than the Prix Isopani over the same C&D, it was a smart performance by a potentially high-class prospect.

J.P. McManus bought him soon afterwards and he is now residing at Seven Barrows in Lambourn. The fact he is already a winner means his new connections will be keen for him to gain more experience with the Grade 2 Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton (21st February) a possible target – Nicky Henderson has won the race five times, namely Katarino (1999), Punjabi (2007), Binocular (2008), Soldatino (2010) and Fusil Raffles (2019). The McManus/Henderson axis already have another unbeaten Auteuil-winning juvenile, Manlaga, waiting in the wings (runs in a Listed fillies’ juvenile hurdle at Doncaster on Saturday) and this half-brother to the Joseph O’Brien-trained Kim Roque could have a big future.
fillies in recent months which are included in this article. This daughter of Goliath Du Berlais was trained by Gab Leenders – Willie Mullins bought Blood Destiny, and Franco De Port from the same stable – and she finished a good second at Auteuil (2m 2f : Very Soft) in September.

Lining up in the fillies’ version of the Prix Finot (the aforementioned Proactif won the colts and geldings version), a conditions hurdle, she couldn’t match the impressive winner Maskina but stayed on well on the run-in having made a mistake at the last. Beaten nine and a half lengths, she was in rear during the early exchanges before making smooth headway through the final circuit.

Overcoming an error at the final flight, it was an eyecatching performance which bodes well for the future. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she is campaigned in Graded company this term and, if unsuccessful, she will remain a novice for next winter.

SELMA DE VARY (FR) – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle / Triumph Hurdle​

Emmanuel Clayeux has been a terrific source of talent for Closutton over the years, including Al Boum Photo, Apple’s Jade, Chacun Pour Soi, Il Etait Temps and Sir Des Champs amongst others. Willie Mullins has recruited this progressive filly from the same French yard and it is hoped she will develop into a Graded performer in the spring.

Twice raced on the Flat when under the tutelage of Mathieu Brasme (seventh and eighth on the AW at Deauville in December and January), she joined Clayeux during the spring to go jumping. Runner-up behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Delmegan in the Prix Geographie – a mares’ conditions hurdle – at Auteuil (1m 7f : Heavy) in March, the daughter of Zarak was fifth in a Grade 3 mares’ event at the same venue in May on her next outing – she raced too keenly from the front. Absent for 172 days, she was held up at the back of a 13 runner field in a mares’ hurdle at the Parisian track (2m 1f : Heavy) in early November and showed what she is capable of with a most impressive display.

Last approaching the backstraight, she made steady headway before taking over on the run to the second last early in the home straight. Champion elect Lucas Zuliani pushed his mount clear on the run-in crossing the line nine lengths in front of Hawai De Baune. She wore a hood on all three starts over hurdles and, provided she settles, Rich and Susannah Ricci may have another talented mare on their hands.

DOCTOR DU MESNIL – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle​

Willie Mullins sent out 31 bumper winners in Ireland last season and few made a bigger impression than this Doctor Dino gelding who spreadeagled a field of 14 when scoring by 11 lengths at Cork on Easter Sunday. Hitting a topspeed of 35.04mph and covering the third and second last furlongs in 12.92 and 12.78 seconds, according to Race Iq, that victory was gained over two miles three.

Indeed, stamina would appear to be the six year old’s forte hailing from the family of National Hunt Chase runner-up Lord Du Mesnil. It therefore shouldn’t have come as a surprise when finding two miles on the sharp side when defeated on his hurdles debut at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s day. Reappearing following an absence of 250 days in a large field maiden hurdle, he raced prominently in behind the eventual winner Murat and, while he couldn’t match the turn of foot of unlucky loser El Cairos, he stayed on after the last only to be denied a nose with five lengths back to the third.

Despite sending out 11 winners from 66 runners over the four days (26-29 December), it is fair to say the Closutton team weren’t at fever pitch over the Festive period and many have improved for their initial outings. Entered in a two miles two maiden hurdle at Naas on Sunday, the twice raced gelding also features amongst the entries for the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle (2m 6f) on day one of the DRF at Leopardstown on Saturday (January 31).

Mullins has won four of the last five renewals of that contest, plus Jasmin De Vaux was fourth last year before winning the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham (Stellar Story was also fourth before landing the same event at the Festival in 2024). Doctor Du Mesnil has plenty of options before March and has time to emerge as a leading player in the spring.

 

[Eggs]

….BANC tips from ATR Ed Quigley (Wendigo & Jigs Force);

The Brown Advisory Novices' Chase fits the same profile, as we are currently 4-1 the field for this acid test for novice chasers over the extended 3m on the Old Course at Prestbury Park. The market has been shaken up big-time in recent days, courtesy of the Dublin Racing Festival, where Kaid d'Authie laid down a serious marker by getting the better of Western Fold, as 30-100f Final Demand trailed in a well-beaten third in the Ladbrokes Novice Chase.

The winner jumped well and looks a strong stayer, but this imposing sort pulled-up at last year's Cheltenham Festival, and Willie Mullins has suggested that spring ground would be a 'small worry' for a sort who clearly enjoys galloping through the mud and therefore doesn't make appeal at the current odds.

Final Demand seems to have had his bubble burst, and perhaps the horse to take out of the Leopardstown race is Western Fold, who has an unusual profile as far as a novice is concerned. The Galway Plate winner ran a cracker in defeat, trying to make up a lot of ground from off the pace on underfoot conditions that were probably as soft as he wants them. He's a solid jumper with a good body of experience so 8-1 is a fair price for the Gordon Elliott trained 7-year-old who definitely makes the shortlist with the Affordale Fury formline reading well.

However, I am looking at the 'home' team for the winner, and it is hard to leave the Jamie Snowden-trained WENDIGO out of the equation, and he looks to have many of the tools required to land this encounter. He was unlucky not to be closer than fifth when nearly brought down in last year's Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle, and has looked a natural over fences so far this season winning twice from four starts.

He was beaten on the line on his chase debut when needing the run over an inadequate test of 2m4f around Worcester on good ground but jumped superbly in the process. His other defeat, and probably most salient formline, was at Grade 1 level over the Christmas period when he was a running-on third in the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day.

The tight, right-handed configuration of the Sunbury-on-Thames track was all wrong for him, but when he got into top gear in the home straight, he made up significant ground on the winner Kitzbuhel. The relatively more galloping test on a left-handed course for the Brown Advisory will be much more suitable for the seven-year-old, who can reverse form with Kitzbuhel.

Wendigo heads to the Cheltenham Festival on the back of a lovely tune-up, when sauntering to a 22-length success in a minor event at Ayr last time out. Stamina looks his forte and I expect him to really serve it up to his rivals on the day where the Lambourn representative looks more than capable of getting involved at the business end of proceedings. I would argue he arrives with fewer question marks about him than many of the ante-post protagonists in my view.

I can't resist sticking on my Longshot goggles, and if you are looking for something at a zany price to appear from left of field, then Ben Pauling's JIG'S FORGE could fit the bill.

He got the better of Lucky Place at Newbury before Christmas, and whilst the raw form isn't worth much in the context of this, he jumped superbly and Pauling has said he will head to the Reynoldstown at Ascot in a fortnight. With a bold show there, the 100-1 on offer with bet365 would soon disappear and the totally unexposed sort would book his ticket to the Festival in the process.

 

[Eggs]

….Ed Quigley with his Turners selection (Taurus Bay 25-1);

Act Of Innocence can lay down a marker in the Sidney Banks at Huntingdon, and so Nicky Henderson's representative could shorten significantly in the next few days, but I mentioned in my Trials Day review that TAURUS BAY was the horse to take out of the card, and I still maintain that Ben Pauling's runner is one not to ignore in the market for this assignment at 25-1.

Taurus Bay jumped slickly and travelled strongly when beaten a nose in the AIS Hurdle at Cheltenham last month, in what was just his third start under rules. He gained a lot of experience in that encounter, in which he was also having his first start at the trip, so I took the view that he just got pipped by a horse who had more miles under his belt and was a tad battle-hardened.

As such a strong traveller, I think Taurus Bay would be suited by better ground at the Festival, and the switch to the more speed-orientated Old Course for the Turners would be another tick in the box for this unexposed five-year-old. The Pauling team took this in 2017 with Willoughby Court, and the Naunton Downs handler has a lively unexposed outsider on his hands here with owner Harry Redknapp set for a big week.

 

[Eggs]

….Matt Brocklebank with his BANC selection;

Koktail Divin has some strong form to his name, including a half-length second to Kaid d’Authie over hurdle last winter, while his fourth to Honesty Policy in the Grade 1 Mersey Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in April also reads well given that one is second-favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle.

Despite his trainer Henry De Bromhead having a very quiet season by his own standards, this promising six-year-old has improved with every outing over fences, finishing second to Romeo Coolio and Oscars Brother at Down Royal and Punchestown respectively, before stepping up again to slam Kiss Will by 21 lengths in the ‘Rising Stars’ Beginners Chase at Leopardstown on December 28.

Typically for one from his stable, Koktail Divin jumped for fun that day, making all and relishing the decent (yielding) conditions according to his jockey Darragh O’Keeffe.

Realistically, the wide-margin winner was probably beating up a few future handicap projects at Leopardstown, but he could hardly have done so with more swagger, and it’s worth underlining that is a race that has spawned the likes of Galopin Des Champs and Fact To File no less in recent years, having also been won by Djakadam and Lord Windermere a little further back.

Koktail Divin has yet to experience Cheltenham, admittedly, but it was only last March he was winning his maiden hurdle in good style and, with further progress highly likely as he gains experience in this discipline, he should be in for a highly productive time over the next couple of months, providing De Bromhead can start to turn a corner heading into the spring. And let’s not kid ourselves… some things can almost be taken for granted when it comes to punting at Cheltenham.

 

[EnvoiAlien]

….Mark Howard;

CLONDAW PARK – Dawn Run Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle​

Rising star Harry Derham is blessed with an embarrassment of riches when it comes to novice hurdlers. Cristal D’Estruval (Rossington Main NH at Haydock (17th January)), Le Frimeur, Mossy Fen Road (Newbury (7th February) or Exeter (8th February)) and The Burren Man (Ascot (17th January)) all remain unbeaten over timber and are set to test their credentials in a higher grade in the coming weeks.

Former Irish pointer CLONDAW PARK was due to contest a mares’ novice hurdle at Exeter on New Year’s Day, but the weather didn’t play ball. All being well, the daughter of Walk In The Park will be in action shortly and atone for her unfortunate departure at Newbury’s Winter Festival.

The former Michael Goff trained mare, who cost her current connections £320,000 last March, made her Rules debut in a Listed mares’ novice hurdle at the Berkshire venue and was poised to challenge when unseating her rider at the third last.

Speaking to Derham a few days later, he reported that jockey Paul O’Brien felt the mare was still doing a half speed when parting company and there was plenty left in the tank. The mares’ novice hurdle at the Festival is very much on their radar and convincing victory on her next start will likely book her place in the line up. The 33/1 and 25/1 freely available at the time of writing is tempting.

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Just took some 100/1 for this mare with ladbrokes, Corals also offering 100/1 for anyone wanting to get her onside.

 

[CJW]

Just took some 100/1 for this mare with ladbrokes, Corals also offering 100/1 for anyone wanting to get her onside.

She's since come out and lost. I don't see the angle.

 

[EnvoiAlien]

She's since come out and lost. I don't see the angle.

My mistake, I see this thread was recently posted on so clicked on, it put me on the update from MH that I copy/pasted this off, quickly looked at the date, see the 5th and thought it was today.... not january, checked the prices and see the mare was 100/1 but Mark was saying 33's was available, so thought I was being clever getting a price, bit of a balls up by myself :/

 

[CJW]

My mistake, I see this thread was recently posted on so clicked on, it put me on the update from MH that I copy/pasted this off, quickly looked at the date, see the 5th and thought it was today.... not january, checked the prices and see the mare was 100/1 but Mark was saying 33's was available, so thought I was being clever getting a price, bit of a balls up by myself :/

Ah OK nevermind. I backed her LTO, thought she'd win that race.

 

[Eggs]

….Jamie Codd;

TWO FOR THE FESTIVAL RADAR AND A RACE TO KEEP AN EYE ON​

I mentioned Gavin Cromwell’s Welonlyhavedone as a potentially well-handicapped horse for the future a few weeks back, and he’s in action in what looks a winnable contest at Thurles on Thursday. His Irish rating is 130; not bad when you consider he was getting the better of subsequent Grade 1 winner I’ll Sort That at Galway in October when coming down two-out. In fairness, he pulled up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham next time, but looked back on track when travelling strongly in a two-mile event at Naas in January. Thursday’s run will qualify him for Cheltenham, so he’s interesting for the Coral Cup or Martin Pipe, for which he’s a 25-1 shot.

Sticking with Gavin Cromwell, I think there’s still a decent pot to be won with Ballysax Hank after an eyecatching sixth at the Dublin Racing Festival. Between July and October 2025, he managed to win the Summer Plate at Market Rasen, beat Seo Linn in a flat maiden and finish runner up in the American Grand National. That’s some bit of campaigning from one of the best in the business! He was well-backed in the three mile Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown at Christmas, where he looked well in the mix approaching the straight before fading. Cut back a mile in distance, he was free enough behind Jacob’s Ladder on Monday, again travelling well enough to suggest that he's still on a good mark. Whether he goes for the Grand Annual, the Plate or even stretches out in trip again, he’s a must for the Cheltenham handicap shortlist.

I’ve been keen to keep a close eye on those in behind The Mourne Rambler , who won a Leopardstown bumper in December, so it was pleasing to see Outofafrika win at 5-2 earlier this week at Fairyhouse. Add Cityofblindinlites Minella Machine and Heldam to your At The Races Trackers, as I’m sure they’ll all win plenty of races in the future.

 

[Eggs]

….Ed Quigley with 2 Supreme suggestions; Sober Glory 16-1, Eachtotheirown 66-1.

Cut in the ground is no problem at all for the Philip Hobbs and Johnson White trained-SOBER GLORY , who bolted up at Newbury on Saturday in a quick time, and only has one blip on his CV when something was clearly amiss.

Other than that, he has looked like a really slick jumper with a big engine who appears to be improving race by race. He handles soft conditions very well, and if the rain were to arrive the night before the Festival, I think connections would be very happy with proceedings.

I was at Chepstow for Sky Sports Racing back in November when Sober Glory bolted up on hurdles debut, and speaking to Hobbs afterwards, he was visibly emotional as he expressed how he 'might have a real one on his hands'.

If you take Old Park Star out of the equation, then I think you could throw a blanket over many of these, and as is the nature of the race, there are lots of unexposed types trying to dine at the top table for the first time. I think the Minehead charge is right in the mix on what he has achieved so far, with the potential of a lot more to come.

Barry Connell isn't afraid of talking up his horses or indeed running them on the big occasion, and if we were to have an 'Ebaziyan' style result, then EACHTOTHEIROWN could be one at massive odds to run a big race.

He may have only won a Thurles handicap off 124 last time out, but he absolutely pulverised the field and has been put up 13lb to 137 on the back of that run. That doesn't put him as far behind the others in the betting as the market would lead you to believe, and the seven-year-old with untapped potential has to be respected for a trainer who has a good record in this race.

 

[Eggs]

….ATRs James Flaherty with his Pertemps selection;

SUPREMELY WEST has been my idea of the winner of this race since he crossed the line at Cheltenham in the qualifier back in October. Nothing has happened to change that opinion over the last four months, and his campaigning has seen my confidence grow, if anything.

Dan Skelton is a master of measuring horses for a target, and I feel he could have nailed the preparation with this horse too. He has had a few quite runs since qualifying and has even been dropped a couple of pounds by the handicapper.

The form of that October contest has worked out well with the impressive winner Ma Shantou gaining two further successes subsequently, including the Grade 2 Cleeve Hurdle here on Trials Day, and is now a single-figure price for the Stayers’ Hurdle.

The second, Electric Mason, won his next start and is now rated 11lbs higher, which means the selection will have a 13lbs swing for two and a half lengths.

The manner of Supremely West’s run was hugely eye-catching too, and he only escaped the weekly column because I felt this may be the target and he wasn’t one for the short-term. Skelton’s son of Westerner was doing all his best work at the finish, and I got the strong impression that he had more to give.

I love that they have put him away since December for a couple of reasons. That is a good sign with the trainer, as he has an excellent record with handicappers at the Festival that arrived here off a break – Langer Dan twice winning here off that sort of prep, as well as Unexpected Party and several others running well.

It is a positive angle in relation to this horse individually too. His form figures under rules off a break of 70 days or more read 11313, the latest third being the excellent effort here in October. I think the 10-1 available is a brilliant piece of value, and I could see him being half those odds on the day.

 

[Lobos]

He's my idea of the winner .

 

[Eggs]

He's my idea of the winner .

…..ahh, maybe the Pertemps one for the February Yankee