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this week's entries

With him being a JP horse are we expecting 2 or 3 entries for Kopeck? Can’t recall if he treats handicap entries different to the graded races. Could make life even easier if he treats them the same.
 
The Cheltenham Festival handicap entries have been revealed, with the National Hunt Chase, Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase and the Golden Miller all attracting significantly more interest at this initial stage following the decision to turn them into handicaps.

However, the bulking of the handicap programme at the festival, announced by the Jockey Club in September, has had an impact elsewhere, with entries for the Ultima Handicap Chase on the opening day of the meeting down to a record low.

The changes announced last year were designed with the intention of delivering more competitive action at jump racing's biggest four days. The Grade 1 Turners Novices' Chase was scrapped and replaced with the Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase (registered as the Golden Miller), while the festival's oldest race, the National Hunt Chase, will now be staged as a novice handicap and not restricted to amateur jockeys.

The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, which has taken increased prominence in the last decade through the exploits of the likes of dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, is also a limited handicap from this season.

All three new handicaps have attracted a greater number of entries compared to their previous guises 12 months ago, with the National Hunt Chase receiving 45 entries (up from 26), the Cross Country 31 (up from 21) and the Golden Miller 61 (up from 42).

The Golden Millier entries include the Paul Nicholls-trained Caldwell Potter, who was defeated by Gidleigh Park in a Grade 2 at Windsor last month, Jingko Blue, Joseph O'Brien's Nurburgring and Springwell Bay.

The National Hunt Handicap Chase, which concludes the action on day one, includes Johnnywho, The Changing Man and Sa Majeste. Conflated, Delta Work and Mister Coffey are among those who hold entries for the Cross Country on day two.

Elsewhere, the Coral Cup has this year attracted 96 entries compared to 72 from last year, while the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup is up to 46 (from 38). The Plate Handicap Chase has attracted one more entry compared to last year's total of 58.

The Fred Winter entry remains stable at 47, but the Ultima Handicap Chase has seen a dramatic fall, with 49 horses entered compared to 76 a year ago. There is also diminished interest in the Kim Muir (down to 69 from 79 entries) and the Pertemps Final (down to 50 from 57).

On the final day of the festival, the County Hurdle has attracted 73 entries (74 in 2024) and the Martin Pipe total has also dropped from 87 to 82.
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Birds Nest said:
Odd to see olive riding shearer whilst training didero v in the same rsce , cant remember ever seeing something like this b4.
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…..presume he’s now qualified but pushed out 16-1 NRNB with Hills.
 
Mixed reaction from the layers. Some shorten and some lengthen..

Slightly underwhelming but 2 wins in a fortnight after a 600 day break so job done. A fine big horse who might well be better suited by Cheltenham than Taunton.
 
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Leaky Cauldron goes in the 2m4f maiden hurdle at Punchestown on Friday. He ran a a stinker in one of the Leopardstown festive bumpers but he'd had some reported hold ups so could be cut come slack. They're now moving on to hurdles which should be the case for 6yo's and I'm guessing they'll want to be novice chasing next season as that's what he's ultimately bred for. Hopefully they've had a clear run with him now and he can show up better this time round.

PT has picked Willie's other runner though so that has dampened my enthusiasm somewhat.

https://www.fatjockey.com/forum/fat...kie-moon-horses-to-follow?p=463019#post463019
 
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Most people won't be focused on bumpers run at Tramore in May, but Willie has an interesting runner called Love Me Tender on Friday. I'd normally pay no attention to this race but the horse was balloted out of the bumper at Ballinrobe on Monday that Willie has targeted the last two years with decent sorts. Love Me Tender has a fair enough page and was a very expensive store, so it will be interesting if he can live up to the price tag. Willie's had a few bumper horses start at this time of year that have gone on to be decent sorts too.
 
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Gash field but Love Me Tender won as he liked. Could be a horse there to go to war with next season.
 
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JackieMoon33 said:
Gash field but Love Me Tender won as he liked. Could be a horse there to go to war with next season.
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Love Me Tender won on hurdles debut yesterday at Kilbeggan. I’m not expecting the field to have been up to much but he won as he liked, jumped well and looks an easy ride. Interesting to see where they go now.
 
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Where's My Jet and Taponthego declared for a beginners chase at Gowran Park on Sunday. Interested to see how Taponthego does here, brings that Martin Pipe form to the table.
 
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Love Me Tender declared for a 2m maiden on Sunday. Townend jockey up
 
Venusienne with an entry at Tramore - 3-15 . next Thursday - Mares Maiden Hurdle .
 
…..Golden Ace has an entry for Wetherby on Saturday.

Croke Park, Stellar Story, The Real Whacker, Protektorat and Hewick have Charlie Hall entries.
 
brighterdaysahead and romeo coolio both entered for the 2m4 chase at down royal. I think Gordon has said it didn't matter if romeo started at 2m4 or 2m he still saw him as arkle prospect in recent tour.
 
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fatherjohn said:
brighterdaysahead and romeo coolio both entered for the 2m4 chase at down royal. I think Gordon has said it didn't matter if romeo started at 2m4 or 2m he still saw him as arkle prospect in recent tour.
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….The Yellow Clay also entered to run at Down Royal in 2m 1f hurdle on Friday.
 
I see Grangeclare Park has an entry at Down Royal too, been highly touted as a Champion bumper type by the P2P & horses to follow people.
 
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fatherjohn said:
brighterdaysahead and romeo coolio both entered for the 2m4 chase at down royal. I think Gordon has said it didn't matter if romeo started at 2m4 or 2m he still saw him as arkle prospect in recent tour.
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Koktail Divin in here as well. Didn't get a mention in Henry's stable tour but was well regarded last year. Could be one they look at the mid trip handicap novice chase with though...
 
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