|
|
TRIUMPH HURDLE
4-year olds to the fore in the opening race of the final day as the juveniles go over 2m1f and 8 hurdles in the Triumph Hurdle- a contest won the last couple of years by owner J P McManus who once again owns the favourite this year.
|
APPLES SHAKIRA, a French recruit for trainer Nicky Henderson who has won this race a record 6-times in the past. The full-sister to Mares Hurdle winner Apples Jade has won all 3 of her starts in the UK including an 8-length success in a Grade 2 trial for this race in January. The strength of her form is questionable, but she does receive a helpful 7lb fillies allowance and ought to be a tough nut to crack. |
REDICEAN was a useful stayer on the flat with David O’Meara but the son of Medicean has transformed into an even more classy hurdler, winning 3/3 for Alan King.
There was lots to like about the way he sprinted clear in the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton last month and he has to be taken very seriously.
There was lots to like about the way he sprinted clear in the Grade 2 Adonis at Kempton last month and he has to be taken very seriously.
MR AJUDICATOR is another former useful horse on the flat, winning twice on the level for Joseph Murphy and has wasted no time since joining the all conquering Willie Mullins stable.
Won a 5-runner Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February & looks the number 1 pick of the Willie Mullins team, albeit the yard are winless in this race since 2002.
Won a 5-runner Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February & looks the number 1 pick of the Willie Mullins team, albeit the yard are winless in this race since 2002.
Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle
One of the newer additions to the Festival line-up, having been installed in 2005- the novice hurdlers go over the stamina zapping 3-miles in the Albert Bartlett.
|
SANTINI is unbeaten in 2 starts under rules, winning novice at Newbury in December before staying on strongly to land a Grade 2 on heavy ground over 2m4f at Cheltenham in January. A point winner over 3-miles in 2017 which provides plenty of promise that he will stay this far. |
CHEF DES OBEAUX was behind stablemate Santini at Newbury in December, when sent off the 2/1fav and has subsequently won 3 from 3 since then.
Grade 2 winner at Haydock over 2m7f in February, and looks to have each-way claims without obvious reasons to see why he can reverse form with Santini.
Grade 2 winner at Haydock over 2m7f in February, and looks to have each-way claims without obvious reasons to see why he can reverse form with Santini.
BLACK OP is another horse with form behind Santini, having been beaten less than a length by that rival at Cheltenham in January. Had been impressive when winning a Doncaster maiden hurdle the time before, and like the favourite also has a Point-to-point win in 2016 on his CV.
Gold Cup
The blue riband of jump racing at the Cheltenham Festival, the Cheltenham Gold Cup with £625,000 in prize money up for grabs this year.
|
MIGHT BITE won the RSA by a nose in dramatic style at last year’s Festival, wandering after the final fence. A 2-time Grade 1 winner since including a win at the King George at Kempton on Boxing Day. The son of Scorpion showed his well-being in racecourse gallop last month and is the one they all have to beat if he stays straight and true. |
NATIVE RIVER won the 2016 Hennessy & Welsh National before running an excellent 3rd in this contest last year. A ready winner of a Grade 2 at Newbury on his sole start this year and the stamina-laden Indian River gelding wouldn’t need the favourite to run too far below par to be in the mix.
|
DEFINITLY RED was sent off among the favourites in last season’s Grand National before pulling up early on with tack issues. He has looked even better this season, winning the aptly named Grade 2 Many Clouds Chase at Aintree in December, and then defied the penalty to win the Grade 2 Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham in January. All of his best form has come on soft/heavy ground so would ideally need a deluge to strike Gloucestershire sooner rather than later. |
