While Friday’s Gold Cup revolves around the odds-on Galopin Des Champs and his bid for a third straight success, the Ryanair Chase over two-and-a-half miles on Thursday is much more open, with live contenders from Britain, Ireland and France, and the prospect of seeing the bold front-runner Il Est Francais tackling Cheltenham for the first time, with top-class opponents including Fact To File and Protektorat in hot pursuit, is one to savour.
Il Est Francais (3.20) was a clear leader for much of the way in the King George VI Chase at Kempton at Christmas before Banbridge reeled him in on the run to the last, and his devastating front-running success in the Kauto Star Novice Chase at the same meeting in 2023 was one of the best performances by a novice of recent years.
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The fact that his best form outside France has come at a flat track is a slight concern, but Thursday’s drop back to an intermediate trip on decent ground should suit and Noel George and Amanda Zetterholm’s seven-year-old has a big chance to become only the second French-trained winner at the festival meeting since 2005.
Cheltenham 1.20 A record field for the Mares’ Novice Hurdle and deep reserves of untapped potential among the two-dozen runners, including Gavin Cromwell’s Sixandahalf, making just her second start over hurdles. A decent stayer on the Flat, she made short work of her field on debut over hurdles at Fairyhouse in January, pulling 12 lengths clear in a fast time, and her big-field experience on the level should also stand her in good stead.
Cheltenham 2.00 Answer to Kayf showed a liking for this track when fourth in the Martin Pipe over hurdles last year and took a big step forward over fences to win his handicap debut at Naas in January by a dozen lengths. That was a well-run race in the conditions and while his career wins have all come on heavy ground, he has form on good-to-soft going too.
Cheltenham 2.40 Tom Cooper’s D Art D Art has been kept fresh for this since finishing second in the qualifier at Carlisle in December and should have further room for improvement with just nine previous starts over hurdles in the book.
Cheltenham 4.00 Last year’s winner, Teahupoo, has had the same light prep for this as he did last season, with just a single outing in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse in December. He was only second in the latest renewal but was less than four lengths behind Lossiemouth, Tuesday’s Mares’ Hurdle winner, and the return to three miles at Cheltenham should once again see him at his best.
Hexham 1.05 Dickens 1.42 Benmore 2.22 Diamond Mix 3.02 Breeze Of Wind 3.42 Baratablet 4.22 I See The Sea 5.00 The Big Breac
Cheltenham 1.20 Sixandahalf 2.00 Answer To Kayf 2.40 D Art D Art (nap) 3.20 Il Est Francais 4.00 Teahupoo 4.40 Masaccio (nb) 5.20 Johnnywho
Newcastle 4.50 Dee’s Dream 5.30 Spartan Times 6.00 Fallen Soldier 6.30 Moby Quick 7.00 Starliner 7.30 Castan 8.00 Mondammej 8.30 Odd Socks Havana
Chelmsford 5.05 Amaysmont 5.45 Wonderbolt 6.15 Brunel Charm 6.45 Diomed Spirit 7.15 Penzance 7.45 Egoiste 8.15 Stella Hogan
Cheltenham 4.40 Jagwar and Masaccio finished first and third in what is effectively a trial for this race over track and trip in January, and a 6lb swing in the weights and first-time cheekpieces could be enough for Alan King’s eight-year-old to turn the tables.
Cheltenham 5.20 Now one of only two races at the festival for amateur riders, and the booking of Derek O’Connor for Jonjo O’Neill’s Johnnywho looks significant.
