Adamantly Chosen
6 b g Well Chosen – Sher’s Adamant
Won his first two attempts over fences, including the G3 Buck House Novice Chase at Punchestown. His last three run have all been in Grade 1 company, which has seen him finish second in each of the last two behind Gerri Colombe and Mighty Potter. He has entries in the Ultima and Turners Novices’ Chase.
Appreciate It
9 b g Jeremy – Sainte Baronne
He has been a wonderful horse for his owner as he won the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle two seasons ago and started his novice chasing career off winning two races easily. He ran very disappointingly last time out in the Irish Arkle when beaten 10L by El Fabiolo. I thought he ran very flat and we have got to figure him out. That said he is nine now and it looks as if he is not as fast as he was so a step up in trip is what is called for, but I remember being amazed how well he was winning over 2m in his first two races. He is likely to go for the Turner’s Novices’ Chase on Thursday as it is over an extra half mile, which I hope will suit. He is a big horse and any give in the ground will enhance his chances.
Ashroe Diamond
6 b m Walk In The Park – Saine D’Esprit
She ran with great credit in two Grade 1s behind Marine Nationale and Facile Vega before winning the Grade 3 Solerina Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Fairyhouse last time out, which was the ideal prep heading to the Festival. She goes for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle and ideally I want nice ground for her. It can be difficult for novice mares at the Festival as over the years we have sent some smart one but ended up winning it with 33-1 shots. It is a race that they can often go off like scalded cats and some of them don’t get home. She is in good order and should go well.
Billaway
11 b g Well Chosen – Taipans Girl
He gave us all a great thrill last season when getting up to win the St James’s Palace Hunters’ Chase 12 months ago under a cracking ride from Patrick. He added the Champion Hunters Chase at Punchestown after that. This season he has had the two runs, winning the last day Naas. He could go for the St James’s Hunters’ Chase again.
Blood Destiny
4 ch g No Risk At All – High Blood
He is a very interesting prospect for the Triumph Hurdle having won each of his races very impressively, particularly the last day at Fairyhouse. We did not run him in the Spring Juvenile at the Dublin Festival as I felt it was only three weeks after his last run and that would have been a big ask for a young horse. Having missed that race he will be going over next week a much fresher horse and I think he is very good.
Blue Lord
8 b g Blue Bresil – Lorette
His build up to Cheltenham had gone very well until the last day when he was beaten by stablemate Gentleman De Mee. He was very impressive in the Grade 1 Paddy Rewards Club Chase (2m1f) over Christmas and I thought he would take a lot of beating in the Dublin Chase last month, but he was firmly put in his place by Gentleman De Mee. That was disappointing and along with Allaho missing the Ryanair Chase, we will give him serious consideration for that race. That is how we are thinking at the moment.
Brandy Love
7 b m Jet Away – Bambootcha
She is a classy mare as she showed when winning the Grade 1 EBF Mares Novices Hurdle at Fairyhouse from Love Envoi last April. We were very happy with her run the last day and she should improve a huge amount for it. She has not been out since but is in good shape ahead of the spring Festivals. She is in the Close Brothers Mares Final, which is beginning to look like the warmest race of the meeting now that Epatante and Honeysuckle are due to go for it. You don’t often get two Champion Hurdlers contesting a race like this.
Chacun Pour Soi
11 b g Policy Maker – Kruscyna
He has always been a favourite of mine and has done us proud in his career with eight wins for this stable, six of which were Grade 1s. He has been outstanding but the blip on his cv is Cheltenham, where he has had two runs without winning. We were very unlucky with him three years ago as he was in top form and had to be taken out of the Champion Chase hours before the race. He has finished third in his two runs this season over 2m1f and 2m4f. He has entries in the Queen Mother, Ryanair Chase and Stayers Hurdle and the plan is to bring him over for one of those.
Champ Kiely
7 b g Ocovango – Cregg So
He has not done a lot wrong since joining us with four wins from five. The defeat on his record was when fourth to Marine Nationale in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, and that was a good run, only weakening after the last flight. He won his Grade 1 last time out when beating Irish Point to take the Lawlor’s Of Naas earlier this year. He is improving with every run and at the moment I think he will be best suited by the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the Festival.
Dark Raven
6 Malinas – Mary Wilkie
He has progressed well having won both of his bumper starts, before making a winning debut over hurdles at Leopardstown. We upped him in class for the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Festival and he ran very good race to be third behind Il Etait Temps. At this moment is a possible for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.
Diverge
5 ch g Frankel – Sparkling Beam
He has a lovely pedigree being by Frankel and he is emerging as an interesting candidate for next week. He won over hurdles at the second attempt when coming home 23L clear at Punchestown on the last day. He could take up his engagement in the Supreme on Tuesday and is a horse I would keep an eye out for.
Dolcita
8 b m Saint Des Saints – Orcantara
She won a Listed mares chase at Clonmel first time before a decent second at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. I have entered her for the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
Dysart Dynamo
7 b g Westerner – Dysart Dancer
He was an easy winner of a Leopardstown Beginners’ Chase over Christmas and then ran well the last day when fourth to El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle over 2m1f. I think the drop in trip to 2m next week in the Arkle will suit him. We know he can handle Prestbury Park as he was going well when falling three out in the Supreme 12 months ago. Compared to Leopardstown there is far more turning and jumping at Cheltenham which will be a big plus for him.
Echoes In Rain
7 b m Authorized – Amarantine
She is a very versatile mare who came within a neck of landing the Irish Cesarewitch, one of the most valuable races run in Ireland. She bounced back to form in the Grade 3 Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas last time out and is in good order going into Cheltenham. She was a little disappointing at the Festival 12 months ago but hopefully she will put up a better show this time. I was very happy with her latest run and although she is in the Mares’ Hurdle, we may consider the Champion Hurdle if it were to cut up.
El Fabiolo
6 b g Spanish Moon – Sainte Mante
I remember when he had only the second run of his life he ran Jonbon to a neck at Aintree over hurdles in his own back yard whereas we had to travel over to England. This season he has had two runs over fences and impressed each time, particularly the last day when winning the Irish Arkle by 10L. That was a very deep race and I knew it would be tough but for him to jump the way he did and come away from the field like that he is a serious horse, as I always suspected he would be. I suppose looking at the rematch with Jonbon it depends who has improved the most over the winter months and our horse seems to have come on a huge amount. He has to have a serious chance in the Arkle on Tuesday.
Embassy Gardens
7 b g Shantou – Adriana Des Mottes
We tried him over 2m and 2m4f to start with but it was when we upped him to 2m7f he showed what he can do with a 35L win at Thurles. He clearly appreciates a longer trip. He galloped them into the ground the last day and the way he gallops through the line he is likely to take up his date in the Albert Bartlett.
Energumene
9 br g Denham Fred – Olinight
He won me a first Champion Chase last year and followed up with the Punchestown Champion the following month. This season he started off with an easy 15L win at Cork in the Grade 2 Hilly Way. I took him over to England for the Clarence House, which had been rerouted from Ascot to Cheltenham when he finished third. As for the last day I think he needed the run over those different style of fences. And even though we had schooled him over them at home, sometimes a horse just needs to get out on the course and see them while racing. I feel that experience will stand to him when it comes to jumping off in the Champion Chase on Wednesday. There is never a slowly run Champion Chase and I think that will suit our fellow. The Clarence House was a very tactical race and some of the jockeys might change tactics next time. Obviously we learned a lot and Paul is happy he will improve a good deal from that experience. He is in grand order ahead of his defence next week.
Facile Vega
6 b g Walk In The Park – Quevega
A seriously smart horse with a pedigree to match his ability. He was a superb bumper horse winning the Champion Bumper 12 months ago and his hurdling career started off in the same form, winning his first two, the latter the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice at Leopardstown over Christmas. However, things went pear-shaped last time in the G1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Festival. It was an odd race as they went off like scalded cats and I remember thinking unless he is an aeroplane, he won’t keep up that pace and sure enough he paid for it turning for home. Someone said to me after the fourth or fifth hurdle that it was a furlong quicker than State Man in the Irish Champion Hurdle. It was disappointing, but Paul gets things 99% right and these things happen. Paul will adjust things for the Supreme Hurdle at Cheltenham. When you go to big races like that you learn a lot about your horse and he will have that all sorted out for Tuesday. He had a very hard race last time but he had a few easy days after that and I am happy with him now.
Gaelic Warrior
5 b g Maxios – Game Of Legs
You will remember he was beaten a short head at Cheltenham 12 months ago on his debut for us, which although disappointing was a big effort. Since then he has really found his stride and improved with each run, in fact the handicapper thinks he is a 24lbs better horse! He won his first two races this season by an aggregate of 101L, and we had the option of taking Facile Vega and Il Etait Temps in the Grade 1, but it would have been a sin not to go for the big handicap at the Dublin Festival off his mark of 143. We had the option of that race or the Betfair Hurdle, but we thought it best to stay at home with Cheltenham so close. And he did just as we expected winning it nicely. He has the option of going for the Supreme next week, but at the moment he is more likely to go for the Ballymore. Clearly he is still progressing and hopefully he can go one better than last year.
Gaillard Du Mesnil
7 gr g Saint Des Saints – Athena Du Mesnil
He did well as a novice hurdler winning twice at Grade 1 level, but it took him a while to add a novice chase at that level. He had finished placed on the first six occasions but got his due reward at Leopardstown over Christmas when taking the Neville Hotels Novice Chase. He ran another good race last time when third to Mighty Potter in The Ladbrokes Novice Chase at the Dublin Festival. He will be heading for Cheltenham next week but I am scratching my head as to which race to go for as I honestly feel he could be our best hope of winning the Brown Advisory, but the same can be said of his chances in the National Hunt Chase, so no decision has been made yet.
Gala Marceau
4 b f Galiway – Alma Marceau
She faced a stiff task on her debut for us when taking on Lossiemouth but she ran a lovely race to be second. She is however her own worst enemy as she is a real hard puller and when she gets that under control she will improve again. For her second race she went for the Spring Juvenile and got the better of Lossiemouth, which was an admirable effort but events behind her played a large part in the result as her stablemate got stuck in traffic at a key stage. Gala Marceau will meet Lossiemouth again next week in the Triumph in what is sure to be an interesting contest.
Galopin Des Champs
7 bl g Timos – Manon Des Champs
He has had mixed experiences of the Cheltenham as he won the Martin Pipe Hurdle in 2021, but 12 months ago he had the Turners Novices’ Chase in the bag until falling after the last. Since then he has not put a foot wrong with three straight Grade 1 wins. First time out this season he won the John Durkan over 2m4f and under a more restrained ride won the Irish Gold Cup from Stattler. It was his first try over 3m as a chaser but I was never concerned about him staying over that trip when winning a Grade 1 at Punchestown. On the last day he did everything right. I was very happy with what he did, and Paul was also very happy. He felt he had plenty of horse under him passing the line and that’s important because there is another two furlongs at Cheltenham next week. It is all about temperament that the horse learns to settle during a race and he’s done just that in his last two runs. Paul feels he can now use him in a race when he wants to. He is the complete package and is the one they all have to beat.
Gentleman De Mee
7 b g Saint Des Saints – Koeur De Mee
His first runs this season hardly set the world alight but he did a piece of work the week before the Dublin Festival, which was probably the best I had ever seen him do. So we went for the Dublin Chase hoping he could translate that to the track as he was clearly in good form. We had Blue Lord in the race, who had attracted all the attention and as a result Gentleman De Mee was like the forgotten horse, but I expected a good run. As it was Danny was very brave on him as he asked him everywhere down the back straight, and the horse answered every time. It was a very good performance and he heads for the Champion Chase. Obviously Energumene is the one to beat from our team but this fellow is thoroughly entitled to his place in the field and could not be in better form.
Hunters Yarn
6 b g Fame And Glory – Full Of Birds
He did well as a bumper horse winning both starts and he is doing nicely over hurdles, having won his last two races at Naas and Navan, the latter a Listed race where I didn’t think he jumped as fluently as I had hoped. Despite that I liked what I saw there and he is a possible for the Supreme Novice Hurdle. The plan is to stick to 2m this season but I think next year he could be a novice chaser to look out for. He is also entered in the County Hurdle.
I Am Maximus
7 b g Authorized – Polysheba
He came to us in the autumn and although he has yet to get his head in front in three races he has run well in top company, notably last time when 4th to Mighty Potter. He has several options next week including the Ultima, Brown Advisory, Turners and Plate.
Il Etait Temps
5 gr g Jukebox Jury – Une Des Sources
I always thought he was a fair horse which is why we ran him in the races we did last year (behind Vauban each time) and he ended up being a novice for this season. He didn’t really jump well and he has made mistakes in his three starts this term. Having won his maiden at Thurles he finished a 4L second to Facile Vega over Christmas but he turned the tables on his stablemate last time at the Dublin Festival. On the last day he made a mistake at the first flight but Danny said that when he turned down the back he flew his hurdles and got it all together. I know the two ahead of him made it easier for him, but he will keep learning and once it all falls in to place who knows how good he will be? He is a very keen horse but when he settles I think his jumping will come together and he is going to be a proper Grade One horse. I know we have Facile Vega in the Supreme but this fellow will be a live one as well.
Impaire Et Passe
5 b g Diamond Boy – Brune Ecossaise
A lovely French import to the yard he has impressed in each of his two runs for me. The last day he won the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle comfortably and it is all roads lead to Cheltenham for him now. I think he could be a bit special and he has two options – the Supreme and Ballymore. He could run over two miles, but you would probably looking at going further which would mean the Ballymore. The beauty is that with his temperament he could go for either.
James Du Berlais
7 ch g Muhtathir – King’s Daughter
He made a winning debut over fences with an impressive win at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day before finishing down the field when upped to Grade 1 level at the Dublin Festival. He could run in either the Brown Advisory or the Turners.
Janidil
9 b g Indian Daffodil – Janidouce
He made his seasonal reappearance last month at Gowran when winning the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase at Gowran, which was a very pleasing effort as he was straighter than I thought. That puts him right in the Ryanair picture I think and he is a little further on that I thought in his homework. It was a blow for us when Alloha had to miss the Ryanair but this fellow looks a nice prospect for next week.
Kilcruit
8 b g Stowaway – Not Broke Yet
A lovely hors who has finished second (Bumper) and third (Supreme) in his two visits to the Cheltenham Festival. This season he made a nice winning debut over fences at Punchestown and his two subsequent runs have been in Grade 1s where he finished third and fifth. He has a few options next week including the Ultima, Brown Advisory, Turners and Plate.
Klassical Dream
9 b g Dream Well – Klassical Way
He has been a real star for us with six Grade 1s so far including the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2019. He has had one run this season when a neck second to Teahupoo with Honeysuckle in third in the Hatton’s Grace. The Stayers Hurdle is a target but he is not a definite runner, but I am pleased with how he is working at home. But I will not rush him so if I have to wait for Aintree or Punchestown I will.
Lossiemouth
4 gr f Great Pretender – Mariner’s Light
I have liked her from the day I first saw her and she has done nothing to change that opinion in her three runs to date. She started off winning a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse and the Grade 2 Knight Frank Juvenile at Leopardstown from smart stablemate Gala Marceau. We went to the Dublin Festival for the Grade 1 Spring Juvenile but she was very unlucky to be in behind the wrong horse, which took her right back. Despite that she made significant head way but Gala Marceau was away and gone. It was obviously disappointing for connections but she was just plain unlucky and I expect her to redeem herself next week. It is going to be a very hot division this year.
Lot Of Joy
5 b m Camelot – Mioss Macnamara
She is a useful Flat performer, with a 1L third in the Irish Cesarewitch her best run on the level. After finishing second on her hurdling debut she got it all together last time at Fairyhouse with a nice winning performance. Watching her you can see that is now starting to race like a jumping mare, as she is settling much better and her jumping is definitely improving. She has an entry in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle and she is very likely to take up that engagement.
Night And Day
6 b m Sea The Moon – Distinctive Look
She has only had the one run this season but it was an impressive display coming home 22L clear of the field. To see her she is a lovely big strong mare and I would suggest she will be one to keep an eye out for next season when she jumps a fence. She has an entry in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
Nikini
6 b m Sea Moon – Back Log
She won a couple of times in the summer before putting up her best performance the last day when a 1L second to Magical Zoe in a Grade 3 at Down Royal in November. That form would be decent, and she has an entry in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle.
Ramillies
8 gr g Shantou – Mrs Wallensky
He has been first past the post in both of his races over fences this season, although he was demoted last time in the Naas Novice Chase. That was over 3m1f which was the right trip, and he could go for either the National Hunt Chase or Brown Advisory Chase.
Saint Roi
8 br g Coastal Path – Sainte Vigne
He was consistent last season when his best run was third in the Champion Hurdle behind Honeysuckle. This season he has had three runs over fences, winning the Grade 1 Novice Chase over 2m1f at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day. I sent him back there last month for the Dublin Festival but he stumbled and unseated Mark [Walsh], which was frustrating. He could go for the Arkle on Tuesday or the Grand Annual 24 hours later.
Seabank Bistro
6 gr g Walk In The Park – Sigh Of Relief
It was nice to see him get his head in front the last day when winning a Naas maiden over 2m3f. Basically he is a big immature horse who did it nicely at Naas. He jumps well and will be a nice chaser I think. He will go out in trip, possibly to 3m. He was gawky when he got to the front, he was idling. He is in both the Ballymore and Albert Bartlett, but I would be thinking more of the latter.
Sharjah
10 b g Doctor Dino – Saaryeh
He has been a star of the yard in his time with five Grade 1 wins. His last two visits to Cheltenham have seen him run big races when third and second in the last two runnings of the Champion Hurdle. He has been placed twice behind State Man in two Grade 1s this season. He has an entry in the Champion Hurdle again, along with the Stayers’ and County Hurdle.
Shewearsitwell
8 b m Shirocco – Ware It Vic
She has done well this season winning a Punchestown handicap hurdle over 3m before stepping up in class to win the Grade 3 Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown the last day. She has entries in the Close Brothers as well as the Pertemps Final.
Sir Gerhard
8 b g Jeremy – Faanan Aldaar
He is a real Cheltenham Festival specialist having won the Champion Bumper in 2021 and last year he added the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle to his CV. He has only had the one run this season when easily outpointing his opponents at Gowran Park on his chasing debut in January. But he is a real head scratcher for me as his hurdle form is good enough to go anywhere, but at the moment I would be thinking longer trips, as they go that little slower. Over a long trip they have more obstacles to jump and more opportunity to make a mistake. But I think with his lack of experience we could take our chance in the Brown Advisory. That is which way I am leaning at the moment but a final decision has yet to be made.
State Man
6 ch g Doctor Dino – Arret Station
Probably the most talked about race of the meeting is the Champion Hurdle when Constitution Hill faces State Man. Our fellow clearly has no fears of Prestbury Park as he was a smooth winner of the County Hurdle at last year’s Festival. That was off a mark of 151 but he has never stopped improving in all three races this season and is now rated 16lbs better than 12 months ago. Each of his runs this season has been a Grade 1 and he has won all of them by four lengths or more. He beat the current champion Honeysuckle by 4¾L the last day and any horse that can do that has to be a serious candidate for next week. Obviously, it is going to be quite some race as Constitution Hill, who could be a bit of a freak and is going to be tough to beat. We are looking forward to and I am sure they are as well. Fingers crossed we all get there and get to compete. From all he has shown us all the time and the way he is improving we think he is good enough. We are living the dream at the moment.
Stattler
8 br g Stowaway – Our Honey
I remember doing this stable tour 12 months ago and I nominated Stattler as one of my bankers of the meeting, and he proved right in grand style. He handled the course well and his jumping was superb. This season I started him back at Tramore on New Year’s Day trying to conceded 8lb to Minella Indo. He ran a lovely race on a relatively tight course to finish a neck behind 2021 Gold Cup winner. For his second run he took on Galopin des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup and he stayed on nicely over the 3m. He is definitely coming right as we head in to next week and over the 3m2 ½ f of Cheltenham it can often become a war of attrition and that is when he could become a serious threat. He is still at an each-way price and he is sure to be involved at the business end of the Gold Cup next Friday.
Tekao
4 b g Doctor Dino – Texaloula
He won a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown in December before we upped him in class for the Spring Juvenile at the Dublin Racing Festival. He ran a nice race to be third and he is a probable for the Boodles next week, although I have not ruled out the Triumph as he could be good enough for that.
Vauban
5 ch g Galiway – Waldfest
He was the top juvenile hurdler last season with winning the Triumph Hurdle and two other Grade 1s. The following season is always a tough one for 5yos and he has run with real credit in his two runs so far this term behind State Man. He is in the Champion Hurdle and will run well but I would hope next season when he is the finished article, he will be a serious contender for top honours.
Winter Fog
9 b g Papal Bull – Banphrionsa
He joined the yard this season and has only had the one run for me when winning at Leopardstown on 27th December when we managed six wins. I thought he did it nicely in a decent handicap and so did the handicapper raising him 13lbs! He enters Cheltenham reckoning and has entries in both the Coral Cup and County Hurdle.
BUMPER POSSIBLES
Chapeau De Soleil
5 br g Soldier Of Fortune – On Line Tara
He won a point-to-point at Stowlin last year and on his only start for us he finished an encouraging second to Better Times Ahead. He will be in the mix for the Champion Bumper if he looks like getting in.
Fact To File
6 b g Poliglote – Mitemps
He is coming along well as having won his first bumper at Leopardstown, he returned there for the Dublin Festival and ran a nice race to be second in the Grade 2 Future Stars INH Flat Race. He would be a candidate for the Bumper.
Fun Fun Fun
5 b m Martaline – Ocean Breeze
She has done nothing but impress. She won on her debut at Sligo, and I ran her at the Dublin Festival, in the belief that she was about three parts ready, but that was not how she ran. When they went past where the penultimate hurdle is situated, she looked like she had just jumped into the race, and that was after having blown up leaving the back straight. But when she filled up her lungs she ran right away from her rivals. To my mind that was a huge effort and she has to be right in the Festival Bumper picture on the back of that.
It’s For Me
5 ch g Jeu St Eloi – Ugoline
He has had just the one run but he looked a horse full of promise winning at Navan by 10L. That is only one race but I think he could be smart and he is a possible for the Champion Bumper.
Western Diego
6 b g Westerner – Ask Me Sister
Won his point to point well before making a pleasing Rules debut when successful in a Naas bumper in January and is another Bumper possible.
Westport Cove
5 b g Muhtathir – Reine Pieuse
Was a comfortable winner of his only race, a Fairyhouse bumper in January when there was plenty of cut. He has not run since but would be one to consider for the Festival.
