@RoadCheltenham: Cheltenham and Aintree under the microscope

It was great to be back at Cheltenham on Saturday and that visit to Prestbury Park has really whet the appetite for the rest of the jumps season. And the action comes thick and fast now, with Down Royal and Wetherby this coming weekend.

We should be set for another informative weekend of National Hunt action. But for now, I look back at the last seven days in the world of racing and we begin with an impressive novice chasing performance up at Perth.

Sean Bowen recorded a four-timer at Perth on Tuesday and KINGSTON PRIDE was the pick of the bunch for me. Expected to improve significantly for a fence, the Champion Jockey held him up and popped away before delivering his mount at the perfect time to win cosily. He looks like a Graded novice chaser to me.

Less than 24 hours later and Bowen was at it again, this time galvanising WADE OUT to beat the strong travelling WENDIGO. Both horses will be winning races over fences this season but I’d fancy the latter, with a more aggressive ride and race fitness on his side, to reverse the form.

NARA was entitled to win cosily on all known form and she did just that, pulling clear of her rivals to win going away. She’s an interesting prospect going forward but I’m not sure she’s a Cheltenham prospect – she is undoubtedly talented and versatile regarding trip so there are plenty of options for her.

It was great to see FRENCH SHIP get the job done at Cheltenham on Friday and it’ll be interesting to see what the handicapper does with him. Off a BHA mark of 128, he could have a bit in hand and there might be a nice pot in him. In addition, I was impressed with BOWENSONFIRE up in trip and that run opens plenty of doors.

Was COUNTRY MILE going to get up before his race-ending mistake at the second last or was ALNILAM home and hosed? We’ll never know the answer but both are nice types for the season – the former may well be Dan Skelton’s Grand Annual horse while Alnilam is reportedly being aimed at the Grade 1 Henry VIII Novices Chase.

A big drifter in the betting, FORTUNE DE MER justified his lofty reputation when winning the Grade 2 Sharp Novices Hurdle. He’ll be aimed at the County Hurdle in the spring so he mightn’t be one to back next time out but DOCTOR BLUE looks a winner in waiting after a huge run on hurdles debut.

Another winner for Dan Skelton, CALICO was primed to go and win at Cheltenham on Friday – this was his Queen Mother Champion Chase. I thought JASKO DES DAMES ran a huge race but punters could have no complaints and there’s surely a big day in him down the line, quite possibly in the Grand Annual in March.

DE TEMPS EN TEMPS got the better of PERCY SHELLEY in a close finish while ETNA BIANCO looks a talented prospect. The front three pulled clear of the fourth placed horse and I’d imagine all three will be winning races throughout the season. Expect Joe Tizzard’s runner to blossom into a real horse down the line.

While COLONEL MUSTARD is a consistent type, he isn’t getting any younger and I must admit that I was disappointed with SIXANDAHALF. Gavin Cromwell’s mare has failed to get the job done on several occasions and punters should strongly consider just how trustworthy she is before getting involved going forward.

Lucinda Russell hinted that CONMAN JOHN will be aimed at the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle in the spring and he could be given an opportunity to run over the New Course before returning to Cheltenham in the spring. It’s only October but he looks like the ideal type for that sort of race.

THREE CARD BRAG finally landed one of those big staying handicaps and connections may have another shot at the Aintree Grand National. BACKMERSACKME ran a big race to finish second and might have even challenged the winner had he not made an error at the second last. HOE JOLY SMOKE and THE SHORT GO also ran very nice races.

Emma Lavelle trained the legendary Paisley Park and MA SHANTOU looks very much of that mould. He performed admirably in the Albert Bartlett in March and looked to have a fair bit in hand at the finish. Now up to a BHA mark of 138, he could head to Haydock for the lucrative Stayers Handicap Hurdle before a crack at the Pertemps Final.

GIVE IT TO ME OJ was entitled to win the Masterson Holdings Hurdle on all known form but he had to do his own donkey work out in front. That gave the others an opportunity to have a crack at him but he had enough in hand to get the job done and he’ll undoubtedly be better when getting a lead in a stronger race.

I’m not saying he will win the Supreme Novices Hurdle but I was surprised to see Barry Connell’s EACHTOTHEIROWN available at 100/1 for that race on Monday. His trainer has mooted the Grade 2 Royal Bond Novices Hurdle as his next port of call, and he won that race with Marine Nationale before going to win at Cheltenham in March.

WILL THE WISE could be Troytown-bound after his victory at the weekend, though I’d be confident that WATERFORD WHISPERS is the one to keep onside for the spring. Weak in the market before the off, my eyes were focused on the green and gold hoops and he is being lined up for something down the line – quite possibly at the Festival.

It was great to see HITMAN prevail in the Old Roan Chase and it was a poignant success for his owners, just a few weeks after Ricky Hatton’s tragic passing. Freddie Gingell gave the winner a brilliant ride, delivering a knockout blow to his rivals. Connections said that the prize money will be donated to the boxer’s foundation, which was a lovely touch.

IDAHO SUN, sixth in the 2025 Champion Bumper, got off the mark on hurdles debut but there was a heart in the mouth moment for punters late in the race. Harry Fry’s charge is clearly talented but he’ll need to avoid making such a mistake when he steps into better company in the coming months.

Finally, we have DOCTOR STEINBERG. Paul Townend gave him a fantastic ride, making a clear forward move and the horse responded with some much slicker jumping than early in the race. He might end up being one for a nice handicap down the line, so keep an eye on him if he gets another entry in the near future.