The key query earlier than the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham on Wednesday is which model of Majborough will flip up.
If it’s the Majborough that powered 19 lengths away from Marine Nationale, the Champion Chase winner final 12 months however sadly absent this time, at Leopardstown in February, his probably worth of round 5-6 will appear to be one of many bets of the assembly.
Majborough’s failure to justify quick odds in the Arkle right here 12 months in the past remains to be painfully uncooked for his backers, nonetheless, and Willie Mullins’s chaser may very well be a favorite to tackle, given the unforgiving nature of a race in which a single mistake can finish a runner’s likelihood.
Il Etait Temps, a secure companion of the market chief, was the favorite for the race on Wednesday earlier than his run in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot, however he was already soundly overwhelmed earlier than taking a crashing fall two out and it stays to be seen if that has left a mark.
The novice Irish Panther is an attention-grabbing contender for a race which is huge open if the favorite disappoints, however the confirmed course type of L’Eau Du Sud (4.00) may tip the scales in his favour.
Dan Skelton’s gray was a powerful winner of the Shloer Chase over monitor and journey in November, and whereas he was disappointing behind Il Etait Temps in the Tingle Creek at Sandown subsequent time, that race got here simply three weeks later.
L’Eau Du Sud, who has typically proven his finest type when contemporary, arrives again at Cheltenham after a 95‑day break and on floor that fits, and is a dwell contender for championship honours at round 9-2.
Cheltenham 1.20 The 4 British-trained runners stuffed the primary 4 locations in the Supreme Novice Hurdle on Tuesday and that will increase confidence that Paul Nicholls’ No Drama This End can have the measure of the Irish problem.
Cheltenham 2.00 The greatest discipline for this race for the reason that mighty Denman beat 16 rivals in 2007, and Kaid D’Authie may very well be the decide of Mullins’ six runners. The six-year-old arrives with an identical profile to Fact To File, the winner three years in the past, having overwhelmed a greater‑fancied secure companion in the Grade One novice over 2m5f on the Dublin Racing Festival, and appears certain to be suited by the step up in distance.
Cheltenham 2.40 Henry de Bromhead’s Forty Coats ran an honest race at large odds behind The New Lion in the Turners Novice Hurdle 12 months in the past and can sport cheek items for the primary time on solely his third begin since.
Quick GuideGreg Wood’s Wednesday ideas
Show
Cheltenham 1.20 No Drama This End (nb) 2.00 Kaid D’Authie 2.40 Forty Coats 3.20 Desertmore House 4.00 L’Eau Du Sud 4.40 Vanderpoel (nap) 5.20 Diamant Dore
Huntingdon 1.38 Pottersmattyeehaa 2.18 Rap Soul 2.58 Cluain Chormaic 3.38 Risk It All 4.18 Callin Baton Rouge 4.55 Jukebox D’Eddy 5.35 Eustace Grenier
Newcastle 5.00 Staffordshire 5.30 Colinski 6.00 Merlier 6.30 Renesmee 7.00 Auspicious 7.30 Fortunate Star 8.00 Tomorrow Day
Southwell 5.05 Tam Lin 5.40 Dagger Strike 6.15 Into The Light 6.45 Dream Illusion 7.15 Elvetham 7.45 Tenadaay 8.15 Bajan Bandit
Cheltenham 3.20 Martin Brassil’s Desertmore House has improved for the swap to cross‑nation racing and will get the higher a part of two stone from a number of of the principals.
Cheltenham 4.40 Novices have a robust latest document in the Grand Annual and Ben Pauling’s Vanderpoel may hardly have a greater profile, having travelled and jumped fantastically to win at Sandown final time on solely his fourth begin over fences.
