CHELTENHAM
202272 /1111-APPRECIATE IT 364 (CD) 163
W P Mullins (Ire) (Miss M Masterson) 8-11-10P Townend
2021 Supreme winner reportedly working well after injury
3 116421 GLORY AND FORTUNE 31 (T,D) 158
T Lacey (Mr J Hinds) 7-11-10 S Sheppard
Lowest rated in the field, would be better off in a handicap
4 150-15NOT SO SLEEPY 79 (D) 160
H Morrison (Lady Blyth) 10-11-10 J J Burke
5th last year; he’s no Sea Pigeon, the last 10-year-old to win this
5 244-34SAINT ROI 37 (T,C,D) 161
W P Mullins (Ire) (Mr J P McManus) 7-11-10 M P Walsh
County Hurdle winner in 2020; beaten in five grade ones since
6 12-111TEAHUPOO 24 (D) 158
G Elliott (Ire) (Robcour) 5-11-10 R M Power
Steps up in grade and going may not be testing enough
7 231111 TOMMY'S OSCAR 52 (D) 159
A Hamilton (Mr Ian Hamilton) 7-11-10 D McMenamin
Much-improved but form of Haydock win does not look enough
8 -21222ZANAHIYR 37 (P,T,D) 164
G Elliott (Ire) (Bective Stud) 5-11-10 J W Kennedy
Usually finds one too good at this level; held by Honeysuckle
9 23-311EPATANTE 79 (CD) 153
N Henderson (Mr John P McManus) 8-11-3 A Coleman
2020 Champion well beaten by Honeysuckle twice since
10 11-111HONEYSUCKLE 37 (CD) - 169
H De Bromhead (Ire) (K Alexander) 8-11-3Rachael Blackmore
Last year’s winner remains unbeaten; looks as good as ever
8-13 Honeysuckle, 7-2 Appreciate It, 8-1 Teahupoo, 16-1 Epatante, 20-1 Zanahiyr,
22-1 Adagio, 40-1 Tommy's Oscar, 50-1 Saint Roi, 100-1 others.
Wright choice: Honeysuckle showed a fine turn of foot off the home turn
to win at Leopardstown; hard to oppose Dangers: Teahupoo, Appreciate It4.10 Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle ITV
(Grade I: £67,524: 2m 4f) (12)
1 /00031BURNING VICTORY 20 (P,C,D) 154
W P Mullins (Ire) (Mrs Audrey Turley) 6-11-5S O'Keeffe
Return to this trip suited in Punchestown grade 3, making all
2 1-1343ECHOES IN RAIN 37 (H,T) - 157
W P Mullins (Ire) (Barnane Stud) 6-11-5Mr P W Mullins
Disappointing, signs of a revival last time in a tongue-tie
3 -06425HEAVEN HELP US 37 (C) 137
P Hennessy (Ire) (Mr J Turner) 8-11-5 D E Mullins
Former Coral Cup winner; well beaten five tilts in grade ones4 2-1623INDEFATIGABLE 31 (BF,CD) 151
P Webber (Mr Philip Rocher) 9-11-5 R Dingle
33-1 fourth last year; sole hurdles victory since over 3 miles
5 -301P1MARIE'S ROCK 31 (T) 145
N Henderson (Middleham Park) 7-11-5 N De Boinville
Back to form at Warwick but limitations exposed in top grade
6 1-1411MARTELLO SKY 66 (CD) 146
L Wadham (The Sky Partnership) 6-11-5 Bryony Frost
Dual course winner but yet to win higher than listed grade
7 4F1-14MRS MILNER 109 (T,C) 139
P Nolan (Ire) (SoftCo) 7-11-5 B J Cooper
Won three-mile handicap here last year; absent since November
8 13-244NADA TO PRADA 76 (P) 132
M Scudamore (Mrs Lynne MacLennan) 7-11-5 R Patrick
Has been chasing; best form on heavy, plenty to find on ratings
9 23-212QUEENS BROOK 20 (D) 131
G Elliott (Ire) (Bective Stud) 7-11-5 J W Kennedy
Close behind Burning Victory last time, may prefer more rain
10 21-161STORMY IRELAND 73 (CD) 155
W P Mullins (Ire) (FB Racing Club) 8-11-5 P Townend
Runner-up in 2019; won grade two here last time
11 31-553TELMESOMETHINGGIRL 76 (C,D) 154
H De Bromhead (Ire) (K Alexander) 7-11-5Rachael Blackmore
Festival winner and coming to hand judging by latest run
12 213143 WESTERN VICTORY 45 145
E Lavelle (Swanbridge Bloodstock Limited) 9-11-5T Bellamy
Eight wins on right-handed tracks; little promise for new stable
7-2 Telmesomethinggirl, 4-1 Queens Brook, 9-2 Stormy Ireland, 8-1 Burning Victory,
Echoes In Rain, 10-1 Mrs Milner, Marie's Rock, 11-1 Heaven Help Us, 12-1 others.
Wright choice: Burning Victory seemed to be sharpened up by the fitting of
cheekpieces at Punchestown Dangers: Stormy Ireland, Echoes In Rain4.50 Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
(Grade II: 4-Y-O: £45,016: 2m) (22)(^1111) PETIT TONNERRE 21 140
Jonjo O'Neill (Mr John P McManus) 11-10 Jonjo O’Neill
Beat a plater at Market Rasen, others preferred at weights
2 144 THE TIDE TURNS 24 (T,D) 134
G Elliott (Ire) (Let's Go Partnership) 11-9 Jack Kennedy
Brings grade one form to the table; tongue-tie fitted
3 6541 BRAZIL 31 (D) 126
P Roche (Mr John P McManus) 11-9 M P Walsh
Naas winner looks safely held by The Tide Turns
4 40512 DOCTOR CHURCHILL 43 (BF,D) 128
G Elliott (Ire) (Mr Pierce Gerard Molony) 11-5 J Gainford
Heavy-ground winner appears fully exposed
5 163 EBASARI 31 (P,T,D) 133
G Elliott (Ire) (Royals & Blue Syndicate) 11-3 D Russell
Bit to find with Brazil despite weights pull; cheekpieces fitted
6 134 BRITZKA 65 (W,B,T,BF,D) 128
G Elliott (Ire) (Mr Ray Stokes) 11-2 R Power
Third in grade 2 before flopping; had wind op and blinkered
7 211 BELL EX ONE 154 (B,D) 127
P Nicholls (Mr Alexander McGregor) 11-2 H Cobden
Narrow Punchestown winner blinkered on first run for stable
8 6-33GAELIC WARRIOR 283 139
W P Mullins (Ire) (Mrs S Ricci) 11-1 P Townend
Form of last run in France worked out well; debut for Mullins
9 513133 WHITE PEPPER 17 (P,T,D) 126
G Cromwell (Ire) (Mrs M McCullen Harvey) 11-0L Dempsey
Third in grade three last time but others have more scope
10 321 HMS SEAHORSE 34 (D) 133
P Nolan (Ire) (S Buckley/A Coffey Ptnrs) 11-0 B J Cooper
Workmanlike maiden winner; matched with The Tide Turns
11 2632 PRAIRIE DANCER 17 (B) 130
J P O'Brien (Ire) (S Sweeney/K O'Hare) 10-12 J J Slevin
Improved effort in grade 2 last time; re-fitting of blinkers a help
12 10324 FEIGH 31 130
W P Mullins (Ire) (Dr S P Fitzgerald) 10-12 D E Mullins
Looks a weak finisher and tough track unlikely to suit
13 22213 IBERIQUE DU SEUIL 65 (D) 121
G Elliott (Ire) (Bective Stud) 10-12 D O’Regan
Closely matched with White Pepper; only raced right-handed
14 121 SAINT SEGAL 51 (T,D) 126
Mrs J Williams (Culverhill) 10-12Chester Williams (3)
Beat two subsequent winners at Warwick; could be well in
15 42P1CHAMPION GREEN 44 (H,T,D) 131
J P O'Brien (Ire) (Mr John P McManus) 10-11Rachael Blackmore
Easy Naas winner, making all; form has taken a few knocks
16 2212 SEA SESSIONS 46 130
R O'Sullivan (Ire) (Stuart John Robinson) 10-11J J Burke
Good runs in two listed events but held by Belle Ex One
17 333 MILLDAM 145 132
J Snowden (N Goulden, K & S Hopgood) 10-11 G Sheehan
Ex-French; lengthy absence to overcome on stable debut
18 42344 DOCTOR BROWN BEAR 78 (T) 120
M Brassil (Ire) (S & B Mulryan) 10-11 D J O'Keeffe
Has changed stables since last run which was fair maiden form
19 114 TOO FRIENDLY 94 (W,D) 134
D Skelton (The Gredley Family) 10-11 H Skelton
Doncaster form has been franked; has had wind op
20 133 FOREVER WILLIAM 45 (V,D) - 141
A King (The Barbury Lions 6) 10-11 T Cannon
Not disgraced in good company last twice; visored first time
21 331 SWINGING LONDON 34 (T,D) 124
O Murphy (Mr Adrian Butler) 10-10 A Coleman
Fakenham scorer is fitted with tongue-tie for first time
22 1102 SKYCUTTER 24 (H,D) 127
P Kirby (The French Connection) 10-8 T Dowson
Has something to find but better ground could help
9-4 Gaelic Warrior, 5-1 The Tide Turns, 10-1 Champion Green, Brazil, 14-1 others.
Wright choice: Too Friendly looks well-in Dangers: Gaelic Warrior, Skycutter
5.30 Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Novices'
Chase (Amateurs: Grade II: £60,388: 3m 6f) (7)
1 P2-15PBEATTHEBULLET 56 (B) 132
R Curtis (Conyers, O'Reilly, Roddis, Zeffman) 8-11-6Mr J King
Picked up a weak race at Exeter, nothing to recommend since
2 6-14P3BRAESIDE 21 (P) 148
G Elliott (Ire) (KTDA Racing) 8-11-6 Mr R James
One chase win from 10 starts; found out in grade 2 last time
3 2-1465ONTHEROPES 47 (P,T) 155
W P Mullins (Ire) (Cheveley Park Stud) 8-11-6 Doubtful
Disappointing lately but trip may suit, tongue-tie is fitted
4 6-4112PATS FANCY 31 147
R Curtis (Hydes, McDermott, Spencer) 7-11-6 Mr B O'Neill
Has been confined to handicaps over fences and more to do
5 22-212RUN WILD FRED 76 (B,BF) - 160
G Elliott (Ire) (Gigginstown House Stud) 8-11-6Mr J Codd
No stamina doubts for Irish National second; has grade 1 form
6 34-311STATTLER 44 158
W P Mullins (Ire) (Mr R Bartlett) 7-11-6Mr P W Mullins
Has won both chases, latest Naas grade 3; unproven stayer
7 -43133VANILLIER 44 (T) 153
G Cromwell (Ire) (Mrs H Keaveney) 7-11-6Mr D O'Connor
Grade 1 winner over hurdles here; could appreciate this trip
7-4 Run Wild Fred, 5-2 Stattler, 7-2 Vanillier, 7- Pats Fancy, 10-1 others.
Wright choice: Vanillier can claim a second Festival win Danger: Stattler
the way to the line to be beaten half a
length by Blue Lord.
Riviere D’Etel would surely have won
there but for that mistake and is usually a
fluent jumper. She was headstrong in her
younger days and was fitted with a hood
the fitting of cheekpieces when regaining
the winning thread over hurdles at
Punchestown last time. Burning Victory
can prove too good for her stablemate
Stormy Ireland, who landed the Relkeel
Hurdle at Cheltenham in January, and
last year’s Mares’ Novice Hurdle heroine
Telmesomethinggirl.
Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
(4.50)
The Mullins-trained Gaelic Warrior has
been all the rage for this handicap since
the weights were revealed. He is having
his first start for Mullins here, having
been bought from France, but even
though he has been the subject of rave
reviews it is difficult to back him at 5-2
in such a competitive contest.
Preference is for Too Friendly, who
was capable on the Flat last year and
won his first two starts over hurdles. He
was only fourth to Knight Salute in
grade two company at Musselburgh last
time but shaped better than the result
suggests, as he was held up in a slowly
run race, and in any case that form is
proving rock solid.
Too Friendly has had an operation to
help with his breathing since then and,
at 25-1 with Coral, he makes each-way
appeal.
Ukraine Appeal National Hunt
Challenge Cup (5.30)
It is disappointing that this staying chase
has attracted a single-figure field for the
first time this century. Run Wild Fred
and Stattler have the best form this term
but Vanillier can take their measure.
He was an 11-length winner of the
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle here last
year and his trainer, Gavin Cromwell,
believes that he can bounce back to his
best here. “He could be one of those
horses that comes right in the spring,”
Cromwell said last week. “He seems to
be in a good place at the moment so
hopefully we can get him there.”
Ultima Handicap Chase (2.50)
This handicap looks wide open and
Doctor Duffy can spring a surprise. He
took well to fences last season, winning
twice and finishing a good third in the
Kerry National at Listowel.
He has spent much of this term over
hurdles but shaped well back over the
bigger obstacles in the Grand National
Trial at Punchestown last month,
tracking the leaders when stumbling
after jumping the second-last fence and
unseating his rider.
He would not have been far away
there and meets the first and third,
Death Duty and Floueur, on 6lb better
terms. At the 33-1 generally on offer, he
is worth an interest.
Frodon, the 2020 King George winner,
would be a popular winner under Bryony
Frost and he cannot be ruled out at a
track that he loves, despite being
burdened with top weight.
Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (4.10)
Willie Mullins has dominated this race
since the inaugural running in 2008 and
he can saddle a remarkable tenth winner
through Burning Victory. She was a
fortunate winner of the 2020 Triumph
Hurdle on her only previous visit to this
track, left in front by the last-flight fall of
the clear leader, Goshen, but has since
developed into a smart performer both
on the Flat and over jumps.
She ran a cracker when second in the
Cesarewitch on the Flat at Newmarket
in October and seemed to be helped by
to help her to relax. She is much more
tractable nowadays, though, and the fact
that the hood is left off here could bring
some improvement. She can make the
most of the 7lb mares’ allowance she
receives from Edwardstone.
NERS THE BEST TIPS
SEB DALY/SPORTSFILE15
Runners trained by Willie
Mullins who will race at
the Festival today. Paul
Nicholls, Britain’s
champion trainer,
saddles only three“
Even though Gaelic
Warrior has been the
subject of rave reviews, it
is difficult to back him