Henry can get big Plus with Chase victory
A PLUS TARD can confirm his status as a Grade One performer by winning the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham today.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge looked a potential superstar 12 months ago, powering home by 16 lengths in the 20-runner Close
Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase, and has been campaigned with the Festival in mind again.
Defeat to last month’s Irish Gold Cup winner and leading Cheltenham Gold Cup fancy Delta Work at Punchestown in late April over three miles was no disgrace, and then he was put away.
The six-year-old only reappeared in November to blow away the cobwebs when second at Navan. He improved greatly on that effort to score at Leopardstown over Christmas, when he lowered the colours of the odds-on Chacun Pour Soi.
De Bromhead has obviously saved him for the Ryanair and he should take some beating.
At the age of six, there could still be plenty of improvement in him.
Minella Melody can give De Bromhead a double in the Daylesford Mares’ Novice Hurdle.
The six-year-old has been going through the ranks this term, despite not being over-raced.
After making a winning debut at Cork in November, she won a Listed contest at Punchestown in December and successfully stepped up to Grade Three class at Fairyhouse in January on her latest start. She goes there with every chance.
Emma Lavelle has been working back from the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle for Paisley Park since he lifted this coveted prize in 2019.
His preparation has gone to plan and the top-class hurdler is now on a seven-race unbeaten run, winning both his starts this season ahead of the defence of his crown. He is hard to oppose.
At a bigger price, Simply The Betts has a lot going for him in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase.
Harry Whittington’s sevenyear-old has made giant strides this season after returning from a long lay-off.
His latest victory here on Festival Trials Day in January is certainly some of the best form on offer.
Inevitably he has gone up in the weights, but he is getting close to being tried in the best company.
Faugheen can bring the house down in the Marsh Novices’ Chase.
Willie Mullins’ 12-year-old has rolled back the years since making a belated switch to fences - and looked not far off his brilliant best at Leopardstown last month.
The Colin Tizzard-trained Kilbricken Storm, winner of the Albert Bartlett in 2017, looks to be hitting top form at the right time for the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Final. Deise Aba has looked a progressive young stayer with wins at Catterick and Sandown.
Philip Hobbs’ seven-year-old can complete the hat-trick in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase.