Coral Cup trip offers Guard Your Dreams ideal challenge
horse welfare at that stable. We’re disappointed that his horses have been allowed to run because preventing them from doing so would have been a greater punishment. He’s allowed to go on holiday over the summer and come back refreshed, while his horses are still there all ready to go again.”
Galvin, who was removed from Elliott’s yard and transferred to Ballymena-based trainer Ian Ferguson, won the final race of the day, the National Hunt Chase.
Grand National-winning jockey Ryan Mania had earlier completed a remarkable comeback with his first Cheltenham Festival victory, seven years after “retiring” from the sport.
Mania rode 66-1 outsider Auroras Encore to victory in the 2013 Grand
National, but quit 18 months later at 25 as he battled mental health problems, saying: “I’m not being fair to myself if I carry on being miserable.”
After almost five years out, he returned at the end of 2019 and rode an unexpected winner in yesterday’s Ultima Handicap Chase, on veteran chaser Vintage Clouds.
Mania said: “I’ll be honest, I never, ever thought I’d hear those words [Cheltenham Festival winner] mentioned.
“It’s been a long road back. Everyone knows I took nearly five years out of the game – and to come back to Cheltenham, I was lucky to get rides, let alone winners. I was enticed back with unfinished business being the main reason. Luckily, it’s all gone really well.”
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Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, 2m5f
Small field assembled, but a highly competitive and intriguing renewal, with no less than three Grade One winners heading the market. Bravemansgame has long been highly regarded by his trainer Paul Nicholls, who likened him to Denman following his 10-length win in the Challow Hurdle, and he arrives in search of a fourtimer. However, it was hard not to be deeply impressed with Bob Olinger’s facile Grade One success at Naas in January, a performance that makes him the one to beat. Keskonrisk should appreciate this step up in trip and can run into a place.
1.55 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, 3m½f
A race that has not always been the kindest to market leaders, with just six favourites obliging since 2000. Monkfish has looked bombproof, winning his past six starts, including last year’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle as well as all three starts over fences. He may well prove much too good for his five rivals, but Sporting John looks to have been overlooked and comes here with very lively claims. He appeared to have genuine excuses for his two defeats under Rules, and scored an impressive win in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase. The step up to three miles is sure to unlock further improvement.
2.30 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, 2m5f
Furiously competitive renewal; cases can be made for many. Guard Your Dreams looks to have been crying out for a step up in trip beyond two miles. He hit the line strongly to finish sixth in last month’s Betfair Hurdle, having been outpaced for most of the race; expect him to be finishing strongly up the hill. Craigneiche was a taking winner of his sole start in handicaps at Ascot in January, and is a most unexposed improver from the Nicky Henderson stable that has won the past two runnings of this race. Janika completes the shortlist.
3.05 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase, 2m
See facing page.
3.40
Glenfarclas Chase, 3m6f
Whilst lacking some obvious depth, this year’s Cross Country Chase sees Tiger Roll clash with his conqueror of last year, Easysland, and it is not hard to envisage the form being confirmed. Easysland has age on his side and ran out a most impressive winner of this last year. He has had just the one run this season, finishing fourth over today’s course and distance in November. Much better can be expected today, and he rates banker material. Tiger Roll can chase him home once again.
4.15 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase, 2m
Wide-open race. Entoucas is still without a win over fences in five starts, but he has proved a consistent sort since his switch to chasing and is taken to give a very good account of himself. Amoola Gold is another consistent horse who comes forward with lively each-way claims; he remains on a good mark and can outrun likely doublefigure odds. Ibleo has done nothing but improve over fences, looking better than ever when victorious at Doncaster in January. He has yet another career-high mark to defy, but is hard to rule out in such form.
4.50 Weatherbys Champion Bumper, 2m½f Three Stripe Life
looked more than useful in winning his only bumper start and has been the subject of some interesting market support in recent days, all the more noteworthy given the prominence of former stablemate Sir Gerhard towards the front of the market. Sir Gerhard, himself, has also looked high class in winning his three starts and must feature here; the more the ground dries out, the stronger his chances will be.
Kilcruit was a most impressive winner of a Grade Two at Leopardstown last month, looking value for a good deal more than the bare margin would imply; he can be a danger to all. Finally, Shearer has to step up, but is more than entitled to after just two starts; he completes the shortlist.