Highlights of the racing week...
CONTENDERS, READY?
The Contenders Hurdle is shaping up into a key Champion Hurdle trial this year. Previous winners include Cheltenham heroes such as Binocular, Rooster Booster and even the great Sea Pigeon. The weather has decimated recent runnings, but hopefully that will not be the case this, as Christmas Hurdle winner Yanworth, Ascot hero Brain Power and dual Grade One victor Irving all in the mix for the two-mile heat.
FESTIVAL FRENZY
Expect some pretty chunky numbers as entries for the Grade One novice events at the Cheltenham Festival are revealed on Thursday. The Supreme, Neptune Investment Management and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdles always draw plenty of contenders, with multiple entries also the name of the game. The JCB Triumph Hurdle also usually boasts a similarly weighty list but you could reasonably expect a bit of an ante-post betting shake-up as big-race plans really begin to take shape.
WETHERBY WATCH
Wetherby stages one of its biggest days of the year with the Towton Novices’ Chase taking centre stage. The Grade Two affair was established in 1996 and has yielded some fair winners in the past, with the inaugural victor Mr Mulligan going on to take the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following season. Last year’s victor Blaklion went on to create a surprise by landing the RSA Chase at Cheltenham, so make a note of the winner for future reference.
PACKING A PUNCH
The Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown has been used more than once as a Champion Chase proving ground and the brilliant Douvan is the star attraction as he continues building towards Cheltenham. Willie Mullins immediately pinpointed this Grade Two affair as the likely prep run for his star two-miler, who is expected to dominate come the Wednesday of the Festival. Given the likes of Moscow Flyer and Sizing Europe feature on the roll of honour, it looks an obvious stopping off point on the way to Prestbury Park.
SCILLY TEST FOR D’AIR
Buveur D’Air is set to face his moment of truth in the Betfred TV Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown. Nicky Henderson’s runner is among the leading lights for the JLT Novices’ Chase at the Festival and this Grade One test could prove whether or not he is on course for the Festival event. Stablemate Altior looks likely to dominate the two-mile division this term so Henderson will be eager to see Buveur D’Air prove his mettle over this two-and-a-halfmile trip so he can spread his riches around the Festival features.