AWESOME FOURSOME
The Scout’s top Festival fancies
TUESDAY
(Melissa Jones)
JONBON
(Arkle Novices’ Chase)
Nicky Henderson’s top two-miler can give the home team an early big boost against the Irish onslaught.
The Seven Barrows handler holds the record for wins in this, with stable aces Sprinter Sacre and Altior on the roll of honour.
Jonbon pipped big rival El Fabiolo for a Grade One hurdles prize at Aintree – and both are unbeaten over fences.
The Irish raider has the strongest form but Jonbon looked badly in need of his warm-up, carrying condition and having a good blow on the walk back in.
His two prior victories were super smooth – and Henderson will have him spot on.
WEDNESDAY IMPAIRE ET PASSE (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle)
Backed into favourite in recent days,willie Mullins’ scopey sort has huge potential.
The Closutton maestro is the race’s leading trainer, who captured last year’s running with Sir Gerhard.
Paul Nicholls has had 45 Festival runners without success and despite boosts to the form, Challow Hurdle heroes have a poor record – so the stats are against Hermes Allen.
Impaire Et Passe took the same Punchestown Gradetwo as Mullins’ top-notch performers Vautour and Douvan.
The selection’s strong travelling nature and slick jumping bode well, while he has the right temperament to see out the longer trip.
WEDNESDAY THE REAL WHACKER (Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase)
Favourite Gerri
Colombe is one to take on, with no
Cheltenham experience and just one outing at a left-handed track.
Step forward The Real Whacker.
Connections are mulling over a crack at the Gold Cup so that shows the regard he is held in, given the right conditions – and rain will be music to the ears of shrewd handler Patrick Neville.
One of the surprise packages of the season, the course and distance scorer’s stamina is guaranteed.
Last year’s winner L’homme Presse was successful in the Dipper Novices’ Chase – and Neville’s bold jumper is tipped to follow suit.
FRIDAY BLOOD DESTINY (Triumph Hurdle)
The Irish hold sway in the juvenile ranks – and the French recruit has a big engine.
Under Paul Townend (inset), he obtained the lead at the start of his Fairyhouse romp and the pack did not see him again.
The jockey gave his mount a breather and kicked on again, eventually passing the post a massive 18 lengths ahead.
His form has received backing from the likes of Sir Allen and Nusret, while untidy leaps were attributed to the front-runner lacking concentration on his own.
By the time most of the jumping is done on the New course, he could have built up a sizeable advantage.