18th January 2019

Good Evening ,

Final prep races for the Cheltenham Festival go up a level on Saturday when winners of three races at Ascot and Haydock could be successful at the jumps meeting that matters most in March. The best horse running in Britain and Ireland over the weekend is Altior but the horse will only have to beat two rivals in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot. Angels Breath and Brain Power run over hurdles at Haydock in races that will be informative regarding their targets at the Festival.

The most prestigious jumps meeting in the world begins in 53 days (from this Saturday) which is a good gap between horses running in a race. If the best horses run four times during the seven months core jumps season one race every seven weeks is an ideal preparation for the main target which will generally be at the spring festivals at Cheltenham and Aintree. The Dublin Racing Festival takes place on February 2 and 3 but the entries are likely to be dominated by horses trained in Ireland.

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Connections will generally be attracted by good prize money and there is plenty up for grabs at Leopardstown in two weekend’s time. However, an away match six weeks before a huge Cheltenham test is not the best preparation for British-based horses that must be trained to peak in the second week in March. Ireland stages the big Christmas meeting and the Dublin Festival but there is not a similar concept in Britain. There is only one jumps Festival and that is at Cheltenham in March.

Kempton’s meeting on Boxing Day and the following day could be extended to create a mid-winter festival. Decent prize money could make races be a stepping stone to the Festival in March. Aintree or Haydock would be ideal venues for a December trials day for horses trained in the north. There could be incentives for horses who win on trials day and at the Festival and that could attract horses that are trained further afield. The calendar lacks a major mid-winter meeting for Cheltenham class horses.

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Altior is the shortest priced horse for any race at the festival and looks to have a penalty kick at Ascot on Saturday. The withdrawal of Un De Sceaux has robbed the race of most of the intrigue. Fox Norton and Diego Du Charmil take on Altior but on ratings they are well behind the favourite. Barring a fall Altior will have a virtual school around Ascot and pick up over £85,000 for winning this Grade 1 contest. Win, lose or draw Altior will be trained for the Champion Chase which he won in 2018.

Angels Breath is the favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but will have to win well at Haydock to justify that position in the market. The horse is owned by Dai Walters who is the brains and money behind Ffos Las racecourse. He is prepared to spend a few quid on a horse but some of his purchase have been hit and miss. Oscar Whisky and Whisper were too good ones and Angels Breath could be in their class bracket. On ratings and form the horse is the one to beat at Haydock en route to the Festival in less than two months time. Mister Fisher looks to be the biggest danger.

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The New One Hurdle at Haydock is named after a horse who ran in the Champion Hurdle four times without winning one. Brain Power was unplaced in the race in 2017 behind Buveur D’Air and was then sent chasing. The horse was unhappy so he was sent hurdling again which has been a great success. Brain Power must deliver at Haydock to be taken seriously as a Champion Hurdle contender. The horse is brilliant on the gallops but needs to bring that form to the track. This is Brain Power’s acid test which the horse can pass and then take is his chance in the Champion Hurdle.

Enjoy Saturdays racing and be sure to check out "Top Fillies - Ladies That Can Win You Cash!"

Best Wishes,

BetFan