Cheltenham Festival tips: Mark Howard Portfolio Part Two

By Mark Howard

Horse Racing

Tue March 22, 2022 · 3y ago

It's time for the second in our expert's ante-post Cheltenham previews and he has a 16/1 chance in the Turners Novices' Chase to add to the portfolio.

Racing betting tips: Chetenham Festival ante-post

1pt win Haute En Couleurs in Turners Novices' Chase at 16/1 (Bet365)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair Sportsbook

Can we take on Bob Olinger?

Dual Grade One-winning novice hurdler and Cheltenham Festival scorer Bob Olinger is expected to feature amongst the entries for the Grade 3 Killiney Novices Chase at Punchestown on Sunday. A decisive win there would further cement his position at the head of the ante-post market for the Grade one Turners Novices Chase at the Festival in March.

Henry de Bromhead’s seven year old was a brilliant winner of the Ballymore Novices hurdle at Cheltenham when readily accounting for Gaillard du Mesnil and Bravemansgame with ease. Chasing in November, he pecked on landing at the third last but otherwise produced an assured round of jumping before crossing the line six and a half lengths in front of Bacardys at Gowran Park. Not seen since, he missed various options over the festive period with his trainer nominating the Punchestown event as his next assignment.

Depending on how he fares, it remains to be seen whether Bob Olinger is given more practice before returning to the Cotswolds in March. The Grade One Flogas Novices Chase at Leopardstown’s Dublin Racing Festival early next month would be the logical prep, but it is only three weeks after the Killiney.

Despite top flight wins for stable stars A Plus Tard and Honeysuckle, the de Bromhead team haven’t run with same consistency this winter compared to some recent campaigns. That was highlighted over the Christmas period with four winners from sixty runners (26-29th December.) Bob Olinger is a class act though and remains the one they all have to beat, if arriving fit and well in mid-March.

16/1 Mullins ace looks too big

However, it is hoped the lightly raced Haute En Couleurs provides some ante-post value being currently available at 16/1. As discussed in last week’s column, Willie Mullins has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the yard’s novice chasers this term. With the unbeaten pair Ferny Hollow and Blue Lord seemingly heading towards the Arkle Trophy, this ex-French gelding looks ready for a step up in distance and remains open to further improvement over an extra half a mile.

Bred to stay well, being by Saint Des Saints – the same sire as Burrows Saint, Djakadam and Protektorat amongst others – he won over two and a quarter miles at Auteuil on his racecourse debut in October 2020 when handled by Gabriel Leenders. Acquired soon afterwards on behalf of Joe and Marie Donnelly, he had his first run for his new connections in the Triumph Hurdle last spring (also on the New course.) Beaten three and a half lengths by Quilixios, Mullins felt he should have won that day. The runner-up Adagio and fourth Zanahyir have already enhanced the form this autumn / winter. Two keen next time at Punchestown, I would put a line through that performance.

Haut En Couleurs reportedly works like a high-class horse at home and looks a natural jumper, judged on his comfortable success on his fencing bow at Leopardstown last month. The five year old was seemingly always in control and wasn’t hard pressed to beat smart stable companions Gentlemen de Mee and Mt Leinster over two miles one. Paul Townend’s mount finished full of running and his breeding suggests he will be even better over this longer distance.

Others on the Turners Novices' Chase shortlist

Another stablemate Galopin Des Champs and Bravemansgame are both prominent in the ante-post market. The pair looked future Gold Cup candidates over Christmas, winning impressively at Leopardstown and Kempton respectively. However, both appear set to clash in the Festival Novices Chase over three miles.

The fast improving L’Homme Presse warrants plenty of respect with the seven year old being Venetia Williams’ latest success story from across the English Channel. Previously under the tutelage of Mickael Seror, the Diamond Boy gelding has won four of his five starts since arriving in Herefordshire. Unbeaten in three outings over fences at Exeter (off 128), Ascot (graduation chase) and Cheltenham (Grade 2 Dipper novice chase), he is now rated 154 and is ready for his first assault in grade one company. A 10-length victor at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, he pulled away from the useful mare The Glancing Queen, conceding five pounds in the process. Having won on good to soft and slower conditions, he is adaptable and could be the leading UK challenger in March. With the Irish in opposition for the first time, we will find out how good he really is.

The Turners Novices Chase, under its various titles, has only been run on 11 occasions. Ireland’s Champion trainer has claimed the prize four times, but not since 2017, and Haut En Couleurs may develop into his number one contender this time around and offer some resistance to Bob Olinger.

Also in the series:

Part One: 12/1 National Hunt Chase fancy

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