Live Cheltenham blog: Video replays, reaction, tips, bookmaker offers and more

• I Like To Move It lands Greatwood Handicap Hurdle for Twiston-Davies
• Home By The Lee shocks resurgent Bob Olinger
• Nube Negra enjoys Shloer stroll
• Captain Guinness serves up Fortria treat
• Cheltenham review: Fennor Cross wins Sky Bet Supreme Trial
• Navan review: Hollow victory on chase debut

All times GMT, please refresh for updates

That's all folks

1612: I don't think we're going to get any reaction to that fine performance in the bumper anytime soon as the Racing TV presenters are wrapping up; there weren't too many tweets of the closing stages either but luckily you can watch the replay for free on Sporting Life.

As usual it's been an enjoyable three days from Cheltenham with the action supplemented by some quality fare from Ireland. One or two star names were missing today on account of the underfoot conditions but we've still seen some useful performances, not least in the two graded hurdles on either side of the Irish Sea.

I wouldn't be at all surprised were Hercule De Seuil's race worked out particularly well and it will be interesting to see if the first three home line-up at Cheltenham in March while the Sky Bet Supreme Trial also looks to be a useful bit of form and we should, hopefully, be hearing more about the horses who finished in the places at Cheltenham.

There's plenty more water to go under the bridge before March though and hopefully some may even fall on the tracks. But for now, it's goodbye from me.

Autism In Racing At Cheltenham Open National Hunt Flat Race

1554: Little attention has been paid to the bumper as yet; this is often a decent race in this sphere although it seems as though this year's renewal lacks any obvious headline makers but something could still come out of the woodwork and put down a decent marker.

Jamie Snowden trains the second favourite Roger Pol who beat the re-opposing Cuthbert Dibble at Worcester. Newcomer Katate Dori is fairly short in the market and is imposingly built Neesom reports. The presenter was taken with Roger Pol's performance at Worcester saying 'he won quite takingly'.

In the absence of Crambo I would be interested in Cape Vidal as an each-way wager. He was green at Ffos Las but a short price and an easy winner. Anthony Honeyball's runners in yesterday's bumper ran reasonably well. The favourite, Notnowned, was also keen last time and is tried in a hood.

In the studio, Dave Nevison reports that Katate Dori continues to shorten on the exchanges which is interesting for a yard which does get winners in this sphere. They've handed back to the course and Dixon thinks the Worcester race won by Roger Pol was a decent one. Hislop reports that Milton Harris told her yesterday that Gentle Slopes is the best horse he's ever trained. The trainer is often bullish but often proved right. This race should throw up winners and they may well be over hurdles as I don't know that many of these will stay in bumpers. Coming in.

Cape Vidal is still pretty green and getting small slaps with a rein as they corner. At the front Jack Hyde leads Gentle Slopes. Paddy Brennan has adopted his usual position in last aboard School Days Over. Roger Pol is buried in midfield with Notnowned also towards rear as they race uphill. Katate Dori has lost his position and has work to do.

The pace quickens as they race downhill with three to go. Notnowned goes quite well but Gentle Slopes has opened up and quickens clear, this is quite impressive, Harris was right.

School Days Over second (in a repeat of yesterday's bumper) with Cape Vidal third.

We have an impressive 12/1 winner after all and Dixon says 'he's a really good looking horse'. Harry Cobden was the man on board.

Katate Dori has finished fourth which is a pretty fine performance given where he was at halfway. Get him in your My Stable tracker.

A Cross word

1545: Persad caught up with winning trainer McConnell.

"He's improving all the time, he was good last month and has come forward again," he told him.

"One of the syndicate members told me to have a look at this race and we put him in. He's still a baby and hopefully there's more to come.

"You probably need to be a 150 horse to win a Sky Bet Supreme and he's a long way to go to that but we're delighted to win this. We'll probably give him a break now and think about where to go for the spring.

"We've got a brilliant team at home, great owners and great staff. It's brilliant."

Sadly it doesn't seem as though he was asked about his runner in the last as he trains the current favourite, Notnowned. I'm hoping there might be an interview on Racing TV when that question - and the answer - will be aired.

Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (registered as the Sharp Novices' Hurdle)

1525: The money has come for Springwell Bay.

He is back at the top of the betting at 15/8 with Fennor Cross out at 3s which makes me feel rather less silly having argued the case for the O'Neill runner this morning. Iberico Lord is 4/1 with She's Electric at 6/1 as the runners make their way to post.

O'Neill is with Persad: "That's all gone good, this is a step up and we'll see what we've got after today. He's done everything right at home and we're looking forward to a good run. He did everything nicely (at Carlisle) so fingers crossed."

Persad signs off with 'the smile on your face says more I think'. He hands over to Chamberlin who says 'they think a lot of this horse' and Fitzgerald agrees that he impressed at Carlisle but on the other channel Hislop is concerned that he was a little keen that day. Fitzgerald also has a good word for Iberico Lord's hurdling but again the two in the straight won't be jumped so that won't help him here.

And away. She's Electric is living up to her name and will do well to last home if continuing at the same rate. Mind you For Pleasure did something similar in this race. They have cleared three flights and she is 10 clear from Deere Park and Springwell Bay with Fennor Cross on their heels, heading down the hill with two hurdles to take.

She's Electric leads from Springwell Bay and Ukantango with Fennor Cross ridden. Good finish in prospect. Fennor Cross getting on top and wins by two or three from Ukantango with the same back to a rallying Springwell Bay in third.

McConnell's runner was described as the best backed horse in the race by Sky Bet's Shinners earlier and he proved that support to be on the money under a strong ride from Simon Torrens. If you were with a firm who offered best odds guaranteed you will be delighted with the SP of 3/1.

"He's a genius, absolute genius," the winning jockey tells Plunkett of the trainer.

"He tends to run with the choke out but in fairness to him, he gives everything this horse. He just keeps trying."

Sky Bet have quoted the winner at 33/1 for the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle and presenters on both channels think this was a decent renewal.

Fitzgerald believes the third is better than he showed having been too keen and having been unsettled by a mistake.

Reaction

1508: Alice Plunkett conducts the post-race interview with Sam Twiston-Davies who gave a big celebration when crossing the line.

"I don't really know what to say," he said. "We've had a lot of seconds and it can be frustrating.

"I wanted to be aggressive beforehand but then I doubted it which is the worst thing to do as a jockey; he was brilliant. He's still learning but has a lovely attitude and if we can sharpen him up, he'll be better again."

Ed Chamberlin asked Mick Fitzgerald what he made of Thousand Tears, a huge drifter, and as the camera focussed on Twiston-Davies family celebrations Fitzgerald swiftly changed the subject, declining to answer the question. Entirely understandably I would say but those who backed Thousand Tears in the week will want some answers.

A beaming jockey is being led back into the winner's enclosure and there's a decent reception for I Like To Move It who, incidentally, won last year's renewal of the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle which is up next.

More from the jockey on Racing TV: "Delighted he won but amazing to see how he's won watching the replay back, it took me by surprise. He was going to go to Kempton but it was very quick there so he's just done standard work at home. There was a small part of worry but you know when Dad pushes the right buttons and gets them ready, he's very good at it. His jumping was a little bit sloppy and hopefully he'll sharpen that up a bit. Knowing Dad he'll probably come back for the International and I think that course will suit him better.

"Today is fantastic but you'd imagine a 142 horse wouldn't be top-weight in the Greatwood so probably not the strongest of renewals but we can really start to dream a bit now."

I caught the end of an interview with the trainer on the other channel and it sounds as though the Champion Hurdle is the ultimate aim; unlike the yard to tilt at windmills but they have always held I Like To Move It in high regard and he's now been beaten in a photo in a Betfair and won a Greatwood, not a bad CV.

More from the trainer: "To win by five lengths and 12 stone is pretty good, could have done with half a length!

"The ground has been a pain all year, it was okay today but only just. The International is the idea, 100%. It's been a kind race to us and we've won the International a few times too. When they play I Like To Move It as you walk in, it makes you melt.

"Let's hope we're back for the Champion Hurdle, it's nearly impossible when you read the papers with Constitution Hill and the likes but you've got to think about it."

Unibet Greatwood Handicap Hurdle

1451: The paddock inspection continues. The pictures have switched to a show of betting and Thousand Tears touched 20/1 but is back to 16/1; I wonder if he will continue to shorten.

John Hales and Sir Alex Ferguson are among the owners of Sonigino and the former tells Rishi Persad that he's hopeful of a big run. Co-owner Ged Mason said the handicapper gave him more weight than they were hoping and that the ground could also be an issue.

Randomly on Racing TV, Sky Bet's Michael Shinners is previewing the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle with Machin rather than the Greatwood. Shinners reveals that Fennor Cross is their best backed horse in the race and expected to go off as favourite ahead of the 'fairly solid' Springwell Bay.

Meanwhile they're coming in for the Greatwood. Perhaps they'd said everything they have to say about the feature. It looks as though Sheehan isn't happy with the low sun.......that is so, the course officials are now coming out to doll off the hurdles which is going to change the nature of the race as, presumably, every hurdle in the straight will be dolled off.

Severance has a 'very solid each-way chance' according to Dixon but he goes on to describe Pauling's runner as 'a non-winner'. Severance was second to Ngolo in the Swinton and he feels that the Haydock winner has been harshly handled by the handicapper.

Neesom suggested before racing that the hurdles could be dolled off and he thought this could play into the hands of Harbour Lake but he also felt he'd need a decent pace over this shorter trip. Coming in. Take two. There will be only five hurdles to jump. They turn and turn again but are finally racing.

Sonigino and I Like To Move It have the early lead as they slalom between the hurdles in the home straight. Bad mistake from Severance, he's dropped to last. At the front Sonigino comprehensively outjumped I Like To Move It. Thousand Tears about 10 lengths adrift and he has run no race, pulled up.

I Like leads from Sonigino, King's pair and A Different Kind. Racing downhill. Gin Coco moves up ominously. I Like leads from Nina but here comes Gin Coco and he goes on with I Like. I Like To Move It gallops on relentlessly.

He wins by about four or five from Gin Coco who in turn was a long way clear of the three runners who contested third. Harbour Lake was third with First Impression fourth.

Great claims

1441: A decent renewal of the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle is up next from Cheltenham and the top two in the market are trained by Paul Nicholls and his former assistant Harry Fry.

The latter is responsible for the lightly raced Gin Coco and while he is relatively inexperienced he did run in a big field handicap at Punchestown so this test really shouldn't pose any problems. Sonigino is his market rival and lines up seeking a hat-trick; he had a wind operation prior to this season and seems to have been transformed, winning both races at Chepstow very easily. As a result, he's up in the weights and up in class but it would be no great surprise were he to prove up to the task.

Mullins' Dads Lad is relatively weak despite appearing to hold clear claims but there is a suggestion that he is simply a better chaser than hurdler and therefore merits this lower mark over the smaller obstacles.

A Different Kind has been well backed and is shorter than I Like To Move It; I'm keener on the latter than the former but prefer to chance my arm with a couple at longer odds in Cormier and First Impression.

Thousand Tears was 5/1 favourite for this race last night but can now be backed at 18/1. Quite extraordinary.

The Racing TV team are casting their eyes over the runners in the paddock. At the top of the programme Neesom highlighted Gin Coco and he hasn't been put off by what he's just seen, signing off with he's 'top of my list'.

Dixon liked A Different Kind and Neesom also has positive words for Donald McCain's runner. He also likes Harbour Lake but wonders if Nina The Terrier's 'nasty' fall last time will have left a mark.

Jewson Handicap Chase and Sean P. Muldoon & Patrick F. Gormley Fortria Chase

1417: Just a couple of minutes until post time at Cheltenham with Navan's Grade Two contest due off at 1430.

Back On The Lash has been well backed for the staying handicap at Prestbury Park, halving in price.

"It all needs to come together, he was second in the race last year. Disappointed with his comeback run but if he puts it all together today he won't be far away, he seems 10 lbs better round here."

That was Nick Gifford speaking about his popular and talented monkey The Mighty Don who is a selection for Ben Linfoot's ITV Tips. He's well handicapped on his best form as is Domaine de l'Isle who would get my nominal pound; he's two from four for Brian Hughes so the jockey booking looks reasonably encouraging. Straws clutched.

There's also been some support for Dominateur. I seem to recall he used to take the odd fence with him, let's hope that doesn't happen on this belated return.

They are all safely over the first three. Back On The Lash and favourite Fantastikas are among the prominent racers, they've cleared nine. One circuit to go and all standing and, more or less, going well enough. Mighty Thunder has dropped out quickly and he's one of half a dozen that have dropped off the leading group. Back On The Lash still jumping for fun in front.

The Mighty Don has been pulled up. Indy Five leads from Fantastikas. Back On The Lash rallies. Does He Know moves up. Does He Know hits the lead and takes the last. He idles and Eva's Oskar challenges with Back On The Lash but the leader hears them coming, straightens up and pulls out more.

That was a cracker, an enjoyable race and a fine performance from the top-weight.

Four go for the Grade Two in Ireland with Riviere d'etel odds-on favourite with Andy Dufresne 2/1 and Captain Guinness 7/2.

The grey mare jumps off in front but cedes her advantage when jumping out to her right at the first, giving it plenty of air in the process. Captain Guinness assumes the lead.

Riviere comes under a ride but she does respond and retakes second with three obstacles to negotiate. She's back in front with two to jump but is again ridden and she makes a bad mistake at the second last, going out to her right again. Captain Guinness is clear and wins by a length and a half from a rallying Riviere d'etel who ran a funny old race. Andy Dufresne was third.

Captain Guinness was ridden by Blackmore and trained by De Bromhead and while McClean and O'Brien give the winner due plaudits they do suggest that the favourite threw the race away and it's hard to argue with that initial view.

Vickers.Bet Southern National Handicap Chase

1405: Almost set at Fontwell.

They've jumped the first in this marathon contest in Sussex, meanwhile on Racing TV the general consenus is that Bob Olinger is back. He did beat some good horses by a long way but a few of them weren't fully tuned up with eyes on targets further down the line. It would be great if he is but I'd want to see confirmation next time.

At Fontwell Southfield Harvest has destroyed one of the early fences which will have to be omitted on subsequent circuits; he is still going though. Full Back was made favourite but isn't travelling as sweetly or jumping as well as his supporters would like.

Almazhar Garde has fallen at the tenth. There's another mistake from Southfield Harvest and they will surely take a toll, he's in sixth with Full Back in second. One more lap to go. Full Back doesn't want to go out though and drops himself back to midfield with Slipway, a non-runner at Cheltenham, moving into second. Southfield Harvest pulled up. Full Back has joined him.

Slipway hits the front and wins for Ben Pauling and Luca Morgan at 13/2.

The front-running Premiumaccess was a gallant second.

"It was a last minute change because of the ground and it's paid off," says a delighted trainer from Cheltenham.

Shloer Chase and Railway Bar Lismullen Hurdle

1342: The three runners at Cheltenham will be underway shortly and that will flow fairly quickly into the Grade Two at Navan where Bob Olinger just heads the betting from Zanahiyr with Flooring Porter fairly easy to back at 3/1; Ashdale Bob is next at 7s.

"Everyone knows what should happen but sometimes it doesn't," cautions Skelton on ITV Racing.

Walking in for the Shloer Chase and Nube Negra goes on having jumped the first alongside Ganapathi. He is five clear as they head out for the final circuit. That leads is around 10 lengths at the water and Nube Negra is enjoying himself at present. He stood right off the open ditch and put in a super leap, extending a lead that had dwindled to a few lengths. Two more fences to take and Harry Skelton already looking around.

Skelton has another look round on the hill and sees no dangers to Nube Negra.

That wasn't much of a race but the Lismullen Hurdle, run over two and a half miles, promises to be a cracker. A lot of intrigue lies in how Bob Olinger gets on as he clearly wasn't himself in the spring; let's hope he's back to his best. O'Brien says that he's carrying a bit of condition and will improve for the run having seen him in the paddock.

Flooring Porter adopts his customary slot in front, Ashdale Bob follows him. Bob Olinger is on the outside, getting plenty of daylight. Sire du Berlais and Commander Of Fleet are a few lengths adrift of the pack in rear whereas stablemate Zanahiyr is in fifth with seven hurdles and a circuit to go. Zanahiyr makes a bad mistake but is fine over the next. Getting to the business end.

First three covered by a couple of lengths with four to run. Bob Olinger hits the front, seemingly full of running. He's ridden into the last though and has a fight on his hands and Home By The Lee goes past and wins. What a turn up.

That's another winner for JJ Slevin and Joseph O'Brien with Home By The Lee returned at 28/1. It looked like Bob Olinger was going to win very impressively but he tied up fairly quickly even allowing for a lack of fitness. I don't quite know what to make of that.

The winner twice hit the maximum price of 1000/1 Racing TV report, presumably on the Betfair Exchange.

Donn McClean and O'Brien believe that connections will be delighted by Bob Olinger.

"More than satisfactory," says the former.

Hard work

1333: Machin spoke to Sheehan about The Real Whacker: "He's always been held-up over hurdles but there wasn't much pace so I asked Paddy (Neville) if I could go out and make it. The race must have fell apart behind as I didn't think I went mad.

"There were a few out there I thought he was good at and he has plenty of scope. He was big at some of them and didn't really take me into them. He gave them some air but I let him warm up into it.

"It's dead (ground). It doesn't feel as though it's riding like good ground, it's hard enough work."

That won't be music to the ears of Dan Skelton as Nube Negra really does appreciate good ground but even so that shouldn't stop him winning the Shloer Chase for which he is 1/10. The Grade Two so often throws up a really interesting race but sadly that isn't the case this time with Edwardstone and Sizing Pottsie taken out.

Sheehan rides Ganapathi for Neville but if he was asked about his chances here, it wasn't shown in the interview shown just now.

Hot on the heels of this race is the Lismullen Hurdle and you can hear what Elliott has to say about Zanahiyr in the clip above.

Gibney's For Auction Novice Hurdle

1320: The Racing TV cameras switch immediately to Navan for this Grade Three hurdle which has thrown up leading players for the Sky Bet Supreme in recent runnings.

Before that race was discussed O'Brien had news of further notable non-runners on the card with conditions deemed quicker than officially described on the chase course. Epson Du Houx and Fastorslow have joined Ferny Hollow in being taken out of the Fortria.

They've already jumped four and 11/10 favourite Hercule Du Seuil is out in front from Imagine with Three Card Brag moving into third.

Closely grouped with three to jump. Imagine tried to put it down to Hercule but he had all the answers and was a length clear at the last, a slight mistake there opened the door but he stuck to his task to win by three parts of a length from Imagine whose stablemate Three Card Brag was doing all of his best work at the finish having been outpaced, he finished a close third.

mallardjewellers.com Novices' Chase

1300: Counting down to the first from Cheltenham but there are two to jump at Auteuil with Mctigue in second behind the James Reveley ridden St Donats.

They are wide apart on the track and wide apart at the finish as St Donats wins easily, reversing form from last time with Mctigue only beating one home which will have been very disappointing for the Mullins team.

At Cheltenham Bardenstown Lad is pretty strong at the top of the market at 13/8 with Haute Estime out to 9/4. The favourite was sent off at a similar price ahead of his chasing bow at Limerick in September and disappointed that day which doesn't scream 'back me' although trainer John McConnell has been having a great time of things with his runners on these shores.

At the top of the programme, Dixon highlighted Haute Estime as one of his stronger fancies on the card and trainer Lucinda Russell is now talking to Stewart Machin.

"She's only five, still learning. At Kelso a horse fell and she ended up in front which wasn't ideal so I've told Derek to try and get a lead. She may prefer softer ground too but it's all about building her this year. I think we've got to start somewhere and it will be good to see her round Cheltenham."

Russell also runs Mighty Thunder later on the card and is hoping he's back to somewhere near his best:

"He feels fantastic at home and hopefully he's back. It's a set off for the season and see where we go for the rest of the season."

My fancy Indigo Breeze is playing up at the start but his jockey has just got the leg back-up as handlers try and persuade him to line-up. He has lined up and jumped off which is good news as The Real Whacker leads over the first.

They are at the top of the hill for the first time and Bardenstown Lad has just received a reminder after a mistake at the open ditch. He will be a big price in running and doesn't look to be enjoying himself unlike The Real Whacker who is out in front from Indigo Breeze. They are clear of Haute Estime in third while the favourite has dropped himself out to last and will surely be pulled up soon.

He's still going as they cross the water, fence 13, for the second time. Red As Rust has moved into third at the top of the hill, around six lengths off the front two. Three to jump. Indigo Breeze draws alongside over the last two but The Real Whacker wants it more and wins by three parts of a length on his debut over fences.

The 10/1 winner was trained by Patrick Neville and ridden by Gavin Sheehan.

Back to back

1243: Queens Gamble was an emotional winner for Oliver Sherwood at Cheltenham yesterday and the veteran Lambourn handler has struck with his very next runner.

I didn't watch the first from Fontwell Park but it has gone to Maclaine (11/8 favourite) and Sporting Life columnist Daryl Jacob.

Jacob had been due to partner Hystery Bere but with that one now a non-runner, he can head home and put his feet up for the rest of the weekend.

They are running for the third at Navan, this decent beginners chase and favourite Hollow Games has set out to make all under Jack Kennedy. They have got French import Heart Wood and Aarons Day for company with Colonel Mustard fourth as they approach the final three fences and half mile.

Hollow Games looked as though he might have a race on his hands but kicked clear going into the last and maintained that advantage to the line, that was a nice performance from the 7/4 favourite.

Heart Wood was second and it was tight for third between Get My Drift and Colonel Mustard and both shaped with some promise, looking as though they were in need of their seasonal reappearances and shaping a little better than the bare form suggests. They may be looking at handicaps rather than graded races further down the line but both should make their mark over fences. As for the winner, it will be interesting to hear what Elliott has in mind for him.

Elliott has now won the last three renewals of that race and while I can't immediately recall what Easywork and Buddy Rich went on to achieve, other recent scorers include Anibale Fly, Footpad and Fakir d'Oudairies so it is often won by a smart sort.

That's the Spirit

1241: De Bromhead trained the winner of the first at Navan, Spirit Of Legend, and Racing TV have just shown their post-race interview.

"We were just hoping to get a nice clear round run won well and if we'd finished in the first five we'd have been delighted. Rachael was brilliant on him, he jumped well and really knuckled down in the straight.

"It's turned out to be a pretty good race (his debut). We've always liked him and hoped he would be a nice staying type. Chris has been really patient with him so delighted for the family; we were unlucky yesterday and this puts a smile back on our faces.

"We'll look for a winner's type race but we'll discuss it and see."

De Bromhead runs Bob Olinger in the Lismullen Hurdle and says of the exciting performer.

"He seems great, we're really happy with him but I was very happy with him going into Punchestown last year. I hope I'm right and just hope that he wasn't into his fences."

Tears of joy?

1222: Maxxum (4/5 favourite) 'won with his head in his chest' according to the commentator at Navan, striking for Elliott and Davy Russell and trouncing the opposition in the handicap hurdle.

The feature handicap hurdle today is the Greatwood at Cheltenham where Ireland is represented by Thousand Tears and Dads Lad.

The former has drifted from 5/1 to 14/1 and it seems unlikely given that that he will replicate The Shunter and lift the valuable prize for Emmet Mullins and Paul Byrne.

Those two could still enjoy success this afternoon though as they are represented by Mctigue in the Grade One Prix Cambaceres at Auteuil which is due underway in around half an hour.

Mctigue is unbeaten in two starts - at Sedgefield and Auteuil - beating St Donats last time and that runner appears to provide the main challenge in today's contest.

Dads Lad's trainer Willie Mullins is also represented in France as he runs Franco De Port in the Grade One Prix la Haye Jousselin (at 1450). Franco De Port was third in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in May, form which gives him leading claims in this contest and he had a spin at Gowran last month to put him straight for this prestigious and valuable prize.

Significant absentees

1212: Sadly more non-runners are coming through, this time from Navan where Mullins has withdrawn both Flame Bearer and Ferny Hollow from two of the feature contests.

O'Brien reports that both horses have been taken out on account of the ground which is officially yielding. The sun is shining and it is a drying day with 'plenty of wind' at Navan but that's a big blow to the card.

Ferny Hollow was odds-on for the Sean P. Muldoon & Patrick F. Gormley Fortria Chase but Riviere d'etel is the new market leader at around even money. She had a fabulous time last season but shouldn't have everything her own way with Captain Guiness and stablemate Andy Dufresne in opposition.

Flame Bearer was also odds-on for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase. It looks as though Hollow Games will be the new favourite there, marginally shorter than Colonel Mustard in what should still prove to be an informative contest.

A fair Breeze

1158: Elliott was out of luck in the first at Navan but saddles a short-priced favourite in the next and has a leading contender for the first at Cheltenham in a little over an hour's time.

I was reasonably content to take on the now absent Mister Coffey with Indigo Breeze who I am hoping will appreciate this first run over three miles.

Indigo Breeze is a half-brother to Brindisi Breeze among others which offers encouragement for his ability to stay that far. He doesn't look to be a star but he won't need to be in order to land this prize and he looks to be gradually getting the hang of things over fences having beaten all bar Banbridge at Gowran Park last time.

The Racing TV team are previewing the action at Cheltenham and Martin Dixon is making the case for A Different Kind in the Greatwood at 7/1; he was very sweet on Ga Law yesterday.

Jonathan Neesom mentions Harbour Lake among those at bigger prices in the hope that there might be a strongly run race but really he's all about the unexposed Gin Coco. He was with French Dynamite yesterday.

Dixon was asked if there was anything else he liked on the card and nominated Haute Estime in the opener. I didn't quite catch Neesom's runner when asked the same question but I think it was Fennor Cross who has just about taken over as favourite from Springwell Boy in the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle.

Off and racing

1146: There is a runaway leader in the Kilberry Pub & Kitchen Maiden Hurdle but it would be highly surprising were Kilbree Warrior still leading the field in a circuit's time.

The market was dominated by runners owned by Bective Stud and trained by Elliott with Firefox the shortest of their trio.

Kilbree Warrior still leads by a long way with half a mile and three flights to go but his lead is dwindling. He's over two out and still 10 clear. That's down to five at the last and he is passed on the run-in but not by any of the Elliott runners.

Victory goes to 15/2 chance Spirit Of Legend (Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore) from the rallying Kilbree Warrior and Hartur d'Arc.

Firefox has just been described 'as a big eyecatcher in fourth' by Gary O'Brien. One for your My Stable trackers?

Blackmore had a couple of winners yesterday but three falls as well and she'll no doubt be hoping that today doesn't follow a similar path.

All's 'well

1130: The ITV Racing cameras are at Fontwell Park as well as Cheltenham.

They're not covering the Caz & Tim Cobbold 60th Birthday Juvenile Hurdle but those of you who read yesterday's blog or listened to Milton Harris' post-race interview will have made a note of the race and the name of Havaila who was nominated by the trainer as one of his better juveniles when pushed to do so by Lydia Hislop.

Havaila is 11/8 having been put in at 15/8 yesterday.

The Southern National will be televised and I'm hoping to see a big run from Full Back who I've had something of a soft spot for in recent seasons. He looks well suited by this sort of test these days and I'd expect a bit more use to be made of him than at Ascot on his reappearance.

He represents Jamie and Gary Moore who team up with Aggagio in the other ITV race where the Paul Nicholls trained Irish Hill - rated his best chance of the day - heads the market from the Moores' runner. I had intended to take them on with Hystery Bere at longer odds but Tom Symonds' charge is an absentee.

Suscbribers to Members Extra will know by now that Rory Delargy has a recommendation for the Southern National and you can read that by clicking on the image above if you haven't already done so.

Supreme players

1113: While Navan's Gibneys For Auction Novice Hurdle has had an impact on recent renewals of the Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle winners of the Sky Bet Supreme Trial Novices' Hurdle (registered as the Sharp Novices' Hurdle) at Cheltenham haven't quite as much impact.

Altior did do the double and For Pleasure finished third, albeit 26 lengths behind Appreciate It, but a good few more have gone down the handicap route instead. That said, it has sometimes been the case that you need a Grade One horse to win the County Hurdle.

Rather surprisingly only three of the last 10 favourites have obliged but I'm hoping that Springwell Boy can follow in the steps of I Like To Move It and land the odds. Springwell Boy changed hands after running Adamantly Chosen close in a Punchestown bumper and is unbeaten in two starts for Jonjo O'Neill. Neither of those runs asked too much of him as SPs of 8/11 and 2/5 indicate but he did everything asked of him and looks an exciting prospect.

Nicky Henderson's runner Iberico Lord is rather uneasy in the market leaving the in-form Fennor Cross as the main market rival but I'm not convinced that it was the strongest race he won at the October meeting.

Ukantango and Fascinating Shadow are promising recruits but I fully expect Springwell Boy to prove more than a match for them and go someway to confirming the promise of his debut and, perhaps, even pencilling his name in for a return to the track in March for the Supreme itself.

Going update

1049: Cheltenham have updated their going which remains as good. The going stick reading taken at 0945 is 6.3 for any connoisseurs of the implement.

There's a little more give in the ground at both Fontwell and Navan with the latter track described as yielding.

Apparently Jane Mangan asserted before racing yesterday that there would be more Cheltenham Festival winners in action at Naas than at Cheltenham and while that bold statement may come back to haunt her, the same line may well be closer to the mark at Navan.

Firefox set the tongues wagging in the sales ring and makes an eagerly awaited debut in the 1145, Flame Bearer has his first start over fences and first for Willie Mullins in the beginners' chase where Colonel Mustard and Hollow Games are among the opposition, there's a Grade Three novice hurdle that has been won in recent years by Ngolo, Abacadabras, My Mate Mozzie, Aramon, Mengli Khan and Labaik; three of those, all trained by Gordon Elliott, went on to finish first, second and third in their respective Sky Bet Supreme Novices' Hurdle in March and Elliott is represented by two of the five runners.

That's before we have the Lismullen Hurdle and the Fortria Chase which are the highlights of a really cracking card.

There was another runner that caught my eye, not because I expected her to do anything very much but her name prompted a surprising trip down memory lane...... I wonder what football team the owners of Cotteemcavennigoal support?

She would be an apt winner with a World Cup on the horizon.

Outside chance

1028: I was rather surprised to see First Impression topping Timeform's weight adjusted ratings for the Greatwood Hurdle, not least because John Quinn's runner was the unfortunate fellow that my pin landed on last night. There's time enough to revise that view and opposing the market leaders didn't work out too well for me in the Paddy Power Gold Cup yesterday but I did feel that he was one of the more interesting outsiders, along with Cormier who is now just 14s.

First Impression last run over hurdles at Haydock in April when a never nearer third in a competitive two mile handicap. It's not always easy to come from off the pace at that course and although the same can be true at Cheltenham I was hopeful that this course would suit him better. He has been in fair form on the level since then, winning his penultimate start, and I felt that he was a big price for an in-form runner with the potential to improve granted this sort of test. He will need to produce a career best though.

Cormier's claims are more obvious for a local owner whose representatives in this race have often outrun their odds. Cormier was seventh in the County Hurdle which is a good bit more competitive than today's race and has a promising 7 lb claimer on his back. He's got other course form to his name and isn't as exposed as you might think with 12 hurdle starts to his name. It's not difficult to envisage him being on the premises.

Good morning

1007: Hello again.

There's another decent card at Cheltenham to enjoy and some fascinating clashes at Navan where Bob Olinger is among those in action. Sadly we won't be seeing Edwardstone take on Nuba Negra in the Shloer and Alan King's charge is one of nine non-runners on the card with several others also significant, including Mister Coffey.

The racing isn't quite what it might have been but neither is the weather and Cheltenham were watering last night in an attempt to maintain the going as good as Jon Pullin explained: “We are doing some selective watering and we’re watering some of the areas that we didn’t water last night. This is just to try and even it up again for tomorrow and maintain the Good ground.

“There’s a dry forecast and temperatures are predicted to be slightly less than today but there’s no wind, so we should hopefully have Good ground.

“It’s been two days of fantastic racing and we’re very happy with how everything has gone so far.”

Those quotes were from after racing yesterday but you can hear what the Clerk of the Course has to say in his tweeted morning update below.

The Greatwood market has a somewhat different look to it with Gin Coco the current jolly at 4/1 with Thousand Tears all the way out to 11s. Dads Lad, Sonigino, A Different Kind and I Like To Move It are all more or less around the 7/1 mark. It's been a lively race already and they haven't set foot on the track.

Mister Coffey was favourite at the time of his withdrawal from the opener and that has left Bardenstown Lad and Haute Estime to take his place at 2/1 with Ingigo Breeze 9/4.

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