Fact To File has given his connections a pleasant headache with regards to Cheltenham Festival plans following a decisive victory in the Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown . The JP McManus -owned nine-year-old is 4/5 to repeat last season’s Ryanair Chase success at Prestbury Park after beating stablemate Gaelic Warrior by five lengths with his ears pricked under Mark Walsh.
However, stepping up in trip again for a crack at the Gold Cup must now come into consideration, even if that means forking out a hefty fee to supplement him, and he is 4/1 favourite for the blue riband event. Fortunately for ante-post punters, BOYLE Sports are now offering a ‘non-runner no bet’ concession on the five championship races at Cheltenham : the Champion Hurdle , the Champion Chase , the Stayers’ Hurdle , the Ryanair Chase and the Gold Cup !
“I was wondering, would he stay the trip going at that pace, because they went a fair lick from the start,” said winning trainer Willie Mullins. “He stayed every inch of it and galloped right through the line.” He added, “We had him in the Gold Cup ; he was withdrawn, but he could always go in as a supplementary entry. I think that’s what last year’s winner was. We haven’t spoken, and we’ll see what happens. “The first thing Mark remarked to me when he got off the horse was that when he hit the front, he pricked his ears, which tells us all that he had more in the tank.”
Cheltenham Hurdle Contenders
Narcisco Has What It Takes To Triumph
The same team had earlier continued their fantastic Dublin Racing Festival by landing the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle with Narcisco Has, who is now 6/4 favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham . “It was a very nice performance, he did it the hard way from the front,” said Mullins . “He settles lovely in front, jumps well in front and has enough for a kick at the end.”
However, stablemate Selma De Vary also caught the eye, staying on for second on her first start for the yard, and the French import is just 6/1 to turn the tables in the Triumph . Mullins commented, “She missed a lot of time, and I think she’ll improve a good bit for that run. She was a little bit green going to the last. I think she’s a filly that has a big future.”
Doctor Steinberg gave Mullins an 11th Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle success in 15 years when powering home eight lengths clear, and is now 5/2 favourite for the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham . “It was very impressive on that ground, it’s very tough,” beamed the Closutton maestro. “Every time we’ve gone up in trip, he seems to like it. He’s out of a Cyborg mare, and that’s all stamina.
Romeo Coolio
Romeo Coolio Camp Keeping Options Open.
Gordon Elliott’s Romeo Coolio can be backed at 4/1 for the Arkle Chase at Prestbury Park after just getting the better of a great battle with Kargese in the Irish equivalent. However, a step up in trip is not out of the question, and punters can get 6/1 for a Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase triumph over three miles. “Our lad needs every bit of the trip; he was flat out,” said Elliott. “The mare had us at it. He made a few mistakes, but he’s very gutsy, and he digs deep.
“He has three Grade Ones won now, so everything else is a bonus, but the lads are from the UK, so they are very keen to have a runner in Cheltenham . “He’ll be in both races (the Arkle and Brown Advisory ), and we’ll make our mind up at the time which is the right race to go for.”
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