Gold Cup and Grand National winning jockey Robbie Power has spoken this morning directly from Cheltenham to preview the second day of Festival action.
1.20 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
“I was a little bit concerned about Bob Olinger’s jumping but then he jumped very well at Naas, the smaller field is definitely going to help to make things very simple for Rachael Blackmore, he’s a very straightforward horse to ride.
"Gaillard Du Mensil was very impressive when he won at the Dublin Racing Festival. He pulled very hard that day so Paul Townend will want to get him settled early on. He needs to improve but if he does, which is likely coming out of Willie Mullins’ yard, he could be a big danger.
"Bravemansgame was very impressive at Newbury but that line of form isn’t as strong as Bob Olinger’s, who is the one they all have to beat.”
1.55 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
“It’s going to be difficult to stop Monkfish as he has just been so flawless, two and a half or three miles, it doesn’t seem to matter as he’s such a straightforward horse.
"The Big Breakaway has been a little bit disappointing this season, I thought he should have won the Grade One at Kempton at Christmas but his jumping up the straight let him down.
“My ride Fiddlerontheroof is rated the same as The Big Breakaway and was a good second to Next Destination at Warwick. That’s a good line of form and he has been running well all season but hitting the crossbar. He could improve a little bit but the biggest danger to Monkfish could be Eklat De Rire. He was so impressive at Naas, the ease in the ground is definitely going to help him.
"He’s a giant of a horse, a good jumper who is likely to go from the front and he could give Monkfish the most to think about.”
3.05 Champion Chase
“Chacun Pour Soi has been so impressive he’s going to be very, very hard to beat. Last year’s winner of the race Politologue would have to have a chance again back at Cheltenham. The ease in the ground is not going to suit the likes of Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra.
"It could be the case the First Flow’s win in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot is underrated. That was a strongly run race, he kept finding and finding. David Bass is going to be very positive on him and will go close to the pace which will be set by Politologue.
"So he’s maybe the one to give Chacun Pour Soi most to think about, he beat Politologue well which is strong form and it could be underestimated.”
4.50 Champion Bumper
“It’s a very competitive bumper this year. Kilcruit couldn’t have been more impressive at the Dublin Racing Festival where he turned the bumper into a procession. There are strong vibes from the Denise Foster yard about Three Stripe Life who won very impressively at Navan so I’m expecting a big run from him.
"But I’m going to side with Sir Gerhard as I think he’s more of a battle-hardened horse. At six-year-old he just seems to have that grittier edge to him where Kilcruit did everything so easily on the bridle last time and I think Sir Gerhard will be that little bit harder.”
Listen to Robbie Power’s full preview of day two at Cheltenham on the BoyleSports blog.
1.20 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
“I was a little bit concerned about Bob Olinger’s jumping but then he jumped very well at Naas, the smaller field is definitely going to help to make things very simple for Rachael Blackmore, he’s a very straightforward horse to ride.
"Gaillard Du Mensil was very impressive when he won at the Dublin Racing Festival. He pulled very hard that day so Paul Townend will want to get him settled early on. He needs to improve but if he does, which is likely coming out of Willie Mullins’ yard, he could be a big danger.
"Bravemansgame was very impressive at Newbury but that line of form isn’t as strong as Bob Olinger’s, who is the one they all have to beat.”
1.55 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
“It’s going to be difficult to stop Monkfish as he has just been so flawless, two and a half or three miles, it doesn’t seem to matter as he’s such a straightforward horse.
"The Big Breakaway has been a little bit disappointing this season, I thought he should have won the Grade One at Kempton at Christmas but his jumping up the straight let him down.
“My ride Fiddlerontheroof is rated the same as The Big Breakaway and was a good second to Next Destination at Warwick. That’s a good line of form and he has been running well all season but hitting the crossbar. He could improve a little bit but the biggest danger to Monkfish could be Eklat De Rire. He was so impressive at Naas, the ease in the ground is definitely going to help him.
"He’s a giant of a horse, a good jumper who is likely to go from the front and he could give Monkfish the most to think about.”
3.05 Champion Chase
“Chacun Pour Soi has been so impressive he’s going to be very, very hard to beat. Last year’s winner of the race Politologue would have to have a chance again back at Cheltenham. The ease in the ground is not going to suit the likes of Put The Kettle On and Nube Negra.
"It could be the case the First Flow’s win in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot is underrated. That was a strongly run race, he kept finding and finding. David Bass is going to be very positive on him and will go close to the pace which will be set by Politologue.
"So he’s maybe the one to give Chacun Pour Soi most to think about, he beat Politologue well which is strong form and it could be underestimated.”
4.50 Champion Bumper
“It’s a very competitive bumper this year. Kilcruit couldn’t have been more impressive at the Dublin Racing Festival where he turned the bumper into a procession. There are strong vibes from the Denise Foster yard about Three Stripe Life who won very impressively at Navan so I’m expecting a big run from him.
"But I’m going to side with Sir Gerhard as I think he’s more of a battle-hardened horse. At six-year-old he just seems to have that grittier edge to him where Kilcruit did everything so easily on the bridle last time and I think Sir Gerhard will be that little bit harder.”
Listen to Robbie Power’s full preview of day two at Cheltenham on the BoyleSports blog.