Tattersalls Cheltenham

Gordon Elliott and Ben Pauling in fine form alongside Robbie Power, Ger Hannon and Vanessa Ryle, with the team talking all things Cheltenham.

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle

The Supreme chat revolved around Gordon Elliott’s Al Chairos, with Gordon adamant he’ll line up and stressing how classy he is despite the obvious jumping question after his Leopardstown fall.

The panel liked his travelling power and the sectionals he posted from the last to the line at Thurles, but Robbie was clear you “won’t get away” with mistakes in a Supreme. Old Park Star got the proper “top of the market” respect as the proven, highest-rated horse, and Ger Hannon positioned him as the main danger, while others felt Talk To Talk and Mighty Park also deserved serious mentions.

Elliott also flagged Ballyfad as ground dependent, suggesting he could stay in the Supreme if it’s easier, or step up in trip if it dries, with the key takeaway being that the Irish horses have brilliance but must answer jumping/discipline questions.

Arkle

Ben Pauling sounded very sweet on Lulamba, calling him an exceptional talent who might still be raw, but potentially too good if he settles and gets into a rhythm early. The main concern raised was whether he could get taken off his feet in the frantic early pace typical of this race, even if his engine is top class.

Elliott confirmed Romeo Coolio looks most likely to go Arkle if he comes to Cheltenham, though he personally hinted Fairyhouse might suit better and admitted two miles could be sharp. Ger Hannon threw in Steel Ally as a price angle, while also mentioning Irish Panther as a danger on better ground, and the panel generally agreed the race is “competitive and messy” because plans and participation for a few key horses still felt fluid.

Champion Hurdle

The Champion Hurdle segment was built around Gordon’s confident confirmation that Brighterdaysahead definitely runs and is coming in fresher than in previous campaigns, with softer ground seen as a plus. Ben Pauling and Robbie Power both pushed the view that Constitution Hill should run if he’s right, because racing needs him, but the obvious fear is what happens if jumping confidence has been dented.

Golden Ace was highlighted as the reliable Cheltenham performer who keeps getting underestimated in previews, while the panel were lukewarm on The New Lion, questioning whether he has the speed and slickness for a Champion Hurdle test. If you wanted the “read between the lines” angle, it’s that Brighterdaysahead is respected on ability and prep, but the entire market mood hinges on whether Constitution Hill turns up and jumps.

Turners Novices’ Hurdle

In the Turners, Elliott was strong that Skylight Hustle is a definite runner and painted him as the type who jumps well, can be dropped in, and has enough pace for 2m5f while acknowledging Talk To Talk likely wins the race if he stands up.

Ben Pauling discussed Mandu Boy as a possible runner but sounded like the Albert Bartlett might ultimately suit more, and he was cautious about Taurus Bay after a hard race on testing ground. Ger Hannon gave “white hope” billing to No Drama This End, pointing out his graded wins and profile, but also reminded everyone the Turners is often a tricky race to predict from key trials.

Robbie added a lively angle by shouting up Pass Horse at around each-way prices if the ground is on the soft side, describing him as a relentless galloper who’ll make them know they’ve been in a race.

Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase

The Brown Advisory discussion framed it as wide open after Final Demand’s disappointing Dublin Racing Festival run, with the panel split between calling it an “off day” and suggesting he simply hasn’t looked bombproof all season. Robbie Power leaned towards forgiving him, but also noted he’s stepping up to three miles which adds another layer of uncertainty. Elliott was quietly positive about Western Fold, implying he’s the type to keep finding and could be a strong “in the money” proposition, especially if the ground turns testing.

Ben Pauling offered a UK-based angle with Wendigo, describing him as a proper staying type whose Cheltenham-style slog could suit if he finds rhythm, while others mentioned Kate D’Owry and the impact of conditions on several leading chances. Overall, it felt like a race where the Irish dominance remains, but confidence behind any one “banker” was notably low compared to other divisions.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

This was pitched as a Marine Nationale rematch, but Gordon Elliott made it simple: Maresburg (as discussed) produced something special at the DRF and if he repeats that level of jumping and pace around Cheltenham, he wins. Robbie and Ger broadly agreed, though they noted Marine Nationale becomes a different animal on quicker ground, so any drying conditions would at least bring the gap closer.

Ben Pauling didn’t see a serious British challenge emerging and suggested it’s the kind of race where one jumping error can flip the script, even if the Irish form looks dominant. The “shape” of the debate was basically: Maresburg sets the bar on recent evidence, Marine Nationale is the danger if ground/prior form swings things back, and everything else needs luck or chaos.

Champion Bumper

The bumper chat was very “ground and attitude” focused, with Elliott very keen on Keep Him Company, calling him a very good horse who will come home strongly if there’s cut, but warning quick ground would be a concern. Ger Hannon backed that up by praising the horse’s will to win and suggesting he has the mindset to become a top-class chaser later on, which is often the bumper tell you’re looking for.

Willie Mullins’ looming influence was acknowledged as usual, with names like Benra Hill and Irish Avatar mentioned as serious contenders, but the panel’s emotional lean was clearly towards the Elliott horse if conditions are right. Ben, speaking from the outside here, admitted it’s not his division in this preview, but hinted he wasn’t completely sold that the obvious British form would stand up against the Irish depth.

Mares’ Hurdle

Elliott was bullish that Woodoo has every chance of beating Lossiemouth, leaning heavily on her Cheltenham record, her toughness, and the fact she keeps finding ways to win. Ger Hannon, however, expected Lossiemouth to come here rather than the Champion Hurdle, arguing she’s essentially a two-and-a-half-mile mare and would be hard to beat if turning up in this division.

Robbie threw in the key strategic point: if Constitution Hill swerves the Champion Hurdle, Willie and connections may be tempted to take the “big table” option with Lossiemouth there instead meaning the whole complexion of the Mares’ hinges on another race. The underlying message was that Woodoo is the solid festival-type you can trust to run her race, but her winning chances are highly dependent on whether Lossiemouth stays in her lane.

Stayers’ Hurdle

The Stayers’ segment was one of Elliott’s strongest confidence plays, with Teahupoo described as the “horse of a lifetime” who never runs a bad one and crucially looks stronger this season than in recent years. Elliott also flagged Honesty Policy as a major danger, especially on better ground, and suggested there’s still improvement to come given his relative profile.

Robbie Power added a serious alternative angle by reminding everyone Bob Olinger is a different horse on good ground and tends to come alive at Cheltenham, meaning conditions could swing the hierarchy sharply.

Ben Pauling’s contribution was essentially that this division is hard to dominate for long because the race can be relentless, and that makes the reliable, battle-hardened types especially valuable. Net-net: Teahupoo is the standard-setter, Honesty Policy is the up-and-comer, and Bob Olinger is the “don’t forget him if it dries” warning.

Ryanair Chase

This was the most “plans pending” race of the whole preview, because so many headline horses are being talked about for other targets. Elliott was blunt: if Fact To File or Gaelic Warrior run in the Ryanair, they look like penalty kicks, but he also warned it wouldn’t shock him if neither runs and the race cuts up dramatically.

Ben Pauling made the strongest personal case for Handstands, saying he’s a Grade 1 horse who hasn’t had a clean season but could be dangerously well treated if he ends up in a handicap instead yet he’d still be tempted to take on the Ryanair if the opposition thins.

Elliott also floated Firefox at a big price as a “wrong trip” horse who could be better dropped back and ridden patiently, while Ger suggested something could come “from left field” because Willie can reroute horses late. The takeaway was simple: this race is all about late declarations, and punting it early is basically a bet on who turns up.

Albert Bartlett

The Albert Bartlett section leaned into staying profiles, with Sean Doyle very firmly shouting up Spinning Yarn as the bet if the ground is soft, describing him as a proper stayer who will relish the brutal test. Elliott, half-laughing at the “Albert Bartlett sales line,” still confirmed Spinning Yarn fits the race and said he could run multiple in it, while also mentioning a big-priced type like Kazinski as an each-way possibility if owners insist on this target.

Dr Steinberg was acknowledged as a top of the market horse with the right progression, and the panel didn’t seem worried about him being too keen more that he’s improving and looks like the one to beat on pure form. Ger Hannon also threw in Apache Tribe as a sleeper who’s going the right way and could run better than his odds suggest. Overall it sounded like: Dr Steinberg sets the standard, but Spinning Yarn is the “conditions-dependent grinder” who could be the value play.

Gold Cup

The Gold Cup talk was dominated by Ben Pauling’s measured confidence in The Jukebox Man, stressing that he’s not a flashy homework horse but comes alive on the day, jumps exceptionally well, and should be better for the Cheltenham trip and gallop than Kempton. Elliott backed that view, saying the likely strong pace—possibly set by a Rebecca Curtis runner could play perfectly into The Jukebox Man’s hands if he’s within striking distance turning in. The panel debated Fact To File as the big swing horse:

Ben suggested he could either win by a few if he stays or fail late, while Ger was adamant the class is there and he expects him to see it out. Galopin Des Champs was treated with respect but there was a clear sense he might be vulnerable this year based on recent runs, and nobody sounded convinced Django Bay could reverse key form. The consensus “story” was: The Jukebox Man has the profile to win a Gold Cup if it becomes a true stamina-and-jumping test, but Fact To File is the looming wildcard who could make the whole debate look silly if he stays.

Foxhunters’ Chase

In the Foxhunters chat, the positive angle was that Wonderwall has the course form, handled the track last year, and is reportedly in great shape again meaning he’s the obvious stable standard-bearer.

Alongside that, Chemical Energy was floated as an interesting bigger price alternative, especially with Barry O’Neill’s presence viewed as a major plus in this sphere, and with the horse’s “fresh form” noted as a potential edge.

The panel’s tone suggested confidence in Wonderwall as the safe option, but with a clear nod that the amateur scene can throw up tactical surprises, and the bigger-priced runner is worth keeping onside if ground and riding plans align. In short: Wonderwall is the proven festival foxhunter type, while Chemical Energy is the speculative swing for those hunting value.

Cross Country Chase

The cross-country segment was fairly direct: Elliott sounded excited about Fábio De Shampoo, saying he’s found a new lease of life since going over the banks and looked very good last time on just his second run in that discipline.

He suggested he could run several, but made it clear the key to the race is how it’s set up at the top of the weights specifically mentioning Stumptown as the sort of rival whose presence and weight situation matters. The overall feeling was that Fábio De Shampoo has taken to the job and arrives with momentum, but as always in this race, the handicapping and the specialist nature of the course can produce very specific outcomes based on conditions and pace. The clear note was: Elliott is genuinely looking forward to it, which usually tells you the horse is thriving in this niche.