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Pricewise Tom Segal and Tipster Paul Kealy as they preview the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ryanair Chase, Mares’ Chase and Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The panel basically agree this is one of the most open Gold Cups in years, with loads of “plausible” winners and major uncertainty around who even runs.
Fact To File
Tom thinks he has to run in the Gold Cup after winning the Irish Gold Cup and calls it “bonkers” to go Ryanair instead. He says he’s the best horse in the race, but the big question is stamina at 3m2f. Tom admits he already backed him at 10/1.
They also mention his season has already shown a bounce pattern (backwards step at Kempton, then bounced back at Leopardstown).
Gaelic Warrior
They repeatedly flag him as an obvious player, but Tom says he’s not a huge fan because he “does too much wrong” (pulling, quirks, drifting).
The British challengers
They highlight that Britain hasn’t won since 2018, but they’ve got two major hopes:
- Django Bay – described as a proper Cheltenham horse, unbeaten at the track (2-from-2). They love how he gets up the hill and call him a cast-iron stayer. Tom says he’s “boom or bust” and worries he’s an accident waiting to happen, but if he jumps cleanly he’s a huge danger.
- The Jukebox Man – both are increasingly warming to him. They love his travelling and slick jumping, plus he fought back gamely at Kempton. They note he was only beaten a head in the Albert Bartlett, so the track holds no fears.
Haiti Galore
Tom is very positive and says all he does is win (Welsh National, Irish National type profile). They compare him to past Gold Cup winners who came through handicaps like Long Run, Native River, Synchronised, and Denman.
They argue his Haydock flop can be forgiven due to the quick turnaround from Newbury, and that he looks seriously top-class from the last fence to the line.
Galopin Des Champs
They acknowledge his class and Gold Cup record, but both are pretty negative about his chances this year due to age (10) and the strength of the race. They mention rumours he was light / not sparkling before Leopardstown, and say he probably needs proper ground.
I Am Maximus
They strongly doubt he can defend the title after “barely lifting a leg all winter.” They mention past Gold Cup winners who returned after an unplaced season like Bobs Worth and Autrefois, and both pulled up.
Grey Dawning
Seen as a potential outsider. They note he made a mistake last time but ran on well afterwards, suggesting he could improve a lot if primed specifically for the Gold Cup.
Spillane’s Tower
They note he’s “come back from nowhere” after showing little for ages, but still needs to find a lot. They suggest he’s less exposed than others, but his form lags behind Grey Dawning.
Ryanair Chase
They basically say this market is nonsense until declarations, because the book is massively overround and half the horses won’t run.
Main chaos horses
- Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior are at the top, but they say neither is a bet now because one/both might go Gold Cup.
- Django Bay is listed but Paul says he won’t run in it.
- Jonbon is seen as a possible runner but has Cheltenham questions and has had two hard races.
- They mention Romeo Coolio as a horse Tom previously tipped at 25/1, hoping it would cut up, but he now thinks there’s “no chance” he runs.
Horses they like if it cuts up
- Banbridge – Paul thinks he’s a much better horse than Heart Wood if conditions suit, and a big player if the big two don’t run.
- Matata – Paul backed him big ante-post, forgiving a poor Windsor run (deep ground + trip). They recall his Cheltenham handicap win where he thrashed Il Etoile giving lumps of weight.
Heart Wood debate
Ross likes Heart Wood because he’s more solid, likely to run, handles conditions, and last year’s running is often the best guide.
Paul counters that Banbridge is just a better horse if it’s his ground.
They also list loads of Ryanair entries and basically say almost none are targeting it, including horses like Better Days Ahead, Croke Park, Edwardstone, Energumene, Envoy Allen, Firefox, Found A Fifty, Handstands, Jaguar, JPR One, Master Chewy, Protektorat, SMA, Thistlecrack, Twin Jet, and Panattack.
Mares’ Chase
They see Dinoblue as the likely winner and hardest to oppose, with a near-perfect prep.
Dinoblue
They call her extremely strong in mares’ company and say she’s had ideal prep (easy wins in small races).
Spindleberry
They note her recent pulled-up run is hard to forgive and was “inexplicably bad,” though they mention Mullins horses can bounce back after Leopardstown flops.
Panic Attack
Tom loves her jumping (calls it “absolute joy”) and mentions her performance in the Coral Gold Trophy. They think she can run well but question if she’s good enough to beat Dinoblue.
Dinoblue alternatives / outsiders
- Diva Luna – Tom’s main “against the favourite” angle. He loves her jumping, says she’s better than last year suggested, and notes she won the Aintree bumper impressively. He says missing the Silly Isles was due to a minor mishap but the fact she was meant to run there shows how highly she’s rated.
- Jade De Grugy – Ross thinks she’s very interesting given her Cheltenham record and strong recent win at Thurles. Tom notes she’s a Mullins “chip” depending on where Lossiemouth goes.
- July Flower – noted as interesting and a good jumper, though she “blotted her copybook” last time.
- They also mention Only By Night has stamina doubts and The Big Westerner is discussed as one of the market principals.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
They spend a lot of time saying it’s the hardest race to solve because novices rarely get a properly-run 3m test beforehand.
Dr Steinberg
They don’t love him as an 11/4 favourite. Tom says he pulled hard in the DRF race and isn’t sure if he’ll settle better in a truly-run Albert Bartlett.
The Devil You Know
Tom’s main pick. He likes that he’s already proven over 3 miles and mentions Paul Nolan’s strong record in the race. He also notes he bolted up at Doncaster after giving Dr Steinberg a race in a slowly-run contest.
I’ll Sort That
Tom’s other key one. He notes he’s a Grade 1 winner, stays forever, jumps well enough, and is unbeaten over hurdles.
Spinning A Yarn
Paul Kealy’s main fancy. He points out he’s a 3m point winner, bumper winner, and has won his last two hurdles, looking stronger the further he goes. Pedigree is a major plus (by Order Of St George, dam half-sister to Sam Spinner). He expects a big leap forward at 3m.
Flint Madrik
Paul mentions him as a big-price British runner. Says he was a big baby early on but has improved with experience and stayed on well behind No Drama This End in a slowly-run race. He expects him to stay and be overpriced.
Other contenders discussed
- No Drama This End – referenced as a form horse, and as the one Flint Madrik chased home.
- Skylight Hustle – mentioned as a line of form through The Devil You Know.
- Apache Tribe – Tom was very impressed with him and says he’ll stay forever.
- Apache King – earlier in the show, Tom says he was hugely impressive at Ayr and could be an Albert Bartlett horse.
- Moneygarrow – noted as one the Skeltons seem to prefer over Dawson Lad.
- Dawson Lad – referenced as a staying novice hurdle winner / possible alternative target.
- Sortudo – Ross liked him, saying he galloped relentlessly at Naas and could power up the hill.
- Jalon D’uderi – Ross flags him as an interesting longshot after winning by 27 lengths, despite earlier disappointments.
- Espresso Milan, Kazinski – listed in the market rundown.
They also reference past Albert Bartlett types/winners like Monkfish, Minella Indo, Pen Hill, Stay Away Fay, The Storyteller, and Jasmin De Vaux.
“Mythical pound” selections (their final picks)
- Paul Kealy: Spinning A Yarn
- Tom Segal: wants Haiti Galore to win (financially), but thinks The Devil You Know is most likely
- Ross: thinks Heart Wood will run a big race in the Ryanair