Racing

Cheltenham Win 6 Preview | 12th March

13.20 Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle

BAMBINO FEVER ought to take plenty of stopping in the opener. She’s only tasted defeat once in her career which came when narrowly denied by the reopposing Oldschool Outlaw on hurdles debut who she was conceding experience and fitness to. Last year’s Champion Bumper winner can reverse the form and land the opener. If there’s an upset, the unbeaten MANGANESE shouldn’t be taken lightly stepping up in grade.

Tips: BAMBINO FEVER & MANGANESE

14.00 Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

SLADE STEEL hasn’t won in five attempts to date over fences, but he’s finished second in four of them and was unlucky to be brought down when sent off favourite in the other. The eight-year-old looks very well handicapped off a mark of 146 and the return to this venue will no doubt favour him being a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner. SIXMILEBRIDGE is the other standout class act and is played as the cover but I really like the chances of the former.

Tips: SLADE STEEL & SIXMILEBRIDGE

14.40 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle

A winner over C&D at last year’s Festival, WODHOOH appears to have plenty going for her and has won eight of her ten hurdle starts. With no Lossiemouth to contend with, Gordon Elliott must have a great chance of claiming this contest. JADE DE GRUGY finished runner-up in this race last year and must be feared. I’m expecting these two to be fighting it out at the finish.

Tips: WODHOOH & JADE DE GRUGY

15.20 Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle

BOB OLINGER ran a lovely race behind the race-fit Teahupoo on his seasonal reappearance over Christmas and will be primed for a potential repeat success. Henry de Bromhead’s star will get the race run to suit again, so despite his advancing years, the defending champion can produce another big effort. HONESTY POLICY shaped very well when third on his return in the Long Walk Hurdle and should be able to improve again to reverse the form with the winner.

Tips: BOB OLINGER & HONESTY POLICY

16.00 Ryanair Chase 

JONBON has never been out of the first two in all career starts and has 12 Grade 1 wins to his name. With his trainer in great form with three winners on the board at the Festival and never being beaten beyond two miles, surely this great chaser has leading claims. He’s also unbeaten beyond two miles. BANBRIDGE went close to retaining his King George crown and won’t mind dropping down in distance, so he’s the other to note.

Tips: JONBON & BANBRIDGE

16.40 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle

YEAH MAN is very lightly-raced over hurdles and warmed up for this with a spin over hurdles in a Grade 3 event at Gowran Park last month. He ran a hell of a race on his first run over hurdles for more than a year when a narrow second in another qualifier at Leopardstown in December, so he could be set to make a splash. Top weight STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT and the progressive C’EST DIFFERENT are others to consider.

Tips: YEAH MAN, STAFFORDSHIRE KNOT & C’EST DIFFERENT