Racing
Cheltenham Win 6 Preview | 13th March
13.20 JCB Triumph Hurdle
MAESTRO CONTI has won all three starts and was a very good winner over C&D on Trials Day in spite of being hampered and racing a little keen. I liked the way he quickened up the hill and that will serve him well heading into this tougher assignment. HIGHLAND CRYSTAL is another that has yet to taste defeat and has continued to get better with each start. She will love the soft ground and she’s a strong finisher. She also did very well to beat subsequent winner Saratoga last month.
Tips: MAESTRO CONTI & HIGHLAND CRYSTAL
14.00 William Hill County Handicap Hurdle
Off a low weight, and good form to his name, SECRET SQUIRREL could run well. He produced good form in top-end handicaps last season, including when beating Kabral Du Mathan at Windsor on soft ground. That’s a serious piece of form and his latest third in the Kingwell Hurdle was a fully respectable pipe-opener. He can go well, while KARBAU and the capable TRIPOLI FLYER are others to consider.
Tips: KARBAU, SECRET SQUIRREL & TRIPOLI FLYER
14.40 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase
Ben Pauling’s DIVA LUNA has an excellent record on soft ground which reads figures of 121211 and is unbeaten in two Chase starts (both Listed events). Her trainer and jockey are having a superb season and enjoyed a lovely winner here yesterday. This mare has course winning form and placed at the Festival last year so she appeals to me. Last year’s winner DINOBLUE is played as the cover.
Tips: DIVA LUNA & DINOBLUE
15.20 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
DOCTOR STEINBERG can deliver the goods in the Albert Bartlett. The six-year-old is unbeaten in three starts over hurdles and absolutely destroyed his rivals in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown last month. He’s stepping up in trip but he will probably improve for it and already has the beating of a few of these.
Tips: DOCTOR STEINBERG
16.00 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase
THE JUKEBOX MAN is unbeaten in four chase starts and was a determined winner of the King George. He can make a bold bid. The Rebecca Curtis-trained HAITI COULEURS had that one blip in the Betfair Chase but otherwise he’s done very little wrong over fences and must be given a chance given he won at this meeting last year and has progressed at a rate of knots since. The Irish and Welsh National winner must have every chance. GREY DAWNING is no back-number at big odds despite his blip last time out.
Tips: THE JUKEBOX MAN, HAITI COULEURS & GREY DAWNING
CON’S ROC beat a very good horse on rules debut in this sphere in December 2024 and the runner-up finished third in this race last year to advertise the strength of the former. He then returned from nearly a year off to score by 17 lengths at Fairyhouse in November when stepped up to three miles before staying on strongly to finish third at Down Royal in December behind Its On The Line. In first-time cheekpieces, I’m confident a big run is on the cards.
Tips: CON’S ROC
