I have looked ahead to a few of the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival and nominated five horses who I believe should be given a second look and can be considered as each-way options.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ballyadam<\/strong><\/p>\n Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, Wednesday 12th March<\/em><\/p>\n Could it be fifth time lucky at the Cheltenham Festival for Ballyadam<\/strong>? Henry de Bromhead\u2019s charge has a great record at the meeting, having finished second in the 2021 Supreme Novices\u2019 Hurdle, fifth in the 2022 and 2023 County Hurdle, and second in this race last year.<\/p>\n He is 4lb higher this year, but he\u2019s a very good horse and has undoubtedly been targeted at the race again. On the back of a nice win over the classy Saint Sam last time out, the 10-year-old represents fair each-way value at double-figure odds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Asian Master<\/strong><\/p>\n Jack Richards\u2019 Handicap Chase, Thursday 13th March<\/em><\/p>\n Fourth in last season\u2019s Supreme Novices\u2019 Hurdle, Asian Master<\/strong> looks tailor-made for this contest. The eight-year-old has shaped well in finishing third on both of his chase starts, including on chase bow behind Majborough, and looks very well handicapped off a mark of 144.<\/p>\n He brings a touch of class to the race, and the fact he has experience of Prestbury Park will be an advantage. Most of his rivals don\u2019t have the same level of form that he does heading into the contest, so he\u2019s one to consider for the all-conquering Willie Mullins team.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Win Some Lose Some<\/strong><\/p>\n Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle, Thursday 13th March<\/em><\/p>\n JP McManus has a fine record in this valuable handicap and there\u2019s a fair chance Win Some Lose Some <\/strong>will have a say in the matter.<\/p>\n The six-year-old relished the step up to three miles when beating a good field and had more in hand than the winning margin indicated at the finish.<\/p>\n This will be tougher, but he\u2019s unexposed over this trip, with more to come, and not knowing where the ceiling of his ability is, he could be one to keep in mind!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nine Graces<\/strong><\/p>\n Kim Muir Handicap Chase, Thursday 13th March<\/em><\/p>\n It would be great to see the team gain a winner at the Cheltenham Festival, and I wouldn\u2019t rule out Nine Graces <\/strong>running a big race. The eight-year-old bounded to a comfortable success at Punchestown last time out and should be even more effective over this longer trip.<\/p>\n A new personal best will be required if he\u2019s to come out on top, but he\u2019s worthy of a second look, given this is his only entry of the week at Cheltenham.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Hansard<\/strong><\/p>\n County Hurdle, Friday 14th March<\/em><\/p>\n Hansard <\/strong>is a very interesting runner in the County Hurdle, as he brings a lot of good form to the table and warmed up for this with a solid third-place finish in the Kingwell Hurdle last time out.<\/p>\n He did well to finish as close as he did considering the race wasn\u2019t run to suit, and the return to this bigger field is what he craves to be seen at his best.<\/p>\n The seven-year-old is a strong traveller and will relish the hustle and bustle. At whopping odds, he makes plenty of appeal.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I have looked ahead to a few of the handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival and nominated five horses who I believe should be given a second look and can be considered as each-way options. Ballyadam Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, Wednesday 12th March Could it be fifth time lucky at the Cheltenham Festival for Ballyadam? Henry de Bromhead\u2019s charge has a great record at the meeting, having finished second in the 2021 Supreme Novices\u2019 Hurdle, fifth in the 2022 and 2023 County Hurdle, and second in this race last year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":81,"featured_media":54857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[376],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-57153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-racing"],"yoast_head":"\n