1:20 – JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1) – 2m1f – 20 runners
Key Stat
Irish-trained runners have dominated this in recent years, winning the last 6 renewals. Five of those have gone to Willie Mullins.
Market Leaders
Mullins has a whopping nine runners in the race this year, including the two market leaders. PROACTIF was a winner of his sole start in France and made a winning Irish debut in January, beating stablemate MACHO MAN into second. He looked a very straightforward horse that day, travelling well and pulling out extra when challenged and ultimately winning with a bit up his sleeve. He should come on for that and will have no trouble acting on better going. MACHO MAN had also won his only start in France but he didn’t look as streetwise as PROACTIF in that contest. He came there with a strong challenge after the last but couldn’t quicken close home; he was a marginal betting favourite that day and should improve again.
Another Mullins horse who will improve a lot for their last run is second favourite SELMA DE VARY. She’s the pick of Paul Townend and shaped with conspicuous promise on her debut for the yard last time out when chasing come Narciso Has (who was a strong favourite for this race but had a setback). She made a nice move into contention there before flattening out close home having travelled well, which was to be expected given she’d been off for 3 months and her extensive experience relative to some of her stablemates – this will be her 7th run – should stand her in good stead in a race of this nature. She’s just about top-rated by Timeform, 1lb behind MINELLA STUDY.
Other Contenders
MINELLA STUDY was a winner of his only hurdle start in Ireland, scoring at Tipperary last July before moving to his current yard in October. He landed a Listed hurdle on his second start for the stable two back – idling in front- but appeared to take his form to new heights at this track last time, powering clear of his field in a fast time despite not being asked for maximum effort and being eased in the final few strides. The runner up, Winston Junior, ran very well in the Fred Winter on Tuesday and it’s hard to knock that effort, particularly as this May foal should have improved again physically in the interim. Every chance of ending the Irish dominance in this race.
HIGHLAND CRYSTAL has form that ties in with MINELLA STUDY, beating Tralee Girl further than he had at Doncaster. She also beat Saratoga last time out, who went on to beat Winston Junior in the Fred Winter, so both of those form lines look positive. She was always doing enough in front last time out and will probably enjoy taking a lead for longer.
MAESTRO CONTI also has form that ties in with MINELLA STUDY. He beat ONE HORSE TOWN – six lengths behind MINELLA STUDY in December – by two lengths in January to take his career tally to three wins from three. He will need to find a bit more here but has potential.
Interesting Outsiders
As well as the market leaders, Willie Mullins also has several at big prices. APOLON DE CHARNIE and FORTY FIFTY both make their debuts for the stable having had runs in France. They finished behind PROACTIF and MACHO MAN respectively in those efforts and it’s hard to see them reversing that form with those rivals having the benefit of a recent run, although Mullins won this last year with a similar type.
KAI LUNG won despite doing plenty wrong on his hurdles debut last time out. This speedy flat sort has been very weak in the market but he beat Saratoga in that win and might be a horse who saves his best for the track.
He had MON CRUESET behind that day but that rival made a terrible blunder two out when he was coming there to challenge which ended all chance he had. He was sent off at even money compared to 6/1 for KAI LUNG and clearly has an engine, but he can’t afford errors like that here.
MINELLA ACADEMY made a winning debut for John Nallen back in November before being sold for £370k and making the switch to Mullins. He was impressive visually there but the form is terrible.
2:00 – William Hill County Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) – 2m1f – 24 runners
Key Stat
Horses aged between 5 and 8 have won the last 10 renewals of this race. Remarkably, Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton have won 9 of the last 10 runnings.
Market Leaders
That record looks significant again as the pair dominate the market here.
KARBAU looks the stable’s first string on jockey bookings. He looked a promising horse in 2025, winning his Maiden emphatically, but couldn’t make the step up to Grade 1 company in three subsequent runs, although he finished a well-held third twice. He’s had one run this season where he finished a good second in a Grade 3 at Naas, looking to blow up a little before running on well again. He should improve for that run but I can’t see a lot in his form to suggest 150 is particularly lenient, for all that this 6-year-old retains potential.
Mullins also has MURCIA at the head of the betting. Unlike KARBAU, she was able to break through at Grade 1 level last season, winning the Juvenile Hurdle at Aintree before running well in 4th in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle at Punchestown. She’s had a couple of runs this season on bad ground, running well on seasonal debut under a hefty penalty when looking like needing the run and shaping very well in a handicap last time out. She was wide the whole way in that contest in a race where the three that beat her all raced towards the inner and did extremely well to take 4th. That should put her spot on for this contest and a bold bid looks assured.
SINNATRA is the pick of Harry Skelton. He’s got a bit to find on ratings but his win at Sandown reads well on the clock and I don’t think things really went right for him next time out when doing too much in the lead behind the very talented Act Of Innocence (Grade 1 runner up on Wednesday). He’s landed short odds since then which should have boosted his confidence and put him spot on for this, and this keen, strong-travelling sort might relish stepping out of Maiden and Novice company into a strongly-run handicap.
Skelton’s other runner TELLTHERTHENAME, is top rated according to Timeform. This will be his first start for this yard having bled on chase debut when last seen. You’re taking a bit of a chance on him now given that but his run in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth – albeit in 2024 – reads well for a horse running off a mark of 133 and carrying just 10-5.
Other Contenders
HELLO NEIGHBOUR was a good juvenile last year, winning a Grade 1 and finishing ahead of MURCIA at Punchestown in the Champion Four Year Old Hurdle. He was predictably no match for Lossiemouth and co in the December Hurdle but performed respectably and also ran well last time in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown, finishing 7th. He was well behind MURCIA there but was given plenty to do and might be coming to hand now; better ground should suit him.
That Leopardstown contest was won by BOWENSONFIRE. He’d started to look exposed despite running well in handicaps, losing six in a row, but has won his last two, beating big fields. He might be a spring/summer horse so it’s not impossible he can keep improving – a 13lb rise for last time will make things much harder, though.
SIXANDAHALF ran superbly to finish 2nd in the Dawn Run last year and has run well in three hurdles starts since without winning. I don’t think she’s really been seen to her best in those runs and as a result she is 1lb lower than her peak rating from last year. She ran well for a long way behind Woodhooh – who won here on Thursday – last time out and she should be spot on now under optimum conditions.
Interesting Outsiders
WILFUL has run good figures the last twice and continues to improve. He will enjoy this better and getting a lead for a bit longer.
NDAAWI finished second to Arkle winner Kargese in this last year but is 16lb higher now.
ABSURDE is only 9lbs higher having finished third behind NDAAWI and represents the Willie Mullins yard. He’s following the same path as last year, coming here directly from the Melbourne Cup.
SECRET SQUIRREL was running well when falling in the Betfair Hurdle last year and shaped well behind Champion Hurdle fourth Alexei under tender handling on his return in the Kingwell Hurdle last month.
2:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase (Registered As The Liberthine Mares’ Chase) (Grade 2) – 2m4½f – 9 runners
Key Stat
The Irish are unbeaten in five runnings of this race. Willie Mullins has won it 3 times.
Market Leaders
DINOBLUE won this race last year and has done little wrong this season. She was no match for Found A Fifty on her seasonal debut but has won easily on both starts since and is a standout on form and ratings. Should be very hard to beat and I’m surprised she’s not odds-on.
PANIC ATTACK has thrived since moving to the Skelton yard and has won all four chase starts for the stable. She dominated two handicaps – including at this track – prior to cantering home in a Listed chase at odds of 1/4 last time out. A very likeable mare who could still progress again despite being aged 10.
Other Contenders
SPINDLEBERRY won her first five starts over fences and looked better than ever when winning at Doncaster on her penultimate start. She was disappointing against males when pulling up in the Irish Gold Cup but this Grade 1 winning mare could easily bounce back and is very much in the reckoning here on her best form.
Interesting Outsiders
DIVA LUNA was a good novice hurdler last year, finishing third in a Grade 2 at this meeting, and has won both starts over fences. She’s been thrown in at the deep end here but clearly has plenty of ability.
3:20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) (Registered As The Spa Novices’ Hurdle) – 3m – 22 runners
Key Stat
A race that has largely swung in the favour of the Irish, with 7 wins in the past decade. 6 and 7-year-olds have dominated, winning the last nine renewals.
Market Leaders
DOCTOR STEINBERG looks a worthy favourite here. He was a wide-margin winner of a Grade 1 last time out and clearly has a big engine. He’s clear on ratings, should enjoy a strong pace and will be just as good on better ground. Plenty to like about him with the figure also coming back quick last time.
He already has a verdict over his main market rival, THEDEVILUNO. That rival has improved since when franking the form at Doncaster, powering through the race and storming clear. He was perhaps a little bit out of his ground behind Doctor Steinberg when they met so it’s possible he might make more of a race of it here off a strong pace.
Other Contenders
KAZANSKY looks a nice type but was well held by DOCTOR STEINBERG last time out.
Interesting Outsiders
JOHNNY’S JURY has done all of his winning over 2 miles but he’s got plenty of stamina in his breeding and shaped in both wins that he’ll be much better over further. He’s bred to be quite good.
4:00- Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) – 3m2½f – 11 runners
Key Stat
7 and 8-year-olds have held sway in this contest in recent years.
Market Leaders
GAELIC WARRIOR heads the betting for, you’ve guessed it, Willie Mullins. This likeable sort has had some ups and downs in his career but is admirably tough and consistent. He has plenty of talent too, as shown when winning the Aintree Bowl from GREY DAWNING last year and just being touched off in the King George two back. He wasn’t quite as good last time out in the Irish Gold Cup but it is increasingly looking like Leopardstown just isn’t his track and he ran pretty well there in the circumstances behind Fact To File. He has stamina to prove for his extreme test and I’m not sure Maxios is really sire a I’d have chosen to produce a Gold Cup winner, but on ability he has every chance.
He was two places behind THE JUKEBOX MAN in the King George but there was nothing between the pair at the line. He broke the course record that day and showed a superb attitude to rally when looking beaten, strongly suggesting with that finish, and the gallop out, that this extra distance and stiffer track will suit him. It’s hard to pick many holes in him and he must go close, although Banbridge let the form down in the Ryanair Chase on Thursday.
JANGO BAIE was half-a-length behind THE JUKEBOX MAN at Kempton but I thought he got a very bad ride there, wider than everything around a sharp track. He stuck his neck out really willingly and galloped out strongly after the line, with connections very confident he’d improve again over further. Last year’s Arkle winner is a classy sort who must run well.
Other Contenders
HAITI COULEURS was an impressive winner in handicap company at this meeting last year before landing the Irish Grand National in dominant fashion. He flopped on his only Grade 1 start of the season – reported to have bounced – but put that right with a fine weight carrying performance in the Welsh Grand National next time. He prepped perfectly for this race when dominating L’HOMME PRESSE in the Denman Chase and this hugely likeable sort is very much your archetypal, old fashioned Gold Cup horse. He has a bit to find on ratings but jumping and stamina are assured.
INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN was a very impressive winner of this race last year and looked the next big thing but this season has been a write off. He was well beaten when falling in the Irish Gold Cup, having already been behind GAELIC WARRIOR earlier in the season, and the return to this track and cheekpieces are going to need to have a major impact if he is to retain his crown.
Interesting Outsiders
GREY DAWNING had an underperforming HAITI COULEURS behind in the Betfair Chase but was somewhat disappointing in the Cotswold Chase behind SPILLANE’S TOWER last time. I don’t think GREY DAWNING was really put into the race there and has a good chance of reversing that form in a well-run race.
SPILLANE’S TOWER fought out the finish of the Cotswold Chase with L’HOMME PRESSE and looks to have a bit to find with HAITI COULEURS on that form.
4:40 – Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase 3m2½ -24 runners
Key Stat
Age is no barrier to success in this race, with eight of the last ten winners aged 10 or older.
Market Leaders
A hard race to drum up enthusiasm for, with amateur rides and trainers in abundance. Very much a race for the specialists.
WONDERWALL and ITS ON THE LINE fought out the finish to this last year and should both give bold showings again.
Other Contenders
PANDA BOY has won his last two starts in Hunter chases and comes right into this on ratings.
CON’S ROC doesn’t have much to find with ITS ON THE LINE and this 9-year-old is one of the few improvers in the field having had just 3 runs under rules.
Interesting Outsiders
STATTLER has some back class and returned to winning ways last time out.
5:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – 2m4½f – 24 runners
Key Stat
A pretty even dispersal of winners across Britain and Ireland over the last decade. Gordon Elliott has won four of the last ten renewals, including the last two.
Market Leaders
An open affair and anyone looking to get out of trouble on the last will need plenty of luck. KEL HISTOIRE placed in Graded company last year and was thought good enough to run in the Grade 1 Turners at this meeting in 2025. He’s had a couple of spins this season on heavy ground when likely to have been short of fitness and I expect to see much more from him third up off a lay-off. A mark of 137 looks within his range.
JUMP ALLEN is from the same stable as KEL HISTOIRE and hasn’t been seen since winning at Sandown last April. It’s a big ask to win this off such a break but if anyone can pull it off it’s Willie Mullins and this gelding looks the type to have improved again physically in the interim.
Other Contenders
ROC DINO is yet another Mullins runner who looks to have strong claims. His novice form reads well with El Cairos running a solid race on Tuesday and he sneaks into this contest off a low weight. I like the way he hit the line last time out and he should move forward again here.
AIR OF ENTITLEMENT won the Dawn Run here last year. She probably found the ground a bit soft on her seasonal debut before running poorly with no apparent excuse at Leopardstown last time out. She can throw in a stinker and it wouldn’t surprise me if she bounced back and went well here.
WENDROCK looks Gordon Elliott’s best chance of landing the hat-trick in this race. He ran nicely in the Fred Winter here last year and gets in here off 2lb lower. He didn’t quite cut it in Graded company on his next two starts but ran well enough to suggest a mark of 134 was within his compass and this season seems to have been building towards this. He caught the eye two back over this distance and I’d forgive him a poor effort on bad ground over 3 miles last time.
Interesting Outsiders
Elliott also runs OPEN SECRET. This flat-bred horse has progressed rapidly and his last two runs at Graded level suggest a mark of 133 can be exploited.
