Cheltenham hotpots – assessing the horses likely to be popular in festival accas in March, plus David Jennings' verdict
It might be cold, dark and treacherous outside but the beacon of the Cheltenham Festival burns brightly on the horizon. Not long to go, my friends.
After a blockbuster Christmas period on the track the festival's big races are starting to take shape, and a handful of horses are already looking like good things for the week's biggest prizes.
Here we assess five heavyweights who are Cheltenham-bound and likely to feature in some short-priced festival accas . . .
Sir Gino
Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices' Chase, Tuesday March 11 (2.00)
Form: 111-11
Strengths: What could have been a winter of discontent for Nicky Henderson turned into a festive period to remember, and the unbeaten Sir Gino has been the beating heart of a brilliant spell at Seven Barrows. With Constitution Hill ruled out of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle Sir Gino stepped into the breach to land the Newcastle Grade 1 with aplomb before his attention was turned to fences. His next run at Kempton over Christmas left jaws on the floor, oozing class on his chase debut as he destroyed Ballyburn with a dominant, thrilling performance. All roads now lead to the Arkle, and Henderson appears to have another superstar on his hands.
Weaknesses: There doesn't seem to be many, given how well he took to fences at Kempton. As always, his biggest rivals are likely to come from across the Irish Sea. Last year's Triumph winner Majborough, who also made a fine chase debut at Fairyhouse last month for Willie Mullins, could prove to be the main danger.
What they say
Nicky Henderson, trainer (after Sir Gino's Kempton win)
"It was frightening. I think he learned over the first couple of fences and then leading wasn't the plan. We thought we'd sit on Ballyburn's tail and wait until the straight to have a crack, but he was just so exuberant and he was having fun. So far he's done nothing wrong and he's unblemished. He's always been a very, very talented horse and he has so much scope."
Odds: 4-5
Constitution Hill
Champion Hurdle, Tuesday March 11 (4.00)
Form: 11/1-1
Strengths: The king is back, long live the king. Constitution Hill has become the main character in jump racing's very own soap opera, with trainer Nicky Henderson and his A4 printer key supporting cast members. Having been off the track since December 2023, missing last year's Cheltenham Festival, many feared the worst when Constitution Hill was then scratched from the Fighting Fifth. However, he made it to his next assignment in the Christmas Hurdle on Boxing Day and emphatically returned to winning ways, comfortably seeing off Lossiemouth, who had been seen as his biggest competition when it comes to regaining his Champion Hurdle crown in March. After a long spell off the track, surely he will come on for the run, too.
Weaknesses: Constitution Hill was given a Racing Post Rating of 162 for his Boxing Day win, which is 15lb lower than he was awarded for his 2023 Champion Hurdle win. Lossiemouth also didn't seem to run her race at Kempton so will likely be a different proposition if reopposing at Cheltenham, while Brighterdaysahead has now thrashed last year's champion State Man twice and looks like a major player. But perhaps Constitution Hill's biggest weakness is his own fragility, and getting him to the festival in one piece will be half of the job.
What they say
Nicky Henderson, trainer (reflecting on the Christmas Hurdle)
"You couldn't have hoped for better – that would've been impossible. It was nice to see that it all still works. Someone told me 'Form is temporary, class is permanent'."
Odds: 5-6
Jonbon
Queen Mother Champion Chase, Wednesday March 12 (4.00)
Form: 211-11
Strengths: It feels like Jonbon has been around forever and the Nicky Henderson-trained nine-year-old has been a model of consistency, with 16 wins from his 19 appearances under rules. He seems to get better with age and recorded a career-high RPR of 174 for his most recent Grade 1 success in last month's Tingle Creek, an imperious performance which solidified his place at the top of the Champion Chase market. With plenty of question marks over his potential rivals, this looks like the perfect time for him to finally break his duck at the Cheltenham Festival.
Weaknesses: Jonbon has run into two very good horses in Constitution Hill and El Fabiolo on his two festival appearances to date, but was also beaten at Cheltenham in last year's Clarence House by Elixir De Nutz after being sent off 1-4 favourite. The Champion Chase picture looks the least clear out of the championship races and Jonbon could still be lining up against some stellar opposition, with El Fabiolo yet to be seen this year, Energumene back after a lengthy absence, Il Est Francais a potential curveball and Gaelic Warrior arguably his biggest danger. It won't be easy.
What they say
Nico de Boinville, jockey (after the Tingle Creek)
"What a horse. To win back-to-back Tingle Creeks is quite something. He really did find a lot there and his jumping is getting better and better. It was probably a miscommunication at the second, but that was it. He was making up lengths over his fences. It was gruelling out there but he's a hardy horse and really maturing."
Odds: 9-4
Teahupoo
Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, Thursday March 13 (4.00)
Form: /11-12
Strengths: The current cream of the staying division, Teahupoo's claims of retaining his Stayers' Hurdle crown in March have been strengthened without him having to do an awful lot. Gordon Elliott's star eight-year-old has only been seen once this season, when he was beaten but not disgraced as he went down to Lossiemouth in the Hatton's Grace Hurdle at Fairyhouse when bidding for a hat-trick in the race. In the meantime, nobody else has been able to put their hands up as serious Stayers' Hurdle rivals, with Crambo winning the Long Walk again and Home By The Lee landing the Savills Hurdle at Leopardstown. You'd imagine both would have their work cut out against Teahupoo.
Weaknesses: It is hard to make a case against him winning the Stayers' again, unless there is something lurking in the long grass to take him down. As it stands, he looks rock-solid.
Odds: 13-8
Galopin Des Champs
Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, Friday March 14 (4.00)
Form: 11-231
Strengths: The king. Galopin Des Champs is bidding to emulate Best Mate with a hat-trick of Gold Cup wins in March and he has the rest of the staying chase division running scared, with only 19 entered for the Cheltenham Festival showpiece. His seasonal bow in the John Durkan saw him finish third behind Fact To File and Spillane's Tower, prompting some to question if he was about to be dethroned by some younger, progressive models. The doubters were soon made to look silly as Galopin Des Champs delivered a monstrous performance in the Savills Chase, roaring away from them at Leopardstown with an ominous display of power and precision. The one they have to beat once again.
Weaknesses: Galopin's Gold Cup credentials are rock-solid, and if he turns up at his best he is going to be very tough to beat. Could stablemate Fact To File be the fly in the ointment? His Ryanair entry suggests connections have their doubts.
Whay they say
Paul Townend, jockey (after the Savills Chase)
"What more can we say about him? He does all the talking himself. He has this will to win, he puts his head down and he was like a terrier up the straight. There's a good crop of horses coming, but that performance and the feel I was getting off him today, he's going to take a lot of beating anywhere."
Odds: 11-10
David Jennings' expert verdict
Sir Gino – Arkle
If you weren't impressed by what Sir Gino did at Kempton then get yourself down to Specsavers. They have great offers this time of year for both glasses and contact lenses. The stronger, the better.
He was electric over Christmas and the thing I loved about him was the way he learnt from his mistake at the first. He's a beast, pure and simple, and I could see him dominating the 2m chasing division for the next few seasons.
Verdict: YES
Constitution Hill – Champion Hurdle
It's just a price thing. He's the most talented horse in the race, of that there can be no doubt, but he's obviously not the healthiest. Do you want to be taking odds-on now about a race more than two months away? If he were the price he is now on the day, I would be more than happy to take it and pop him in an accum. But, right now, I'd give it a miss.
Verdict: NO
Jonbon – Champion Chase
He might win, but will he be much shorter on the day than he is now? Gaelic Warrior is the one who scares me. Arkle winners have a terrific record in the following season's Champion Chase and it seems to be that everything has been geared towards getting him cherry ripe for one day and one day only this season. I'd prefer to back Gaelic Warrior at 9-2 than Jonbon at 9-4 at this stage.
Verdict: NO
Teahupoo – Stayers' Hurdle
What's going to beat him? I can't find anything, can you? He might not be Big Buck's or Inglis Drever but he's a proper stayer who knows how to get the job done these days and it is hard to envisage anything coming out of the pack to take his crown. Unless, of course, Ballyburn does a U-turn.
Verdict: YES
Galopin Des Champs – Gold Cup
He's been there, done that and is about to get his third t-shirt. Fact To File could find the extra two furlongs of a Gold Cup catching him out, that's if he doesn't go for the Ryanair, while Galopin's already proven he is better than Gerri Colombe and the likes.
Verdict: YES
The Cheltenham hotpot treble
A Cheltenham Festival treble of Sir Gino (Arkle), Teahupoo (Stayers') and Galopin Des Champs (Gold Cup) can be backed at 8-1 (bet365).
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Published on inCheltenham Festival
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