'A Grade 1 winner carrying 10st, it's up to him' - clues for the Pertemps Final

Thursday: 2.10 Cheltenham Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) | 3m | 5yo+ | ITV/RTV

It is seven years since a British trainer won the Pertemps and if there is one race that bolsters the argument Irish trainers are better at plotting runners for Cheltenham handicaps, this is it.

It is very rare for horses to win a qualifier and then come on and land the final. Only two of the last 20 have done it and the best route is to qualify quietly and unleash on the big day.

Sire Du Berlais did that twice in 2019 and 2020. He finished sixth in the Leopardstown qualifier at Christmas on the first occasion and fourth in a Warwick qualifier the year after.

It was Graded races all the way for Sire Du Berlais before he finished second in last year's Stayers' Hurdle, but he is back in his favourite race in a bid to bolster his fantastic festival record. He has taken the same route as when last successful in the contest, as well.

Sire Du Berlais turned up for that Warwick qualifier in January, in which he was fourth two years ago, and filled the same position, this time behind Sporting John for the same ownership.

He is 4lb higher than for his last win here, but you could not rule out another big run.

Fergal O'Brien saddles arguably the biggest British plot in the shape of Alaphilippe.

Fifth in last year's Albert Bartlett, Alaphilippe has run only once since in a bid to protect his handicap mark and he was a place behind Sire Du Berlais in that same Warwick qualifier.

O'Brien has trained 37 winners at Cheltenham, but not one in March and that is quite a remarkable record when you consider he has had 40 festival runners. However, he has had two seconds and one was Barney Dwan, who finished runner-up in this five years ago.

Emmet Mullins saddles Winter Fog, who almost won a qualifier at Leopardstown's Dublin Racing Festival. He finished second to Panda Boy and is fitted with a hood for the first time. Mullins does not run many in a hood and his record is 2-17 with runners wearing it for the first time.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Kansas City Chief: the 'unbelievable horse' set to fly the flag for Jersey

Trainers tend to like targeting a Pertemps bid from a long way out, but for Neil Mulholland it only became a legitimate plan for the admirable Kansas City Chief on Monday.

The 13-year-old was taken to Plumpton at the start of the week on a mission to book his place in the Pertemps and he powered clear by eight lengths to set up a Cheltenham Festival tilt. The 5lb penalty for winning that 3m1f handicap hurdle was enough to sneak him in at number 21 on the list.

A return to Cheltenham is no surprise given his record here this season as he won in October and December and placed in his other two visits.

Kansas City Chief: seeking a third win at CheltenhamCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Once again, he will have the support of Jersey behind him when 7lb claimer Victoria Malzard, daughter of the island's 15-time champion trainer Alyson, carries the silks of the Jersey Racing Friends.

"If he didn't win on Monday then he wouldn't be here," said Mulholland. "Thankfully, he got the 5lb penalty and he's come out of it 100 per cent, he's perfect. He won well and he's in good order.

"I suppose it's not the ideal thing to be doing but he was bought to be a fun, family horse and he's been just that. Their dreams were to have the horse for their daughter to ride at places like Cheltenham and it's my job to keep the horse and the owners happy.

"He's an unbelievable horse and he's been as sweet as a nut, I believe a lot of people follow the horse and it's great to have him."

No trainer has been more successful in this race than three-time winner Gordon Elliott, who fields six with two-time winner Sire Du Berlais shortest in the betting.

The trainer said: "Sire Du Berlais is a dual winner of the race and arrives here in good form. Rob's [James] 7lb claim is a help and he's definitely the class horse of the race.

"Sassy Yet Classy could run well, you know. She's a very consistent mare and has really improved over the last year. She’s got a decent each-way shout. Dunboyne’s run at Leopardstown over Christmas would give him a chance too. Dallas Des Pictons always seems to run well here, while Tullybeg comes here nice and fresh and it wouldn't surprise me if he ran well."

What they say

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Ballyandy
Three miles has produced a bit of a resurgence in him.

Henry Daly, trainer of Honest Vic
I hope he runs well. He won over three miles there before, so it'd be nice if he could do again.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Third Wind
He's got the same mark as when he ran out of his skin to finish fourth, beaten by three runners from Ireland, in this race two years ago. The ground was very testing at Haydock last time but it was an encouraging run at Warwick before that and, on his best form, he's entitled to be thereabouts.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Dame De Compagnie and Mill Green
I certainly think they both have little chances. Dame De Compagnie has been working very well at home the last couple of weeks and on the day we took some horses to Kempton. There are reasons to believe there are little green shoots appearing. Mill Green has already run two fantastic races at the festival and he was very good in his qualifier as well.

Mill Green: good record at the Cheltenham FestivalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Alaphilippe
He's in good form and we're looking forward to it. I was very happy with his run at Warwick and I hope he'll build on that. He ran a cracking race when he finished fifth in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham last year.

Emmet Mullins, trainer of Winter Fog
All has been good at home and we're trying him in a first-time hood. The faster the ground, the better chance he has.

Harry Fry, trainer of If The Cap Fits
The handicapper has given him a chance. He's a Grade 1 winner turning up with 10st with Ben Bromley's 7lb claim, so it's down to him as he's got the ability. Only he knows if he's going to put it all in, so we go there in hope rather than expectation. If he's on a going day, he should be very competitive.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Pileon
He's in good form, so I hope he'll run a decent race.

Peter Fahey, trainer of Born Patriot
I think he has a great chance. Everything has gone smoothly with him and he's in great form. He had a good run in a qualifier here earlier in the season, which is a huge plus coming back here as we know he handles the track well, and he’ll be coming home stronger than most. He stays.

Jonjo O'Neill, trainer of Coeur Serein
He's in great form. I don't know if he's good enough but he's honest, he jumps and stays and I hope he'll give us a good shout.
Reporting by James Stevens

Thursday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

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2.50 Cheltenham: 'Everybody is up against it' – is there any stopping Ryanair banker Allaho?

3.30 Cheltenham: Paisley Park 'likes to have a laugh' but can he produce another miracle?

4.10 Cheltenham: 'He looks to have been overlooked' – analysis and trainer quotes for the Plate

4.50 Cheltenham: Dinoblue heads seven runners for Willie Mullins in bid to resume normal service

5.30 Cheltenham: 'He's really turned the corner' – key quotes and insight for the Kim Muir