Can the Irish carry off another big Cheltenham handicap prize?

Friday: 4.15 CheltenhamAbu Dhabi Digital Exchange Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f | 3yo+ | RTV

We became accustomed to seeing Irish-trained runners dominate at Cheltenham last season and that was particularly true in handicaps, which should have been a level playing field.

County Meath-based trainer John McConnell didn’t get in on the Irish act at the festival, but he did saddle Some Neck to finish third in the cross-country race and his Streets Of Doyen also filled the same position in the Albert Bartlett. That enhanced a super record at the track.

McConnell sent out Streets Of Doyen to win at this meeting last year and then had Some Neck and Make Good both win here in December. That made it four winners from 18 runners at the track since the start of 2018 and he has had another five hit the frame from that sample.

It’s therefore no surprise his Mullaghmore Wave, the only Irish representative in the race, is towards the head of the overnight market as she attempts a hat-trick of handicap wins.

The British handicappers came under fire for the Irish success in handicaps at last season's festival and Mullaghmore Wave has been hit with a mark that is 18lb higher than the Irish rating from which she was successful at Downpatrick in August. Will that prove enough?

Likely market rival Art Approval is also on a hat-trick, but he is only 3lb higher than when last successful at Exeter in April. That was a weak race, but Art Approval did well to win considering the trip would have been shorter than ideal, and this extra three furlongs will suit.

Evan Williams: Coole Cody's trainerCredit: Gareth Everett

The final word goes to Coole Cody, who won the Paddy Power Gold Cup over fences at the November meeting 11 months ago and races off a mark 2lb lower than for that success, back over hurdles. He was fit from a summer campaign last year, but now makes his seasonal bow.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

John McConnell, trainer of Mullaghmore Wave
She's stepping up in class but is a progressive mare who we've freshened up since her last start. Brian Hayes travels over to ride her and I think the stiff uphill finish should suit well.

Martin Keighley, trainer of Found On
I think she's got a decent chance. It was a good first run back after the summer when she won at Warwick and she wants further; that was over two miles, so two and a half will really suit. She was unlucky at this meeting last year when she fell two out when holding every chance and she'll like the ground. She's very fit and well.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Art Approval
He won two for us last term and it's his first run of the season, while the landlord [Rupert Lowe], who owns him, thinks there's only one track to be at, which is Cheltenham.

Kevin Frost, trainer of Calvinist
I think Cheltenham have had all the rain they are supposed to have, so if it dried out to good, or even quicker, it would be ideal for us. If we're ever going to be competitive or beat these type of horses, it's going to be now when we've had plenty of runs, and some of these are coming back for their first runs. He's not a very big or robust horse, but we've always fancied trying him in a better race off 10st, and he gets his chance.
Reporting by James Burn

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