'They all have chances' - King triple-handed in bid to improve Cheltenham record

Saturday: 3.35 Cheltenham
Close Brothers Mares' Handicap Hurdle | 2m4½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Alan King launches a three-pronged assault on this mares' handicap hurdle, but he may need that numerical advantage given his recent record at Cheltenham.

The home of jump racing hasn’t been kind to the Wiltshire trainer in recent years, and from a total of 151 runners he has posted just ten winners.

King has a strike-rate of 15 per cent at tracks where he has had 100 runners or more in the last five years, but is operating at just seven per cent at Cheltenham in the same time frame.

The form of two of his runners ties in nicely, as Wynn House defeated Hotter Than Hell at Wincanton last month. When taking jockey Harry Kimber’s claim into consideration, Hotter Than Hell meets her stablemate on 3lb better terms here, although she is the more exposed of the two.

King's third runner is Her Indoors, who won a Grade 3 fillies' handicap hurdle over shorter to end last season. She has stamina to prove over half a mile further than she has tackled previously.

The class horse is Indefatigable, who won the 2020 Martin Pipe over course and distance off 145, the same mark she races off here. This is a far cry from a competitive festival handicap hurdle and it would be no surprise if she bounced back from her latest Grade 2 defeat.

Last year’s running went the way of the Lucy Wadham stable and Martello Sky, a course-and-distance winner last term, looks to provide the yard with back-to-back victories.

In runs against her own sex over hurdles, she is 3-4, with the sole defeat coming at the Cheltenham Festival, so she’ll be more comfortable at this level.

The market is headed by Trapista, a French import who was impressive on her British debut for Jonjo O’Neill at Huntingdon. Connections will hope an opening mark of 131 underestimates her.
Race analysis by Owen Goulding

Indefatigable wins the West Yorkshire Hurdle at WetherbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

Webber hopeful Indefatigable can bounce back

Paul Webber has put Indefatigable through a full MOT since her head-scratching flop at Newbury last time and is hoping she can bounce back in a race she finished runner-up in 2019.

The eight-year-old heads the weights as she faces her own sex for the first time since finishing an excellent fourth at this venue in the Mares' Hurdle at the festival in March.

After a resolute win in the Grade 2 West Yorkshire Hurdle on her return to jumping at Wetherby in October, Indefatigable then trailed in a long last of the six runners behind Thomas Darby in the Grade 2 Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury.

The trainer said on Friday: “We’ve been unable to find anything to explain why she ran so badly at Newbury. Daryl Jacob just got on her that day and said at no stage did she feel the same as at Wetherby. Since then, we’ve scoped, done bloods and checked her ovaries but found absolutely nothing. Daryl rode her out this morning and said she felt fantastic.”

Webber added: “I thought we’d go to Cheltenham with her again as she always runs well around there and she’s back against her own sex. It was either this or a Grade 1 at Ascot next week but we thought that may have been a tall order after a disappointment. She was second to Dame De Compagnie in this two years ago and is off the same weight.”

What they say

Lucy Wadham, trainer of Martello Sky
She won well on her return at Market Rasen and did so again on attritional ground at Aintree last time when she finished upside two Cheltenham Festival winners. She’s on her highest mark but is a previous course-and-distance winner and we’re hopeful of a good run.

Alan King, trainer of Wynn House, Hotter Than Hell and Her Indoors
It’s not often we run three in a race, but all go there with chances. Wynn House and Hotter Than Hell were first and second at Wincanton last month and look sure to be thereabouts again. We also have Her Indoors, who was progressive last year and ran well in a Listed hurdle over two miles last time. The way she finished off there suggests this step up in trip should suit.

Ben Case, trainer of Midnightreflection
She ran well to be third on her return. This trip may be a bit sharp, but she stays well and goes there with a little each-way shout.

Jonjo O’Neill, trainer of Trapista
She won well first time for us at Huntingdon over this sort of trip and this looked the natural next step. I don’t know how good that form is, but she’s been in great form since.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Lust For Glory
I thought going back over hurdles is the type of thing she might enjoy after her last two starts. She seems in good order.

Jamie Snowden, trainer of Anythingforlove
She’s back over hurdles and is not without a chance especially if they get the rain that is forecast as she thrived on heavy ground last year.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Runasimi River
She’s up in grade but is a tough and consistent mare who hopefully can make her presence felt. She is at the bottom of the handicap which should help, and we’ll give it a go.
Reporting by David Milnes

Read all of Saturday's previews:

12.40 Cheltenham: 'With a clear run, he'll win' - Skelton seeks to move on from shock Drogo defeat

1.50 Cheltenham: 'He's a player' - trainer insight on a quality Racing Post Gold Cup

2.25 Cheltenham: Is it wise to back Byrnes or should we look elsewhere for Albert Bartlett clues?

2.40 Doncaster: 'I hope he's got the wow factor' - Porticello out to cement Triumph claims

3.00 Cheltenham: 'She loves Cheltenham and so do we' - International Hurdle quotes and insight

Upping The Ante star Gavin Lynch joins the Racing Post roster for a weekly Saturday column throughout the jumps season. He'll offer a guide to the weekend action, highlight the horses and races to watch and share his punting wisdom. Read it every Saturday in the Racing Post or online from 4pm every Friday, exclusively for Members' Club subscribers. Sign up to Members' Club here for more top jumps season insight.