Will change of plan pay off for JP McManus and 'Ballymore horse' in Martin Pipe?

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle | 2m4½f | 4yo | ITV/RTV

After Gentleman De Mee's four-and-a-half-length victory at Naas on his Irish debut last month, Willie Mullins said: "He would look like a Ballymore horse to me."

It's hard to believe such lofty aspirations weren't derived from stellar homework rather than dominating inferior opposition.

Instead of going for glory in Wednesday's Grade 1 novice event, which was won impressively by Bob Olinger, Mullins and owner JP McManus had a change of heart and will look to take advantage of what could prove an extremely lenient opening handicap mark of 139 in the Martin Pipe. The swell of money in the last week has cut his price in half.

Although his reputation is an important factor to consider, victory in this race for a horse so inexperienced is almost unprecedented.

The last five-year-old to enter the roll of honour with a similar profile was Sir Des Champs (2011), who justified strong market support for Mullins after one victory over 2m. Ten years on and we could have a carbon-copy result.

His main market rival could be the Dan Skelton-trained Langer Dan. Eligible for a £50,000 bonus after winning the Imperial Cup with consummate ease on Saturday, Langer Dan is in-form and improving and, running under a penalty, has 5lb in hand of the handicapper. Recent exertions may take their toll, though.

The Irish have dominated this race in recent years, winning three of the last four editions. Early Doors (2019) was the latest victor for the challengers and his trainer, Joseph O'Brien, has a couple of huge chances to repeat the feat in Floueur and Fire Attack.

Floueur, a big chaser in the making, joined O'Brien from Gordon Elliott ahead of the festival and should relish quicker conditions.

Fire Attack gets the assistance of talented rider Oakley Brown, who recorded his biggest victory for connections when he landed a Grade B chase on Mortal last August.

In a race full of conditional jockeys, the difference in talent between the best and worst rider is far clearer than usual. Brown would be towards the top of that list.

Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Floueur & Fire Attack
Fire Attack is dropping into a handicap for the first time. He seems in good form and we're hoping he goes well. Floueur hasn't been with us long. He's settled in well and we've been pleased with him since he's arrived.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Eglantine Du Seuil, Amour De Nuit & Fabulous Saga
Eglantine Du Seuil has been running okay and loves Cheltenham and better ground but she's probably as high as she wants to be, she's got plenty of weight. The same would apply to Amour De Nuit, he's been running consistently but he's right on the fringe of his limit handicap-wise. Fabulous Saga has been a bit disappointing. He was off for a long time and he didn't really take to jumping fences, so we're putting our toe in the water a bit.

David Pipe, trainer of Leoncavallo, First Lord De Cuet & Martinhal
Leoncavallo hasn't run over hurdles yet for us but this has been the plan to give him a break and then bring him back fresh. We're pleased with his progress and he won't mind the ground. First Lord Du Cuet won nicely at Wincanton last time. I don't think he'll mind the ground and he stays well, so he's a lively outsider. Martinhal has won his last two. He'd probably want it softer but he's at the bottom of the weights and he deserves to take his chance.

Denise Foster, trainer of Dallas Des Pictons & Frontal Assault
Dallas Des Pictons was second in this two years ago. It's been a struggle for him since. Cheltenham might hopefully spark a revival. Frontal Assault is a very strong stayer. It was a tough effort from him at Navan. He wants further, but there won't be too many finishing better than him.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Galopin Des Champs, Gentleman De Mee
Galopin Des Champs could have a favourable handicap mark. I think he’ll be fine on the ground and for this race we have two very good pilots with Sean O’Keeffe on him. That’s a huge bonus. Gentleman De Mee could be nicely handicapped. I thought he could have been good enough for the Ballymore at this meeting. Simon [Torrens] is riding great at the moment and with a bit of luck won’t be far away. He can be keen so we’ve put a hood on to help.

Gavin Cromwell, trainer of Gabynako
Hopefully, he has a chance. I think he’s fairly rated and should be suited by the race. We have a good jockey on board as well.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Mill Green & Adjali
Mill Green ran well in the race last year, so we’re hoping he can do the same again. Adjali put in a good performance over fences a couple of weeks ago and he’ll enjoy coming back over hurdles for this race.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Whatsupwithyou
He's gained plenty of handicap experience this season and ran well at Cheltenham in November. He has what you need to be competitive in a race like this as they go a furious gallop. He's hard and will give his all.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Langer Dan
I didn’t think he’d get into this race but we decided with the owner that if we got into the race we’d give it a go. This is not a long-term plan – the aim had been to try and win the Imperial Cup – so we won’t know how he gets on until he actually runs, but he’s in good form after that race. We all know it’s a quick turnaround but we’re happy with him.

Fergal O'Brien, trainer of Golden Taipan
He had been doing okay over fences and we went back to hurdles last time when the two-mile trip at Newbury was probably a bit sharp for him. We got into the race and it's worth giving it a shot.
Reporting by Peter Scargill

Friday's race previews:

The most extraordinary ordinary horse on the cusp of racing immortality (Members' Club)

Henrietta Knight: I can't really see who is going to beat Al Boum Photo (Members' Club)

1.20 Cheltenham: Tom Collins breaks down a major match-up between Zanahiyr and Tritonic

1.55 Cheltenham: stick with Mullins and Skelton to solve puzzle in typically difficult handicap

2.30 Cheltenham: 'I'm sweet on him and he's a massive price' – focus on wide-open Albert Bartlett

3.05 Cheltenham: Al Boum Photo bids to join jumping legends as he chases historic hat-trick

Can shy champion Al Boum Photo create Cheltenham Gold Cup history? (Members' Club)

3.40 Cheltenham: O'Sullivan confident It Came To Pass can successfully defend Cheltenham crown

4.15 Cheltenham: can Willie Mullins extend his superiority in mares' festival races to the chase?