'He's one of my main fancies of the week' - Martin Dixon backing 10-1 shot to down Martin Pipe hotpot Kopeck De Mee

Nicky Henderson's Cheltenham Festival may have been marred by the mistakes of his stable stars, but broadcaster Martin Dixon believes he will still be able to end the week on a high with No Ordinary Joe in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (5.20).

While Constitution Hill and Jonbon lost their races through jumping errors, the yard has been in rude health this week with the success of Jango Baie in the Arkle and a one-two in the Pertemps Final, and Dixon rates 10-1 shot No Ordinary Joe one of his best bets of the meeting in the concluding festival contest. 

The nine-year-old was fourth on his last start at Warwick but has a fine record in this race, finishing second to Iroko two years ago off a 1lb higher mark. He finished seventh in the race 12 months ago when the Henderson stable was out of form, and Dixon expects him to put up a bold show against favourite Kopeck De Mee. 

"He's one of my main fancies of the week in the handicaps," said Dixon on the Racing Post's Good Morning Cheltenham show. 

"Kopeck De Mee could still be anything, but he's priced up accordingly. I worked at Warwick when No Ordinary Joe won there and I thought in the paddock beforehand he wasn't fit. 

"He shaped up really well with that in mind; he loomed up to the last two hurdles, looked like he had a chance, flattened out a little in the run in and I'm sure he'll be fitter having been targeted at the race. 

"He's 1lb lower than that run and he ran okay in the race last year, considering Henderson's horses were not running well at the time. I think he'll be back to his best today, whether that's enough to beat Kopek De Mee I don't know, but you're getting all sorts of extra placings and he's a good bet."

Former jockey Daryl Jacob was keen on the chances of an even bigger-priced runner in 20-1 shot Karafon, who he rode last season as a three-year-old. 

"I love this horse," Jacob said. "I rode him last year when he came over [from France], and we finished fourth to Romeo Coolio at Leopardstown. He travelled great that day and they just sprinted away from him. 

"You can forget his last run, when he was too keen, and I'm convinced he wants to step up to two and a half miles. A mark of 135 means I'm pretty certain he's a very well-handicapped horse. He's a big price and I'm hoping he runs really well."

'Banbridge has a chance'

Also on the show, Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway did not rule out the credible threats of Banbridge and Inothewayurthinkin in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup but ultimately sided with Galopin Des Champs for a third successive win. 

Willie Mullins' flagbearer is primed for his title defence but good to soft ground will improve the chances of King George winner Banbridge and Inothewayurthinkin, who was supplemented last week for £25,000. 

"The public have really taken Galopin Des Champs into their hearts, especially after his last win at Leopardstown, but on this ground I do think Banbridge has got a chance of beating him," Rodway cautioned. 

"Things are different too with Inothewayurthinkin in the race, and I think he's got a really good chance as well of shaking him up, but I do ultimately think Galopin Des Champs will do it."

• Watch the full show

Read more:

2025 Gold Cup at the Cheltenham Festival: the runners, the odds, the verdict 

Racing Post's race-by-race guide to the best bookmaker offers on day four of the Cheltenham Festival 

'50-1 could be a crazy price' - James Stevens answers the key questions for Gold Cup day at the Cheltenham Festival 

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