Cheltenham is Here!

     Adagio - Runs in the Champion Hurdle

The wait is finally over and we have reached day one of the Cheltenham Festival.  The stable has two runners at Prestbury Park with Adagio contesting the big one, the Champion hurdle at 3.30pm.  While we all have Honeysuckle the reigning champion and odds on favourite to try to beat which is an enormous task we hope to have a very good each way chance.  Our five year old, second in the triumph hurdle twelve months ago, loves the course and put a terrific weight carrying performance at the track back in November to finish a close second in the Greatwood hurdle.  An injury setback in December put plans on hold a little this season but he returned with another super effort to finish second in the Kingwell hurdle at Wincanton to Goshen last month.  His preparation wasn’t ideal going into that race so it was a cracking effort and thankfully he has had a smooth run since then and should improve for that outing.  He is in good form at home and we are going there with a live each way chance.  We know the huge task in front of us but fingers crossed he can do us all proud.

Gericault Roque runs in the 2.50pm Ultima handicap chase over three miles.  Our six year old novice chaser has done little run in four outings this season over fences without quite getting his head in front but has improved with every start.  Last time out he was second in the Classic chase at Warwick and we have given him a little break since then.  He is also bouncing at home and while this gorgeous big horse is definitely a horse for the future he looks to have a good way chance this afternoon in a competitive race.  Tom Scu rides both of our runners and hopefully they put in a good performance and come back safe which is the main thing.

We have our marquee at the Cheltenham Festival once again and are looking forward to welcoming 150 guests every day this week.  We hope to give everyone some expert tips from some guest panellists before racing and it will be good to see some familiar faces after not being at the track last year.  I am sure there will be some roar as the runners set off in the opening race, the Supreme hurdle at 1.30pm.

In yesterday’s action, Morgenstern put in his best effort to date to finish second at Stratford while Al Roc also returned to a bit of form to finish a never nearer third.  Dell’arca finished third at Plumpton while Ladykiller took a heavy fall at the last flight of hurdles at Taunton.  Although being a little stiff and sore this morning as you might expect he is thankfully not too bad and with some physio and sauna sessions he should be absolutely fine.

Away from the action at Cheltenham there is jumping action up at Sedgefield and Philip Armson goes up there to ride and there is also two flat all-weather meetings at Newcastle and Southwell.

Where ever you are watching the Cheltenham, live at the racecourse or from the comfort of your sofa in front of the TV – enjoy the action and be lucky!