The Cheltenham Jury: Ursa's trainers and jockeys have their say!
Just days remain until the Cheltenham Festival - so we asked some of Ursa’s trainers, jockeys and freinds to give us their verdicts on the action!
As always, they were more than happy to oblige - lets hope they can put you on some winners!
Who’s your banker of the meeting?
Craig Talbot, racing manager: “Without the obvious ones, Stattler will take all the beating in the National Hunt Chase.”
Michael Keady, assistant trainer to Mike Murphy: “Allaho in the Ryanair.”
Grant Tuer, trainer: “Saint Sam in the Arkle. He’s owned by Ed Ware who has a horse with me. He has Cheltenham previous, will gallop up the hill and stays beyond 2m. He may find one too quick, but he is guaranteed to give your each way bet a run for its money.”
Phil Dennis, jockey: “Constitution Hill. Start as you mean to go on in race one.”
Tim Walford, racing legend: “L’Homme Presse.”
Mark Walford, trainer: “L’Homme Presse. I have been very impressed with this horse this season and he has course form and solid jumping. He is in two of the novices and both will be fiercely competitive, but I think he can give them all a race.”
Jason Hart, jockey: “Honeysuckle.”
Rebecca Menzies, trainer: “Vauban.”
Katie Scott, trainer: “I really cannot see Allaho getting beat in the Ryanair and although he’s not any price for a sociable gambler like myself, he would be my banker for the festival.”
Sam Coltherd, jockey: “Allaho.”
Micky Hammond, trainer: “Bob Olinger.”
Becky Smith, assistant trainer to Micky Hammond: “Shishkin in Queen Mother champion chase.”
Ruby Walsh after winning on Yorkhill
How about one at a nice price in a handicap?
Craig Talbot: “State Man in the Coral Cup - I hope that’s where he lines up as that’s where I have backed him.”
Michael Keady: “Britzka in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap.”
Grant Tuer: “No idea!”
Phil Dennis: “Sire Du Berlais has been laid out for the Pertemps again.”
Tim Walford: “Aye Right in the Ultima.”
Mark Walford: “I like the look of Petit Tonerre in the Boodles. He won very well at Compiegne before moving to Jonjo and he won a juvenile hurdle at Market Rasen where he travelled very well before making a mistake at the last. He still got up and 138 looks very workable.”
Jason Hart: “Winter Fog in the Coral Cup.”
Rebecca Menzies: “West Cork in the County Hurdle.”
Katie Scott: “Looking towards the handicaps for a bit of value I like the look of Banbridge who ranges between 16’s and 20’s for his handicap entries. This 6yo has been improving nicely for O’Brien. He has ran well in big fields which will stand him in good stead among all the hustle and bustle of a festival handicap. I have also like Run Wild Fred this season but there doesn’t seem to be much value in his price at the moment.”
Sam Coltherd: “Couer Sublime in the Grand Annual.”
Micky Hammond: “Schieallion Munro who we have in the Plate.”
Becky Smith: “HMS Seahorse in the Fred Winter.”
Nico De Boinville celebrates another win on Altior
A hot pot you think could get turned over
Craig Talbot: “Tiger Roll, 7/4 is not for me.”
Michael Keady: “Facile Vega. Mighty impressive at Leopardstown and a big talking horse prior to his first run being out of Quevega. But Gordon and Jamie Codd think the world of American Mike who has been just as impressive. This is a very deep race with Mullins likely to have two or three stars in it so at that price I will take him on.”
Grant Tuer: “Shishkin for me.”
Phil Dennis: “Flooring Porter will get beat by Paisley Park - if he jumps off!”
Tim Walford: “Thyme Hill could get beat in the Stayers’.”
Mark Walford: ”I could see Constitution Hill being turned over in the Supreme. Not because I doubt his ability, but purely because there are a number of horses in the race with untapped potential and to me it is difficult to pick a clear favourite.”
Jason Hart: “A Plus Tard.”
Rebecca Menzies: “Tiger Roll.”
Katie Scott: “I can see favourite Edwardstone getting turned over in the Arkle. He has been a revelation since going over fences and very reliable but I just think something with a bit more class could well beat him on the big day. The stat doing the rounds this week that Alan King has saddled 86 runners at the festival since his last winner will be haunting him! I like Saint Sam in this at an EW price, I thought if Mullins can make his jumping a bit slicker he could be bang there.”
Sam Coltherd: “Facile Vega will get turned over. American Mike will win.”
Micky Hammond: “Edwardstone.”
Becky Smith: “I was going to say Minella Crooner in the Albert Bartlett but sadly he is ruled out now.”
The iconic winners’ enclosure
Will British horses fare any better?
Craig Talbot: “Not this year, but things will even themselves out eventually.”
Michael Keady: “I think we can better 2021 and the five winners, but only by one or two. We have plenty of live chances in the handicaps so hopefully we can pick one or two up there and then we have some big chances with the likes of Constitution Hill, Edwardstone, Shishkin, Bravemansgame and Hillcrest.”
Mike Murphy: “I don’t believe we have the firepower, so Irish domination again.”
Grant Tuer: “The Irish will dominate.”
Phil Dennis: “British are still way too weak. We are relying on Nicky Henderson and Bravemansgame for Paul Nicholls.”
Tim Walford: “I think the Irish will fare best but they won’t be as dominant as last year.”
Mark Walford: “I think the Irish will dominate but I expect the English to be much more competitive. It won’t be a whitewash!”
Jason Hart: “I think Ireland will still fare better but Britain will have more winners this year compared to last.”
Rebecca Menzies: “I think it is more open than last year. We have had a great season weather wise and horses have been campaigned without interruption. I hope Bravemansgame can win and horses such as Aye Right and Tommy’s Oscar are overpriced.”
Katie Scott: “I think it will be hard for British horses again at this years at the festival. The handicappers have moved to try and ensure the ratings system is fairer for the British competitors but that move has swiftly backfired as now many British entries are going to be balloted out of the handicaps behind their higher rated Irish counterparts. And one things for sure, you can’t win if your not in. I think we have a few live chances though and I will definitely be cheering on the northern raiders and hoping for some British successes. “
Sam Coltherd: “The Irish will still dominate the majority of races.”
Micky Hammond: “Yes they will do.”
Becky Smith: “Only slightly.”
Denman returns to see his loyal fans parading before racing in 2016
Your favourite Cheltenham moment?
Craig Talbot: “Denman’s Gold Cup. He was absolutely amazing and nothing would have beaten him that day. He galloped and jumped them into the ground. Master Minded’s first Champion Chase was electric too.”
Michael Keady: “Denman winning the 2008 Gold Cup.”
Grant Tuer: “Me finishing third in the Foxhunters in 2000. I hit the front halfway up the run in and got beat. If only I had put blinkers on him….”
Phil Dennis: “Watching the Kauto, Denman, Exotic Dancer era. Proper Gold Cup renewals.”
Tim Walford: “About 50 years ago when a mare called Queen’s Guide won the Foxhunters.”
Jason Hart: “Kauto Star, Denman and Long Run jumping two out together in the Gold Cup.”
Rebecca Menzies: “Divers winning the Byrne Group Novicess’ Handicap Chase in 2011.”
Katie Scott: “My favourite Cheltenham moment was the Queen Mother in 2005. The races that season between Moscow Flyer, Azertyuiop and the young pretender Well Chief were enthralling and just fantastic to watch. Top class two mile chasing really is the pinnacle of jumps racing.”
Sam Coltherd: “I’ll give you my worst Cheltenham moment instead - buying a bottle of pink champagne for £189!”
Micky Hammond: “Sea Pigeon winning under John Francome.”
Becky Smith: “Harchibald, jockeyship at its finest.”