WITH the Festival fast approaching, it’s time to nail our colours to the mast in the championship races.
There are a couple of rock-solid favourites but we can combine them with two at bigger prices to make a decent Lucky 15.
I’ve also put in an each-way alternative if you want to tilt at a monster payout.
TUESDAY: CHAMPION HURDLE
HONEYSUCKLE is a hot favourite to win a second Champion Hurdle and it’s hard to see anything stopping the wondermare.
Some pundits say she didn’t impress when scoring at the Dublin Racing Festival but she still had almost seven lengths in hand come the line. She looks rock solid.
EACH-WAY ALTERNATIVE: EPATANTE has landed Grade 1 victories on her past two runs, we know she likes the track and she also gets the 7lb mares’ allowance. That can see her in the frame.
WEDNESDAY: CHAMPION CHASE
I put up Energumene for this earlier in the season but it’s hard to see him reversing Ascot form with SHISHKIN given that Cheltenham should suit Nicky Henderson’s star better than the Berkshire track.
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He was brilliant when winning the Arkle last season and seems to handle any ground so can land another massive prize.
EACH-WAY ALTERNATIVE: I know 3-1 is a bit skinny for an each-way bet but in a Lucky 15 ENERGUMENE makes the most sense given how far clear he is of anything in the race bar Shishkin.
Chacun Pour Soi is the only other real alternative if he can overcome his travel sickness.
THURSDAY: STAYERS’ HURDLE
I’m keeping the faith with THYME HILL in what looks a wide-open Stayers’ Hurdle.
He ran well behind Champ in the Long Walk at Ascot and has been brought along quietly all season with this race in mind.
He was a good fourth in the 2020 Albert Bartlett and has taken a Grade 2 prize at Cheltenham too.
EACH-WAY ALTERNATIVE: PAISLEY PARK rolled back the years when beating Champ here last time and the 2019 winner could finish on the podium if repeating that effort.
FRIDAY: CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP
A PLUS TARD was second to Minella Indo in this race 12 months ago when his rival and stablemate got first run and couldn’t be pegged back.
He has been in good form this season with an easy Grade 1 victory at Haydock in November and a short-head second to Galvin at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting at a time when the yard was going through a flat spell.
He can go one better than last year.
EACH-WAY ALTERNATIVE: AL BOUM PHOTO has been here, done that and has two T-shirts.
He had his usual skip around Tramore in January for a prep race and can match last year’s third at a big price.
WIN LUCKY 15
HONEYSUCKLE
SHISHKIN
THYME HILL
A PLUS TARD
EACH-WAY
EPATANTE
ENERGUMENE
PAISLEY PARK
AL BOUM PHOTO
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