Charlie McCann’s Tips
Charlie heads to the Cheltenham Festival on Wednesday for his best bet
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Latest Profit & Loss Figures
A good start to the week but a disappointing weekend ended with a profit for week-ending Sunday, 8 March, of +£5.87 profit to a £1 level stake.
Latest Profit & Loss for the week ending Sunday, 8 March, 2026
- Cumulative profit since August 1, 2022: +£1,510.22
- Week ending Sunday, 8 March: +£5.87
- March 2026 to date: +£13.87
- Year 2026 to date: +£120.01
- Year 2025 ended: +£312.73
- Year 2024 ended: +£364.90
- Year 2023 ended: +£469.27
- Period 1/8/22-31/12/22 ended: +£243.31
(All figures to a £1 level stake)
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Charlie McCann’s Tips - Cheltenham Festival Day Two
I am writing this before Tuesday's card, but there is 2mm of rain due overnight into Wednesday, and conditions are likely to be a mix of good to soft and good for Champion Chase Day.
1:20pm Cheltenham - No Drama This End & Sober
As with Tuesday's opening Supreme Novices' Hurdle, it is hard to compare the merits of the British and Irish Novice Hurdlers, while I sat on the fence regarding the Supreme, I have supported one from each side of the Irish Sea in the 2m5f Novice with in the British corner NO DRAMA THIS END for Paul Nicholls.
Ninth in the Festival Bumper twelve months ago, the six-year-old is unbeaten in three hurdle starts this term, including in Grade 1 company when landing a moderate renewal of the Challow Hurdle at Newbury when last seen over Christmas.
That comfortable length-and-three-quarter success was gained on good ground, and he has won his three starts over timber by an aggregate of less than 10l, but he is not a flashy type and is not the type to win by wide margins.
Nicholls has compared his grey favourably with his previous Challow winners, and I will be disappointed if he is not the best of British, although there is a deep and powerful Irish challenge.
Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey finished in the places behind Talk The Talk in the Grade 1 2m Novice Hurdle at the DRF last month on soft ground, both giving the impression they would be well served by a step up in trip.
Ballyfad has shown a tendency to edge right at his hurdles in his last couple of starts, but I think he will confirm DRF form with King Rasko Grey the mount of Paul Townend, but I think the ground has come right for SOBER who did us a favour at Royal Ascot – race decimated by non-runners – when landing the 2m6f Queen Alexandra back in June.
Sober is not yet a fluent jumper, but his hurdling improved as the race developed in the Grade 2 2m Moscow Flyer last time, fairly scooting away from the last on soft ground. It is possible that his hurdling – he jumped poorly at Killarney when making a winning hurdling debut – will not stand up to Grade 1 company. Still, I think he will relish underfoot conditions and will be a threat to all if within hailing distance at the last.
Recommendations: No Drama This End - 5/1 with Coral & Sober - 8/1 with Unibet
2:00pm Cheltenham - Wendigo (Each-Way)
A couple of weeks ago, the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Chase didn't look as if it was going to be a strong renewal. That was before Henry De Bromhead confirmed Koktail Divin for the race – had an entry in the Jack Richards Handicap Chase over 2m4f tomorrow – while Gordon Elliot has declared Romeo Coolio for the 3m Grade 1 rather than the Arkle on the opening day.
As a result, confidence in antepost recommendation WENDIGO has waned slightly, although I will not desert Jamie Snowden's seven-year-old who is likely to drift given the strength of the Irish challenge.
I have explained my thinking behind Wendigo in the antepost column below today's recommendations, and both Romeo Coolio and Koktail Divin must prove their stamina for this 3m1f trip, which – like yesterday's Ultima – is over an additional half-furlong and an additional fence than in previous years.
The Big Westerner would have preferred a drop more rain, and do note Henry De Bromhead's stable jockey Darragh O'Keefe has chosen Koktail Divin over the mare. Hardly a vote of confidence, although Mike O'Connor has ridden her in both chase starts to date.
A tremendous renewal, but if Wendigo is as good as I think he is, then he looks sure to run a big race. Many pundits will suggest he wants slower ground, and I agree, as that would place even more emphasis on stamina, but his Newbury success back in November, and Kempton third in the Kauto Star, came on good ground, and I may back him again if he drifts to a double-figure price.
Recommendation: Wendigo (Each-Way) - Antepost at 7/1 with bet365 (3 places)
2:40pm Cheltenham - Jingko Blue & Kateira
I've always been a huge Ballyadam fan – this is his sixth Festival - and would love the 11-year-old to run another big race in the Bet MGM Cup, having finished third in the corresponding race twelve months ago.
Kopek De Mee was the talking horse of the whole week at last year's Festival and went off 5/2 for the concluding Martin Pipe. He pulled too hard and was beaten at halfway, but he went on to Aintree and ran a tremendous race when runner-up, although he is 9lbs higher in the weights.
Storm Heart heads the market for Willie Mullins, who saddled the winner of the corresponding race twelve months ago, but he may need softer ground and is short enough in the betting, although there are plenty around Closutton who feel he is their best chance of a handicap winner on the week.
The top weight, The Yellow Clay – Gordon Elliot has saddled the winner of the corresponding race twice in the last decade – is claimer ridden and a repeat of his second to The New Lion in last year's Turners would give him every chance.
There have been four British-trained winners of the race in the last ten renewals, split between Nicky Henderson and Harry Skelton, and I have backed one from each yard - JINGKO BLUE and KATEIRA.
Jingko Blue didn't see eye-to-eye with James Bowen at several hurdles in the Relkeel last time. Yet he still ran a terrific race, finishing 5l second to the exciting Kabral Du Mathan despite giving the outside up to no one and making significant errors.
He never really took to fences, yet has a mark of 151 over the larger obstacles, but 144 over hurdles. I am convinced he is well handicapped, and while he is not a fluent jumper, he is a very talented horse. Stable jockey Nico de Boinville – if he had a choice – favours Iberico Lord, so impressive when landing the Lanzarote last time from an 8lbs lower mark - under Bowen - but marginal preference is for Jingko Blue, although he must brush up his jumping.
The mare Kateira has been laid out for the race although statisticians will tell us she is too old at nine - last winner her age, William Henry back in 2019 – but this 2m5f trip on good ground is her optimum conditions although, surprisingly, she has never raced at the track, and her ability to get up the hill must be taken on trust.
I can see Harry Shelton stalking on the mare and not playing his hand until halfway up what is a long run in this year, with the final flight moved back over half a furlong from recent years.
Recommendations: Jingko Blue - 12/1 with Ladbroke & Kateira - 8/1 with Unibet
4:00pm Cheltenham - L'Eau Du Sud (w/o Majborough) (Nap)
Majborough is the odds-on market leader for the Champion Chase and is the most talented horse in the race. He was hugely impressive on soft ground in first-time cheekpieces at the Dublin Racing Festival and will win if he puts in a clear round on this quicker ground.
He did make significant mistakes when beaten in the Arkle last year, however, and I have backed L'EAU DU SUD in the market without the favourite. Trainer Dan Skelton has kept him fresh since disappointing in the Tingle Creek behind Il Etait Temps, and he has only had two starts so far this term. He is coming into the race from a three-month break, and that could be crucial.
The grey thrashed Jonbon over course and distance on soft ground in the autumn, but he goes on all ground. The trainer is of the opinion that he didn't have him quite at his absolute best when beaten in the Arkle last year, although he jumped and travelled like a class act before finishing tamely.
Skelton has raced him just twice this term, as he wants him fresh and well for the big day, and I am convinced he is the second most talented horse in the race. I will be disappointed if he doesn't reverse Sandown running with Il Etait Temps on this ground.
Recommendation: L'Eau Du Sud (w/o Majborough) (Nap) - 85/40 with William Hill
4:40pm Cheltenham - Inthepocket & Vanderpoel
I backed Be Aware in what was the Coral Cup this time last year, but he didn't get up the hill over 2m5f over hurdles and am petrified of him in the Grand Annual, although he is rated 10lbs higher over fences despite winning just one of his four chase starts.
The grey has worn a hood in three of his four chase starts, but the aid is left off by Dan Skelton this afternoon. He was beaten less than 10l by Lulamba in the Henry VIII – without the hood – and he will get the strongly run race at two miles, which is his optimum. I will kick myself if he wins, but I am also sweet on INTHEPOCKET and VANDERPOEL and have backed them both win-only.
I thought Inthepocket had the world at his feet when landing the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Aintree back in 2023, and he has only one win to his name over fences, but I thought he jumped and travelled very well on ground softer than ideal last time, and the British handicapper has left him on the same mark as he has in Ireland.
I will be monitoring the form of the De Bromhead horses on the opening day, but I do think Inthepocket will relish the ground, and he finished in front of Il Etait Temps when fourth in the Arkle here a couple of years ago, beaten just over six lengths by subsequent champion chaser Marine Nationale.
Vanderpoel bombed out in his first two chases but has impressed in his two subsequent starts, and I am not overly concerned that all four of his career wins – two over hurdles – have been righthanded, given he edged left at some of his fences at Sandown last time.
Ben Pauling thought he was going to be his top novice chaser at the beginning of the season, and a mark of 141 might not be the ceiling of his ability after just the four chase starts.
Recommendations: Inthepocket - 8/1 with Ladbrokes & Vanderpoel - 15/2 with bet365
Cheltenham Festival Antepost Selections
The weights have been published for the Festival handicaps, and with all major firms now going NRNB, it is time to add to our two ante-post suggestions with two more recommendations –with money-back insurance if they don't start – in two of the opening-day handicaps.
Update
With the Festival less than a week away, I thought it wise to revisit our antepost (NRNB) recommendations and look at the long-range weather forecast. There is now (11:30am, Tuesday, 3 March) a largely dry forecast in the build-up to Cheltenham with just a 40% chance of rain on Thursday.
The executive were hoping for more rain on Thursday and Friday. All other days up to and including Monday, 9 March, are due to be dry.
My belief is that the Festival will begin on ground described as good to soft, but likely to be closer to good. Clerk of the Course Jon Pullin will have to water either before or during the Festival if the Met Office is correct.
Plate Handicap Chase - Will The Wise
I was fascinated to see the money for Gavin Cromwell's Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin earlier in the week, and our 20/1 Plate recommendation Will The Wise is now a best price of 16s, although it is a general 14/1 shot.
The race itself has been thrown into chaos with JP McManus shuffling his Festival pack even further, having taken Iroko out of a Kelso race at the weekend. Jagwar heads the betting in the Green 'N Gold, but he must race in the Ultima – to become eligible to run - if the owner wants him to line up alongside stablemate Iroko in the Grand National.
NH Handicap Chase - One Big Bang
I think many scribes will believe the lack of rain is a negative for One Big Bang. I disagree, and the selection – like Will The Wise – has been nibbled at and, having been recommended at 18/1, I now expect him to go off a single-figure price with James Owen's Novice Chaser a best price of 14/1.
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - Wendigo
Wendigo remains 7/1 for the Brown Advisory, and I would not want the ground to dry out too much, although genuinely good ground may inconvenience some of the Irish raiders more than Jamie Snowden's thorough stayer.
Do remember that the race is run over slightly further this year for the first time, and they jump twenty fences. It really is a thorough test, and I would not swap him for any other horse in the race.
Martin Pipe Handicap - Sonigino
I appear to be the only person in the solar system who gives the nine-year-old any chance in the concluding Martin Pipe, and he does need twenty to come out of the race for him to get a run. We will get our money back if he misses the race. Given that he missed an engagement at Kempton two weeks ago, it is possible he has had a mishap and won't be entered at the six-day stage. We will get any monies returned, of course.
If he is entered and is balloted out, do watch out for him at Kempton on Saturday week or at Aintree or Ayr at their spring Festivals. I remain convinced that he is well handicapped at present. The 66/1 is no longer available, but there are still 50s in a couple of places.
Plate Handicap Chase - Will The Wise (Each-Way)
The Ben Pauling-trained Handstands has no fewer than four entries at Cheltenham and I think his best chance would be in Tuesday's 2m4f Handicap Chase but, listening to the handler on one of the seemingly endless supply of Festival preview nights, it appears that the target is a toss-up between the Ultima Handicap over 3m1f on the Tuesday, and the Grade 1 Ryanair over 2m4f+ on Thursday.
Jagwar was a facile winner of the corresponding race twelve months ago, from a 13lbs lower mark - but he has the option of the Ultima earlier in the card, especially if stablemate Iroko bypasses Cheltenham to wait for Aintree and another crack at the Grand National, having run an excellent race in fourth last year.
If Iroko runs at Kelso this weekend, that would make Jagwar more likely to run in the Ultima over further, and he has looked in need of a step up in trip on both starts so far this term. Second-guessing the Festival target for J P McManus-owned handicappers is a difficult task, but the noises coming out of the Josh Guerriero and Oliver Greenall yard in recent days seem to favour the Ultima.
JP still has both McLaurey (Emmet Mullins) and Waterford Whispers (Hendry De Bromhead) near the front of the market, but preference is for another Irish raider, WILL THE WISE (Each-Way).
Gavin Cromwell has entered the selection in both the Plate and the Jack Richards for Novices over slightly further on Thursday. A winning pointer, the seven-year-old pulled up few trees in two chase starts last term but looked a natural in two races at Galway over 2m2f back in the autumn.
He has looked a non-stayer in two starts since in valuable big-field handicaps over 3m, and has been kept fresh and well since the turn of the year with Cheltenham in mind. Gavin Cromwell has not had a vintage season in Ireland, but he is an outstanding trainer, and he said of his inmate in a recent Racing Post pre-Cheltenham Tour.
"He'll probably go for the Plate, but we'll decide when we have to. I don't think he stays that well. I know he won a Pertemps qualifier over nearly three miles over hurdles, but he's a very good, quick jumper over fences and probably over-travels, so we're going to go back to two and a half miles."
I thought the 20/1 available on Tuesday afternoon NRNB was too big.
Recommendation: Will The Wise (Each-Way) 20/1 with BetVictor (4 places) (NRNB)
NH Handicap Chase - One Big Bang (Each-Way)
Ireland had won seven of the last eight renewals of the NH Chase prior to last year, when it was made into a handicap. The prize was won in 2025 by the 7/2 joint favourite and subsequent Irish and Welsh Grand National winner Haiti Couleurs, trained by Rebecca Curtis in South Wales.
Note the last five winners have been returned at SP's of 7/2, 2/1, 10/11, 15/8, and 7/2, and the biggest priced winner of the race in the last decade was the great dual National winner Tiger Roll at 16s back in 2017! That looks like a high price now, but do remember it was a Grade 2 Novice Chase until last year.
Silver Thorn needs eighteen to come out if he is to get a run, while I was expecting to see Saint Davy step back down in distance, having looked a non-stayer over 3m at Carlisle last time out. Just shows what I know, but he does have a touch of class.
Backmersackme heads the market for Emmet Mullins, and he and Brave Fortune are much respected, but I have backed ONE BIG BANG (Each-Way) on what is a big day for James Owen, given I am also keen on one of his in the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
One Big Bang finished over 3l behind Wade Out at Cheltenham over 3m1f on soft ground back in November, and I remember thinking post-race the winner would never beat the second again over fences. The selection is 5lbs better off with Olly Murphy's grey this afternoon and is a much bigger price. I loved the way he jumped both at Cheltenham and at Southwell when he made all and easily landed the odds.
Having made all over 3m at Southwell, it was something of a surprise to see him held up back in trip at Doncaster on his next start when he finished third. He was only dropped 1lb for the run – the handicapper could see what I did – but it was a useful experience, and Owen has kept his powder dry since that run in January.
All ground comes alike to the grey, although his trainer believes good ground suits him more than the soft and heavy ground he raced on over timber. I would imagine this race has been the primary objective since his second to Wade Out at the November meeting. There was 20/1 available earlier in the week but he is a best price of 18s at the time of writing – generally 16s.
Recommendation: One Big Bang (Each-Way) - 18/1 with BetGoodwin (4 places) (NRNB)
Martin Pipe Handicap - Sonigino (Each-Way)
Sonigino has not been entered for the Coral Cup, so anyone who backed the antepost selection will already have had their money refunded, given it was NRNB. He has been entered for the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle, and my thoughts below can be transferred to the Festival finale on the Friday, with Freddie Keighley or Freddie Gingell likely to ride.
Note the nine-year-old has been entered to run at Kempton (2m5f) on Saturday, 21 February, with the weights for the Festival handicaps published next week. He may need to win to be guaranteed a run in the race.
I have been inundated – well, two – with requests for an antepost selection for the forthcoming Cheltenham Festival and, with the meeting now just four weeks away and many of the major bookmakers going NRNB, I have decided to dip my toe in the water.
A rating of 131 was needed to get into the Coral Cup in 2025, and SONIGINO (Each-Way) is rated 132 and is 11lbs lower in the weights than when sent off 16/1 for the Martin Pipe of 2025, when he carried 11st 10lbs but disappointed on heavy ground. Granted, on better ground, I expect him to be a different proposition next month.
His Cheltenham record isn't great, 8-4-PU, but his fourth in the Greatwood Hurdle of 2023 from a 5lbs higher mark is very good form, and I thought he ran a terrific race at Musselburgh last time when he jumped and travelled like a very well-handicapped horse under Freddie Gingell, but failed to stay three miles. His penultimate run at Sandown has been given a boost by the subsequent win of runner-up and stablemate Henri The Second, who is now rated 11lbs higher in the weights.
He is guaranteed a better pace to chase at Cheltenham in the Martin Pipe – the Festival finale - and do remember Paul Nicholls napped him as his best chance of a winner at the two-day meeting at Musselburgh, and the Ditcheat trainer had three winners over the two days.
Antepost Recommendation: Sonigino (Each-Way) - 66/1 with Coral (NRNB)
Brown Advisory Novices' Chase - Wendigo (Each-Way)
My second Cheltenham Festival antepost selection is WENDIGO (Each-Way) at 7/1 (non-runner no bet) for the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices' Chase at 2:00pm on Wednesday 11th March.
The selection finished fifth, beaten 8l in last year's Grade 1 3m Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle and is held by the mare The Big Westerner, who finished a two-and-a-half length second to the Willie Mullins-trained winner Jasmin De Vaux. The mare is considered the chief threat to Wendigo, but at the time of writing, the Henry De Bromhead yard remains quiet by their own lofty standards, although they do have a knack of getting them right for the big day.
I do not think The Big Westerner will shorten from her current odds of 5/1, and she has the alternative of the Mares' Chase, although connections have nominated the 3m trip of the Brown Advisory as her Festival target.
Wendigo has only won two of his four chase starts, but he has only had his optimum conditions – 3m on a left-hand track - once previously, and that resulted in a facile 22l Kelso success last time, although that was an uncompetitive heat that saw him returned at 1/5.
I came away from the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novice Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day thinking the first two, Kitzbuhel and Thomas Mor, would never beat Wendigo again, as the latter was ill at ease on the fast ground and right-hand track. The winner blotted his copybook at Sandown when coming down at the open ditch in the home straight, while the second must go right-handed, and he is due to run in the Reynoldstown at Ascot this weekend.
Wendigo would have finished a couple of lengths closer to The Big Westerner at Cheltenham last year had he not got involved in scrimmaging – great word, I should use it more often – after two out in the Albert Bartlett, and this sound jumper goes on all ground, although soft or good to soft would be ideal.
Final Demand heads the market at 7/2 and is one of the reasons I am keen to have a bet in the race, as I was unimpressed with his Limerick Grade 1 success at Christmas, and he again looked laboured when third at Leopardstown to stablemate Kaid d'Authie at the Dublin Racing Festival over 2m5f+. He did win his sole point over 3m and a 2m6f Grade 1 Novice Hurdle, but he has never run over three miles under rules.
I appreciate Willie Mullins – who has saddled the winner three times in the last five years - should know where he stands with Wendigo through Kitzbuhel, but I am putting a line through the selection's Kempton run. I would take Wendigo and The Big Westerner over Final Demand and Kaid D'Authie, that is for sure.
In the last decade, only one horse (Lecky Watson 20/1 in 2025) has been returned a double-figure price for this Grade 1 Novice Chase, and there have been five winning favourites.
Recommendation: Wendigo (Each-Way) - 7/1 with bet365 (NRNB)
*Betting odds correct at the time of publication. All odds are subject to changes.
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Charlie McCann’s Horses to Follow
Last updated, Monday 30 June
Blue Bolt (Three-year-old filly trained by Andrew Balding)
Blue Bolt was beaten more than 5L on her racecourse debut over 7f at Southwell on debut but she has looked a different proposition on turf, with that experience under her belt, winning both starts over a mile at Windsor and Newbury.
Her latest success in a valuable Novice under Colin Keane suggested she was ready for a step up in grade and she holds an entry in the listed Coral Distaff on Eclipse Day at Sandown.
Her Group 1 entry Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September suggests connections are taking it slowly slowly with this daughter of Blue Point - no entry in next week’s Falmouth Stakes - but I am convinced she is at least up to listed level.
Keane was jockey up on the filly as soon as the entries were announced and both turf wins have been gained on good or faster ground. There is a possibility of a shower on Wednesday morning, but the forecast is set fair for the rest of the week.
Gunship (Three-year-old trained by James Ferguson)
Gunship was not guaranteed on breeding to appreciate the step up to a mile-and-a-half at Royal Ascot and so it proved with the dual tapeta winner fading from two out in the King George V Stakes.
It is possible that the Sea The Stars colt will always be a better horse on the all-weather, but he travelled as well as anything save winner Merchant at the Royal meeting. We will know more about his long-term prospects after his next start which is likely to be at Newmarket on the Friday of their July Cup meeting.
That bet365 sponsored contest is one of the hottest three-year-old 10f handicaps of the season and he needs ten to come out to be guaranteed a run, but he remains a colt with plenty more to come, and his next start should tell us whether his best days lie solely on an artificial surface.
The form of his previous three quarters of a length defeat of War Hawk at Newmarket has been franked by the runner up who has since won at Chester and Epsom. He would meet Gunship on 6lbs worse terms if they both faced the starter on the July course.
Midnight Tango (Two-year-old trained by Ed Walker)
Midnight Tango really ought to have won the listed Empress Stakes at Newmarket (July) at the end of June when Kieran Shoemark tried to come from last to first on the wrong side of the track. She passed six of her seven rivals in the last couple of furlongs, and I wonder if the jockey will consider it one that got away.
She has only got a modest Hamilton success to her name, but she is held in some regard by Ed Walker, and she is up to at least listed class. It would be no surprise if she landed a Group race between now and the end of the season with something like the Lowther at York’s Ebor meeting under consideration.
Charles Darwin (Two-year-old trained by Aidan O’Brien)
The “lads” at Ballydoyle nominated Albert Einstein as their Coventry horse over 6f at Royal Ascot after making it two out of two in the Marble Stakes at the Curragh. That left Charles Darwin as their Norfolk representative after his fluent Naas win at the minimum trip.
When Albert Einstein was a late defector ahead of the Coventry, connections gave Gstaad the green light to run on the opening day and left Charles Darwin in the Norfolk rather than “upgrade” him to the Coventry which is widely considered the premier juvenile race of the meeting.
Gstaad duly bolted up by 3l in the Coventry while Charles Darwin landed Thursday’s Norfolk by more than 2l hitting the line hard and giving every impression he would relish another furlong. Aidan O’Brien, it would appear, already has the three best juvenile colts in Europe and it will be fascinating to see how connections keep them apart.
If there is a batting order at present, you feel the yard consider 1) Albert Einstein 2) Charles Darwin and 3) Gstaad. Charles Darwin has the physique of a four-year-old let alone a two-year-old and a crack at the Group 1 Nunthorpe over 5f at York in August was muted given the weight-for-age allowance juveniles receive against their elders.
I would prefer the son of No Nay Never to step back up to six furlongs next time, but you get the impression that Albert Einstein will dictate and be campaigned as the yard’s number one until results say otherwise.
As a half-brother to the yard’s dual Group1 winning juvenile Blackbeard, Charles Darwin is not guaranteed to train on next term, but I am convinced he will win at the top table between now and the end of the season.
Aeronautic (Four-year-old trained by Joseph O’Brien)
The lightly- raced Aeronautic finished fifth in the 1m6f Copper Horse Stakes on the opening day of Royal Ascot for Joseph O’Brien who endured such a frustrating week.
The stable had four winners in Ireland on Saturday, and most of their Ascot team ran terrific races in defeat with six finishing in the first four of their respective races.
Aeronautic was no match for French Master at Ascot but ran a cracking race on the quickest ground he has encountered to date. He was beaten less than 4l in the Copper Horse over that mile-and-three-quarter trip and I wonder if connections will consider dropping him back in distance at some time given how well he travelled on that occasion.
After just six career starts the son of Gleneagles has a big race in him between now and the end of the season. The Ebor and Melbourne Cup were races connections may have had in mind for the gelding had he won at Ascot, but I am still convinced there is a big pot to be had with the gelding this term and he won’t go up the weights for finishing fifth.
Classic Encounter (Three-year-old trained by George Boughey)
Classic Encounter was weak in the market, then backed near the off at Newcastle on his first start for George Boughey and belated seasonal reappearance.
He was squeezed out at the start of that hot Novice contest before making good late headway into a never nearer fifth over a mile.
That should have blown the cobwebs away, and I expect him to be more forcefully ridden next time. He will get further than a mile and looks the type to win a maiden/novice on turf in the short turn while he may be eased a couple of pounds from his mark of 82.
He is very much one to keep onside in the months ahead.
Charming Whisper (Three-year-old trained by Charlie McBride)
I appreciate you can go skint backing horses who have been unlucky, but I feel Charming Whisper should have won his last four races for Newmarket handler Charlie McBride.
A winner of two-mile handicaps from marks of 72 and 74 in June, the gelding has met trouble in-running from his last couple of starts over the Bunbury Mile and at Brighton - not convinced he was in love with the track - and I feel he is more than capable of defying his current rating of 80.
A stiff mile on good or faster ground are his optimum conditions, and he is one to keep on the right side of in the short term.
Ride The Thunder (Two-year-old trained by Roger Varian)
He cost 400,000 gns as a yearling and went into my tracker when recovering £1700 of his purchase price when finishing second in a Doncaster Novice to God Of War - had previous experience - on debut over seven furlongs.
I appreciate that the Varian yard lacks consistency, but I will be disappointed if this inmate does not go one better next time. The step up to a mile is likely to suit going forward, although 7f looks his trip in the short term.
Jagwar (Five-year-old trained by Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero)
Jagwar ran with the choke out at Uttoxeter in their competitive 2m 4f handicap hurdle last weekend and a blunder two out put paid to his chance. He was beaten 10L at the line, but he travelled like a well-handicapped horse for much of the race and the hope is that he will eventually cut out the jumping issues that have blunted his progression to this point. He was dropped 1lb to a mark of 118 by the handicapper after Uttoxeter.
Better ground should suit this spring and I wonder if he might be worth a try back at the minimum trip. The conditional jockeys’ event at Aintree might enter calculations at next month’s National meeting.
Merry Monty (Seven-year-old trained by Chris Down)
Merry Monty looked the type to improve for the switch to fences, and he shaped with considerable promise on his chase debut at Exeter over 2m 3f on New Year’s Day, giving every indication that he would improve again when stepped up in trip.
The gelding showed his first form when runner up - also at Exeter - on his penultimate start over timber when he jumped his hurdles as if he had been previously schooled over fences. He is likely to be nudged up the weights from his mark of eighty, but he would have won at Exeter granted another twenty yards, and I will be disappointed if he isn’t bordering on three figures by the end of the season.
Frederick Daly (7lb Claimer)
It is rare to be as impressed with a jockey, especially one who arguably won by too far, having his first ride under rules. Still, I was blown away by the quiet style of amateur Daly, who rode Golden Shot to win the amateur riders’ event at Ffos Las on Monday for Sir Mark Prescott. As Ian Bishop might have said: “Frederick Daly - remember the name”.
The 16-year-old was as polished in his postrace interview with Sky Sports Racing as he was in the saddle, and he suggested that he would spend little time as an amateur and would soon be turning professional.
His 7lb claim is likely to prove very popular when that happens. However, you get the impression that his father, who I remember as a former assistant trainer in Newmarket, and Sir Mark Prescott will manage his progression diligently as he works through his claim.
It might be daft to draw such conclusions after just the one ride, and he never had to get serious on the 29L winner, but there was just something about his style that suggested he was no ordinary amateur jockey. I, for one, will be monitoring his progress and will take note to see if other trainers book the jockey for similar contests in the short term.
Royal Rhyme (Three-year-old trained by Karl Burke)
Goodwood was largely a disappointment, with the rain putting a dampener on proceedings on and off the track. The week was summed up when the last three races were abandoned on the Saturday as the rain returned in spades.
On the track, the highlights were the continued brilliance of Paddington in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday, but he must play second fiddle to Royal Rhyme, who showed himself to be a Group horse when running away with what is invariably a competitive three-year-old handicap.
The handicapper has seen fit to raise him 13lbs to a mark of 108 for his six-and-a-half length romp, while his winning time was three seconds quicker than that clocked by Al Husn in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes later in the card. His record on soft ground reads played three won three, with those successes coming by an aggregate of 12 lengths.
He remains one to keep on side granted soft ground this autumn. His stablemate Triple Time, likely to reappear at Deauville on Sunday, did us a huge favour when landing the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot at 33/1. Royal Rhyme is currently the same price for the Champion Stakes with Ladbrokes and Coral at Newmarket in October. Granted soft ground, he certainly won’t be that price if he faces the starter.
Diamond Ri (Four-year-old trained by Joe Tizzard)
Diamond Ri tanked through a Warwick Bumper on his racecourse debut to score by a long-looking thirteen lengths. The winning time was five-and-a-half seconds than the first division half an hour later.
The Tizzard yard does not have too many Bumper winners, but the yard can dare to dream over the summer that they have something to go to war with as a novice hurdler next term. His win came on soft ground, and his action and breeding suggest plenty of cut will suit going forward. Not one for the short term, but one for next season.
About Charlie McCann
Seven years as talkSPORT racing correspondent/tipster who recently spent over a decade as Director Of PR/Communications for a couple of leading igaming operators.
Failed cricketer - I regularly bore people, myself included, with the story about how I caught Imran Khan when 12th Man for Lancashire v Sussex as a youth - former National League Basketball player - once scored 72 points in a game - and lifelong and long-suffering Everton supporter.
Many of my old friends - and I mean old - would tell you I was a better footballer than a cricketer - but cricket was my first love.
Horse racing has long been my passion - ironic as I’ll never pass the vet again as my sports injuries have come back to bite - with my specialism handicap chases over jumps and 1m+ handicaps on the level.
I have met many of the great and good in the game and consider myself to have been very fortunate. Please always bet within your means and never chase your losses.
Be Lucky.
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