The Betway ambassador picks out nine horses she has her eye on this weekend, including two from Ross O’Sullivan’s yard.
This is officially known as the last weekend of trials before Cheltenham, but it appears that lots of trainers are keeping their powder dry as it’s not as star-studded as a weekend as it once was. With the ability for racecourse gallops and the facilities at the bigger yards being to a high standard, it’s not always needed to get that final run into them as you can work them at home or give them an ‘away day’, which lots of trainers in the UK do.
Ross runs Butter Fingers 10/1 at Fairyhouse on Saturday. He’s got a tough task off top weight and he’s still learning as he’s only had 10 runs in his life, but there will be plenty of good days in him for his superb owner, Tommy Ward. You’ll be hard pushed to find a man with more passion for the game and his love of his horses is brilliant.
Interestingly, Philip Rothwell runs a horse called Maxios Prime 2/1 . His form doesn’t look much to write home about, but he’s run better than it looks and was going well before tipping up last time. He’s rated 94, so carries 10-4 and when you add Tiernan Power-Roche’s 5lb claim, he’s got no weight on his back and could run very well as he’s clearly learning his game.
The 14:15 looks very competitive. Ross runs Donnie Devito 20/1 but he is probably better on better ground. He has plenty of ability, though, so you never know. We’ll be cheering him on, just like Butter Fingers earlier in the card, that’s for sure.
I do think if No Looking Back 20/1 runs to his best form, he’ll be very tough to beat. I’m kind of sweet on him. This is a drop in class for him and he certainly has the ability to win this for a shrewd yard.
The Bobby Jo Chase has been pretty much Willie Mullins’ race since 2016. He’s won every race other than Dad winning in 2022 with Any Second Now. Willie has got this year’s favourite, Nick Rockett 6/5 , who won the Thyestes very well last time and is clearly a horse improving for staying trips over fences. It’ll be good to see last year’s Grand National winner I Am Maximus 2/1 running again, after his OK run in the Irish Gold Cup, but his Grand National defence looks tough off his allotted top weight.
I do think Noel Meade’s horse Affordale Fury 13/2 is one we’re yet to see the best of. He’s got a touch of class and is coming along steadily and, mark my words, there are some big days in this horse. I like him, but whether this race is his prep run for Cheltenham or Aintree remains to be seen.
The racing in the UK doesn’t look overly inspiring, but two who have caught my eye are Gold In The Rivers 8/1 in the Pertemps Qualifier at Chepstow for David Pipe. He was with Gordon [Elliott] and caught the eye on occasions, but has since moved to Pipe’s yard and this is his first run back after a wind-op. He could be better than his mark of 125.
The other I’m looking forward to seeing run is Brucio 5/1 at Newcastle. She’s a smart mare who won a competitive handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival last season. She’s run OK in two runs over hurdles this season, but this is her first run over fences. They’ve found a nice opportunity in a novices’ handicap, which could be a smart move off her opening mark of 125. I think she’s better than that and i’m keen to see whether fences bring out more improvement in her.
After this weekend, it’s really all eyes on Cheltenham. I’m looking forward to being on the panel for the Betway Cheltenham Preview in London on Tuesday 4 March. There’s another great line-up and I’m hoping we can give everyone a few winners, much like I did last year.
Looking at the Cheltenham betting markets at this point – and putting aside some of the short-priced horses, who will be tough to beat – I was very impressed with Jade De Grugy at Punchestown on Thursday. If Brighterdaysahead and Lossiemouth end up in the Champion Hurdle, she’ll be odds-on for the Mares Hurdle and I won’t be opposing her, that’s for sure. She’s very smart.