Supreme Novices Hurdle – 1.30pm
Grand Sancy intended to line up, he’s in good shape. I haven’t hidden him under a bushel at all – we just had Cheltenham as a sole aim. He’s won plenty of races along the way, had a good race and won the Kingmaker the other day – the Kingwell at Wincanton, it was quite a tough race. Horses he beat have won since. But he’s a tough horse who keeps improving, so I’d like to think he’s got a great chance.
That was a good run in the Kingwell, and I think it puts him right in the mix with all the good ones. As long as it’s not too quick for him on Tuesday – which I don’t think it is, knowing the horse – he should be fine and should run a race.
Arkle Chase – 2.10pm
It is an open Arkle. Lalor, if he came back to his best, would probably be the one to beat, but it’s an open-looking race. I’m going to confirm Capeland, have a look at the race, see what runs.
He keeps – you know. He’s always thereabouts, the sort of horse who could run well into a place.
Ultima Handicap Steeple Chase – 2.50pm
The only one we run will be Give Me A Copper. We’ve sort of trained him for this race – he had a run at Sandown the other day, ran very well until he got a little bit tired at the second-last. He’s improved a good bit since then, we’d like to think he’s got a big chance. It was his first run for a long time, so a pleasing run.
If he’s successful and runs very tidy here, we’ll go to Aintree. I think he might be my best chance on Tuesday.
Champion Hurdle – 3.30pm
We’ve nothing in this one but it looks like a good race. I’ve always thought since Leopardstown that Apple’s Jade would win or go very close to winning.
Mare’s Hurdle – 4.10pm
Ruby Walsh thinks Benie Des Dieux is one of his best rides. She hasn’t run this season, I suppose it’s not ideal, but they’re very confident she’s probably the one to beat.
Close Brothers Novices Handicap – 4.50pm
Movewiththetimes hasn’t had the best of luck over fences but he’s got plenty of ability. You know, we haven’t confirmed what race we’re going to run him in yet, but if he gets a clear round one day, he should run a tidy race. Brelan D’As could be a lively outsider.