It was great to pick up a Grade 1 winner yesterday with Wodhooh. We head into the fourth and final day of the festival with 14 runners.
HIGHLAND CRYSTAL comes into the JCB Triumph Hurdle unbeaten in her 3 starts to date. She has the benefit of a mares allowance but will need to take another step forward from what she has shown so far. Jack Kennedy rides.
We saddle two runners in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle. NDAAWI was this years Galway hurdle winner and has been switching between the flat and hurdles all season. He had a short break after finishing 3rd in the Morgiana behind Lossiemouth and outran his odds in his prep run at Dundalk last time out. Second in this contest last year, Josh Williamson claims 5lb off his back which is a huge benefit. BOWENSONFIRE has been on an upward trajectory this season with back to back wins in two valuable handicap hurdles. He has been given 16lbs from the handicapper in Ireland since Christmas which isn’t ideal but he’s proven himself a major player on the big stage and is the mount of Jack Kennedy.
We are represented by 4 in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle. JALON D’OUDAIRIES was a winner of his maiden hurdle last time out over 2m2f in Naas on soft to heavy ground. He should improve for the step up in trip but might prefer a bit more juice in the ground, Danny Gilligan rides. KAZANSKY proved himself as a stayer when he took a 2m7f Grade 2 novice hurdle at Limerick over Christmas before finishing second in a Grade 1 at the DRF behind Doctor Steinberg. If he keeps improving he could well finish in the placings under Jordan Gainford but is another who would prefer a bit more rainfall. ROAD EXILE is another one who steps up in trip for the first time. A winner of his maiden hurdle in Navan, he should come into himself over the longer trip. SPINNINGAYARN is a dual winner over 2m4f & 2m3f and is another who will relish stepping up in trip. He probably has the edge over our other runners and is the pick of Jack Kennedy.
FIREFOX is our sole runner in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. He ran a huge race to finish 4th behind Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup but will need to take a step forward again today. Jack Kennedy rides.
Bective Stud are double handed in the Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase. CHEMICAL ENERGY is two from two in his points this season, partnered to victory on both occasions by Barry O’Neill. He’s a smart individual who has been freshened up for todays race and holds strong each way claims. Barry O’Neill takes the ride. WILLITGOAHEAD was third in this contest 12 months ago and is back to try and go two places better. He’s been lightly campaigned this season and will be the mount of Harry Swan.
Our final runners of the festival are in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle. SA FUREUR reverts back to hurdles after finishing 2nd in the Red Mills Chase behind Impaire Et Passe in Gowran Park the last day. He hasn’t won over hurdles since 2023 but does run off a mark 11lb lower than his chase mark. Eoin Staples is booked to ride. WENDROCK finished 6th in the Fred Winter here last year and does tend to be more effective on the better ground conditions. He could be a big player under Carl Millar. OPEN SECRET has been running really consistently since joining the team. He was second in a Grade 3 novice hurdle last time out and could run a nice race under James Smith. STEDE BONNET has won 4 of his 8 starts to date and could be one of the dark horses in this race as he makes his handicap debut. He looks to be on an upward trajectory and will be the mount of Josh Williamson. HE CAN’T DANCE was a 1st reserve but doesn’t get a run.