Top jockey Daryl Jacob has a superb set of rides at Cheltenham on trials day and he talks us through each of his chances in his Friday column.
ADJALI – JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle
He ran a good race on his second British start after bolting up at Market Rasen when he was a neck second to Quel Destin, who he beat twice in France, in the Finale Hurdle at Chepstow. He was still a bit green that day and he’s come on for the run, while the better ground should help this weekend, too, so I’m looking forward to riding him again and finding out more about him. He's a really nice horse.
KILDISART – Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase
A lovely horse who I’ve ridden on his last eight starts and he won his third race for me last time when just getting the better of Activial at Ascot. He showed a good attitude that day and, while it’ll be a tough task giving weight to plenty of these, he’s a talented horse and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on his handicap debut over fences. We're giving him a taste of Cheltenham with a view to running in the Close Brothers Handicap Chase at the Festival.
JANIKA – Spectra Cyber Security Solutions Trophy Handicap Chase
He gave me a good feel on his British debut at Ascot last time in the race won by Hell’s Kitchen. We couldn’t quite reel in the winner that day but he pulled away from the third nicely and the handicapper must’ve been impressed putting him up another 5lb to 150. That makes life more difficult for him this weekend, but we like him. He blew hard afterwards so we think he'll come on for the first run.
TERREFORT – BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase
I had the choice between this fellow and Valtor but it made sense for me to retain the partnership. He was a brilliant horse for me last season when winning two Grade Ones including the Mildmay at Aintree which went some way to proving his stamina. He clearly wasn’t right at Sandown on his seasonal reappearance, so his campaign effectively starts here and on his best form he has a fine chance. Hopefully he can show his true colours - he certainly schooled well enough on Thursday.
Valtor won well on his first start at Ascot under James Bowen who rides again. He runs here to see whether he's a Gold Cup horse for the spring or one for Aintree. It will be fascinating to see how he goes.
THE WOLF – Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle
I’ve ridden The Wolf in a few bits of work and he's a nice horse, certainly with the big picture in mind. He’s a nice spare to pick up for Warren Greatrex and the McNeill Family. He ran well at Newbury last time and Warren thought he might run a nice race here at a big price when talking about his chance in his column on these very pages, and it’s a race I won a couple of years ago aboard Wholestone…
WHOLESTONE – galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle
Talking of which, I ride Wholestone in the Cleeve and he’s put together a very consistent record around Cheltenham. He’s won at the track four times, was second in this race last season and was second again in the Relkeel Hurdle on New Year’s Day. He’ll like going back up in trip to three miles on this ground and I’d say he’ll have as good a chance as anything in the race. It's a very good renewal of the race though and if something wins impressively they could be favourite for the Stayers' Hurdle back here in March.