Cheltenham Festival 2023: Novice and juvenile paddock notes from David Cleary

The results of the races for novice and juvenile hurdlers, as well as that of the Champion Bumper, paint a dire picture of the state of British jumping and its ability to be competitive when faced with Irish-trained runners, particularly against those from the Willie Mullins yard.

The Sky Bet Supreme set the tone for the week. The first eight home when all trained in Ireland, with Mullins fielding four of the first six. The five runners from British stables were sent off at 11/1, 25/1, 33/1, 40/1 and 200/1. Later that afternoon six of the first seven home in the Fred Winter were housed in Irish yards.

The Ballymore, opening day 2, saw Mullins land a 1-2-3, with the fourth also from an Irish stable. The Paul Nicholls-trained Hermes Allen was sent off favourite, but disappointed. The Champion Bumper was another Irish benefit, 10 of the first 11 hailing from yards in Ireland (seven of the 10 trained by Mullins).

The victory of You Wear It Well, runner-up to Hermes Allen in the Challow, in the Dawn Run ensured it wasn't a clean sweep for the visitors in these races, and British yards managed another in the first six, with the favourite Luccia finishing fourth. A second British success came in the Albert Bartlett on the final day, Stay Away Fay gaining a gutsy victory. However, his four closest rivals were Irish-trained and he might not have won had Corbetts Cross not ducked out at the last.

The Triumph was as abject a result for the home team as there was all week. The first 10 are trained in Ireland, Mullins responsible for the first four, seventh and ninth. Such total dominance was hardly a surprise, given the trio of British-trained hopefuls went off at 50/1, 66/1 and 250/1.

It didn't help from a home perspective that Nicky Henderson didn't have a runner in either the Triumph or Supreme, and just a token one in the Ballymore. In general terms, this isn't a situation that will improve overnight. A more competitive structure and better returns for owners in Britain are key, but it will take time for those changes to have an impact.

British jumping will continue to experience sobering weeks like this for some time to come.

So far as the best novice performance of the week went, it would be hard to split Marine Nationale in the Supreme and Impaire Et Passe in the Ballymore. Both scored with a fair bit in hand to remain unbeaten. Both races looked well up to standard. From the point of view of assessing the pair, it would be quite helpful were they to meet at Punchestown. Impaire Et Passe would have no trouble dropping back to two miles, given the speed he showed to settle matters in the Ballymore.

If Constitution Hill stays over hurdles, then both this pair would seem likely to be sent chasing next season. Both have the physique for it, though perhaps some of those beaten have even more potential to improve for the switch to fences. Champ Kiely, third in the Ballymore, is a well-made sort and an obvious one to benefit from such a move, and he'll be suited by a step up in trip as well.

The 2022 Champion Bumper runner-up American Mike is another athletic type who ought to jump a fence, but his record over hurdles isn't all that might have been expected. Fitted with a tongue strap first time in the Ballymore, he travelled well but didn't find much off the bridle.

Facile Vega, who'd beaten him a year ago, fared better in taking second behind Marine Nationale. A more measured ride than when only fifth at the Dublin Racing Festival looked as if might pay dividends when he swept to the front into the straight, but he had no answer to the winner's turn of foot from behind him.

On his toes beforehand, despite being fitted with earplugs, Facile Vega has the look and demeanour of a chaser and he is bred to stay beyond two miles as well. He'll surely be back for another attempt at a second Festival victory next season, in the Arkle or the Turners.

Although they finished well held, the two Olly Murphy runners in the Supreme also have potential to make chasers. Chasing Fire and Strong Leader came into the race unbeaten in three starts over hurdles each, but they hadn't run in better than a class 3 novice and five of the six wins had come at odds on. Their performances looked clear cases of not knowing enough for the task at hand.

The race of the week for prospective chasers, at least from my position by the paddock, was the Albert Bartlett (replay below).

Checking my notes, I have written 'chaser' or 'chasing type' next to eight of the 20 and could probably have done so against a few more. The winner Stay Away Fay isn't one of the eight, but he is likely to come into his own once sent over fences, not least as he's very much a stayer and there will be more opportunities for him to shine once chasing.

This was a rare race where the Mullins team failed to come up to scratch. Seabank Bistro looks the part and was fourth in the last season's Champion Bumper, but he was sweating and dull in appearance, and he ran as poorly as he looked. Embassy Gardens, the shortest-priced of the Mullins runners, was also pulled-up, though much later in the race, tying up into the straight after racing keenly in front. He looks a chaser and his dam was better over fences than hurdles, so there's a chance he'll make more of an impact in a year's time.

In contrast, the Triumph was a Mullins benefit, perhaps not surprisingly as he fielded seven of the 15 runners, including the first four in the market. One of that quartet, Blood Destiny failed to fire, but he had an excuse: he raced far too freely after the field generally had got worked up (there was a false start). Blood Destiny had looked a good prospect coming into the race, though untried in graded company, and on looks he was about the pick of the field. It wouldn't be a surprise if he fares a lot better at Punchestown.

Finally, the Champion Bumper is always a great race for paddock inspection and this year's field was a pretty decent bunch. Checking notes (again), I have written 'like' next to five of the 21, none of them starting at under 33/1: Captain Teague, Chapeau de Soleil, Chosen Witness, Fascile Mode and No Time To Wait.

Captain Teague, third home, obviously ran really well, despite still looking green after only one previous run. He'll be a chaser down the line, though it would be no surprise if he isn't already pencilled in for the Challow Hurdle next winter.

No Time To Wait (eighth) did pretty well, something to find on form, not ideally placed and still lacking experience. Chapeau de Soleil (tenth) was up against it, after finishing second on his only previous start, but he shaped with some potential. The other two haven't gone on after winning on their debut. Time may show them in a better light, judged on looks, at any rate.

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