Mark Howard unveils his latest list of dark horses heading to the 2025 Cheltenham Festival including a class-dropper in one of the handicaps.
According to the ante-post lists, Closutton’s best hope in 2025 is LADY VEGA ALLEN, who has the pedigree to win at the Festival being a relative of six times winner Quevega.
Previously trained in France by Etienne D’Andigne, who was also responsible for Grade 1 winner and Champion Hurdle runner-up Irish Point, she has raced three times and the Irish handicapper has allocated her a mark of 132, which is six pounds lower than stablemate and compatriot Willy De Houelle.
The pair have already met twice this season in Graded company at Leopardstown, with the filly emerging on top both times. Denied by a short head behind Hello Neighbour in the Grade 2 juvenile hurdle on St Stephen’s Day on her Irish debut, she stayed on strongly after the last with seven lengths back to the third.
Gavin Cromwell’s winner once again got the better of the Saint Des Saints filly in the Grade 1 juvenile at the DRF over the same C&D. Sean O’Keeffe’s mount held every chance at the last before going down by a length and a half in third. It was three lengths back to Willy De Houelle who filled fourth position.
While the temptation may be to have another crack at Hello Neighbour, is it realistic to think she can make it third time lucky?
Depending on what mark the British handicapper allocates her on Tuesday, if it is anything near her Irish rating, Mullins may be tempted to take the ‘softer option’ and head down the handicap route in the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle on the opening afternoon. If so, the 10/1 on offer (NRNB William Hill) will look huge on the day.
