Mark Howard has his best bets for the Cheltenham Festival including a dark horse in the Ryanair Chase.
WHISTLE STOP TOUR bids to enhance Lucinda Russell’s excellent recent record in the Ultima Handicap Chase on Tuesday (2.40) following the successes of Corach Rambler in 2022 and 2023.
Twice a winner over hurdles last season, the seven year old has improved since sent chasing winning two out of four and is officially rated 136. Successful at Kelso (2m 7f : Soft) and Ayr (3m : Soft) off 124 and 130, the Saddex gelding looked a useful staying chaser in the making on each occasion.
Fifth of seven behind Jagwar in a novices’ handicap chase at Cheltenham (2m 4f) in January, he was very much on a reccy mission and it was job done under a sympathetic ride conceding five pounds to the J.P.McManus owned winner.
I spoke to Lucinda Russell’s assistant and partner Peter Scudamore at Wetherby last month and this has been the plan for some time and the former champion jockey feels he is better on nicer ground. Even though his four chase runs have been in field sizes of 5,6,5 and 7, he was won and was placed in 11 and 16 runners hurdle races last season.
An excellent jumper, novices have won 6 of the last 11 runnings. The Kinross yard continue in fine form with 7 winners during the last fortnight.
