Key occasions
No Constitution Hill, no drawback for Paul Townend, who takes his first Champion Hurdle, Willie Mullins’ fifth: “He’s a very simple horse to ride. He deserves his day in the sun. It was the one I was missing here. Back in my younger days I had an association with Hurricane Fly so it’s nice.”
State Man wins the Champion Hurdle!
Over the hill they go, Iberico Lord dropping to the back of a tight pack. State Man sad idly with Luccia, and they begin to head downhill. Nemaean Lion leads them over the third last. Not So Sleepy is heading backwards. State Man is sat and poised as is Irish Point. State Man goes for it with Irish Point, and they go over the last. There is no answer to Mullins, Townend and State Man, and this time he takes it.
3.30 Champion Hurdle
More nerves as they edge to the finish. All eyes on State Man, Not So Sleepy living up to his name. They take a turn and trot to the finish. They go off with State Man at the lead, ridden along. The pace is high despite the ground. Zarak The Brave – purported pacemaker – is sat at the back. Nemean Lion is among a pair of leaders with Not So Sleepy. Irish Point lurks with intent. Not a great deal of movement as the decision-making begins for the final few furlongs.
3.30 Champion Hurdle odds
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State Man 2/5
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Irish Point 5/1
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Iberico Lord 12/1
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Nemean Lion 14/1
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Zarak The Brave 28/1
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Luccia 40/1
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Not So Sleepy 40/1
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Colonel Mustard 60/1
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Odds by way of Oddschecker
Market Movers by way of Oddspedia
Bad, determined information on Highland Hunter, who suffered a fatality for the Fergal O’Brien staff within the Ultima. There’s no different method to look on such occasions because the darkish facet of a sport that in any other case brings a lot pleasure, and enjoyable, particularly from the O’Brien steady, one of the vital relatable and enjoyable round.
Not certain we’ll be tweeting once more as we speak after this
Absolutely devastated
Thanks for the messages we’re already receiving and people to come back #RIPHighlandHunter
— Fergal O’Brien Racing (@FOBRacing) March 12, 2024
Greg Wood
CHELTENHAM 3.30 CHAMPION HURDLE PREVIEW
Without final yr’s winner, Constitution Hill, within the discipline to defend his crown, this yr’s renewal of the timber championship was all the time more likely to really feel a bit like turning up for a West End present to seek out that the headline star has a sore throat and their understudy is filling in. State Man, although, has a degree of type that might make him a really worthy favorite in most years, and his solely defeat over hurdles when finishing got here by the hands – or hooves – of Constitution Hill on this race final season. Testing floor might complicate issues considerably for the favorite, although, and whereas he has just a few kilos in hand of the sector on Timeform scores, there are some stout stayers in opposition who will certainly got down to make this an actual check. Irish Point is foremost amongst them, having been rerouted to this race from the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday, when he would have been one of many market leaders, whereas Iberico Lord, who was supplemented by Nicky Henderson, Constitution Hill’s coach, when his steady star was dominated out, might additionally appeal to some assist. He gained the ultra-competitive Betfair Hurdle at Newbury final trip and could be very a lot within the early levels of his hurdling profession with simply 9 runs within the guide, however is making his Grade One debut right here and does have loads to seek out with each State Man and Irish Point on scores.
SELECTION: IRISH POINT
Veteran coach Kim Bailey wins this race for the primary time in 25 years. He misplaced Trelawne initially however is blissful to report his different horse is “sound”. “David’s ridden a fantastic race. It’s huge for the yard. We believe in the horse.”
The proprietor of Chianti Classico was Sir Francis Brooke, who additionally occurs to be chairman of Ascot Racecouse.
Highland Hunter, who was to the fore, went down on the chase to the end beneath Paddy Brennan. Let’s hope for excellent news. Trelawne obtained again up.
Cheltenham 2.50 outcome
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1 Chianti Classico (David Bass) 6-1
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2 Twig (Beau Morgan) 28-1
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3 Meetingofthewaters (M P Walsh) 6-1
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4 Famous Bridge (Sean Quinlan) 25-1
21 ran
Also: 9-2 Fav The Goffer
David Bass, the successful jockey: “The rain come this morning and I thought I was on the wrong one. What a lovely horse. There’s a big race in Liverpool I’d like to ride in next year. The ground is bad but he’s done it well. He’s got a touch of class.”
Chianti Classico wins the Ultima Handicap Chase!
Monbeg Genius nonetheless not recovered as they around the stands. Eldorado Allen is trying manner off, as Bustleton is pulled up. The Goffer sat again in thirteenth. Highland Hunter leads 5 out. Victorrino is pulled up. Chianti Classico trying sturdy as he chases down Highland Hunter. He goes into the lead from Twig. He’s over the second final in a transparent lead. It’s a fantastic journey for the Kim Bailey horse. There’s one for the Brits. Twig chased him down and it appeared as if he Chianti Classico may get caught after he knuckled down on the final. What a win!
2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase
It’s a giant discipline – 22 runners – that takes to the course. Again, edgy initially. They’re being requested to relax. They go off first time. Trelawne goes on the first. And that appears nasty. It might imply the race is redirected. Monbeg Genius is amongst these making errors. Eklat de Rire is main beneath Rachael Blackmore. The Goffer makes a mistake. Trelawne is up, excellent news, so they may have the ability to bounce the final. Highland Hunter is to the fore with 11 to leap. Victorrino, the Venetia horse, is a way again as they go previous the stands.
There’s been a going change.
2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase odds
Market movers from Oddspedia
CHELTENHAM 2.50 ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE
For the primary time this week, let’s sound the Stat Klaxon for one of many extra unlikely Festival Facts. Willie Mullins has gained 95 races at this assembly, greater than every other coach in historical past, and that whole additionally consists of 11 handicaps. But not a type of victories was a handicap chase, leaving a bizarre hole on his Cheltenham Festival cv which Meetingofthewaters will try to shut right here. The seven-year-old was put in as favorite when the weights have been revealed a fortnight in the past, however is kind of straightforward to again as we speak, having drifted out to 7-1 within the face of cash for Gordon Elliott’s The Goffer, who completed fourth in one of many strongest ever renewals of this handicap 12 months in the past and is 2lb decrease within the scores this time round. Just forward of him in third final yr was Monbeg Genius, within the colors of Doug Barrowman and Baroness Michelle Mone, who was not included within the freezing order utilized to £75m of his house owners’ belongings again in December and is due to this fact free to take a tilt on the £70k first prize as we speak. Stumptown, a winner on the New Year’s Day assembly right here, is one other fascinating runner, however it is a race that has proved extremely immune to Irish stables, at the same time as they’ve steadily swamped their British counterparts in recent times. With that in thoughts, I’m fairly eager on the possibilities of Kim Bailey’s two runners, Chianti Classico and Trelawne, and whereas David Bass, the steady’s major jockey, is aboard the previous, it’s arduous to argue with Harry Cobden as a deputy aboard the latter, whose progressive profile and outstanding operating model look properly suited to this check.
SELECTION: TRELAWNE
Some controversy over Quilixios and Rachael Blackmore, who clearly thought that was a false begin. It wasn’t, and Matata, who ran a cracker for Sam Twiston-Davies, and Gaelic Warrior have been lengthy gone by the point she obtained her mount underway.
Cheltenham 2.10 outcome
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1 Gaelic Warrior (P Townend) 2-1 Fav
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2 Found A Fifty (J W Kennedy) 13-2
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3 Il Etait Temps (D E Mullins) 7-2
10 ran
Also: 22-1 Matata 4th
A masterclass from Townend, who saved the horse out of hassle after which gunned the engine that Gaelic Warrior possesses. “He was keen but better, it’s as good a ride as I have got off him. Stamina came into play and we know he stays. Just point him the right way. It’s a pressure week, the monkey’s off the back.”
Gaelic Warrior wins the two.10 Arkle Chase.
That’s the one they needed. Mullins and Townend on the mark.
All the jockeys watching Gaelic Warrior as he’s recognized to leap proper. Chaos. It’s edgy on the market, they usually go, with Quilixios six lengths behind. Authorised Speed goes on the second, a faller the outsider. Matata leads them previous the stands, and Gaelic Warrior sits in second. He’s jumped positive to date and appears settled. All is forgiven? He appears to be like to wish to go properly clear. Il’ Etait Temps makes a mistake on the open ditch as Mutata and Gaelic Warrior lead. Il Etait Temps makes one other mistake. Mutata making a courageous transfer. Quilixios is manner off and being pushed together with three to go. Found A Fifty is within the lead now, and Gaelic Warrior has work to do. But he will get to the final, and he jumps clear for his first Cheltenham win on the third try.
Bad information for Gaelic Warrior backers is the horse getting heat within the paddock. He didn’t just like the hood, and all of the sudden the chances are lengthening. Paul Townend appears to be like a bit apprehensive as they mill round initially.
Henry de Bromhead, successful coach of the Supreme with Slade Star, spoke to the BBC: “It’s amazing. It is the first time we have won this race. Rachael gave him a super ride and I am delighted. I thought he would be better on nicer ground but he has always been a pacey horse. It is great to get one on the board as he is one of our big hopes this week.”
That Blackmore win raised cash for a particular trigger, donated by Betfair for each considered one of her wins. She’s obtained a live on within the subsequent with Quilixios.
2.10 Arkle Chase odds
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Gaelic Warrior 5/2
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Il Etait Temps 4/1
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Hunters Yarn 15/2
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Quilixios 8/1
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Found A Fifty 8/1
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JPR One 14/1
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My Mate Mozzie 16/1
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Master Chewy 16/1
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Matata 25/1
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Authorised Speed 100/1
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Odds by way of Oddspedia
Market mover
Greg Wood
CHELTENHAM 2.10 ARKLE CHASE PREVIEW
Another sizable posse from the Mullins steady right here, together with a heat 2-1 favorite in Gaelic Warrior who leaves me very chilly. He has a good document at this assembly, having completed second in each the Boodles in 2022 and the two-and-a-half mile novice hurdle final yr, however his newest run behind his very helpful steady companion Fact To File – he was miles adrift when unseating on the final – is hardly what you’d wish to see in a Festival favorite. He shouldn’t be fairly high of the Timeform scores, both – he’s 1lb behind one other Mullins runner, Hunters Yarn, whereas Il Etait Temps, the winner of the Irish equal of this race at Leopardstown in February, additionally arrives with higher latest type. Quilixios, the Triumph Hurdle winner 4 years in the past, is one other with particular claims having appeared to be reaching one thing near his hurdles type over the largest obstacles when profitable at Naas in January, whereas Found A Fifty, who was solely run out of it late by Il Etait Temps at Leopardstown, additionally deserves shut consideration. The British problem, in the meantime, is led by Joe Tizzard’s JPR One, who was just one unlucky slip away from a powerful course-and-distance win in November, though he did end solely third when upped to Grade One firm for the primary time in December. My cash, for what it’s price, shall be driving with Hunters Yarn, who bounced again from a fall on his chasing debut in December to document a extremely spectacular success at Fairyhouse in January, type that provides him an actual likelihood to outrun his worth of round 7-1 if he can overcome his relative inexperience.
SELECTION: HUNTERS YARN.
What does that each one imply? The Mullins quadpot is already sunk and people questioning about Seven Barrows type could also be involved about what occurred to Jeriko Du Reponet. De Bromhead and Blackmore – a golden couple at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham 1.30 outcome
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1 Slade Steel (Rachael Blackmore) 7-2
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2 Mystical Power (M P Walsh) 10-3
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3 Firefox (J W Kennedy) 11-2
11 ran
Also: 11-4 Fav Tullyhill, 16-1 Asian Master 4th
Rachael Blackmore speaks: “I didn’t want to be in front jumping the last but he took me there and battled hard. I love this place, it’s amazing to be coming here and riding these kinds of horses.”
It was gained on the final, and Slade Steel was requested for a giant one. Mystical Power misplaced his pace as they climbed to the end, having jumped in entrance.
Slade Steel wins the Supreme!
It’s Rachael and Henry de Bromhead once more!
The horses shunt round as they search for the perfect begin doable. Will there be a false begin? The Cheltenham roar goes up, however then halts. The monitor appears to be like like a paddy discipline, it’s extraordinarily moist. It’s an edgy begin, and a false begin. Back we go. The roar goes up on the second try. We are racing. Tullyhill takes an early lead. Jeriko Du Reponet tracks the leaders as they go previous the primary stands. Slade Steel, backed in, is up there too. Supersundae is the again marker. It’s not a speedy tempo. Tullyhill continues to be up there, Tellherthename is up within the vanguard too, as they swing all the way down to the enterprise finish. It’s a bunched discipline on the third final. Slade Steel in there. Tullyhill leads over the second final, and to the final. Slade Steel takes on Tullyhill and jumps the final, and Mystical Power appears to be like to have it, just for Slade Steel to remain up, and win. Rachael Blackmore has achieved it once more! Beating the Annie Power horse!
1.30 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
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Tullyhill 3/1
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Mystical Power 7/2
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Slade Steel 9/2
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Firefox 15/2
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Jeriko Du Reponet 10/1
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Mistergif 14/1
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Asian Master 20/1
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Tellherthename 25/1
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Favour And Fortune 33/1
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Supersundae 100/1
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Kings Hill 200/1
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Odds by way of Oddspedia
Market movers:
It’s all about Willie Mullins this week, although that is the primary yr he gained’t have his mom, Maureen, round.
Today’s final race, the novice chase for novice jockeys, has been renamed in her honour.
Everyone in our organisation has that ambition to be on the high,” he says. “If some space shouldn’t be going properly it’s hopped on instantly and put proper. We’re all the time on the lookout for new methods and we tinker and alter and maintain our breath. Sometimes it really works, generally it doesn’t. It runs proper by the yard, to the grooms and riders, and I really like them shopping for into it.
Greg Wood
Preview: CHELTENHAM 1.30 SUPREME NOVICES’ HURDLE
A race that might properly set the tone for the afternoon, as Willie Mullins sends out the primary of a military of favourites this week in Tullyhill, with backup from the unbeaten Mystical Power, who’s one essentially the most impressively-bred horses ever to set foot on Prestbury Park. His sire was the late Galileo, who is mostly agreed to have been the best Flat stallion of the final 50 years a minimum of, whereas his dam, Annie Power, gained the Champion Hurdle. Mystical Power is unbeaten in three begins, whereas Tullyhill has gained twice since ending second on his first begin over timber, and both might find yourself going off as favorite (Tullyhill is at present shading it at 3-1, with Mystical Power at 7-2). They are, to some extent, the B staff, nevertheless, as Mullins’s Ballyburn would have been a red-hot favorite for this had he not been re-routed to the opening race tomorrow, over an additional half-mile, and because it occurs, Slade Steel, who was seven lengths behind Ballyburn in a Grade One at Leopardstown final month. That type places Henry de Bromhead’s runner very near the market leaders – he’s 1lb clear on the high of Timeform’s scores, actually – and I reckon he might get Rachael Blackmore off to an ideal begin on the assembly. Gordon Elliott’s Firefox, who truly beat Ballyburn in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in December, is the opposite main member of a particularly sturdy Irish staff, whereas anybody on the lookout for a British-trained winner will in all probability begin with Nicky Henderson’s Jeriko Du Reponet, who’s unbeaten in three together with a Grade Two at Doncaster final time. He has but to put up something near the extent of type that the market leaders can boast, nevertheless, and there are additionally these nagging issues in regards to the total wellbeing of the Henderson string – 4 of his final 10 runners have been pulled up.
SELECTION: SLADE STEEL.
Here’s as we speak’s schedule of races.
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13:30 – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, 2m 1/2f
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14:10 – My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase, 2m
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14:50 – Ultima Handicap Chase, 3m 1f
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15:30 – Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy, 2m 1/2f
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16:10 – Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle, 2m 4f
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16:50 – Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, 2m 1/2f
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17:30 – Maureen Mullins National Hunt Chase (Novices’ Chase, novice jockeys), 3m 6f
A reminder of the primary day final yr, perhaps some tips to this yr in there.
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Marine Nationale, Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
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El Fabiolo, Sporting Life Arkle
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Corach Rambler, Ultima Handicap Chase
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Constitution Hill, Unibet Champion Hurdle
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Honeysuckle, Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle
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Jazzy Matty, Boodles Juvenile Hurdle
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Gaillard Du Mesnil, Wellchild National Hunt Chase
Breakfast might be a no-go. For lunch, I attempt to have a sandwich then have one thing like a pasta-based dinner, nothing too heavy. I attempt to drink loads of water and keep away from sugary drinks. Chocolate and fizzy drinks are my responsible pleasures. It’s troublesome to not, however I attempt to not snack because it doesn’t go well with me in any respect.
Sadly, the climate might not have helped the possibilities of a late show-up on the pageant. Today, a minimum of. The first yr again after Covid was bedlam, the second far emptier. Usually go Champion Chase day, this yr going to the Gold Cup, however you need to wonder if Cheltenham’s dominance of the remainder of the UK scene – Ireland has its Dublin Festival and in addition Punchestown – has finally harm the blue-riband occasion itself.
Of course, the post-Covid years haven’t been straightforward on the pocket, both, the place in March 2022 there was plenty of saved-up money and pent-up frustration to exert. There might, although as favs are often beloved at Prestbury Park, be one thing of a Max Verstappen/Manchester City impact occurring with the Mullins staff.
More on that heavy floor. Bottomless?
John Brewin
John Brewin right here, quite glad I’m not at HQ as we speak. The climate appears to be like, properly, unpromising. And might have a giant say in what occurs as we speak.
Here’s Greg’s betting information for the primary day.
Preamble
Greg Wood
Good morning from Cheltenham, the place a moist and soggy begin to the opening day of the Festival assembly has seen the occurring the Old course deteriorate to tender, heavy in locations and left Wednesday’s Cross-Country Chase hanging within the steadiness.
There was 6mm of rain in a single day, considerably greater than the 2mm-4mm that had been forecast, and it’s nonetheless raining, with one other 4mm-6mm anticipated in all as we speak earlier than the situations (hopefully) begin to brighten up round lunchtime. The Cross Country course, in the meantime, shall be inspected at 6am GMT tomorrow, and if the race can’t be staged in its standard slot, the monitor will look into shifting it to Friday’s Gold Cup card.
Any point out of heavy within the going description on day one is a definite rarity lately – it’s extra widespread for the monitor to be placing water on within the fortnight earlier than to make sure that it’s on the tender facet of excellent. And it might make for a way more fascinating race for the Champion Hurdle at 3.30pm, since it would play to the strengths of the stayers, like Irish Point, and probably blunt the pace of the odds-on favorite, State Man.
State Man is only one amongst a complete host of market leaders from Willie Mullins’s steady on the opening card, and he’ll hope to make a major dent within the half-dozen wins he must be the primary coach with 100 on the Festival. Tullyhill and Mystical Power – a son of the Champion Hurdle winner, Annie Power – are more likely to set off as first- and second-favourites for the opening Supreme Novice Hurdle, and he additionally has three of the highest 4 within the Arkle betting and one other odds-on shot, Lossiemouth, within the Mares’ Hurdle.
That mentioned, there are live runners from different yards in a lot of the races and fairly just a few of them appealed once I put my closing picks collectively yesterday. That, after all, might or might not be excellent news for the person from County Carlow.
As ever, each market transfer, millimetre of rain and focal point shall be dissected right here on the weblog because it occurs, as we speak and daily at racing’s showpiece occasion, so let’s take a deep breath and get on with the giddy journey!
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