Tag Archive for: Iroko

Iroko heading to Ascot as part of National ambitions

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Iroko is being readied for a trip to Ascot later this month, as connections plot their way towards a tilt at the Randox Grand National in the spring.

Placed at Grade One level over hurdles and fences, the JP McManus-owned gelding made a promising start to the current campaign when narrowly beaten by Trelawne on Betfair Chase day at Haydock last month.

With the world’s most famous steeplechase at Aintree top of his agenda, the six-year-old looks set for a relatively light campaign between now and April, with the training partnership of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero looking to protect his current handicap rating of 152.

“He’s really well and goes to Ascot on the 21st for a graduation chase again,” said Guerriero.

“After that I’m not sure where we’ll go, we’ll probably just find a little two-and-a-half-mile handicap somewhere and go from there.

“We’re working back from the National, so we’re trying to keep him to two/two-and-a-half without exposing him too much. Fingers crossed.”

Iroko is a general 25-1 shot for the National, with last season’s winner I A Maximus – also owned by McManus – the 10-1 favourite.



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Hillcrest heads to Haydock for chasing bow

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Hillcrest will restart his career following 981 days off the track in the Betfair Exchange Graduation Chase at Haydock on Saturday.

Henry Daly’s towering son of Stowaway excelled over hurdles during the 2021-22 season, beating subsequent Grand National hero I Am Maximus at Cheltenham and also romping to victory in a Haydock Grade Two during a campaign that yielded four wins from six starts.

He was pulled-up when favourite for that season’s Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, but given his stature, he was always seen as a top chasing prospect.

That Cheltenham Festival appearance was the last time the nine-year-old has been sighted on a racecourse, missing the last two seasons through injury.

However, his handler is eager to begin his long-awaited chasing career, with fingers crossed for a clear run for the talented but somewhat fragile gelding.

“We’re very happy with him. We’ve entered him a few times and all we’re trying to run him on is nice, safe ground – which is obvious having had a couple of issues,” said Daly.

“He’s a very big horse and we want him to run on safe ground. As long as he runs a nice race and on Sunday morning we can come in and feel his legs and all is OK, that would be a very satisfactory start.

“We would like him to jump well, enjoy himself and show all the things you would like to see in any racehorse, never mind one who has had nearly two years off. If he does all these things, I’m sure he will run well.”

He added: “Haydock is the plan, but we have declared him for Sunday (at Uttoxeter) in case Saturday doesn’t work or for high winds or whatever else. The forecast is for a very windy day and we just want to get going.”

Hillcrest faces a far from easy chasing introduction, with Kim Bailey’s Trelawne, Paul Nicholls’ Grade One-winning hurdler Tahmuras and Dan Skelton’s Deafening Silence amongst the opposition.

Iroko after winning at the Cheltenham Festival
Iroko after winning at the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

However, the likely favourite is Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s Iroko, a Cheltenham Festival winner over timber who ended his novice chase season in Grade One company. He now makes his return with connections plotting a course to the Grand National in the spring.

Guerriero said: “I think everyone has been in the same boat and waiting on the ground, but there is plenty of rain around on Saturday, it should be lovely ground there and we can’t wait to see him back on track.

“It’s not a bad little race, but there are not so many runners, so it is not as competitive as some races could be. Hopefully he has a nice time and we were keen not to go and win a handicap and go up too much, as we’re trying to look after his mark for the National.

“The nice thing is he could go and win on Saturday and not go up. Aintree in the spring is the aim and he has the class for that race you need nowadays.”

Skelton holds a strong hand in the Betfair Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle, with Doyen Quest looking to quickly back-up last weekend’s impressive Cheltenham victory under a penalty and joined in the race by progressive stablemates Catch Him Derry and Gwennie May Boy.

Ruth Jefferson’s emphatic River Don winner Kerryhill adds a touch of class to the contest, while Backmersackme is tasked with giving Emmet Mullins and owner Paul Byrne back-to-back victories in the valuable hurdling contest.

Trainer Emmet Mullins won this Haydock event with Slate Lane in 2023
Trainer Emmet Mullins won this Haydock event with Slate Lane in 2023 (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

Mullins said: “He’s all good and he had a nice enough run the last day over hurdles at Worcester. The trip was short enough and hopefully up to three miles, we should see a bit more.

“We’ve always thought three miles was his distance and he’s a point-to-point winner who stays well. I think this will be more to his liking.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re going with as strong a chance as Slate Lane last year, but fingers crossed his handicap mark might be alright and he can give a good account of himself.”

Stuart Crawford saddles the hat-trick seeking Lily Du Berlais in the Betfair Supports Safer Gambling Week Newton Novices’ Hurdle.

A Grade Two bumper winner, her experience could come into play in a race stacked with exciting novice prospects before she switches her attention to the larger obstacles.

Crawford explained: “It’s going to be her first start and we were aiming for Down Royal and she just wasn’t quite ready. We decided to wait and this looked a nice enough race to aim for.

Lily Du Berlais (centre, green cap and silks) winning at Leopardstown
Lily Du Berlais (centre, green cap and silks) winning at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

“She will probably go over fences with a bit of luck after this and she’s only a novice till the end of this month, so that’s why we were keen to have a go at this race.

“If we could get a Grade Two under her belt, it would be great. It’s a good race but hopefully she can go well.”

Crawford also runs Park Annonciade, who bids for a repeat in the Betfair Racing Podcasts Handicap Hurdle.

He added: “He won this race last year and we were going over fences with him this season, but he had a fall at Ayr earlier this month.

“This race has come just at the right time and we thought we’d give him a confidence booster over hurdles and he gets in off a low weight. He won it last year, so hopefully can go close again.”



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Iroko team favouring Colin Parker tilt

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Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s stable star Iroko is set to sidestep the bet365 Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby on Saturday in favour of an appearance at Carlisle the following afternoon.

Placed at Grade One level over hurdles a couple of seasons ago, the JP McManus-owned six-year-old made an impressive start to his chasing career last November before suffering a setback that was initially expected to rule him out for the remainder of the campaign.

However, he did return in the spring, finishing fifth in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival before bettering that effort by finishing second at Aintree.

Iroko is poised to make his comeback this weekend and the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase, rather than Saturday’s West Yorkshire feature, appears the favoured option.

“We’re hoping to go to Carlisle,” said Greenall.

“He’s in good form. He’s not flashy at home so it’s always hard to tell, but he’s done plenty of work and has taken it well.

“He’ll improve for a run. There’s another intermediate chase I think at Haydock on Betfair Chase day, so if all went well he could go there.”



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Grey Dawning all set for rematch with Ginny’s Destiny

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Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning looks to take the next step in his career over fences as he prepares to line up in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The seven-year-old has enjoyed a productive season so far, winning his second start over fences when beating Gaillard Du Mesnil in a Haydock graduation chase in which he was a nine-and-a-half-length scorer.

At Cheltenham in December he was second to Ginny’s Destiny in a novice event, after which he strolled to a 14-length victory in the Hampton Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

Grey Dawning and Ginny’s Destiny will now meet again, and Skelton expects them to go toe-to-toe.

“He’s a very good horse I feel,” the trainer said of his runner.

Grey Dawning and harry Skelton at Haydock
Grey Dawning and harry Skelton at Haydock (Nigel French/PA)

“I feel we are very closely matched with Ginny’s Destiny and things didn’t quite go our way when we met them at Cheltenham.

“Ginny’s Destiny is entitled to have improved since then and obviously has because he’s won again, but so have we so there is not much between the top two in the market and that’s before you include all the others.”

As mentioned by Skelton, Ginny’s Destiny went on to triumph next time out when taking the Timeform Novices’ Handicap Chase on return to Cheltenham – leaving him with three wins to four runs over fences on his CV.

“He loves the place and worked very, very well on Saturday morning – I’m very happy with him,” Nicholls said.

“I would say he’s in as good a shape as we’ve ever had him and he will need to be.

Ginny’s Destiny on Trials day at Cheltenham
Ginny’s Destiny on Trials day at Cheltenham (David Davies/PA)

“Stage Star won the same race as him last year before winning this and I think Ginny’s Destiny is rated a few pounds higher than he was, so hopefully he has a good chance.

“I think the race has an open feel to it and he jumps and gallops. We’ve improved a lot since we met Dan’s horse first time.

“Hopefully he is the one who can go to the next level and we’ll give it a whirl.”

Iroko provided trainers Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero with the biggest success of their careers so far when landing the Martin Pipe at the meeting last year and will fly the flag for the stable again.

The six-year-old was at one point expected to be out of action for the season due to injury, but his recovery happened at a quicker pace than anticipated and he returns to action at Cheltenham having last been seen winning his sole chasing start Warwick in November.

Iroko after winning the Martin Pipe last season
Iroko after winning the Martin Pipe last season (David Davies/PA)

“He seems on song and everything is right with him, so we will keep our fingers crossed,” Guerriero said.

“We thought he was out for the season so to have him back is brilliant and to go to Cheltenham with him is even better.

“His course form on the New course has got to help and course form is always helpful at Cheltenham.

“His inexperience over fences isn’t ideal, but there is not a lot we can do about that and we’ve been away for a gallop and school over fences and we’ve done all we can.

“He’s been there and won a decent race in the past, so if he’s up to the task, we hope he will run really well.”

Iroko after winning the Martin Pipe last season
Facile Vega at Navan (Damien Eagers/PA)

Willie Mullins has two representatives, with Facile Vega the most popular in the market after his third-placed run behind stablemate Il Etait Temps in the Irish Arkle when last seen.

Sharjah was fourth in the same race and represents the same yard under leading amateur Patrick Mullins.

Gordon Elliott’s Zanahiyr and Gavin Cromwell’s Letsbeclearaboutit complete the Irish challenge, with Venetia Williams set to run Scilly Isles runner-up Djelo and Jamie Snowden saddling Colonel Harry, who was third in the same race.

Gary Moore’s Le Patron and David Pipe’s Jamaico complete the field of 11.



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Iroko out to prove Festival comeback king

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Iroko has connections excited as he prepares to complete his comeback from injury in the Turners Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

The six-year-old gave upwardly mobile training duo Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero a landmark first Festival success when claiming the Martin Pipe 12 months ago.

It seemed unlikely he would feature at this year’s showcase meeting, with an injury suffered shortly after his imperious chasing debut expected to keep him out of action for the rest of the campaign.

However, he returned to full training quicker than anticipated and will head to Prestbury Park’s New course attempting to repeat last year’s heroics in an open Turners Novices’ Chase that kicks off day three of the Festival.

“He’s absolutely fine and in good health and is all set to run – we’re looking forward to running him on the Thursday in the Turners,” said Greenall.

“He seemed to really handle the New course (in the Martin Pipe), but I think he’s pretty versatile and he would handle the Old course just as well.”

The injury sustained by Iroko earlier in the season has left his training team in a race against time to prepare their stable star for the Cheltenham Festival.

Despite failing to beat the clock in order to provide the gelding with a prep run, Iroko successfully came through an away day at nearby Haydock recently, with Greenall believing the experience he has garnered running in handicaps will stand him in good stead for his Turners assignment.

Iroko en route to winning the Martin Pipe at last year's Cheltenham Festival
Iroko en route to winning the Martin Pipe at last year’s Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for the Jockey Club/PA)

“It (possible races) just came too soon really, fitness wise, but he has been away and schooled at Haydock and we’ve done everything we can,” continued Greenall.

“I think the fact he has run in some good juvenile races and some good handicaps, he is streetwise in that sense and it will just be jumping the fences at speed he will lack experience in, I suppose.”

It could be a big afternoon for the Greenall and Guerrero partnership, as fast on the heels of Iroko, in the very next race they will saddle White Rhino in the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle.

White Rhino winning at Cheltenham in December
White Rhino winning at Cheltenham in December (Simon Marper/PA)

A general 10-1 shot to land a knockout blow with the bookmakers, the eight-year-old brings solid course form to the table, having finished second at the November meeting before going one better over the Pertemps track and trip the following month.

He was last seen qualifying for this event by finishing third at Huntingdon and is predicted to sharpen up for that outing back in the Cotswolds.

“He will go in the Pertemps on the same day, if he gets in,” continued Greenall.

“He seems to have come on nicely since his Huntingdon run, has a nice weight and we look forward to running him.”



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Iroko team working towards Festival target

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Iroko is on course to make the Cheltenham Festival but which race he runs in has still to be decided.

Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the six-year-old won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the meeting last season in the famous JP McManus colours.

He went on to finish third to Apple Away in Grade One company at Aintree and reappeared over fences at Warwick in early November, putting up a faultless chasing debut over two and a half miles.

Unfortunately he picked up an injury a couple of weeks later that connections initially felt would rule him out for the season, however, he has returned to full training much quicker than anticipated and has been entered in the Arkle and Turners Novices’ Chases next month.

While Greenall favours the Turners, McManus also owns ante-post favourite Fact To File which may have a bearing on his destination.

“I think he’ll get to Cheltenham,” said Greenall.

“He won’t be able to have a run before, there’s not enough time, but he’ll get to Cheltenham.

“Which race he’ll run in there, I’m still not sure. I’d rather go over two and a half miles but JP has obviously got other options in that, so we’ll just have to see.

“The Arkle may have opened up after last weekend but obviously he ran so well in the three-mile Grade One novice hurdle at Aintree.

“It’s great that he’s back anyway, and he’s back in full training.”



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Cheltenham Festival novice chase entries include Iroko

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Iroko, who had initially been ruled out for the season following a flawless novice chase debut at Warwick, has been handed surprise entries in the Arkle and the Turners Novice Chase events at the Cheltenham Festival.

Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the six-year-old was a winner at the meeting last season in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

He went on to be placed in Grade One company at Aintree and looked set for a big campaign, only for injury to get in the way.

The Martin Pipe has a history of throwing up top-class winners, with Sir Des Champs, Don Poli, Galopin Des Champs and Saturday’s Kempton winner Banbridge on the roll of honour.

Iroko is one of 24 in the Arkle, 17 of which are trained in Ireland, with Gaelic Warrior, who has three options, Found A Fifty and Barry Connell’s odds-on favourite Marine Nationale entered up.

“The betting suggests Marine Nationale has the Arkle at his mercy, with only Constitution Hill a hotter favourite for a Festival race right now,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

“Although perhaps the bigger surprise is that Willie Mullins doesn’t train the Arkle favourite, as he does with the other three novice chases.”

A total of 42 have been entered for the Turners over two and a half miles, with Gaelic Warrior a clear ante-post market leader here.

Corbetts Cross, Colonel Harry, Fact To File and impressive Kauto Star Novices’ Chase winner Il Est Francais are among the other contenders.

The three-mile Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase has attracted 38, a whopping 21 of which are trained in Ireland, including the fancied Mullins pair of Grangeclare West and Fact To File.

Dan Skelton’s Grey Dawning and the Paul Nicholls-trained Stay Away Fay catch the eye from the home contingent at this stage.

There are 26 in the National Hunt Chase over three and three-quarter miles for amateurs, including Flooring Porter, a dual winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle.



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Greenall and Guerriero rocked as Iroko ruled out for rest of season

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Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero’s highly promising Iroko will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a foot injury.

The JP McManus-owned gelding won the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March and made a strong start to his novice chasing career when winning at Warwick.

It was a success that looked likely to lead to much greater things throughout this term, but plans are now on hold until next year as the injury will see him sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Greenall said: “He has just got a foot problem and it should be absolutely fine and he will be back next season. It is what it is, unfortunately.

“For a smaller yard with not loads of really nice horses, it’s a massive blow for anyone, but it’s hard to take.”



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Iroko cruises to victory on chasing debut at Warwick

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Cheltenham Festival hero Iroko made a spectacular debut over fences in the Stan Mellor Memorial Novices’ Chase at Warwick.

The JP McManus-owned five-year-old won his first three starts last season for the Cheshire-based training partnership of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, with successive victories at Wetherby followed by his Festival triumph in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle.

He rounded off his campaign by finishing third in the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree’s Grand National meeting and was the 11-10 favourite to make a successful reappearance and chasing bow in a race won 12 months ago by a subsequent Festival winner in the Paul Nicholls-trained Stage Star.

This season, the champion trainer saddled a 142-rated French recruit in Golden Son, who set out to make every yard of the running under Harry Cobden and jumped well throughout.

But while Golden Son still led the way rounding the home turn, Iroko soon moved powerfully into his slipstream under Jonjo O’Neill Jnr and the ultra-confident rider barely had to move a muscle on the run-in as his mount took full command and eased to a three-and-a-quarter-length success.

“That was absolutely perfect. Jonjo was thrilled with him, he said he jumped absolutely perfectly and travelled like a dream,” said Greenall.

“We thought he might be a bit outpaced over two-and-a-half (miles), but Jonjo said it was perfect, so we’ll probably stick to two-and-a-half I’d say.

“Warwick is a good test for a horse first time over fences and I was worried about the trip, but we couldn’t have asked any more from him really.”

Iroko leads the way at Cheltenham
Iroko leads the way at Cheltenham (David Davies/The Jockey Club)

Paddy Power cut Iroko to 10-1 from 20-1 to double his Festival tally in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Prestbury Park in March, while Coral offer slightly more generous odds of 14-1.

While hesitant to commit to future plans, Greenall revealed options will be considered over a variety of different trips.

He added: “We’ve not really made any plans, we’ll just speak to AP (McCoy) and JP and see, but I think it will be ground dependent whether we go up or down in trip.

“AP was just saying if it was soft ground at Sandown, you could even go back to two miles for the Henry VIII, you could go two-and-a-half in the Dipper (at Cheltenham), or if Kempton on Boxing Day was nice ground, you could go back up to three miles for the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase.

“There’s a few races for him, so we’ll just see how he is and what the ground is like nearer the time.”



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Iroko ready for chasing bow at Warwick

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Cheltenham Festival hero Iroko is set to make his chasing debut at Warwick on Tuesday.

Trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero, the five-year-old was a real improver over hurdles last season and, after a pair of commanding wins at Wetherby, brought up a hat-trick when scoring in the Martin Pipe at the Festival in March.

Iroko then finished off his season by finishing an honourable third when stepped up to Grade One company for the Sefton Novices’ Hurdle during Aintree’s Grand National Festival.

Having skipped a possible return at Cheltenham recently, he will now start off over the larger obstacles in the Stan Mellor Memorial Novices’ Chase, a race won 12 months ago by Paul Nicholls’ Stage Star.

Greenall said: “We’ve always thought chasing would be his game, he’s been schooling really well and we’re looking forward to getting going with him.

“He will want three miles eventually, but we’re just going to start off at two and a half and then go up in trip as the season progresses.”

Iroko is owned by JP McManus, whose famous green and gold hoops are also carried by Greenall and Guerriero’s smart hurdling prospect Jagwar.

Jagwar (left) pushed Inthewaterside (right) all the way at Aintree
Jagwar (left) pushed Inthewaterside (right) all the way at Aintree (Tim Goode/PA)

The four-year-old recruit from France pushed the highly-regarded Inthewaterside all the way on his UK bow at Aintree last Sunday and is exciting his training team.

“He does everything well at home, is really relaxed and easy to train,” continued Greenall.

“He’s going to probably want a trip and fences in time but we will stay over hurdles for now obviously this season.

“We feel he will come on for the experience and fitness wise, so we were very happy with the performance.”

Jagwar could now be set for an immediate step up in class, with a return to Aintree for the Grade One Formby Novices’ Hurdle (formerly the Tolworth) on the Merseyside track’s new Boxing Day card and Newbury’s Challow Hurdle both possible options.

“There’s a few options for him and we’ll probably wait until Christmas time with him now,” explained Greenall.

“He can go back to Aintree on Boxing Day for the new fixture or there is Newbury that we are looking at, we’ll just have to wait and see how he is.

“We’ll probably step him up (in class) a bit, which is what we did with Iroko – and if he won, then great, but if he doesn’t, then he’s gaining experience along the way.

“We probably won’t just go for a little novice as I don’t think he will learn a lot and we’re not gaining anything. We would probably prefer to go and have a go at a better race.

“Aintree would mean going back in trip but it could easily be fairly soft ground that day, which would be fine.”



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Iroko makes leap from handicap glory to Grade One test

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Cheltenham Festival hero Iroko tests the water at Grade One level for the first time in the Winners Wear Cavani Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree on Friday.

The five-year-old provided the training team of Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero with the biggest success of their fledgling operation to date when carrying the colours of JP McManus to victory in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle in the Cotswolds last month.

Iroko made it three from three for the season at Cheltenham following back-to-back wins at Wetherby earlier in the campaign and Greenall believes the step up to three miles on Merseyside can help elevate his game to another level.

“He’s the second top-rated horse in the race, so I think he deserves a crack at it,” he said.

“He came out of Cheltenham well and having that extra week between there and Aintree has helped him.

“The softer the ground, the better for him. The flat track is a bit of a concern, but I think the extra trip will be ideal.”

Another Festival winner out to follow up is Albert Bartlett scorer Stay Away Fay. His trainer Paul Nicholls is confident of another bold showing.

“He was so impressive in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, making much of the running and showing a great attitude to see off the opposition in the closing stages,” the champion trainer told Betfair.

“He seems very well and this looks a suitable target. He continues to please at home, has an obvious chance and will make a cracking chaser next season.”

Donald McCain’s Maximilian got the better of Stay Away Fay to lift the River Don Novices’ Hurdle at Doncaster in January and connections deliberately skipped Cheltenham to wait for Aintree.

Donald McCain's Maximilian
Donald McCain’s Maximilian (Steven Paston/PA)

McCain said: “We’ve had a nice run at it and he’s fine, no problems.

“He’s a fresh horse and we’ve aimed for this since Doncaster, so we’re looking forward to it.

“He’s not flash and he doesn’t really do anything impressively but he knows how to win, so let’s hope that continues.”

Another horse who sidestepped the Festival is Absolute Notions, who was last seen finishing second to Good Land at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Speaking in a stable tour on www.attheraces.com, trainer Gordon Elliott said: “We decided to skip Cheltenham to keep him fresh for Aintree and he’s in great form.

Absolute Notions at Punchestown
Absolute Notions at Punchestown (Niall Carson/PA)

“We think the step up in trip is going to suit him. The one thing I’d say is that he wouldn’t want too much rain – he prefers a sounder surface.”

Elliott has a strong hand on day two of the Grand National meeting and will be hoping to get the afternoon off to a flyer with Gerri Colombe in the opening Air Charter Service Mildmay Novices’ Chase.

The seven-year-old suffered his first defeat in four starts over fences when beaten a short head by The Real Whacker in the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham and Elliott is confident he can go one better.

He said: “He’s an intended runner in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase and we’ll welcome every drop of rain.

“He was just a bit unlucky to be beaten at the Cheltenham Festival. I’d say if you ran the race again tomorrow, he’d win it, but it doesn’t work like that unfortunately. Hopefully he can get back to winning ways on Friday.”

Gerri Colombe at Sandown earlier in the season
Gerri Colombe at Sandown earlier in the season (Steven Paston/PA)

Gerri Colombe’s rivals include Complete Unknown, who has his sights raised by Nicholls following a wide-margin handicap win at Kempton.

“He was always going to be a chaser, has taken to fences like a natural this season and comes to Aintree on the back of a 16-length victory at Kempton off a mark of 142,” Nicholls added.

“He is progressing nicely and should be competitive, with Gerri Colombe the one to beat.”

Elliott and Nicholls are also represented in the Poundland Top Novices’ Hurdle, Elliott by Found A Fifty and Nicholls by Rubaud and Tahmuras.

Found A Fifty has an obvious form chance after being beaten a head by the high-class Corbetts Cross in a Naas Grade Two on his most recent outing.

Elliott said: “He ran a belter at Naas and has improved since then. I think he’s a very good horse and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Rubaud won the Dovecote Novices’ Hurdle at Kempton last time out, but is the apparent second string behind Tahmuras, who needs to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Supreme at Cheltenham.

“He has won three times over hurdles this season, most recently at Kempton, and has earned this step up to a Grade One race,” said Nicholls.

“Tahmuras’ form has been smart this season until things didn’t go his way at Cheltenham. I’m not sure what happened that day but he seems in very good form at home and it’s encouraging that this track is much like Haydock, where he won so impressively in November.”

Henry de Bromhead’s Inthepocket contests the same race after a fourth-placed run in the Supreme under Rachael Blackmore, who rides again.

Rachael Blackmore and Inthepocket
Rachael Blackmore and Inthepocket (David Davies/PA)

She told Betfair: “Inthepocket ran very well in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. He travelled well for me and he kept on well to finish fourth, just over six lengths behind Marine Nationale.

“This looks like a very competitive race, as you would expect for a Grade One, but none of the first three home in the Supreme are running.

“Inthepocket seems to have come out of Cheltenham well. I think that he is a horse with a big future, he has lots of potential. He travels well and he jumps well and I hope that he can run a big race.”



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