Andrew Nelis racing

Nicky Henderson insists Unibet Champion Hurdle favourite Epatante is on course for Cheltenham, despite giving her trainer some cause for concern earlier this week. The master of the powerful Seven Barrows stable was on hand at Newbury on Friday to see Monte Cristo successfully land odds-on favouritism in the three-runner Mansionbet Best Odds Guaranteed Juvenile Hurdle under Daryl Jacob. Afterwards, Henderson said: “I can tell you Epatante didn’t cough today. That is the official line today. “We are forced to say these things before somebody gets it out – and then it’s headline news. Unfortunately, we have to say it before it leaks out and it is drifting (in the market). You virtually have to let everyone know before she has even coughed! “But that’s what they are making you do. She has not coughed this morning and we are all on course.” Though a general 3-1 shot on Thursday morning before the yard informed the public via Twitter the mare had coughed, some firms pushed her

p to £30 in free bets Philip Hobbs claims victory for Defi Du Seuil in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase would give him a great sense of personal satisfaction. The improving seven-year-old will bid for an eighth Grade One victory when taking on reigning champion Altior and dual Grade One winner Chacun Pour Soi in a contest described by many as the race of the meeting. Since tasting defeat to Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown in May, the JP McManus-owned gelding is unbeaten in three starts over two miles, backing up his Shloer Chase effort over course and distance with Grade One wins in the Tingle Creek at Sandown and Clarence House Chase at Ascot. Hobbs said: “I suppose it would have to give you more satisfaction if you beat all of those, and I suppose longer term he is more likely to stay at the top level over two miles. “If he beats both horses it would elevate his status if that happened. At the end of the day though, the main thing is that all the connection

Ben Pauling is confident he has Global Citizen exactly where he wants him for his return to the top table in the Racing Post Arkle Novices’ Chase at next month’s Cheltenham Festival. The eight-year-old warmed up for his first start at Grade One level since finishing down the field in last year’s Champion Hurdle by taking part in a racecourse gallop at Kempton on Tuesday morning. Although a touch keen through the early stages, Global Citizen – winner of the Grade Two Wayward Lad Novices’ Chase on his previous visit to the track in December – finished off the gallop well to cross the line alongside his work companion Delire D’Estruval. Pauling said: “He was easy for the eye to see, and he was good. He was very well in himself, and I feel like we have got him spot on. He just wants to get on with life. “David (Bass) said he took a fierce hold in behind but worked very well. I’m chuffed to bits with that, and it puts us bang on track for the Arkle. “We’ve freshened him up sin

Nicky Henderson was thrilled with what he saw from Pentland Hills, Fusil Raffles and Verdana Blue as they continued their preparations for next month's Unibet Champion Hurdle with a racecourse gallop at Kempton. The three Cheltenham protagonists were among 13 horses sent to work at the Sunbury track on Tuesday morning in what has become an annual pre-Festival tradition for the Seven Barrows handler. Working over a lap and a half on the all-weather track, none of the trio passed the post at the front of their gallops, with Pentland Hills and Verdana Blue finishing second and third respectively behind Adjali in the first group and Fusil Raffles following home Birchdale in the third lot.

Easysland remains on course for a fascinating clash with Tiger Roll in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. The French-trained six-year-old has shown he could be a real threat to the dual Grand National hero, who will be seeking to win next month’s race for the third year running – and the for fifth time in his stellar career at the Festival. Easysland was bought by owner JP McManus after winning on his first attempt over Cheltenham’s cross-country course in December. He is still based with trainer David Cottin at Lamorlaye and impressed on his first run for his new owner when a convincing winner in a Listed cross-country chase at Pau earlier this month. “They’re very happy with him in France, and the plan is to go to Cheltenham – all is good,” said McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry. “He won nicely there and came out of the race well. We’re looking forward to running him at Cheltenham. “It should be a cracking race with Tiger Roll.”

Paul Nicholls may yet run Cyrname again this season after reporting his stable star to be "bucking and squealing" as he recovers well from his heavy fall at Ascot. The Nickname gelding was the highest-rated chaser in Britain at the start of the campaign - and cemented his place as top dog when inflicting a first career defeat over jumps on Altior in a much-anticipated clash at Ascot in November. He fluffed his lines when a hot a favourite for the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day, but was still hot favourite to bounce back by successfully defending his crown in this month's Betfair Ascot Chase.

Kildisart has put himself firmly on course for the Ultima Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival with a pleasing run at Kempton. Trainer Ben Pauling was delighted with the eight-year-old’s timely effort to finish a staying-on fifth to Mister Malarky in Saturday’s Grade Three Betway Handicap Chase. Kildisart will therefore return to Cheltenham, where he ran a creditable race to finish fourth to Defi Du Seuil in the JLT Novices’ Chase last March. “He’s come out of his race at Kempton brilliantly,” said Pauling. “I was very happy with him, and it’s all gearing up now for the Ultima. “I’m really looking forward to getting him out at Cheltenham. That was much more like him. He finished very well, after struggling to go the early gallop on that tighter track.” Kildisart holds an entry in the Randox Health Grand National – as does stablemate Le Breuil, who is also currently in both the Ultima and the Kim Muir Challenge Cup at Cheltenham. Pauling has yet to confirm definite

Harry Whittington rates Simply The Betts his best chance of gaining a first Cheltenham Festival success in the Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase. The Sparsholt handler believes the seven-year-old can continue his progression over fences in the extended two-and-a-half-mile Grade Three prize, for which he is as short as 8-1 favourite. After losing his unbeaten record over fences at Kempton on Boxing Day, the Andrew and Kate Brooks-owned gelding bounced back to winning ways with an impressive victory over the Plate course and distance last time out. Whittington said: “Simply The Betts has got a great chance in the Plate. He has improved beyond all recognition all season, coming through the handicaps. “My dream plan was to win the Northern Trust Novices’ Handicap, but that was blown out of the water when he won last time at Cheltenham. “We are in the Plate off 149 and we have got every chance – hopefully he is still improving and is ahead of the ha

Noel Meade predicts a bright future for Beacon Edge following his narrow defeat at Naas on Sunday. A smart bumper performer last season – most notably finishing fourth behind Envoi Allen at last year’s Dublin Racing Festival – the Doyen gelding made an impressive start to his hurdling career at Punchestown in October. Having been off the track since, Beacon Edge appeared to face a stiff task in the Grade Two Paddy Power Betting Shop Novice Hurdle, but was beaten just a nose by the front-running Jason The Militant, with hot favourite Andy Dufresne four lengths away in third. Betfair reacted by cutting Meade’s charge to 33-1 from 66-1 for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at next month’s Cheltenham Festival, but the trainer will consult owners Gigginstown House Stud before committing to future targets. “We think he’s a very good horse and we always did. He just got held up with me all winter,” said Meade. “He probably would have won with a good jump at the last. He just reached f

Any Second Now confirmed his status as a leading contender for the Randox Health Grand National with a fine victory at Naas. The JP McManus-owned eight-year-old was a well supported 3-1 chance for the Grade Three WhatOddsPaddy? Chase – a race trainer Ted Walsh had previously won with subsequent Grand National winner Papillon and his Aintree third, Seabass. Bidding for his first victory since landing the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir at the 2019 Cheltenham Festival, Any Second Now was positioned in the slipstream of last year’s winner Cadmium for much of the two-mile journey, before taking over the lead in the home straight. With the front-running Cadmium weakening tamely out of contention, 5-2 favourite Articulum emerged as the biggest threat to Walsh’s runner – who dug deep in the testing conditions to score by a length and a quarter in the hands of Mark Walsh. Sky Bet cut the winner to 10-1 for Aintree, making him their second-favourite behind the remarkable dual winner Tiger Roll

betfairexchange £20 Free Exchange Bet Dan Skelton believes Allmankind needs to find only a small amount of improvement to have a big chance of maintaining his unbeaten record over jumps in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Having made his first start at Grade One level a winning one at Chepstow over Christmas, the Bill and Tim Gredley-owned four-year-old will bid to follow up by making it four wins from as many starts in next month’s two-mile juvenile championship. With Skelton reporting Allmankind to be in good order for his toughest test to date, he feels further progress from his Chepstow success would see him go close to victory. He said: “I’m delighted with how Allmankind looks – and I’m glad I didn’t run him at the trials meeting at Cheltenham, because I think that might have blunted that last couple of per cent of freshness and aggression in him. “He loves to run hard, and he is going to run hard, so you need him at his best to be able to

Andy Dufresne has his first test at Naas on Sunday since Gordon Elliott’s decision to keep the exciting young recruit on Irish soil and sidestep Cheltenham. The six-year-old, who lines up in the Paddy Power Betting Shop Novice Hurdle, has created a big impression with two wins from three starts over the smaller obstacles, including one at this Grade Two level at Punchestown last month. “We decided to skip Cheltenham with Andy Dufresne this year as there are a number of nice races for him at home in the spring and this race is the first of them,” said Elliott. “I thought he did well to win at Punchestown last month, I really liked the way he battled to get on top after the last and I’ve been happy with him since then. “He seems very well in himself.” Recent Fairyhouse winner Exit Poll is a notable rival for Andy Dufresne among the 10 declared. Trainer Jessica Harrington said: “We’ve always liked Exit Poll and I was delighted with his win at Fairyhouse last time out. “H

Solo put in a dominating performance in the Weatherbys Cheltenham Festival Betting Guide Adonis Juvenile Hurdle at Kempton on Saturday. Paul Nicholls introduced Zarkandar in the Adonis back in 2011 and that horse went onto win the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, a race Solo is now the 3-1 favourite for with Sky Bet (Non Runner No Bet). Solo travelled strongly on the front end and ran away from his rivals in the straight for a commanding 13-length success and Nicholls couldn't hide his excitement in the post-race briefing. He told Racing TV: "We've been really excited at home but until they do it on the track you don't believe it really. He's a very smart horse. "He's had plenty of time and he's a colt, he's a tank, he's thrived on work and he's like dealing with a different horse than when they are lean and light, we can train him. "That was magic. "He's got more scope than Zarkandar I'd say, h

Richard Johnson expects to be back riding out in the coming week as he described his return to the saddle as “fairly imminent”. The champion jockey has been on the sidelines since breaking his arm when unseated in a novice chase at Exeter on January 21. Johnson subsequently underwent surgery on the injury and has been riding his retired racehorse, Menorah, at home ahead of returning to gallops duties. The four-time champion expects to be fully fit for the Cheltenham Festival, although he suffered a blow earlier this week when his Magners Gold Cup hope Native River was ruled out. Speaking in his role as an ambassador for Chepstow on the track’s Twitter account, Johnson said: “It’s been great to be back on a horse this week – I rode Menorah at home quite a few times. “I’ll be back riding out at the yards this week coming, so I’m hoping my return is fairly imminent. “There’s lots to look forward to – obviously the Cheltenham Festival mainly. It’s massively disappointing Nat

Gordon Elliott would not swap "forgotten horse" Delta Work for any other in next month's Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and he later confirmed Mark Walsh will take the ride. The seven-year-old was edged into third in last year's RSA Insurance Novices' Chase at the Festival, but he has come of age in fine style this term, winning two of his three starts. Victorious in the Savills Chase and the Irish Gold Cup, Delta Work now boasts five Grade One wins on his CV - and Elliott believes he will be perfectly suited by three and a quarter miles at Prestbury Park. He said: "He's all set for the Gold Cup. I don't think he's done much wrong over the last couple of seasons - he was lame after Down Royal (when he was beaten on his seasonal bow) and was just beaten in the RSA last year. "It just didn't work out for him in Cheltenham last season. It was probably my own fault, as I didn't run him between Christmas and the RSA and he seems

Andrew nelis Racing . Olly Murphy is looking to give his two big novice chase hopes, Brewin’upastorm and Itchy Feet, a racecourse gallop ahead of their assignments at the Cheltenham Festival. Itchy Feet, who gave Murphy the first Grade One success of his career in the Scilly Isles Novices’ Chase at Sandown three weeks ago, is being primed for the Marsh Novices’ Chase on March 12. Itchy Feet has won both his starts over fences, as has Brewin’upastorm, who is being prepared for the Racing Post Arkle Trophy on the opening day, March 10. He was last seen in public at Taunton in November, when he comfortably landed the odds from Southfield Stone. “They are both in good form. I couldn’t be happier with the pair of them,” said the Stratford trainer. “They are both going to have a racecourse gallop in the next 10 days. “They are on course for Tuesday and Thursday – Brewin’upastorm for the Arkle and Itchy Feet for the Marsh.”

A decision on Copperhead’s Cheltenham Festival target is expected to be made “in the next week or so”. The Colin Tizzard-trained novice continued his rapid progression over fences with a dominant display in the Reynoldstown at Ascot last weekend. He holds entries in the National Hunt Chase – which will be run over a reduced distance of three miles and six furlongs this year – and the three-mile RSA Insurance Novices’ Chase. Assistant trainer Joe Tizzard told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s come out of it really well, you wouldn’t know he’s had a race. “He’s a very progressive young horse, he’s been put up another 10lb for his win and I don’t know where he’s going to end up, as he’s improved with every run. “I’ve had all the big Irish amateurs on the phone trying to get their leg over him (for the NH Chase), but it’s a decision we haven’t yet made. “Me and dad need to chat to the owners and try to make the right decision for the horse, but we haven’t got to make it just yet. “We

Black Corton heads a competitive field of 14 for Kempton's Betway Handicap Chase. The nine-year-old is one of four chances on Saturday for champion trainer Paul Nicholls, and as usual he will be ridden by Bryony Frost. Stable jockey Harry Cobden takes the mount on Adrien Du Pont - while Bryan Carver takes 5lb off Sametegal, and Harry Skelton teams up with his former boss to ride Romain De Senam    

  Gordon Elliott’s team for the Cheltenham Festival has shrunk by one – with the leading trainer forced to rule Glenloe out of the meeting. The JP McManus-owned nine-year-old was favourite for the Fulke Walywn Kim Muir Challenge Cup. He already has good Festival form to his name, beaten just a short head in the Pertemps Final of 2018 by stablemate Delta Work – now one of the leading fancies for this year’s Gold Cup. Glenloe has yet to win in five outings over fences, but has shaped well the last twice in valuable handicaps. However, Elliott informed punters via Twitter on Friday morning that his charge will miss the Festival. He wrote: “Unfortunately Glenloe will be missing this years Cheltenham Festival due to a little set back.”                             ANDREW Nelis Racing 

Enda Bolger will seek a sixth win in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase at Cheltenham next month, with Yanworth and Josies Orders in contention following their efforts at Punchestown this week. Yanworth was third to Neverushacon as the 9-10 favourite on Tuesday – while the veteran Josies Orders, also owned by JP McManus, was one place behind his stablemate. Twelve-year-old Josies Orders has a tremendous record at Cheltenham, having won four times – including the Festival race in 2016. Bolger took the inaugural running in 2005 with Spot Thedifference. He said: “I hope Yanworth and Josies Orders will strip fitter for their runs in Punchestown. “They’ll know they had a race, so I’d say they’ll have a trip to the beach, and we’ll just freshen them up. Hopefully they’ll travel on the Sunday before Cheltenham – and less is better for them between now and then.” More attention than ever will be on the cross-country race this year, with Gordon Elliott’s dual Grand National winner

                                                  ANDREW NELIS RACING . Gordon Elliott will consider all Cheltenham Festival options for Shattered Love before deciding her target next month. The nine-year-old won the JLT Novices’ Chase – now known as the Marsh – in 2018, but has managed just one subsequent success, in a Listed heat last November. She ran a creditable race in defeat behind Chris’s Dream in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran on Saturday, and Elliott believes a wind operation brought about that improvement. Shattered Love is entered in both the Ryanair Chase and the Magners Gold Cup, but Elliott has not ruled out a handicap date either. He said: “She might go for the Ryanair. She had a wind operation after her previous run, before running very well in Gowran over the weekend. “She seems to be better over two and a half or two-five rather than extreme distances. She’s a very good mare on her day, but she has had four wind operations. “We’ll also put in her in so

                                                    ANDREW NELIS RACING NEWS . Willie Mullins plans to talk to owner Rich Ricci before deciding on Faugheen’s Cheltenham Festival target. Winner of the Champion Hurdle in 2015, the veteran has bounced back to something like his best this season at the age of 12. Having his first campaign over fences, Faugheen has already won Grade Ones at Limerick and Leopardstown, where he raised the roof at the start of the month. Faugheen has the option of the RSA Chase over three miles or the Marsh Novices Chase over two miles and five furlongs, the distance over which he won at the Dublin Racing Festival. “He is well after his run in Leopardstown, but myself and Rich haven’t spoken about it (Cheltenham),” said Mullins. “Rich actually text me last night because he knew the press were coming this morning and he said to me ‘do remember we haven’t spoken about it’! “I was delighted that he was able to come back and win two Grade Ones and