Cheltenham Breakfast is the only way to start your day ahead of the Festival if you want to discover inside information and what is the talk of the track.
Today DOMINIC KING finds out about a big move for a Liverpool player, learns about the emotion of a winning owner and does some important research relating to two kinds of Guinness…
Liverpool star joins Henry’s stable
A wonderful week to date for Henry de Bromhead. He doesn’t boast the numbers of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott but his ability to prepare a horse for a big day is second to none and it has led to him adding a new owner to his stable – Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
Scotland left-back Robertson is no stranger to being involved with horses, as he has been part of a syndicate of Liverpool players who owned Mister McCann and The Bitter Moose, useful flat performers who were trained out of Michael Owen’s stables in Cheshire.
Liverpool star Andy Robertson (centre) has joined Henry de Bromhead’s stable as an owner
The trainer celebrates a win for Captain Guinness with Rachael Blackmore and Queen Camilla
Robertson, though, is having a go on his own and has bought a mare whom De Bromhead is conditioning at his base in Knockeen, County Waterford. The pair are frequently in discussions and Champion Chase winning trainer De Bromhead has been bowled over by the defender’s enthusiasm.
There are no big plans for Robertson’s acquisition yet – the first step is to have her jumping hurdles competitively in the autumn – but the longer he spends in Knockeen, the more he will find he is amongst friends: Brian Acheson, one of De Bromhead’s biggest backers, is a huge Liverpool fan.
Price of food and a pint is eye-watering
An area where Cheltenham know they will face increased scrutiny is over the price of a pint of Guinness. It’s £7.50, the same as it was 12 months ago. Not cheap, by any means, but in the interests of balance, some things needed to be highlighted.
At the recent Carabao Cup final between Liverpool and Chelsea, 440ml cans of Stella were being sold at Wembley for the same price, meaning it was effectively £9 for a pint. The cost of food was similarly eye-watering, with hot dogs costing £10.
Yes, racing – and Cheltenham – could do better at some things but the idea they alone are pricing out spectators is just wrong. Everywhere you go, whether it is football, golf, cricket or rugby, the mark up is pronounced. Something needs to change in the future to give spectators a better deal.
Bookies rescued by El Fabiolo blunder
Gasps from the grandstands were pronounced during the Queen Mother Champion Chase when El Fabiolo blundered, started to back pedal dramatically and was then pulled out after four fences of the helter-skelter contest.
They were nothing like the cheers, however, of bookmakers, who got a reprieve.
Favourite El Fabiolo was dramatically pulled out of the Queen Mother Champion Chase
The treble of El Fabiolo, Ballyburn and Fact Or File had been popular, with Paddy Power offering enhanced odds of 5/2 for it to come off.
El Fabiolo’s departure saved the firm more than £1million.
Cross Country set for April meeting
There was something missing in more ways than one from Cheltenham’s Wednesday card. The atmosphere didn’t exactly crackle at points and you could not help but wonder if having the Cross Country Chase on the schedule would have lifted interest.
A sodden outfield led to the Festival’s unique race being abandoned and some frantic rejigging needed to take place to fill the allotted four hours.
The Cross Country may yet be staged, however, with talk of it being held at Cheltenham’s April meeting with sponsors Glenfarclas keen.
Football agent and Ballyburn owner left in tears
David Manasseh conducts his business as a football agent in a very considered, emotionless way. It helps him make decisions that are devoid of emotion and allows him to understand the bigger picture. There is no family bond between him and a player.
To see him in the winner’s enclosure on Wednesday, then, was a lesson. Manasseh was crying in a way you might see water come out of a drinks foundation, tears dripping from his cheeks after Ballyburn came up the hill as if he was on skis. This was a 1-2 shot looking like a 1-10 shot.
Ballyburn owner David Manasseh embraces Willie Mullins after victory in the Novices Hurdle
There is a feeling that Ballyburn might be capable of doing what proved beyond Constitution Hill, in terms of winning a Champion Hurdle then going for a Gold Cup. That’s the level of ability those close to the swaggering winner of the Gallagher’s Novice are adamant he possesses.
Manasseh, a joint owner of the gelding with Ronnie Bartlett, would not be drawn on what Ballyburn will do next or how next year will look. He did, though, articulate quite wonderfully how humbled he was by all that had happened.
‘Money can’t but what I experienced,’ Manasseh told Cheltenham Breakfast. ‘Look at the winners here – Rich Ricci, Michael O’Leary, The Donnellys. I’ve got two horses in training – and I’ve had that. This is another level. In my head, I had so many nerves. It is simply unbelievable.’
PADDY POWER’S CHEAT SHEET FOR DAY THREE
We’re hoping that there’ll be no early drama for today’s seven-race card – at least until the racing starts – after Wednesday’s mishap.
The Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle is the headline act at 15:30 where Teahupoo is hoping to go a couple of places better than last season when denied by stablemate Sire Du Berlais who also lines up again.
And while this heavyweight bout splits the action, there’s still plenty of questions to be answered on the undercard as we enter the final two days of the four-day fiesta.
Will Facile Vega (1.30pm) finally show the world what he’s capable of? Will the month long gamble on Crebilly (4.10pm) be realised. And will Nicky Henderson’s runners bounce back to form?
Courtesy of Paddy Power News, their pundits Mick Fitzgerald, Ruby Walsh, Paddy Mullins, Matt Chapman and Nina Carberry offer up their tips for day three below…
Trainer Gordon Elliott has kept Teahupoo fresh for the Stayers’ Hurdle on Thursday
1.30 TURNERS NOVICES’ CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
I fancy a British winner in this as we swap to the New Course for the next two days. GREY DAWNING (9/4 with Paddy Power) has solid form.
Matt Chapman
Now the mud has come I’m all over GREY DAWNING for the team of jockey Harry and trainer Dan Skelton. This grey has always had plenty of talent.
Paddy Mullins
FACILE VEGA should appreciate the step up in trip and soft ground will help him show his true ability.
Ruby Walsh
I’m not going to desert FACILE VEGA. The way Willie Mullins turned around Gaelic Warrior shows you can’t go against his runners.
Nina Carberry
I fancy FACILE VEGA. He’s crying out to go up in trip.
2.10 PERTEMPS NETWORK HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
ICARE ALLEN (9/1 with Paddy Power) is very interesting, there’s more to come from him. MILL GREEN is consistent and has an each-way chance.
Matt Chapman
Could LE MILOS be well handicapped? He’s on 142 here and was second at Kelso in a chase in March last year off 152. Will act on the ground.
Paddy Mullins
GAOTH CHUIL has been hugely consistent this season and has a lovely light weight.
Ruby Walsh
I’m hoping my dad’s GAOTH CHUIL (each-way) can deliver a third Festival winner for him. She will definitely stay and she can run into the money.
Nina Carberry
I’m going with GAOTH CHUIL. She’s been on form all season.
Envoi Allen is chasing a fourth Festival success in Ryanair Chase defence on Thursday
2.50 RYANAIR CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
I am wary of the ground conditions for BANBRIDGE so if he doesn’t run then ENVOI ALLEN is probably the one to beat.
Matt Chapman
PROTEKTORAT (10/1 with Paddy Power) has a cracking each-way chance for trainer Dan and jockey Harry Skelton. Rated 165 he’s bang in the mix and he’s not been disgraced behind Shishkin and L’Homme Presse this term.
Paddy Mullins
CAPODANNO will handle soft ground which will help negate the drop in trip to 2m 5f. There are question marks over plenty of others.
Ruby Walsh
In my opinion, ENVOI ALLEN will win at Cheltenham for a fourth time and Henry de Bromhead’s horses have done brilliantly this week.
Nina Carberry
BANBRIDGE has got a massive chance, hopefully the ground won’t spoil his chances of running if it gets too soft.
3.30 STAYERS’ HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
TEAHUPOO is my fancy. He’s still only a seven-year-old and there is definitely more to come. The key to him performing at his best is that he runs well fresh and he hasn’t run since December.
Matt Chapman
I like the improving CRAMBO (each-way). He has defeated Paisley Park at Ascot but, most importantly, is back on watery ground which he hasn’t had since loving heavy at Sandown in March last year. A cracking chance to get in the frame at the very least.
Paddy Mullins
TEAHUPOO (7/4 with Paddy Power) was beaten as a six-year-old last year but is in his prime now and holds the best current form, from the Hattons Grace Hurdle.
Ruby Walsh
NOBLE YEATS has a huge chance (each-way) now fitted with headgear. I can’t see him out of the places.
Nina Carberry
TEAHUPOO was placed last season and can go a couple of places better now.
Teahupoo is a frontrunner and tipped by Nina Carberry, Mick Fitzgerald and Paddy Mullins
4.10 TRUSTATRADER HANDICAP CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
CREBILLY is ticking a lot of boxes for me as he’s been progressive all season.
Matt Chapman
SHAKEM UP’ARRY (10/1 with Paddy Power) loves soft ground and won really well at the track last time. He’s up 3lb for that but in these conditions that might not stop him.
Paddy Mullins
Irish raider GLENGOULY could still be unexposed and the drop back in trip will help him.
Ruby Walsh
I like RIAAN at a decent each-way price. I was really impressed with his run at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Nina Carberry
CREBILLY has made steady progress all season and could be well handicapped on some of his form.
4.50 RYANAIR MARES NOVICES’ HURDLE
Mick Fitzgerald
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD is a major player, the quality is there for all to see and she’s unbeaten.
Matt Chapman
BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD has been a talking horse and all we have to hope is that she’s not another Samcro! The mare is the apple of trainer Gordon Elliott’s eye.
Paddy Mullins
DYSART ENOS (5/1 with Paddy Power) could be hard to beat getting weight from Jade De Grugy and Brigherdaysahead who both carry a penalty.
Ruby Walsh
The way Gordon Elliott talks about Brighterdaysahead is infectious. I can’t walk away from Willie Mullins’ JADE DE GRUGY but maybe I should listen to Gordon!
Nina Carberry
JADE DE GRUGY looks more the finished article than market rival Brighterdaysahead.
Jade de Grugy has weight to carry but still has a brilliant chance in the Novices Hurdle
5.30 FULKE WALWYN KIM MUIR CHASE
Mick Fitzgerald
A tricky amateur jockey’s handicap over 3m 2f to end the card. Henry de Bromhead’s AMIRITE seems fairly handicapped.
Matt Chapman
AMIRITE is okay in soft ground and has an each-way chance so the pin falls on him for Henry de Bromhead and 3lb conditional Noel McParlan. Hasn’t won for a little while but last time was fifth in the Paddy Power Chase when running on well.
Paddy Mullins
AMIRITE has been around the course and ran well in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas at Leopardstown. This is a drop in class for him.
Ruby Walsh
Inothewayurthinkin is at the top of the market but I have my doubts over the 3m2f distance and his pedigree. Instead, I’ll have two picks and side with AMIRITE (10/1 with Paddy Power) and WHERE IT ALL BEGAN as each-way plays.
Nina Carberry
INOTHEWAYURTHINKIN has been lined up for this race all season and can deliver now.
