With the National Hunt Festival less than a fortnight away and having visited several yards and watched important work and schooling here are some ante post advices for the big meeting.
FIVE HANDICAPPERS TO BACK NOW
With the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival looming large here are five recommendations for the handicaps at the big meeting.
JAGWAR 11-2 generally PLATE HANDICAP CHASE TUESDAY
JAGWAR has by his trainer Oliver Greenall’s admission been working the house down since his somewhat unlucky defeat at the New Year meeting. He arrived to mount a challenge pulling the proverbial bus, but in a head bob was denied by Donnacha. All his racing this season has been over the two and a half mile trip and as the stable has Iroko carded for the longer Ultima on the same day it seems likely JAGWAR will contest this race in which he can repeat his impressive triumph of 2025.
IROKO 7-1 generally ULTIMA HANDICAP CHASE TUESDAY
IROKO can consolidate his position as favourite for the Grand National by running well on a big day for the Greenall stable. Fourth in the Aintree spectacular last season, he’s had a classic preparation for a return and was hugely impressive in landing a three runner graduation chase at Ascot in which he produced a smart turn of foot for such a big horse. The Ultima is without doubt the most competitive of the handicap chases run at the meeting but it’s very hard to look past the JP McManus-owned runner.
PIC ROC 16-1 generally NATIONAL HUNT NOVICES’ HANDICAP CHASE TUESDAY
PIC ROC has met with mixed fortunes since being sent chasing and on a couple of occasions suffered from the implications of a standing start. Annoyingly for your columnist it happened after he’d been heavily supported for the Jack Richards Chase at the 2025 Festival, and in subsequent outings he struggled to get to the front. He was the subject of a substantial on course gamble for the Coral Trophy at Newbury last November when from a slow start he stayed on into the money when the birds had flown. But on a recent visit to Sandown he pinged the tape and never looked like being reeled in. That has served to boost his confidence levels, and Ben Jones has learned how to get the best out of him.
TUTTI QUANTI 14-1 generally WILLIAM HILL COUNTY HANDICAP HURDLE FRIDAY
TUTTI QUANTI has a choice of engagements but if Paul Nicholls keeps his charge in the handicap division rather than step up for a crack at the Champion Hurdle it should reap dividends. In back to back visits to Newbury the six-year-old has looked a much improved performer and especially when running his rivals ragged to come home unchallenged in the William Hill Handicap Hurdle. I’ve never seen that race put to bed as early as was the case with Tutti Quanti who relished the heavy ground. Easy conditions are important to this emerging star from Ditcheat who will surely show before long that he’s better than a handicapper.
THE PASSING WIFE 12-1 in places MARTIN PIPE CONDITIONAL JOCKEYS’ HANDICAP HURDLE FRIDAY
The traditional ‘getting out’ race at the meeting provides THE PASSING WIFE with a very good chance of taking away a cheque. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding notched a first success of the season in the smoothest fashion at Punchestown when he downed a 2-5 favourite in Doctor Du Mesnil. It was his first success over jumps and the Martin Pipe will be his first run in a handicap, but he looks every niche a horse that should have a lot more to give.
