THE Cheltenham Gold Cup is the highlight of the week and Galopin Des Champs and Paul Townend are primed to defend their crown.
The opposition is led by the Martin Brassil-trained Fastorslow who is a very solid opponent. He actually defeated Galopin Des Champs at the Punchestown Festival and in the John Durkan at the same track back in November.
But Galopin Des Champs bounced back with two victories at Leopardstown including the Irish Gold Cup.
Unfortunately, Shiskin is another horse that has been ruled out by the Nicky Henderson team which is a great pity as he had a great each/way chance.
Hewick was a shock winner of the King George at Kempton Park and his trainer Shark Hanlon is quite the character.
This is a deep race but I expect Paul Townend and Galopin Des Champs to edge out Fastorslow.
Carrigtwohill trainer Terrence O’Brien is represented by Answer To Kaft in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle. This horse is locally owned by the O’Connor family and Preparations have gone well and his shrewd trainer issued a positive update from Cheltenham.
“The horse travelled over well and we are happy with him. I suppose our best form is on heavier ground and there has been plenty of rain over here,” O’Brien said. “Obviously, John Shinnick knows the horse really well as he has ridden him all season.
“But this will be a 24-runner handicap so you need a bit of luck in running. But if everything goes to plan I expect Answer To Kaft to run a huge race and if we finished in the first five we would be delighted.”
The Triumph Hurdle gets the final day underway and Sir Gino has been the ante-post favourite for some time now. But the form of the Nicky Henderson would be a massive worry with so many of his horses running below par or being withdrawn during the week.
A suspected virus in the yard has really scuppered the Henderson team this week.
Sir Gino had been the British banker of the week but punters appear to be looking elsewhere at this stage.
The Mullins team are mob-handed with Majborough, Salvator Mundi, Kargese and Storm Heart so it looks a very open race.
The Skeltons have a great record in this race and L’eau Du Sud is well fancied by connections after being runner up to his stablemate Iberica Lord in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury.
The Albert Bartlett Hurdle is usually a very competitive event and Paul Townend has sided with Readin Tommy Wrong who won the Grade 1 Lawlors of Nass which is always a top-class trial.
Another horse who stayed on to be third in this was Lecky Watson and there are plenty of positive vibes about his chances. Expect the Mullins pair to fight out the finish here.
The Hunters Chase is always a great spectacle and gives the amateurs their chance to shine. It Came To Pass was a memorable winner for Eugene and Maxine O’Sullivan a couple of years back.
It’s On The Line is the current favourite and is trained by Emmet Mullins who is a real target trainer.
He was already in the winners enclosure earlier in the week when Corbetts Cross bolted in. Ferns Lock is likely to provide a tough nut to crack but I expect It’s On The Line to emerge victorious here.
The Mares Chase is all about Dinoblue who has been brilliant all season for the McManus team.
Valergie De Vassy might be the second string for the Willie Mullins team but she will have the services of Paul Townend. But Dinoblue looks to have a class edge here and can send punters home happy.
Majborough
L’eau Du Sud
Lecky Watson
Galopin Des Champs
It’s On The Line
Dinoblue
Answer To Kayf.