Road to Cheltenham 2026: Form boosts raise Festival hopes

As per, I'll begin my review of the last seven days with the big stories - or story in this instance. French Champion Hurdle winner El Clavel, billed as a "future Gold Cup horse" by connections, was ruled out for the season through injury. Fingers crossed he makes a swift recovery.

On the track, Ted Walsh's Sticwiththeprocess was the first horse to grab my attention. The JP McManus-owned five-year-old was backed off the boards for a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Tuesday and he duly obliged. I think he's worth a lot more than the official margin and is seriously well-handicapped. He should win lots of races this season.

Later on the same card, Mares' Novices' Hurdle heroine Air Of Entitlement was beaten on her reappearance in a rated hurdle against just three rivals. Henry de Bromhead's six-year-old conceded a stone to the winner, though, so I wouldn't be too critical of her performance. Could she be one for a handicap back at HQ in March, I wonder?

Kingston Queen and Sober Glory - particularly the latter who surged 12 lengths clear of the runner-up Kadastral for Dan Skelton (he's of serious interest next time out) - were fairly impressive at Chepstow on Wednesday for David Pipe and Philip Hobbs & Johnson White respectively. They could take high rank on this side of the Irish Sea. Festival hopes? Time will tell.

The star of the week has to be Il Etait Temps, who bolted up by 18 lengths in the Clonmel Oil on Thursday. That ought to put Willie Mullins' five-time Grade 1 winner spot on for the Tingle Creek, where he'll meet Jonbon. A mouth-watering clash.

He doesn't seem to enjoy Cheltenham, so I'm not overly enthusiastic about his chances in the Champion Chase come March, but he's in the form of his life and could be dangerous to dismiss at the same time.

Nobody will be underestimating Mullins' Spindleberry after her stylish success in a Listed event at Clonmel. The seven-year-old, who impressed in the G1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse in April, has shortened into 4/1 for the Mares' Chase, but connections are pushing for a shot at the Blue Riband. I admire the ambition, but that's a big ask. She'd have every chance against her own sex.

A mare to take out of Newbury on Thursday was Jackie Hobbs. Harry Derham's five-year-old won a good-looking heat with a bit to spare and has been installed at 33/1 for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.

National Hunt Chase and Irish National hero Haiti Couleurs made a winning return to action over the smaller obstacles in Berkshire and it sounds like the Betfair Chase at Haydock is next on the agenda. He'll prove on Merseyside if he's a Gold Cup contender or not. My instinct is the latter.

What a performance from Thistle Ask - and trainer Dan Skelton too - in the Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter on Friday. He was rated just 108 in February and I'd guess he's now facing a mark of around 140 after his seven-length romp. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he appears in a Grand Annual, or something like, at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.

Onto the weekend, starting with the action at Aintree on Saturday. Chase debutants Hidden History and Mambonumberfive are ones to follow in handicaps this term and could be good enough to line up in a big one in the spring. There's lots more to come from both horses.

Colonel Harry won the Grand Sefton and I suspect a return to Merseyside in April will be his main aim. Perhaps he could take in the Cross Country beforehand?

Across the Irish Sea, at Gowran Park, Break My Soul defied a drift to make a winning debut - a stylish one at that - over fences, but it was Thedeviluno, winner of a two-mile maiden hurdle, who got my blood pumping the most.

That's because he's boosted the form of two horses close to my heart - Theflyingking, in the antepost book at 50/1, and Doctor Du Mesnil. The latter, who I have extremely high hopes for this season, in particular as he beat Paul Nolan's gelding by a whopping 12 lengths, giving away seven pounds, in a bumper earlier in the year. Expect to hear a lot more about him over the coming weeks...

I'll quickly touch on Wincanton, as none of the winners would be on my radar for Cheltenham. Paul Nicholls' Blueking D'oroux and Rubaud won the Grade 2s on the card but made hard work of it. Jubilee Alpha should have completed a hat-trick for the Ditcheat handler, but a bad mistake at the second last put paid to her chances. Nice horses I'd love to own, but not Festival horses.

On Sunday, Port Authority absolutely hacked up for Gordon Elliott in a maiden hurdle at Naas to earn quotes of 25/1 for the Supreme. The £200k purchase finished 17 lengths clear of the 11/10f Murat, who went 2-2 in bumpers including a warm race at the Galway Festival, and yet so little fuss has been made about it.

I think this performance has been seriously overlooked. Elliott has name-dropped the Formby at Aintree on Boxing Day as a potential target, where he could meet Monday's impressive Carlisle winner Mydaddypaddy. Spoiler alert.

Last but certainly not least, Only By Night, now under the ownership of Robcour, was excellent in the G3 Barberstown Castle Chase on the same card. She beat Champ Kiely in a thrilling finish and is now 11/2 for the Mares' Chase. I couldn't put anyone off.

P.S - just how good is Majborough? I'll leave you with that.

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