Cheltenham Market Movers: Festival Trials Day Round-Up

Champion Hurdle market thrown wide open

The International Hurdle was supposed to be the battle of the Champion Hurdle markets top two, but the sad injury sustained by Sir Gino and then The New Lion subsequently not impressing in victory has thrown the market wide open.

First of all, my thoughts are with Sir Gino and his connections, and we can only hope for good news, a full recovery and a happy retirement.

It left The New Lion (9/4) with seemingly a penalty kick, one he wasn’t overly convincing in converting. He did look best though on top of the line, and a stronger run race will only suit better. He was cut to 3/1 from 4/1 for the big one and remains second in.

Lossiemouth, who looked bound for the Mares’ Hurdle is the new 9/4 favourite with the assumption connections may fancy a Champion tilt, with Constitution Hill now into 5/1 from 14/1 in a market that has been completely turned upside down and inside out.

Ma Shantou major Stayers player after Cleeve Romp

Ma Shantou (5/2) looks set to replace Paisley Park as a stayers Hurdle challenger for the Emma Lavelle stable after coming seven lengths clear up the hill in the Cleeve Hurdle, dispatching favourite Impose Toi (Evens f) in his wake.

That is now three wins from four runs at Cheltenham over the three mile trip, his only defeat in last year’s Albert Bartlett.

The seven year old was cut to 8/1 from 50/1 to continue his upward curve in the Stayers in March.

Impose Toi was eased to 12/1 from 5/1.

Spillane’s Tower new name in Gold Cup frame

Spillane’s Tower (11/4) lay down his marker for Gold Cup glory when taking the Cotswold Chase. He sauntered past the gallant L’Homme Presse (4/1) before being made to battle all the way up the hill to repel him. Spillane’s Tower was cut to 16/1 from 50/1 with the runner-up L’Homme Presse clipped into 40s from 66s.

Recent winners of this trial haven’t got a great record in the Blue Riband, with just three winners since 1980, the last with Looks Like Trouble in 2000.

There was drama at the start when the winner lashed out and caught Grey Dawning on the hind quarters. The favourite was trotted up and allowed to take his chance but could only manage third. He was eased to 20/1 from 12/1 on the back of this below par run.

Maestro calls the Triumph Trial Tune

The Triumph Hurdle trial has produced a few winners of the juvenile championship in recent seasons, including Sir Gino two years ago.

Maestro Conti (5/2) was produced to perfection by Harry Skelton after a wide trip throughout to win well and was cut to 7/1 from 10/1 to win the Festival Friday opener.

Familiar Connections Conquer Cross Country

Favori De Champdou (9/1) produced a fantastic weight carrying performance when lugging top weight to victory in the Cross Country Chase. He follows in the footsteps of Tiger Roll and Delta Work for the same connections who relished this unique test and was inserted at 8/1 for the Festival equivalent.

Jordans Cross gets up in thrilling opener

The opening race has been a fantastic pointer to festival glory with the last seven winners of the Timeform Novices Handicap Chase providing four winners, two seconds and a fourth at the subsequent festival.

Jordans Cross (7/1) will have the job of keeping up that honour after getting right up on the line to deny Quebecois (12/1). Both will likely have the Jack Richards Novices H’cap Chase of the Plate on their horizon in March.

Donnacha serves it up to Jagwar in Plate trial

The third race on that card looks an ideal trial for the Plate on the Festival Thursday over the same course and distance. Jagwar, last year’s Plate winner (7/4f) was being discussed as a potential Ryanair horse but was eased to 33/1 for that assignment after going down gallantly to Donnacha (12/1), giving the winner 17lb.

It may be that the front two, who pulled ten lengths clear, go in different directions. The winner to stay over this trip for the Plate while Jagwar likely to step up to three miles for the Ultima Handicap Chase in a bid for a second Festival success.