Road to Cheltenham 2026: Oh My Word indeed…

I'll begin my review of last week with a couple of English novices at Uttoxeter and Hereford on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively.

Alan King's Baron Noir got off the mark over hurdles at the second time of asking at Uttoxeter, beating nine rivals in cosy fashion. He's a lot better than the bare form, I'm pretty sure, and will no doubt win more races this season. I wouldn't expect him to feature at the big spring festivals, though.

Soomaroy did likewise for Nicky Henderson at Hereford. The four-year-old has a fair reputation and was a little disappointing on debut, but made no mistakes on his second attempt. The form is average enough, though, and he's another I would only consider for events here in the UK - and pre-March.

At Punchestown on Thursday, the Jimmy Mangan-trained, JP McManus-owned Pure Steel opened his account over fences in a tidy little race over the minimum trip. He's expected to keep improving, as stable and ownermate Spillane's Tower did, and is one I could see turning out in a Cheltenham Festival handicap. Grand Annual, Plate, Novices' Handicap. One of them.

Gordon Elliott's four-year-old Kurasso Blue won the next race on the card - a beginners' chase over 2m7f - and he looks a great prospect for the yard. I'm equally interested in the second and third, Ballygunner Castle and Butch Cassidy, though. Follow them closely. National Hunt Chase types?

One of the biggest Cheltenham clues of the week, at least as far as I'm concerned, was Echoing Silence winning a Listed mares' novice hurdle over 2m3f at Punchestown. Henry de Bromhead's mare was easy enough to back, during a time the form of the yard has been questioned, but she did it nicely in the end. Reportedly, she'll go straight to the Mares' Novices' Hurdle now and I couldn't put anyone off backing her. I'm very tempted myself.

At Warwick, Diva Luna made it 2-2 over fences by claiming Listed honours. She was 1/4f, so it was expected, but she looks a much better horse this year and connections can have a lot of fun with her this year. That being said, given the potential strength of the race I don't envisage her making a splash in something like the Mares' Chase.

On the same card, Moneygarrow made it third time lucky over hurdles after two fine efforts in Grade 2 company. He only needs a couple more runs to qualify for a Cheltenham Festival handicap - likely the Coral Cup - and he'd warrant major respect, especially given connections.

It was a great week for his owner Stephen Bough, who has another similar type on his hands in Fortune De Mer. On his fourth run over timber at Cheltenham on Friday, he ran out another cosy winner. It's never been a secret the County Hurdle is his target and same sentiments apply R.E the Skeltons and those big handicaps.

I was impressed by Sixmilebridge, who looks a smart novice chaser for Fergal O'Brien, at HQ, but it was Old Park Star who stole the show.

Moved from Paul Nicholls to Nicky Henderson earlier in the year, the five-year-old looked a novice hurdler of promise when landing a modest affair at Kempton in November, but it's fair to say he looked a potential world-beater at Prestbury Park, bolting up by 12 lengths under a motionless Nico de Boinville.

Supreme or Turners? He could go either way. I suspect it will all depend on what owner and stablemate Act Of Innocence does next, hopefully in the Formby at Aintree on Boxing Day. Wherever he goes, he's respected

One more point of discussion from Friday - the match between Gamesters Guy and Moon Rocket in a novice chase at Doncaster. I'm a fan of both, especially the latter who looks an ideal type for the Ultima in March. A race the Kim Bailey & Mat Nicholls yard likes to target, he has the right profile for it and his mark of 141, which can't be changed as a result of finishing runner-up to a good horse in receipt of weight, is lovely. If they can keep that where it is for another two runs, I'm on.

Onto the weekend, starting with the culmination of the Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham.

Minella Study won the Triumph Trial and in good style too. He surprised me, and seems to be surprising connections too. I suspect he'll run in the Triumph Hurdle, unless something goes wrong in the meantime. Will he be good enough, though? I know it's boring, but surely Willie Mullins will have one, two or three better? Surely?

The three-mile Grade 2 novice hurdle went to Carlenrig for the Skeltons. He improved significantly for his debut and looks a nice type, though he's another I'd be surprised if they were involved in the big one in March.

At Fairyhouse, Jacob's Ladder paid a handsome compliment to Brown Advisory hopeful Jimmy Du Seuil. Meanwhile, The Enabler got another run - and win - under his belt. Handicaps, handicaps, handicaps. At Lingfield, Masked Man won a non-event. Nice horse, though.

Two from Carlisle on Sunday - Cristal d'Estruval and Nab Wood. The former test his Supreme credentials in the Rossington Main at Haydock in the new year. He could be one of the better UK prospects, but I'm not in a rush to back him for the curtain-raiser.

Nab Wood won the Pertemps Qualifier and wouldn't be the most far-fetched winner of the Final come March. However, the suspicion is there'll be at least one too good for him.

Last but certainly not least, Oh My Word. Indeed.

The best bumper performer so far this season, by a distance, was Thomas Cleary's four-year-old son of Poet's Ward, ridden by a cool, calm and collected Derek O'Connor. He looks a serious tool.

Will he be bought by a JP McManus? Time will tell, but whoever's silks he dons next time out, I expect him to be very competitive. He leads the Champion Bumper division at this stage.

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