Workahead

Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Tuesday)

LIKE many, I have reservations about how Kopek Des Bordes will handle the occasion, so I would rather look for an each-way prospect. Workahead really impressed me at Leopardstown and since then, runner-up William Munny and the fifth, Jacob’s Ladder, have both boosted the form.

Redemption Day was the beaten favourite that day, but must still be held in high regard by connections, considering he ran in a Grade 1 next time. In contrast, the form of Romeo Coolio’s Grade 1 win hasn’t fared well, nor has the Grade 2 he finished second in.

De Bromhead’s quieter season is a concern, but it is also probably keeping Workahead at a decent price, while connections’ recent win with Koktail Divin gives hope.

Sixandahalf

Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Thursday)

THE majority of Sixandahalf’s runs have come on the flat, but any kind of racecourse experience is a bonus when it comes to the Cheltenham Festival. Maughreen’s lack of experience, and perhaps more questionable fitness levels, would be my concern with a mare that I would struggle to go against in 12 months time.

With some wide-margin victories, you can question their merit if the competition was lacking, but Sixandahalf’s 12-length rout on hurdle debut was made even more impressive when the runner-up Qualimita subsequently finished third to Vischio at the Dublin Racing Festival. It’s form that would put me off any British contenders in this, too.

The Cheltenham hill increases the need for stamina, even in this race, and Sixandahalf should have no problem with that, considering she won over almost two furlongs further. That’s the reason that I would avoid Galileo Dame (also entered in Triumph Hurdle), despite the flat recruit’s clear talent.

Solness

BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Wednesday)

THE reason I have never warmed to Jonbon is more than just a gut feeling (but that too), it’s that I believe his domination of this division is due to the lack of quality. Last time out, he was chased home by the 11-year-olds Energumene and Edwardstone, and before that it was Quilixious, who was beaten 24 lengths by Solness next time.

Last season, that aforementioned veteran Edwardstone ran second to Jonbon twice, before Henderson’s star was beaten by outsider Elixir De Nutz. Jonbon returned to winning ways when beating the unreliable Conflated.

He has no Altior, Min, Sire De Grugy, Sprinter Sacre, or Un De Sceaux to contend with. No, instead he has the likes of Marine Nationale and Solness – funny, I know.

I wrote off Solness’ first Grade 1 win as something of a fluke, but after he followed up in style, I won’t be writing him off again, at least not until the two-mile chase division gets more depth. He should get his preferred drier ground here, and I don’t see him losing any fight for the lead.

The Changing Man

Ultima Handicap Chase (Tuesday)

THE competition The Changing Man has been facing of late could also be described as weak, and certainly not the graded level they were meant to be. Yes, he won the Reynoldstown Chase by 24 lengths, but the field of four lost the favourite at the third fence. It’s also difficult to get excited by the horses he chased home on his three prior starts.

That said, he’s clearly talented and is a good jumper – you can forgive his fall on his seasonal return, when he looked to be tiring. He likes good ground, but also ran well on his sole start on heavy, so seems versatile regarding the ground.

His mark of 140 looks very reasonable, especially when you compare it to his potential rivals. Broadway Boy runs off the same mark as when he was a well-beaten favourite over course and distance, while Katate Dori has a 12lb rise to contend with, and the 136-rated Whistle Stop Tour has previously won Class 3 chases at Ayr and Kelso.

Home By The Lee

Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Thursday)

WHEN Teahupoo won this last year, he came off the back of a Grade 1 win in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle. For those that might liken that to his second to Lossiemouth in the latest renewal of the race, I’d point towards the horse five and a half lengths behind him, Beacon Edge.

A stablemate of Teahupoo, he led that day, and while he won a (four-runner) Grade 2 on his previous start, he was well-beaten in the Savills Hurdle next time out. That Grade 1 was won by Home By The Lee, who was making it two from two this season.

While it’s surprising that a horse could improve as a 10-year-old, it seems to be the case, or maybe it’s that his competition isn’t ageing well. For a horse with such a strong chance, his current price looks very attractive, especially compared to the even-money favourite.