Cheltenham 1.20 Energumene 1.5 pt win @ 8’13 (NAP) – Sole chase defeat came in that memorable battle with Shishkin in this race last year, which has evidently left its mark on that rival but not on this one; readily landed the Champion Chase here next time and followed up in the Punchestown equivalent; straightforward task when back down in class at Cork seven weeks ago; highly talented, tactically versatile and top rated in this field
Cheltenham 1.50 Now Where Or When 1/2 pt ew @ 14’1 firms offering 6 places – Irish raider; has a record of 1321 in cheekpieces over fences, most recently winning at Down Royal in early November; may improve further in the retained headgear; interesting off a low weight.
Doncaster 2.05 Epatante 1pt win @ 1’3 – Runner-up in the Champion Hurdle last March then went one better in the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle; no match for superstar stablemate Constitution Hill when second in two Grade 1s at the end of last year but she stands out as the one to beat in this much easier race
Cheltenham 2.25 Noble Yeats 1pt win @ 9’4 – Leapt into centre stage with his Grand National win at Aintree last April and on last two outings he has been the clearcut winner of a Listed chase at Wexford and Grade 2 at Aintree ( Ahoy Senor third and Sounds Russian fourth); emerging as a contender for top Graded-race honours and his stamina suggests he will be well suited to this stiff finish
Doncaster 2.40 Idalko Bihoue 1/2 pt ew @ 5’1 – Finished alone to win 3m point on debut last February and made it 2-2 with easy win in Worcester maiden hurdle in October; third (albeit soundly beaten) in the Grade 1 Challow at Newbury latest and could improve for this longer trip
Cheltenham 3.00 Gelino Bello 1/2 pt ew @ 9’2 – Runner-up late in 2021 on both visits to this track but won the 3m Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree last April; chasing this season, winning twice in very small fields but his jumping failed the test in a Grade 1 at Kempton on Boxing Day; acts on soft; lacks the form chance of two of today’s rivals but this is just his second season jumping and this return to hurdling could help him to show improvement
Doncaster 3.15 Cloth Cap 1/2 pt ew @ 11’1 firms offering 4 places – 11yo who isn’t the same force as he was when winning the big Newbury handicap chasein November 2020 but he ran a gallant race from the front when sixth in the Becher at Aintree last month; another 2lb lower here and he’s one to be interested in
Cheltenham 3.35 Pembroke 1pt win @ 2’1 – Bumper winner who has improved with each of his three hurdle runs, looking an exciting prospect when slamming 14 rivals at Ludlow in December; that’s probably the best form on offer here, and if he’s just as effective over today’s longer distance he’ll be a tough nut to crack
ITV Double 2 pt win Energumene 8’13 & Epatante 1’3