Three To Watch - Festival Days One And Two

Shaneshill

Willie Mullins` Shaneshill has some history with Cheltenham following his failed efforts when the favourite for the Champion Bumper last season. This year the mount of Paul Townsend will be one of 12 runners in the Supreme Novices` Hurdle and is a lively contender at the best price of 12/1 (Numerous).

The Wylie family charge picked up the Punchestown Grade One flat race on his first appearance following his second-place finish in Gloucestershire, getting the better of Bumper winner Silver Concorde by two lengths when on level terms.

As a novice hurdler this season the six-year-old put four lengths between himself and his nearest rival in a strung out field when odds-on favourite over 20f at Fairyhouse. This preceded a runners-up place in Navan`s Grade Two Novice Hurdle, failing to justify odds-on favouritism.

Whilst the Kings Theatre-sired charge will be taking a step down in trip, he will be benefitted by the turn of foot that saw him stand out as a flat horse whilst also having the stamina to grind out results should the going get tough. The Supreme Novices` Hurdle is at 13:30 on Tuesday 10th March.

Jezki

Jessica Harrington`s Jezki will be looking to become the first horse since Hardy Eustace in 2005 to win back-to-back Champion Hurdles. Whilst being the reigning champ will stand this JP McManus first string in good stead, the seven-year-old will have to fend off strong competition from market leader Faugheen (5/4 - betfair), Nigel Twiston-Davies` The New One (18/5 - Betbright) and two-time race winner Hurricane Fly (9/1 - Numerous). Jezki is available at 9/2 with most bookmakers.

Prior to his Champions Hurdle success, Jezki had previously finished eighth in the Festival`s Champion Bumper (2012) before grabbing third place in 2013`s Supreme Novices` Hurdle. This experience, getting the beating of both Hurricane Fly and The New One last season, will undoubtedly be invaluable.

This form over Hurricane Fly is volatile. Jezki reaffirmed his supremacy over the Willie Mullins now 11-year-old in the Grade One Champion Hurdle at Punchestown on their reappearance though tasted defeat at the hands of the Montjeu-sired gelding in all of their last three meetings together when on terms.

It`s advantage Jezki in spite of Fly`s dominance over him partly due to the latter`s need for ground softer than the good-to-soft expected at Cheltenham tomorrow. Jezki, rated 168, will also benefit from being ridden by AP McCoy who will be looking to get his last ever Festival going with a bang.

The Champion Hurdle is at 14:05 on Tuesday 10th March.

Sire De Grugy

Gary and Jamie Moore`s Sire De Grugy is another looking to defend his Festival title. This time the Preston Family mount will be looking to do the double in the Queen Mother Champion Chase having picked up the victory in emphatic style last season, six lengths clear of Somersby in second.

Very much like Jezki, Sire De Grugy faces stiff competition with Sprinter Sacre the current 3/1 favourite (32red, 888sport, betway) to finish the first past the post. This nine-year-old second favourite can be backed at odds of 10/3 (also 32red, 888sport, betway).

The second favourite, rated 16 points behind Sprinter Sacre, only made one subsequent appearance on the track following this win, picking up the Grade One Celebration Chase at 16f before seeing a hip injury put pay to the start of this campaign.

His account opener in a Grade Two at Newbury can be scratched from the memory following his unseating of Moore when in with every chance in February. He got his season off to a flyer by sealing a class two win by seven lengths and looks to have made a better return than the also formerly sidelined favourite. Sprinter Sacre could only finish second behind Dodging Bullets in the Clarence House Chase though he was competing in a better quality field.

The Queen Mother Champion Chase is at 15:20 on Wednesday 11th March.

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09/03/2015     © Frixo 2026