myracing.com Road To Cheltenham 5th December 2016

With the Christmas period fast approaching in the world of national hunt racing, the jumps season is now approaching third gear in the build up to the Cheltenham Festival. It won’t be too long before we see them set off in the King George, December is always a spectacular month of racing providing the weather stays kind to us. Let’s take a look back at the main talking points of the last seven days after we talk about what is ahead of us this week. Follow us on Twitter and our Channel 4 Racing previews are live every Tuesday with tips to follow every Friday evening.

This Week’s Racing

The feature race this week is the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup at Cheltenham. It looks a ferocious renewal, as competitive as always, and Aloomomo and Taquin Du Seuil head the market as the 8/1 joint favourites. Read our Caspian Caviar Gold Cup race preview and our race trends will be on site later in the week.

Performance Of The Week – Airlie Beach

The Willie Mullins trained super-mare made it seven wins from seven at the weekend when making all in the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse. She is building a might reputation, keeps on progressing and jumped impeccably to beat her stablemate Saturnas by over six lengths. This mare became pregnant accidentally as a two year old, gave birth at three and is now unbeaten to date, what a story.

Impressive. Airlie Beach remains unbeaten as she lands the Grade 1 Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at @Fairyhouse: https://t.co/cytYEPlsUY

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 4, 2016

Words can’t describe how proud I am of airlie beach and @dan2231!!!grade one winners!!!@SupremeHorseRac @Fairyhouse#dingerpic.twitter.com/q5SNwkg3Iz

— Steph Searle (@stephsearle90) December 4, 2016

Un De Sceaux Beats Sire De Grugy In Tingle Creek Thriller

Nobody can ever question Un De Sceaux’s resilience after this performance, that’s one thing for sure. The Willie Mullins trained star jumped woefully for two miles, clobbered three or four fences, got headed jumping the second last and the last and still somehow managed to get his head back up in the hands of Ruby Walsh. If connections decide to run him in the Queen Mother Champion Chase in March (currently 10/1), that could pave the path for Douvan to potentially go down the Gold Cup route (We can dream).

REPLAY & REACTION: “This horse wears his heart on his sleeve” Read Ruby Walsh on Tingle Creek hero Un De Sceaux >>> https://t.co/l3E64WTauM pic.twitter.com/8yc1Qd5I3h

— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) December 3, 2016

So pleased with sire,ran his heart out dug deep but not good enough. Respect to un de sceaux he doesn’t know when to lie down 4-0 to him!

— Jamie Moore (@jemoore85) December 3, 2016

Altior Wins First Grade 1 Over Fences

Our Arkle favourite Altior of the Nicky Henderson stable once again really impressed over the larger obstacles at Sandown on Saturday in the Henry VIII Novices’ Chase. The winning margin over Charbel was 6 lengths but it could have been 20 if Noel Fehily wanted to push the button sooner. Altior is now best priced 7/4 for the Arkle and it will take a hell of a horse to stop him in his tracks.

REPLAY & REACTION: Altior set for Christmas date at Kempton after making it two out of two over fences >>> https://t.co/C3PcDmSUVy pic.twitter.com/kE2c2RsL4O

— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) December 3, 2016

Jade Upsets Vroum Vroum Mag Apple Cart

Vroum Vroum Mag tasted defeat for the very first time since she joined the Willie Mullins stable at the weekend, just finding the resolute Apple’s Jade too good by a very narrow margin. Ruby Walsh gave the favourite what looked like the perfect hold up ride, taking a narrow lead after jumping the last. However, race fitness was on the side of the Gordon Elliott runner and she battled back gamely along the rail to just get back up. She is now 11/4 to win the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham in March whilst Vroum Vroum Mag remains the 5/2 favourite.

What a finish between two wonderful mares! Apple’s Jade fends off Vroum Vroum Mag to win the Hatton’s Grace: https://t.co/OzBAcUH1hD

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 4, 2016

Joseph O’Brien Hopes For Triumph Glory

Landofhopeandglory made it three wins out of three over hurdles at Fairyhouse on Sunday. He had to work pretty hard but once he got his head in front he battled hard to the line and he is now the clear 8/1 favourite for Triumph Hurdle success in March. Can he follow in the same steps as Ivanovich Gorbatov for the same owner JP McManus? He looks an extremely smart recruit to hurdles and possesses buckets of flat speed.

Download the app to watch today’s @Fairyhouse replays including Landofhopeandglory’s win: https://t.co/Zdd7rk1oqHhttps://t.co/km5IXt2HBC

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) December 4, 2016

Our Road To Cheltenham Series started on the 14th of November and we will bring you all the latest ante post Cheltenham Festival news every Monday, bringing you a round up of the previous weeks’ racing.

14th November 2016 Article

21st November 2016 Article

28th November 2016 Article