CHELTENHAM – FRIDAY
1:20 G1 Triumph Hurdle
Lulamba (Nico de Boinville)
Visually, he looked very good at Ascot, where he did everything professionally, and, as many of you know, he’s a horse we think a great deal of. This is, however, a completely different ball game, and he does lack experience. That said, he is a person with an immense amount of ability, and his work is always to a high standard. We took him to Kempton for an away day, which he enjoyed, and will have sharpened him up. Whatever happens here, I’m hopeful he has a bright future.
3:20 G1 Albert Bartlett
Nativehill (Nico de Boinville)
He won his Maiden at Huntingdon very easily and goes back up in trip here, but he’s a Point to Point winner so there are no concerns distance-wise. This is, however, a massive step up and it will almost certainly come too soon in his career, but he’s there to give it his best shot and I hope he runs a nice race for his owner, who sponsor the race.
5:20 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Hurdle
East India Express (Freddie Gordon)
He’s a very likeable chap who hasn’t run since December but goes well fresh, which is a plus at this time of the year, and it’s a plan that has nicely come together. Freddie knows him well, and he races off a nice weight, so there is lots to like about his chance and I’m hopeful of a very big run.
No Ordinary Joe (Freddie Gingell)
He’s at the other end of the handicap and has quite a bit of weight to carry, but he’s run well in this race before and seems best in the spring. I was pleased with his effort at Warwick last time and we’re putting a tongue tie on for the first time which will aid his breathing.
Punctuation (Freddie Mitchell)
He’s a gorgeous big horse who plugged on well at Kempton on his latest run. They’re likely to go a decent gallop, which he’ll like, and any softening in the ground would also increase his chance.
Aston Martini (Ben Bromley) RESERVE
Her excellent second to Altobelli at Ascot last time would definitely bring her into this and we’re putting a pair of cheekpieces on mainly to keep her sharp. She’s a reserve, so may not get a run, but if she does, I can see her going well over her optimum trip.
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