Nico de Boinville: “Hopefully Santini can play a significant role in proceedings”

Cheltenham Festival Friday

2.10pm

Rathhill

We haven't seen him since he disappointed in Ireland in November, but he has had a wind op since and he would certainly have a chance if he came back to his best. He ran well enough in the Tolworth last season, considering he went there straight from a maiden hurdle win at Newbury two weeks earlier, and I'd say a mark of 135 looks okay. I believe they have always thought a bit of him but I haven't ridden him before and he clearly has questions to answer after that run last time. 

Cheltenham Gold Cup

3.30pm

Santini

With 12 runners, this is probably a bigger Gold Cup than many were expecting. So it has some depth as well as plenty of quality, and the betting tells you it is a very open race this year. I am very happy to be on Santini though, as he reserves his best for Cheltenham. He ran a remarkable race when second in the RSA last year considering his far-from-ideal preparation, finishing ahead of Delta Work, and he was back on track last time after that troublesome Sandown reappearance. I say troublesome as he was clearly not at his best when winning there but we gave him a break and a wind op and he came back to form in style to beat Bristol De Mai in the Cotswold Chase. Some may question his tactical speed but you can’t question his courage or his stamina, or class in fact, and he will keep going to the line.  We worked him in cheek pieces last week and they seemed to make a difference, so he runs in them here, and hopefully they will allow him to travel a touch more kindly. Hopefully he can come on again for his win here last time, and play a significant role in proceedings.