Coral Racing Ambassador, Sean Bowen, previews his four rides on the first day of the Cheltenham Festival, including Wade Out, who goes for his third win of the season in the curtain closing National Hunt Cup. 

The Cheltenham Festival is finally here, and it’s always one of the most exciting weeks of the year. It’s a special place to go racing, and I’m really looking forward to getting started on Tuesday. Hopefully, I’ve got a few better rides this year, and it would be great to get the week off to a good start.

Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle (14:40) – Ammes

Ammes started the season well and was very impressive when winning his first two races. His run at Wetherby last time might not have looked spectacular at first glance, but when you go back and look at it again, he was beaten by a horse that’s been fancied for the Triumph Hurdle, so the form reads quite well.

I felt he might have been a little bit flat that day but overall I still think he’s off a workable handicap mark. If he turns up in good form, I think he goes there with a decent chance and hopefully he can run a big race.

Ultima Handicap Chase (15:20) – Resplendent Grey

Resplendent Grey ran much better at Windsor last time than he did at Newbury in the Coral Gold Cup and itt was a pleasing performance. He’s a horse with plenty of ability but in big handicaps he can sometimes be a little bit timid when he gets surrounded by other runners.

We’re putting blinkers on him, and I schooled him in them on Sunday morning. He worked very, very well, so we’re hoping they help him concentrate a bit more in the race. The idea is they’ll help cut out some of the distractions around him.

On his best form, he’s one of the classier horses in the race so if everything clicks for him on the day, he’s capable of being in the mix.

Plate Handicap Chase (16:40) – Booster Bob

Booster Bob started the season well, and I thought his win at Newbury was very impressive. He ran at Cheltenham last time and was unable to follow it up, although in fairness, he didn’t run terribly.

When he came home afterwards, we found that he had a few ulcers, so that probably explains why he wasn’t quite at his best and that issue has been sorted out now. His mark isn’t quite as lenient as it was earlier in the season but if things go right for him, he can be there at the finish.

National Hunt Cup (17:20) – Wade Out

Wade Out is another horse with plenty of ability, but he can be a little bit lazy at times, so you have to give him a few reminders. He’ll be carrying top weight, which obviously isn’t ideal but we’ve put cheekpieces on him, and I schooled him in them on Sunday morning with the hope that they’ll sharpen him up a bit.

The extra trip should suit him well because he’ll stay all day. If he can get into a good rhythm early in the race then he’s got a chance, but like Resplendent Grey, he just needs things to fall into place in the early part of the race.

Champion Hurdle Preview

It looks like an interesting Champion Hurdle this year, especially with the three mares in the line-up. Personally, I quite like Brighterdaysahead. If they go a strong gallop early on, which looks likely with Tutti Quanti who likes to go forward, I think that will really suit her.

She’s a strong stayer and a very good mare on her day, so if the race is run at a good pace, I think that could play right into her hands.

Sean Bowen, Coral Racing Ambassador