I’m delighted to have joined MansionBet as their brand ambassador and hopefully my good form continues and we can have a lot of big days in the upcoming national hunt season.
It’s great to be back at Cheltenham this weekend, I have 3 rides on Saturday and 3 on Sunday.
My first ride on Saturday is Sebastopol, he has been a little bit disappointing as a young horse, his first run over fences was ok. My plan is to hold him up and see if he is good enough to pass them late on up the Cheltenham hill.
I ride Dostal Phil in the Gold Cup and it will be my first time I have sat on him. He has been a fairly consistent horse running in top handicap chases, but this race is always very hard to win. I have been told he has been working well at home, so I’m hopeful of a big run.
My best chance of day on Saturday is Mackleduff. He has only had the 4 runs, but he was very impressive when I rode him last time out at Aintree. Olly’s horses have been in flying form and we think he has a great chance here of making it 3 wins in a row.
Hoping for Repeat of Cheltenham Success
I can’t wait to get back on the super mare, Put The Kettle On in the Shloer Chase. She’s the only mare to ever win the Champion Chase and she loves the track. She’s fit and ready to go, but we would have ideally liked the ground to have been on the softer side. I’m hoping we can repeat what we did last March and win again at Cheltenham.
Camprond has won his last two races in novice company, and this is a big step up, but I’m looking forward to getting on him and hoping for a big run. As ever the Greatwood is hugely competitive race and there is quite a few in the race with a good chance.
My final ride at Cheltenham this weekend is Washington in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle trial. He has won his two bumpers and won well on his hurdling debut at Bangor. He was a bit keen last time out, so he will need to settle better today as this is a step up in grade. Olly’s horses are in flying form so let’s see how he runs and we will make a plan from there.
It’s been a great week for me personally and the highlight must be the double I rode at Bangor on Wednesday. Snow Leopardess was very impressive and that should put her spot for the Becher Chase at Aintree which will be her next race. I then won on Hunters Call who is now 11 and for him to win a competitive handicap at the age gave me a huge thrill. I’m down at Olly Murphy’s most mornings and it has been a cracking start to the season for both of us as all of the horses are running great, let’s hope we can keep that winning run going.
Stay Safe, Aidan.