Everything that could go wrong did for KOPEK DES BORDES on debut over hurdles at Leopardstown and he still ran out a convincing winner. I rate the second Kawaboomga too which makes it even more impressive. He then went to the Dublin Racing Festival and put up an even bigger performance winning on the bridle by 13 lengths. This horse clearly has untapped potential and if he manages to keep a lid on it going down to the start then he should prove a cut above. With such a short priced favourite it is always worth having an each way saver and WORKAHEAD makes plenty of appeal. I have backed this horse each way but to place as well as I think he is a really solid proposition. He made all to beat William Munny by 7 lengths at Christmas and that horse has franked the form handsomely since. Henry de Bromhead obviously won the race last year with Slade Steel and I can see this horse putting up a big performance.Everything that could go wrong did for KOPEK DES BORDES on debut over hurdles at Leopardstown and he still ran out a convincing winner. I rate the second Kawaboomga too which makes it even more impressive. He then went to the Dublin Racing Festival and put up an even bigger performance winning on the bridle by 13 lengths. This horse clearly has untapped potential and if he manages to keep a lid on it going down to the start then he should prove a cut above.

With such a short priced favourite it is always worth having an each way saver and WORKAHEAD makes plenty of appeal. I have backed this horse each way but to place as well as I think he is a really solid proposition. He made all to beat William Munny by 7 lengths at Christmas and that horse has franked the form handsomely since. Henry de Bromhead obviously won the race last year with Slade Steel and I can see this horse putting up a big performance.

For such a big raw horse MAJBOROUGH did so well to win the Triumph at the Festival last year. He was always going to make a better chaser so it is no surprise to see he has gone a perfect 2-2 so far. He thrashed stablemate Tullyhill on chase debut at Fairyhouse and while that form hasn’t worked out he was visually impressive. He then followed up winning by 9 lengths at the DRF and despite a couple of clumsy errors he was way too good. I expect him to be sharper again and he is impossible to oppose.

It is a shame we only have 5 runners heading to post this year as it means there are no each way angles. I’m pleased to see Only By Night take her chance though and I can see her running a nice race. Jango Baie is probably the danger over L’eau Du Sud though as the latter had a harder race than ideal at Warwick and is yet to really convince me as a top class prospect.

The Ultima has been good to us in recent years with Corach Rambler following up his 2022 success in 2023 and then Chianti Classico winning it for Kim Bailey last year. My main hope this year is BROADWAY BOY for Nigel Twiston-Davies. This horse has been largely consistent and caught the eye on reappearance when third to Senior Chief and then ran a big race bumping into Kandoo Kid at Newbury. He jumped poorly last time but they have given him an operation on his knees and he has reportedly schooled really well since. He could still do better and I think he ticks plenty of boxes.

I’ve also backed a couple each way at bigger prices given the amount of places on offer and WHISTLE STOP TOUR could go well for Lucinda Russell. This 7yo won at Kelso and then followed up at Ayr before struggling a bit here last time. He made too many mistakes to get seriously competitive but as a result could be off a good mark and if bouncing back and jumping better could get involved. TRELAWNE carries top-weight but he is unexposed over this trip and I can’t get that win over Iroko out my head so if he is smuggled into this I could see him running well too.

The decision was finally made regarding LOSSIEMOUTH and I can completely understand why they have come here instead of the Champion Hurdle. She is technically held by Constitution Hill on that Kempton run and off the back of a fall it would be a massive ask to win the big one. She is still just a 6yo so has time on her side and looks a cut above these so should get back on track and notch up another Cheltenham Festival win. She is still a ridiculously talented mare and I’d be surprised if she doesn’t win this comfortably.

Stablemate Jade De Grugy won well at Punchestown but I haven’t been convinced by her and I was keen to oppose her anyway. I can see July Flower putting up the most resistance after beating Kala Conti impressively by 4 lengths just after Christmas. Of the rest it is interesting to see Joyeuse supplemented for this after that 8 length romp at Newbury but she has a tough enough ask to come out on top. It wouldn’t surprise me to see her hit the frame though as she is improving all the time.

Time for the big one now and all eyes will be on CONSTITUTION HILL as he bids to regain his Champion Hurdle title. He won the race impressively back in 2023 slamming State Man by 9 lengths and has looked back on track this season beating Lossiemouth at Kempton and then following up on Trials Day despite making a bad mistake at the last. However this pans out I can see him travelling strongly into it and given his slick hurdling technique I just don’t see him being troubled.

Fair play to Gordon Elliott for bringing Brighterdaysahead here but I just don’t see her in the same bracket as the champ even given her mares allowance. She was impressive at Leopardstown but I don’t think State Man gave his running that day and she could have too much to find to spring the upset. I’m not quite sure why Golden Ace comes here as she had a good chance in the Mares’ Hurdle and is likely to be sent off a massive price here and struggle to feature.

I was at Cheltenham for Trials Day and immediately backed STENCIL after that run behind East India Dock. I know he was beaten 10 lengths at the line but I loved the way he went through that race and for a horse so inexperienced I can see him improving plenty now pitched into a handicap. He could develop into a nice horse in time and he is understandably a warm order for this. He should settle better in this big field and if getting the luck needed to win this definitely has it in him to go close.

I also like BEYOND YOUR DREAMS for Joseph O’Brien. This filly was in good form towards the end of last year 12221 and has been put away for this race since winning at Fairyhouse back in December. She should be suited by a strong gallop and a big field and is a danger to all. WENDROCK impressed beating Galileo Dame and then had excuses at the DRF so looks a bit overpriced if bouncing back. Lots of dangers but perhaps headed by Murcia who was only denied a neck at Naas and that form has already been franked by the winner Bacchanalian going in again next time out.

This race looks wide open this year with any of 3 or 4 likely to run well. I do like HAITI COULEURS though as he is unexposed and has untapped potential over this trip. I rate Transmission quite highly and he beat that horse here in December before running well back over hurdles at Newbury last month. He will be spot on for this and could easily be well handicapped off his current mark of just 135. Ben Curtis has impressed in the saddle this season and deserves to get a Cheltenham Festival win to his name.

Transmission obviously has form that ties in with the selection and if he bounces back from that run behind Gowel Road could be a big player. Now Is The Hour has been ante-post favourite for this race for some time but there is little value in his price. At huge odds HASTHING didn’t shape badly behind Victtorino at Ascot and had won two previously so could have more to come and is another one to consider.