Cheltenham Festival: Donn McClean with five Irish handicappers to follow
By Donn McClean
21:45 · MON March 15, 2021
The leading pundit completes his build-up to Cheltenham with five Irish horses expected to outrun their prices in handicaps this week.
You Raised Me Up (Martin Brassil)
You Raised Me Up didn’t run at Cheltenham last year. Third in the Ladbrokes Hurdle at the 2020 Dublin Racing Festival, he was an 11th-hour withdrawal from the County Hurdle, a race that was run on ground that would have been softer than ideal for him.
Martin Brassil’s horse was impressive in winning his maiden hurdle at Listowel in September and, given a nice break after that, he returned to win a good novices’ hurdle at Naas last month. He quickened up nicely that day, and he kept on well to get the better of two talented novices in Petibonome and Feelgood Island.
Johnny Ward: Elliott deserves punishment but he should get a break too
The trainer often gave others a second chance, something he now needs himself. By Johnny Ward Wednesday 3 Mar 2021, 6:39 PM Mar 3rd 2021, 6:39 PM 12,088 Views 17 Comments
Gordon Elliott: at the centre of a publicity storm.
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
Image: Morgan Treacy/INPHO
GORDON ELLIOTT HAS had a week of horror you would not reasonably wish upon anyone.
He has been a victim of trial by social media, which is never good, and barred from having a runner in Britain without due process having taken place in Ireland.
When I gathered on Saturday evening that the image of him sitting astride the dead horse, Morgan, was indeed real, I put it around on WhatsApp that some context or explanation was needed, that a picture can and will mislead. He at lea
Countdown to Cheltenham: Festival clues at Naas; Gold Cup an option for The Conditional; Tiger Roll latest Malik Ouzia
At the time of writing, we’re awaiting a second inspection of the day at Exeter to see whether this afternoon’s card can go ahead.
If it does, then last year’s Supreme third Chantry House will be looking to get his novice chase campaign back on track ahead of a tilt at the Marsh, while a strong showing from The Glancing Queen in the 15.10 would confirm her place among the leading contenders for the Mares Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.