ONCE upon a time it was the clash everyone wanted to see – El Fabiolo vs Jonbon.
But while the ‘va va voom’ of the smash-up has somewhat lessened, today it’s what we get in the Festival’s feature Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase.
PAMullins and Townend look to have another banker in the shape of El Fabiolo[/caption]
The big two were meant to meet at Ascot earlier this season.
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But the Clarence House Chase was called off due to the weather and, when it was re-staged at Cheltenham El Fabiolo stayed at home for the Dublin Racing Festival while Jonbon fans were shocked when Nicky Henderson’s hero was beaten a neck by Elixir Du Nutz.
That has left most feeling that El Fabiolo, representing the might of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, will just go and win.
Indeed, there are some who now see revitalised Edwardstone — who brilliantly made all in a romp at Newbury last time — as more of a threat to the Irish raider than Henderson’s challenger.
There is no doubt Tom Cannon and Alan King may again have a trick up their sleeves when it comes to Edwardstone but I’m massively in the EL FABIOLO (3.20) camp.
He is very short in the betting but I strongly expect him to prove the outstanding two-mile chaser of the season.
Some question his jumping and, yes, he can make errors, but at the end of the day he’s won eight of eleven starts and never fallen.
He was also too good for Jonbon last year in the Arkle.
Mullins bids for a third Champion Chase after winning it for the first time in 2022 with the brilliant Energumene, with the Tony Bloom-owned star following up last year.
He was ruled out for the season with injury — like many of Bloom’s players for his beloved injury-hit Brighton & Hove Albion.
El Fabiolo could be just as good as Energumene — but Mullins still has someway to catch Henderson who has six.
Day Two of Cheltenham 2024 starts with the Grade 1 Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle over two miles five.
Most will see this as a penalty kick for Ballyburn and believe he will probably hack up.
But at such short odds I’ll have a few quid each-way on JINGKO BLUE (1.30) for Henderson.
My hope looks progressive and ran on really well to score at Sandown last time. A few quid each-way.
The second race is the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novice Chase over an extended three miles. I’m a huge STAY AWAY FAY (2.10) supporter.
I thought he had no chance in the Albert Bartlett this time last year but Harry Cobden said he would win — which he duly did at 18-1.
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This season chasing, the Paul Nicholls runner has won at Exeter and Sandown, looking a true stayer, and then finished third to the more experienced Capodanna and The Real Whacker in the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham.
He ran on well that day and who-ever beats him here will have to be a real star. Of course Fact To File might be — but I’ll stick with Harry.
I’m risking MIGHT I (2.50) in the best betting race of the day, the Coral Cup. My selection has been chasing of late, and won over fences in a match two starts ago.
However, back hurdling he’s interesting off a handicap mark of 142 having been fourth this time last year off 3lb higher in the Martin Pipe.
After the main event, we get the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase if it goes ahead.
They will inspect this morning and plans have been made to move it to Friday due to the ground on that course.
If it does go ahead than former Gold Cup hero MINELLA INDO (4.10) will love the heavy ground and has an excellent chance of winning with a mark of 159.
Slick jumping is needed for the Grand Annual over two miles and I fancy UNEXPECTED PARTY (4.50).
He looks a well handicapped horse for the Skeltons as he comes back in trip.
Last year’s Turners fifth hasn’t always excelled here but he was a fine fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and was rated 146 then.
He’s now down to 138 and if held up off a strong gallop could be very interesting eachway.
Day Two closes with the Grade 1 Champion Bumper.
Anyone who claims they know what will happen here is simply telling fibs although they might, of course, find the winner!
For some time I’ve been siding with YOU OUGHTA KNOW (5.20), who is one of many who goes for big Willie Mullins.
My tip, a son of Beat Hollow, won well at Kilbeggan before going in at short odds at Galway.
Up in class at Leopardstown he found the classy Jeroboam Machin too good but kept on well suggesting a bigger field and stronger pace will suit. I’ll back him each-way.
Good luck and Yeeehaaa!
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