WE saw some classy displays over a busy Festive period on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Here are five horses who enhanced their chances of glory at the Cheltenham Festival — which is now less than ten weeks away.
The TimesCan anything stop Galopin Des Champs winning a second straight Gold Cup?[/caption]
CRAMBO (Stayers’ Hurdle)
Fergal O’Brien has a real Stayers’ Hurdle hope after Crambo’s battling Long Walk win.
With most of the 3m hurdlers now getting their bus pass, this relative youngster loved stepping up in trip and can improve further.
He’s 10-1 for the Festival which looks decent each-way.
STORM HEART (Triumph Hurdle)
Even Willie Mullins says he was a bit surprised by how impressive this five-year-old was on debut on New Year’s Eve.
He sauntered along and looks high class already. He’s 8-1 for the Triumph and that looks fair enough.
DINOBLUE (Mares’ Chase)
I hope connections resist the temptation to go for the Champion Chase after her impressive win at Leopardstown.
She was second in the Grand Annual last year and is ideal for that or the Mares’ Chase.
CALDWELL POTTER (Ballymore Hurdle)
He stormed home by almost seven lengths in a Leopardstown Grade 1 and looks perfect for the 2m4f trip of the Ballymore more than the Supreme.
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS (Gold Cup)
It’s not rocket science to mention the Gold Cup champ but he landed an important win in the Savills Chase.
Not only did he beat some of his main rivals but he did it in style to show two defeats at Punchestown were out of his system.
I almost picked Shishkin after his slip in the King George and he’s got place claims at 12-1 but Galopin is hard to fault.
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