Cheltenham on Saturday

It’s been a busy start to the National Hunt season, but where has the time gone?!

I can’t believe we’re in the middle of December and it’s the International Fixture at Cheltenham already.

The Caspian Caviar Gold Cup (13:55) looks wide open and, while there are plenty in with chances, I like the look of Barry Geraghty’s mount, Brelan D’As .

He was a very good second at Cheltenham in the BetVictor Gold Cup in November. He travelled sweetly that day and clearly enjoys the undulations of Cheltenham.

With Paul Nicholls’ record in this race, you can’t really look much further away. He’s got a good racing weight and, with a reproduction of his latest run, I can’t see him being too far away.

The International Hurdle (15:05) will also be interesting.

Last year, the amount that Pentland Hills improved for hurdles was amazing.

Winning a Plumpton Juvenile Hurdle before taking the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Anniversary Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, both in taking fashion, was nothing short of great.

If he’s going to be a Champion Hurdle horse – which is obviously the plan – then he’s got to be winning this.

Navan on Sunday

The Grade 2 Novice Hurdle (12:00) looks all about one horse and one horse only.

The impression that Andy Dufresne  has created in his few starts has been fantastic and for racing, you want to see him keep winning.

He’s just so uncomplicated and will be a dream ride for Mark Walsh. He’ll be able to sit anywhere, and he’ll travel, jump and quicken. I can’t see anything getting near him.

Ross [O’Sullivan] saddles An Fraoch Mor  in the 2m4f Novice Chase (13:30) and I’d be confident he’ll give a good showing.

Robbie ‘Puppy’ Power takes the ride and there’s no better man you’d want on your horse at the moment – he can do no wrong!

I rode this horse in a piece of work on Wednesday and he moved very well. We’re looking forward to running him.  He was a good second last time and, with a bit of luck on our side, he’ll give a good account of himself.

In the Listed Bumper (15:10), Dad [Ted Walsh] saddles Dewcup  and he won’t be far away at all.

He’ll have come forward for his last run, where he won at Punchestown, and, while these bumpers are never easy, we’re confident that he’ll perform with credit.

Before Punchestown, I was speaking to Patrick [Mullins] to convince him to take the ride yet, this time, he’s the one on the phone asking me, so I think he got a good feel from him.

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