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Mixed martial arts 5 horses to follow from the 2023 Cheltenham Festival
The best four days NH racing of the year are now behind us, but here at bettingexpert we have identified five horses to follow from the 2023 Cheltenham Festival.
There are still big meetings to come in the spring at Aintree and Punchestown, where underfoot conditions are likely to be much faster and the emphasis is much more on speed rather than stamina. This can be a tricky time for punters, with the form often changing as quickly as the ground dries out, but hopefully these five horses will prove profitable to follow over the next few months.
#1 – Appreciate It
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Tactics played a big part in several of the graded races over fences over the four days, and this was one that the Mullins/Townend combination got spectacularly wrong.
The Turners Chase winner Stage Star was given a front-running masterclass by Cobden, while this well backed 9-y-o was dropped out in an impossible position off the steady pace, shaping really well closing coming down the hill but rather fading out of the frame up the hill.
This was his first try at the 2m4f, and he remains well worth another chance over this kind of trip if ridden with more enterprise in the spring.
#2 – Marine Nationale
Trainer: Barry Connell
Barry Connell has made no secret of the regard in which he holds his unbeaten novice, and he was proved 100pc right with an authoritative display in the Supreme Novice at the Festival.
He was given a brilliantly confident ride by new star Michael O’Sullivan, allowing the well backed favourite Facile Vega first run but easing past him up the hill for minimal pressure.
This looked a very high class renewal beforehand, and he is going to make a cracking chaser when the time comes (although connections were talking about the 2024 Champion Hurdle afterwards).
#3 – Echoes in Rain
Trainer: Willie Mullins
While all eyes were on the top class Honeysuckle winning the Mares hurdle in brilliant style, a few places back Willie Mullins mare went straight into the notebook.
She was in a poor position cruising in rear turning for home, and saw very little daylight when trying to get involved, all in all shaping like the second best horse on the day.
She has won 5 of her 14 career starts so far over hurdles, and is one to look out for at the Punchestown festival at the end of April (finished a cracking second in the Irish Champion Hurdle there last year).
#4 – Captain Teague
Trainer: Paul Nicholls
The Champion bumper is always a rich hunting ground for future winners over hurdles next season, and there was none more eye-catching than Paul Nicholls 40-1 chance.
He finished a cracking third behind the Irish pair headed by A Dream to Share, and given his inexperience (only one point run and a Plumpton bumper win on his CV beforehand), he is very much one to follow next season.
A stiff test of stamina will be needed in time, and he looks a likely type for the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in 2024 before perhaps heading to the festival for a race like the Albert Bartlett.
#5 – Shakem Up’arry
Trainer: Ben Pauling
Ben Pauling has enjoyed a really good winter with some cracking young horses at his disposal, and his progressive 9-y-o ran a career best when finishing a credible third behind Seddon in the Plate handicap chase.
He has won 2 of his 8 runs over fences, and remains completely unexposed over a proper test of stamina (untried beyond 2m5f). A step up to three miles could well unlock further improvement, and he is a big strapping galloping type who could be made for a positive ride at Aintree (sound jumping a big asset).
