Top-class chaser for Willie Mullins who has landed six grade one’s, including wins at the likes of Punchestown and Leopardstown but has never won here. Third in the Champion Chase is his best effort in 2021 and best days are more than likely behind him now.
His chance of festival glory has probably passed him by, which is a shame as he has been a top horse for Mullins and his team.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/04/23 | COR | 24 | Y | 11-12 | 3 |
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 9 |
| 22/01/23 | THU | 20.5 | Y | 11-12 | 3 |
| 27/12/22 | LEO | 17 | Y | 11-12 | 3 |
| 26/04/22 | PUN | 16 | Gd/Y | 11-12 | 2 |
Inconsistent sort who fell here in 2021 when 4/9 fav in the Marsh Novices’ Chase won by Chantry House but has won three chases since, at Down Royal, Leopardstown and Down Royal again in November last year.
Disappointing seventh of nine in the King George over Christmas when priced at 4/1 as Gold Cup hopeful Bravemansgame took the victory.
Nine-year-old clearly possesses quality but comes with risks and would be surprising to see him win here.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 1 |
| 26/12/22 | KEM | 24 | Sft | 11-10 | 7 |
| 05/11/22 | DRO | 24 | Y | 11-10 | 1 |
| 26/04/22 | PUN | 16 | Gd/Y | 11-12 | 3 |
| 16/03/22 | CHL | 16 | Sft | 11-10 | 3 |
Good chaser for Willie Mullins who ran in this exact race at last year’s festival, finishing 14 lengths behind stablemate Allaho, when priced at 12/1. Fell in the Devenish Chase at Fairyhouse next time out before pulling up in the Punchestown Gold Cup before the 11th.
Kept on well to win grade two chase at Gowran Park last month, beating Haut En Couleurs by a length. Was impressive during that win but this will be another step forward for Janidil, and he may have to settle for a place here.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/04/23 | FAI | 20 | Sft | 11-10 | F |
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 7 |
| 18/02/23 | GOW | 20 | Sft/Hy | 11-3 | 1 |
| 27/04/22 | PUN | 24 | Gd/Y | 11-10 | PU |
| 18/04/22 | FAI | 20 | Y | 11-10 | F |
Top-class chaser for Nicky Henderson winning numerous graded races at the likes of Kempton, Aintree, Ascot and of course, Cheltenham.
Won the Arkle here in 2021 before being pulled in the Champion Chase at last year’s festival, when he never really got going as Energumene won by eight lengths.
Below-par third in the Tingle Creek behind Greaneteen and Edwardstone before being stepped up in trip at Ascot last time out in the Betfair Ascot Chase over 2m 5f, returning to his best to wipe the floor with his rivals, winning by 16 lengths.
That step up in trip could be exactly what Shishkin needed and enters this as a major player for Henderson, hoping for another Cheltenham festival success.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/04/23 | AIN | 25 | GS | 11-10 | 1 |
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 2 |
| 18/02/23 | ASC | 21 | GS | 11-10 | 1 |
| 03/12/22 | SAN | 15.5 | GS | 11-10 | 3 |
| 16/03/22 | CHL | 16 | Sft | 11-10 | PU |
Gordon Elliott’s entry for this contest is Fury Road, who went close in the 2020 Albert Bartlett, finishing behind Latest Exhibition and winner Monkfish before pulling up in the Stayers in 2021. Has developed into a top-class chaser, winning a grade two at Down Royal in November to take his chasing tally to two.
Ran a good race last time out to finish third in the Irish Gold Cup, behind Cheltenham Gold Cup hopefuls Stattler and Galopin Des Champs and can go well again here.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02/08/23 | GAL | 22.5 | Gd/Y | 11-0 | 19 |
| 26/04/23 | PUN | 24 | Y | 11-10 | 5 |
| 15/04/23 | AIN | 34.5 | GS | 11-6 | F |
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 6 |
| 04/02/23 | LEO | 24 | Y | 11-10 | 3 |
Decent hurdler/chaser who has recorded a graded victory in his career at Thurles as well as running well behind Ga Law in Paddy Power Gold Cup Handicap here in November and second at Thurles in January this year, finishing sixth lengths behind Fakir D’Oudairies and a fair way ahead of Chacun Pour Soi.
This looks like a tougher test for the eight-year-old, however, and will probably have to settle for a small part to play in this race.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/04/23 | AIN | 20 | Sft | 11-10 | 4 |
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 4 |
| 22/01/23 | THU | 20.5 | Y | 11-6 | 2 |
| 28/12/22 | LEO | 24 | Sft | 11-10 | 5 |
| 12/11/22 | CHL | 20 | Gd | 11-6 | 2 |
Seven-year-old with bags of potential for Jamie Snowden, especially after winning Paddy Power Gold Cup chase here in November and would probably have won the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster in January but for a late fall when looking prominent for a win.
Has done well in graded company and certainly looks like a decent each-way bet in this contest at the festival.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/04/23 | AIN | 25 | GS | 11-10 | PU |
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 5 |
| 28/01/23 | DON | 24 | Gd | 12-0 | F |
| 12/11/22 | CHL | 20 | Gd | 11-0 | 1 |
| 23/10/22 | AIN | 20 | GS | 10-9 | 3 |
Good seven-year-old chaser for English trainer Paul Nicholls, who has won on three occasions over fences at Haydock, Newbury and Ffos Las during his career. Stepped up to grade one company in the King George at Kempton in December but reportedly bled and was subsequently pulled up.
Ran well in the Denman Chase last time out, finishing second behind Zanza over the 2m 7f trip and can improve again here to finish in the top places for Nicholls and Harry Cobden.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/04/23 | AIN | 20 | Sft | 11-10 | 6 |
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 3 |
| 11/02/23 | NBY | 23.5 | Gd | 11-2 | 2 |
| 26/12/22 | KEM | 24 | Sft | 11-10 | PU |
| 19/11/22 | HAY | 21.5 | Sft | 11-11 | 1 |
Very good chaser for Willie Mullins who comes into this contest boasting six wins over fences, all in Ireland.
Third in the Arkle last year here at the festival before winning three graded contests in a row heading into the Dublin Racing Festival.
Ran in the Dublin Chase there and found one too good in the form of Gentlemen De Mee, losing out by seven lengths at 1/4 favourite which was a slight surprise, as his stablemate jumped better than him on the day.
Still brings good form here and must be a leading player for the places behind Shishkin if he’s on song.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16/03/23 | CHL | 20.5 | Sft | 11-10 | 8 |
| 05/02/23 | LEO | 17 | Y | 11-12 | 2 |
| 27/12/22 | LEO | 17 | Y | 11-12 | 1 |
| 17/11/22 | CLO | 20.5 | Sft/Hy | 11-8 | 1 |
| 28/04/22 | PUN | 16 | Gd/Y | 11-12 | 1 |
