What a day it was today for the yard with 3 winners. The stable staff work so hard in our place, as they do in every stable, and it's great for everyone. Gordon has 6 winners now at this years festival - it's some achievement and there's still a day to go!
I was also delighted to steer a few of you in the right direction today hopefully! Samcro, Sire Du Berlais and Min won for us and I was delighted for Matthew Smyth and Bryan Cooper with how well Ronald Pump ran in the Stayers at big odds. As I've said on this column before, Matthew is a brilliant trainer and deserves everything he gets.
Race 1 - Allmankind - Triumph Hurdle
We have no runners in this and it's a very hard race to figure out as we don't know where we stand with the form really.
I don't think the Irish Juveniles are a great bunch this year so I'd go with Allmankind who beat Cerberus easily at Chepstow over Christmas and he has plenty of stamina, something you really need in this.
Race 2 - Thatsy - County Hurdle Hurdle
Thatsy is a horse I've mentioned a few times on this column and while he wants further than this trip, that might just suit around here.
I think he's still well handicapped on his novice hurdle win and he's ran well the last twice around Leopardstown when wanting further. He will definitely be staying on up the hill late and this could turn into a stamina battle.
Race 3 - Fury Road - Albert Bartlett Hurdle
Latest Exhibition is a very good horse who I'd be delighted to see win, but I've always been a big fan of Fury Road and think he can bounce back here.
His work has been brilliant and I'm happy to draw a line under that last run, he just never got going. I rode him at Down Royal and he really impressed me that day. He has to improve a bit to be involved here, but I've no doubt that he can.
Race 4 - Delta Work - Gold Cup
I really fancy Delta Work in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He's a class act and he's gone from strength to strength this season.
Since Down Royal he's been faultless and apart from Al Boum Photo, who is the horse to beat, he is the clear best of the Irish.
Delta Work has won at the festival, was an unlucky 3rd in the RSA last season and carries in really strong form. What isn't to like? I think he'll go very close. I'd prefer slightly better ground, but I think he'll be fine on it.
Race 5 - Staker Wallace - Fohunters Chase
This is not a race I would specialise in! I like a few in this and its a great old race full of plenty of horses you would've fancied a few years ago.
In these races it usually is a good thing to side with the best jockeys and Jamie Codd rides Staker Wallace, who seems to be very well thought of. Following Jamie is usually a good thing around here.
Race 6 - Chosen Mate - Grand Annual
Gordon's horses have been running well all year and I quite like Chosen Mate here.
He's a very good horse who was a grade 2 winner over hurdles and he impressed me last time when winning at Gowran Park. Some of his hurdles form is very strong and he ran very well earlier in the season when 3rd behind Melon at Leopardstown.
He could easily get himself involved here.
Race 7 - Column Of Fire - Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle
Gordon loves this race and his main two are probably Column Of Fire and The Bosses Oscar on form. If I had the choice I'd go for Column Of Fire I think.
He's been very good this season, won well 2 runs back and ran a huge race at Leopardstown last time when he showed he has plenty of stamina, just what you need here. He has a big chance and has a very good young jockey on his back.
Everybreathyoutake has worked well and would be one to go well at big odds as well if everything falls his way.
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