The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Festival Racecard for Wednesday 11th March 2026
The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Festival Racecard for Wednesday 11th March with Guest Insights from Caroline
Turners Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 1.20
King Rasko Grey
I’m sure that there’ll be plenty of money down for big home hope No Drama This End, but there’s a very strong Irish angle to this race. It could be Willie Mullins that has the answer with King Rasko Grey, who looks the stable first string on Jockey bookings, with Paul Townend getting the ride, but the Closutton yard is very well represented with Sober and Sortudo both having claims. In addition, Gordon Elliott has the easy to fancy Ballyfad, second to Talk The Talk in the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, and sure to come on for the extra trip. My suspicion is that this is going to Ireland, and with the ground getting quicker that puts King Rasko Grey at the top of my list. Caroline?
King Rasko Grey
Yes boss, I do think you’ve called this one right, in that the Irish runners hold the strongest hand. I have been looking at King Rasko Grey’s run the last day, and I will be thinking that on the better ground, there must be more to come, and maybe Paul Townend will be aware of that over this longer trip, so I’ll be keen to see how the race tactics go. Ballyfad looks the one to watch out for, but Willie Mullins has got his youngsters going the right way, so King Rasko Grey it is for me.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2.00
Romeo Coolio (nb)
One of the outstanding Irish talents emerging last year, and so far his Novice Chasing campaign has been faultless. That said, he was made to work for his latest success by a very good Kargese in the Irish Arkle, just holding on by a neck, form which has been franked after Tuesday, but at least he is returned to better ground here, though that does leave the question of stamina for this trip as an unknown. It’s quite possible that Gordon Elliott thought this an easier task than the Arkle on Tuedsay, given the depth of that field, and I suppose his win in the Drinmore over 2 miles 4 gives confidence Romeo Coolio has this trip in his range. Willie Mullins Kaid D’authie suddenly seem to have arrived in the picture, putting stablemate Final Demand in his place, but I’m hoping Romeo Coolio will see this out to win. Caroline, what’s your view?
Kaid D’authie (nb)
On paper Boss, Romeo Coolio should be winning this, but I just wonder if Willie Mullins is going to pull one out of the hat with Kaid D’authie? Mark Walsh didn’t have to knock the spots off him to win the Novice Chase at Leopardstown the last day, and I do agree that he’s somehow popped out of the black bag just now, so an interesting duel I think. Why Kitzbuhel has drifted so far in the betting I’m not sure, so for me there’s plenty of each way value with The Big Westerner also on my list at the prices on offer.
BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (Grade 3) 2.40
Kateira
Just the sort of race that Dan Skelton targets, and I would think that this has been the aim for the season. The drying ground should be just the ticket and this looks a very workable mark with The Yellow Clay heading the weights at 12 stone, so with decent form around here and Harry Skelton aboard, Kateira looks primed for a big run. The Yellow Clay is classy enough, though might be a bigger danger with a bit more cut, and it’s hard to ignore the appeal of Willie Mullins Storm Heart, who’s high enough in the handicap but is in..er..fine heart at present you might say!!
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase (A Limited Handicap) 3.20
Stumptown
A very particular challenge this Cross Country Course, but it has to be Stumptown that can justify favouritism and land this for the second year. Obviously, the big danger has to be Gordon Elliott’s Favori De Champdou after he smashed it over this course and distance at the Trials Day in January, and he’s a bit better off at the weights this time around. Gavin Cromwell’s Vanillier and Martin Brassil’s Desertmore House complete my list, but Stumptown is the one to beat.
BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 4.00
Il Etait Temps (nap)
Well, what a race we have in store for the Champion Chase. The line up looks like almost total domination from the Irish runners, with Dan Skelton’s L’eau Du Sud looking outnumbered and outclassed, I’m afraid to say. There’s been so much noise about Majborough in the run up to this Wednesday feature, but I’ll take a risky gamble on Il Etait Temps, who has his quirks, but can be brilliant on a going day. You’ll read elsewhere that he cannot produce the goods at Cheltenham, but I don’t think it’s the course itself, but more which Il Etait Temps turns up on the day. Anyway, the purist will go for Majborough, despite some erratic fencing along the way, but the punter in me thinks Il Etait Temps is on offer at a huge price, so gets my gambler’s vote! Caroline, what’s your view?
Majborough (nap)
Majborough is a very good prospect for the Champion Chase, and Mark Walsh is right on it this week, so does look the one to beat. But, to my mind, Majborough gave away the Arkle here last year, with some poor jumping at the sharp end, but with cheekpieces on in the Dublin Chase the last day, you at couldn’t have laid a feather on him. If that Majborough turns up, he’s winning this, but I do agree Boss that Il Etait Temps is the big threat.
Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4.40
Be Aware
I think yet another big Cheltenham handicap can go to Dan Skelton with Be Aware. He ran in the Arkle Trial at the Autumn meeting, finishing a length and a half behind Henry de Bromhead’s July Flower, but after just two starts since looks to have been kept for this. Possibly not Graded quality, but easily capable of winning this from a feasible mark, so gets the nudge ahead of Ben Pauling’s Vanderpoel and Henry de Bromhead’s Inthepocket.
Weatherbys Champion Bumper (In Memory Of Sir Johnny Weatherby) (A Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race) (Grade 1) 5.20
Love Sign d’Aunou
It’s always dangerous to dismiss Willie Mullins’s runners in the Champion Bumper, so Love Sign D’aunou gets my vote. By nature, there’s usually little form to go on for this, but he could not have been any more impressive than when rocking up at Naas back in January, so despite some inexperience, pink silks win the day over the maroon of Gigginstown in The Irish Avatar and Jack Kennedy’s choice, Keep Him Company. A good closer to Wednesday, so hopefully no hearts broken with Love Sign D’aunou!
