The Mandarin’s Cheltenham Festival Racecard for Tuesday 11th March 2025

The Yuuloracingtips Cheltenham Festival Racecard for Tuesday March 11th

Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 1.20
Romeo Coolio
A real cracker of an opener for this year’s Festival, but it’s dominated by Irish raiders who occupy the first six in the betting on Monday. Arguments can be made for all, with Willie Mullins’s Kopek Des Bordes attracting huge support after his win at the Dublin Racing Festival last month. However, two runs at Leopardstown, and a Bumper win at Fairyhouse does mean he’s into unknown territory around here, so it’s Romeo Coolio that floats my boat for the Supreme. Second to Jasmin De Vaux in the Champion Bumper here last year shows Romeo Coolio can act on this track, and after a 9 length win at Leopardstown in the Christmas meeting, looks like he’s been laid out for this race. Henry de Bromhead’s Workahead had the edge over William Munny in a Maiden also at Leopardstown, while Salvator Mundi is a super each-way angle, but Romeo Coolio is the one for me.

My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2.00
L’eau Du Sud (nb)
Plenty of money has gone down for Majborough since bolting up in the Irish Arkle last time out, but I think he can be taken on, and it’s L’eau Du Sud that can do the damage to the jolly. There’s no room for any errors when you’re in a two mile chase, as I pointed out on the latest Yuulo Weekender Cheltenham Podcast, and with Dan Skelton’s L’eau Du Sud going from strength to strength over fences this season, including here, I’ll keep the grey on my side. Nicky Henderson’s Jango Baie shouldn’t pass without a mention too, as he gave our selection for the Scilly Isles, Handstands, a good run for his money in that Grade One, while Gavin Cromwell’s Only By Night and Gordon Elliott’s Touch Me Not are both progressive in a fascinating renewal, but might want more juice in the ground. L’eau Du Sud improve again to take the Arkle, at the expense of Irish pair Majborough and Only By Night.

Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2.40
Katate Dori
Home hopes do do well in this by tradition, so it’s no surprise to see Broadway Boy, Katate Dori and The Changing Man all at the top of the betting. A case for can be made for all, but it’s Katate Dori that looks to be lining up from a winnable mark in this Premier Handicap, with Dylan Johnston’s 3lb claim an added plus. Broadway Boy does carry a bit more on his back, being rated at 150, but more of a concern was his run here on New Year’s Day, though overall he has a fantastic record at Cheltenham. The Changing Man is one going the right way for Joe Tizzard, but does seem to find one too good once too often for my liking, so could be on the premises without being first through the line again. Henry’s Friend did look a generous price in the ante-post markets, so is my each-way punt, but Katate Dori gets my endorsement for the win.

Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3.20
Lossiemouth (nap)
Lossiemouth made an uncharacteristic error when leading in the Irish Champion Hurdle last month, but is all the rage to take this Grade One now back against her own sex. She could have gone for the Champion Hurdle here this week, but with Constitution Hill and Brighterdaysahead going for that Grade One, Willie Mullins looks to this easier option. Hopefully, Lossiemouth is none the worse for that sixth fence fall in the Leopardstown race, and although a short enough price for this, will be a banker for many on the Festival’s first day. Stablemate Jade De Grugy will be around at the business end should Lossiemouth not be on her A-Game, in a race dominated by Irish raiders, while Nicky Henderson’s Joyeuse has been supplemented for this after storming home in a Handicap at Newbury. Lots more on her plate here, but for each-way value, get your wad on Jessica Harrington’s Jetara with the in-form Sam Ewing booked for the trip. Lossiemouth to be head-girl in the Mares’ Hurdle.

Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 4.00
Brighterdaysahead
Call me biased, call me Anglophobic, call me out when this plan goes wrong, but I’m chancing my arm that Brighterdaysahead is coming here to take on Constitution Hill, and win. Arguments for Constitution Hill are pretty convincing, I’ll give you that, but the so far unbeaten Champion Hurdler of 2023 has had some issues and doesn’t, to me, look as impregnable as he once was. Brighterdaysahead, by contrast, looks one right out of the top drawer who hasn’t found her ceiling yet. Admittedly, her only defeat came here, at the hands of Golden Ace in the Dawn Run at last year’s Festival, but I think she’s gone forward from there, and that is why Gordon Elliott thinks he has a Champion Hurdler in his yard. With Burdett Road and Golden Ace at huge prices in the ante-post markets for this Grade One, it’s just a pointer of how far forward this pair are for Tuesday’s feature. One for the girls here, as Brighterdaysahead does the unthinkable, and pops Constitution Hill’s balloon. Sorry boys!

Hallgarten And Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) 4.40
Liam Swagger
The Fred Winter, as it’s always going to be known, whoever is the sponsor, is, for me, the most difficult race on Tuesday to name the winner. Time to hedge your bets, and if you’re writing out your Placepot, time to put in a reserve or two. Although I’ve gone for a home hope, on the basis that up and coming trainer James Owen has been doing so well with his youngsters, I do think that Joseph O’Brien holds a strong hand with Puturhandstogether and Beyond Your Dreams showing up well in the markets, while Out For A Stroll holds the Reserve 1 spot, so could be a third runner in the JP McManus green and gold for Joseph O’Brien. Liam Swagger to get into the mix, with Puturhandstogether and Beyond Your Dreams sure to be in the thick of things.

Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup Novices’ Handicap Chase 5.20
Haiti Couleurs
Fresh from a blast over timber at Newbury last month, Rebecca Curtis’s Haiti Couleurs is the one I’m on for the closer. Totally unexposed over fences, he gives the impression that the further he goes, the better he’s going to get, and having course form round here from December makes me thinks he’s been laid out for this. Ben Jones returns to the saddle as Sean Bowen is on Resplendent Grey, another big British hope for Olly Murphy, but Haiti Couleurs has been well supported in the last few days, and looks a solid chance. Wille Mullins’s Irish raider Captain Cody looks the best of the rest, but it’s Haiti Couleurs for me.

Jaysella