I attended an excellent Preview Night late February in Donaghmore GAA Hall. Packed to the gills. No videos necessary with David Jennings RP in charge. He spent a couple of hours firing questions at Johnny Dineen, Tony Keenan, Robbie Power and David Casey amongst others. Always believe the best previews are those where the participants actually know/train/ride the horses. DJ to DC - 'What's your 1-2-3 for the Ballymore?' DC straight back - '1. Impasse Et Passe 2. Gaelic Warrior 3. Champ Kiely.' I remembered this whilst standing at Prestbury Park watching them finish. Trifecta £74. No, of course I didn't. 

AGE - Sir Gerhard joins French Holly '98 as only the third horse aged 7 or over to win this race in its 52 year history (Brown Lad '74). He was the only seven yr old in the field last year. Three ran last year, best Champ Kiely, 3rd. None in 2021. Champ 9/2 2nd 2020, Black Op 2nd 2018. One other unplaced in four of the last eight years. Parlour Games was 2nd in 2015. Ballyalton 2nd 2014 at 20s. Since Crystal Spirit ’91, 20 four year olds have tried. None placed and very few likely to try now. (Sir Gerhard, French Holly and Crystal Spirit were strongly supported favourites). All bar Impair Et Passe (5 yrs), Sir Gerhard and The New One (5yrs) of the last 13 were six yr olds.

TRAINERS - N. Henderson One winner and three placed from 33 runners. Lots of short prices. 2012 Simonsig 2/1 fav, stopped the rot but only Champ 9/2 placed since. 2017 Burbank 4th. 2015 Vyta Du Roc 4th at 15/2, He used to have a similarly appalling record in the Coral Cup before Spirit River 2010, Whisper 2014 and William Henry 2019. Henderson pupil Ben Pauling trained Willoughby Court to win in 2017 and Bright Forecast 3rd in 2019 ridden by Nico. No runner 2021, Last year I Am Maximus 4th. I wrote here 'Good idea to move him on.' Perhaps not.

Never won by P Nicholls. Hermes Allen last year 5/1 to 9/4 fav late. Fell in a hole 2 out, 6th. Impair et Passe drifted to 5s on Betfair. 2022 Stage Star came here unbeaten in three. 7/1 PU. 2021 Bravemansgame 3rd of 6 at 4/1 his only other representative in the last eleven. Paul couldn't see him beat, I read. Rock On Ruby unlucky in 2011. Breedsbreeze, Silverburn and Denman under 10/1 and beaten in last 17 years. Captain Teague

Since Regal Ambition ’90, M/D. Pipe have saddled 37 losers, of which only 3 were placed. 2014 Red Sherlock 7/2 2nd fav and 9th. No runners last nine years.

IRISH TRAINED - W Mullins has won the last two, four of the last 10 and six from last 16. Has also had seven placed in the last 18. The 1-2-3 last year, Sir Gerhard 2022 was his first winner in six. two others unplaced. 2021 Gaillard Du Mesnil 2nd 9/4. 2020 The Big Getaway 3rd 2019, 2018, ran four, best Next Destination 4/1 in 3rd. Two others finished 4th and 5th. Three unplaced 16/1 shots and Bacardys PU 4/1 in 2017. Won with Yorkhill in 2016. Nichols Canyon 3rd as 7/2 fav in 2015. Wrong type of ride admitted by both trainer and jockey. Should have led. 2014 Faugheen won and Rathvinden 3rd, 2013 Pont Alexandre all the rage at 6/4, only 3rd. 2012 Felix Yonger 2nd at 16s, the outsider of his three runners. All of Willie's six winners won last time out and all were his most fancied. None of the six had been beaten that season.

Good Land 4th won the 2m6f Gr1 novice hurdle at DRF. Galliard Du Mesnil won DRF race, then 2nd to Bob Olinger. Winners have finished 5222 in the Albert Bartlett.

OTHER IRISH TRAINED - Bob Olinger 6/4 fav for H de Bromhead. Very impressive that day. 2020 Envoi Allen, Gordon Elliott's big one for the week, obliged from Henry de Bromhead's fine placement of Easywork. Martin Brassil knew what he had in 2019. Fair play to him. G Elliott wins with Samcro in 2018. E. O'Grady has won this twice, three of his last four runners being placed, Over the Bar, Pizarro, and Catch Me. However no runners last decade plus. No Flies On Him. Windsor Park trained by DK Weld and started in bumpers. Three Irish Trained in 2011 finished 1st, 3rd, and 4th. (First Lieutenant from Oscars Well who was unlucky at the last). Monksland 3rd 2012, Rule The World 2nd in front of Pont Alexandre in 2013. The great Simonsig jogged two points in N Ireland before moving to N Henderson.

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Irish trained 24 winners of the last 50 but most importantly nine from the last ten. Five different Irish trainers. Last two years both a 1-2-3. 2021 1-2 from three runners, 2020 1-2-3 from 5 runners , a 1-4 from 9 in 2019, a 1-3-4-5 from six in 2018.

Since at least 1990, no winner ran last time out in a handicap. Gaelic Warrior came close last year having won Grade B 2 mile handicap at the DRF.

FORM - City Island broke the old stat when joining Urubande and Gallileo as the only winners in past 25 not to have competed in a Graded race before Cheltenham. Gallileo had Graded form on the flat. City Island only won an 11k to the winner novice hurdle on previous run. Impair Et Passe strolled the Moscow Flyer at Punchestown. Sir Gerhard won the 2m G1 at the Dublin Racing Festival. Bob Olinger won the G1 Lawlor's At Naas, Envoi Allen won G1s Royal Bond and Lawlor's. Samcro cruised a Deloitte, Willougby Court won that good G2 novice at Warwick mid January. Faugheen won G3 at Limerick. Windsor Park 2nd in the Deloitte. Yorkhill won a very good Tolworth. (French Holly and Monsignor last two before that to double up from Sandown).

Only three of the last 15 hadn't won a graded hurdle. City Island, Windsor Park and Simonsig (CL2 win at Kelso) 22 from the last 25 placed at least in Graded company, 18 had won. 9 of the last 14 started their career in Irish points. To mirror that 12 of the last 15 winners were top or second top on BHA Ratings. Not Impair Et Passe, only 4th top.

SPRINTER OR STAYERS RACE? - Over the past 26 years previous G1 winners over 2m are 9 from 17. G1 winners over 2m 4f plus are currently 3 from 26. That includes Bob Olinger and Envoi Allen. Last year 1st and 2nd home had only won over 2m previously. The three G1 winners over 2m 4f plus finished 3rd, 4th and 6th.

PRICE - Six favs now obliging in the last 12 races. Sir Gerhard, Bob Olinger, Envoi Allen, Samcro, Faugheen, and Simonsig have followed Mikael D'Haguenet '09 for favourite backers. The latter was the first since Monsignor 5/4 in 2000 (I remember being the only person in Prestbury Park that day not to have backed Monsignor. Only won by a furlong, I think. One of those highly competitive races they had when it was a three day Festival, he jests. 2011 So Young 2/1 fav and 3rd. '10 Rite of Passage 7/2 fav and 3rd. Against all this '07 Massini’s Maguire at 20/1 first winner over 16/1 since ’84. Nothing over 7/1 from 2007 until the race got the upset it was due in 2017 when Willoughby Court at 14s overturned the 2/1 jolly, Neon Wolf. That's only one double-figure priced winner in 16 races. Another one due?

34 from the last 38 came from the first six in the market. Hardly a shock. Exceptions Massini's Maguire and Gaelstorm 16s in '93. Big prices do get placed (Bright Forecast/Itsafreebee/Ballyalton/Lanzerac/Gentle Rivage/Grey Report) but not particularly over the last few years. Due to the volume of cash for Neon Wolf, Willoughby Court ended up 5th favourite at 14s. 16 runners in 2020 the biggest field for a while. Only seven in 202, nine in 2022 and 10 last year.

The Deloitte/Chanelle/Tattersalls at Leopardstown DRF, Sir Gerhard won, Easywork 2nd, Samcro, Windsor Park, Danoli, Istabraq, Hardy Eustace, Oscars Well). Bacardys PU here at 4/1 in 2017, won it at Leopardstown. However apart from Sir Gerhard, Samcro and Windsor Park (who was beaten in the Deloitte) four of the last five Irish trained winners came from some other route.

ROYAL BOND - Envoi Allen first to complete double since Hardy Eustace 2002 is the last to complete this double. Only two others tried in between, both unplaced in this. Marine Nationale and Ballyadam went to the Supreme. Farren Glory from King Of Kingsfield.

Best recent trial probably the Lawlor's At Naas producing winners in 2021 and 2020. Champ Kiely only 3rd last year. Irish Point in 2nd won at Aintree. 2022 none of the first three came. Bob Olinger and Envoi Allen joined Mikael d'Haguenet 2009 to complete double. Three others in between attempted, all achieved a place at Cheltenham. Battleoverdoyen won at Naas in 2019, was sent off as favourite for the Ballymore before a poor trip over scuppered his chance. Next Destination won the 2018 version, he then finished third behind Samcro in the Ballymore Hurdle. Rule The World won it in 2013 when it was the Grade 2 Slaney Hurdle, Mouse Morris’ horse then finished second to The New One in the Ballymore (before famously winning the Grand National three years later). Lawlor's winners have finished 11P323123 in the Ballymore this century. Reading Tommy Wrong from Ile Atlantique. 

Impair Et Passe joins Sir Gerhard City Island, Fiveforthree and Peddlers Cross only winners since Istabrag ‘97 not to have won over 2 & 1/2 miles or further previous to this race (all five had yet to run over that trip before. Impair Et Passe, City Island and Fiveforthree didn't come from p2ps). Samcro won a G3 easy at Navan. All the preview chat in 2017 was that Willoughby Court should have gone to the Albert Bartlett. Like Thyme Hill did in 2020. WPM doesn't do stats, remember.

The Leamington Novice Trial in Warwick early January won by Willoughby Court was won in 2013 by The New One and previously by No Refuge. Mossy Fen 5th here in 2020 at 33s, probably NTD's best result of the week. Adrimel gave 3lb in first time cheekpieces, then 9/1 PU in Albert Bartlett. Winners this century have finished 5P1P1U124 in the Ballymore. 2022 Stag Horn unsuccessfully tried 3 miles. Last year Grey Dawning went to the Aintree 3 mile novice, fell and was then put away for chases. This race no longer exists due to BHA changes.

Also the Warwick Novice in mid-Feb (Rebel Song, Sayfar’s Lad, Thetford Forest, Putty Road and Monsignor). NRs last four.

Sir Gerhard and Samcro are the first Deloitte/Channelle/Tattersalls winners to double up since Istabraq '97. Charlie Swan might have been a trifle fortunate on the latter that day on the great one. On his first Festival appearance he got home by a length from Mighty Moss, amateur owner/ridden and interestingly steered by Mr Fred Hutsby. Oscars Well may have been unfortunate not to double up when he clouted the last in 2011. 8 others, all short enough priced, also failed, 2016 Bleu et Rouge fell in the Albert Bartlett. 2015 Nichols Canyon 3rd here. 2019 both Klassical Dream and Aramon went for the Supreme, as did that great enigma, Asterion Forlonge. 2021 Appreciate It jogged round in the Supreme as did Il Etait Temps et al last year.

THE CURSE OF THE CHALLOW - (Do they not know?). All 21 (and I have the list of them from Matt Tombs, that wonderful guy) Challow Hurdle winners to try here have come up short. PN's responsible for Hermes Allen 6th, Stage Star PU following Bravemansgame, 3rd. 2020 Thyme Hill knew the stats and went to the Albert Bartlett where Richard Johnson got into a bit of a tangle. Champ 2nd in 2019. In 2018, the first three in the Newbury December bog went to the Albert Bartlett bog where Kilbricken Storm outstayed them all. 2017 Messire Des Obeaux a valiant 3rd here at 8/1. To be fair, 10 of those 21 Challow winners have been placed in this. Not counting BMG's 3rd of seven runners. Those placed before were Parlour Games in 2015, Diamond Harry, Reve de Sivola, Denman. Al Ferof was 3rd at Newbury then won the Supreme Novices, For Non Stop 4th (fell at last when 2nd in 2011 Coral Cup).  Both Gaelstrom and Massini's Maguire both well beaten in Challow before winning at the Festival. Since 2004, six of the last ten Challow winners that ran have been placed. And BMG's 3rd of seven. There were excuses for the much loved Taquin Du Seuil (they crawled the first 2 miles like they sometimes do, said my pocket). Messire des Obeaux in 2016 posted the best time for a Challow for 11 years by a good 15 seconds in 4 58. Not the usual late December Newbury bog which can take its toll on young novices. Still didn't work. 2018 Newbury Champ quickened clear in G to S from Getaway Trump in 5 10. Last year You Wear It Well second to Hermes Allen at Newbury, then led the whole way in the Mares Novice.

(With this stat remember in Denman's year the Challow was run on good ground at Cheltenham on the 1st January, Ruby blames himself for the loss in March). And as shown, Challow winners have won the Supreme and the Albert Bartlett.

Horses that have won an Irish p2p, a bumper, and a Graded Novice are 7-15 over the past 15 years. Only qualifiers over the last three years were Hermes Allen, Sir Gerhard 2022, Bob Olinger 2021. Easy enough, then.

Massinis Maguire and The New One won Classic Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. Rock My Way 2023 hasn't progressed.

17 of the last 32 had run at least 4 times previous that season (if you include Windsor Park's autumn flat wins). The other 15 did not finish outside the first two that season. Impair Et Passe and Sir Gerhard unbeaten in two runs, Bob Olinger three runs, two wins, Envoi Allen and Samcro had each strolled three wins, City Island two.

Massini’s Maguire 2007 only one since Gaelstrom 1993 as the only winners in the last 33 to have finished outside the first 4 on any completed start that season (a fifth place each). Both were course novice hurdle winners that season and also second season novices.

Windsor Park, First Lieutenant and Massini's Maguire only ones since Putty Road ’95 not to have finished in the first two in all completed starts over hurdles. However, the former two were 2nd and 1st respectively in a G1 last time. If ever a stat was due to go..

All bar four this century won last time out.

Mares. 15 runners in the last 27. One winner, a second and a third. (None ran last five years. Before Shattered Love 2017 there had been one no-hoper in the previous 11. Shattered Love was interesting in that she was Elliott trained and the subject of a Pricewise plunge, 25s to 8s. Last to finish, never travelled.

Faugheen joins First Lieutenant only winners in the last 17 not to have a run in the same calendar year. First's last run (get my drift) was to win G1 Leopardstown 29th December. Faugheen's was to win a G3 in Limerick 28th December. Of the last 17, Fundamentalist quickest turn round. His last run was 28th February, only 14 days before. Impair Et Passe 59 days, Sir Gerhard 38, Bob Olinger 63, Envoi Allen 66, City Island 32, Willoughby Court 62, see the above Honours Board.

24 from last 27 and nine of the last 10 had won at least 50% of all completed starts over hurdles. Not Windsor Park, only one from three.

Top-six finishers in the previous season's Festival Bumper: 21 have taken their chance in the last 25 races. American Mike 2nd in the bumper, unplaced here. Sir Gerhard did the double, Three Stripe Life (RIP) third in the Champion Bumper, runner up here. 2018 Next Destination was 4th in the bumper, 3rd here. Yanworth demolished by Yorkhill in 2016. Six won (Sir Gerhard, French Holly, Monsignor, Fiveforthree, The New One and Envoi Allen) and six were placed (Three Stripe, Next Destination, Yanworth, Pizarro, Refinement and Rite Of Passage). None of those 12 started bigger than 8/1. None came that route in 2019 or 2020. - In 2023 the first six in the Champion Bumper were A Dream To Share, Fact To File, Captain Teague, Lecky Watson, It's For Me (setback) and Captain Cody.

The last 14 had all won at least one bumper. Impair Et Passe over 1m 4f in France.

HANDICAP MARK - In 17 of the last 19, the horse with the current highest handicap mark, i.e. has been assessed by the handicapper, has been placed at least (7 winners). Gaelic Warrior 157 and 2nd, Sir Gerhard top off 151, Gaillard du Mesnil 151 (to Bob Olinger's and BMGs 150), Envoi Allen 156, Champ 152, Samcro 155 won from the next two top-rated at 150. Willoughby Court and Neon Wolf were joint top-rated on 152. 2016 Yanworth was 158 to Yorkhill's 156, the top two. 2015 Windsor Park only 4th top-rated of 146, Nicholls Canyon top on 149. 2014 Faugheen top with 152, Rathvinden 151. 2014 Pont Alexandre top on 154, The New One 152. 2012 Simonsig top with 148, followed by Sous Les Sieux 145 (5th), Monksland 144 (3rd). '10 Peddlers top on 148 beats next best Rive de Sivola, '09 Mikael D'haguenet joint top rated with Diamond Harry on 155, 1st and 3rd. A stat to bear in mind.

Horses rated 150+ are 7 - 22 over the last 15 years.

BLINKERS, CHEEKPIECES etc - 19 qualifiers in the last 23. None last two years. Gaillard du Mesnil and Easywork both 2nd in hoods. Worn before. Only two other no-hopers in total since 2016, a good thing to see with novices. 2015 Parlour Games 2nd in a hood he always wore.

BREEDING - Impair Et Passe by Diamond Boy Sir Gerhard by Jeremy, becoming a very popular Festival sire. Bob by Sholokhov, the sire of Don Cossack. Envoi Allen's sire Muhtathir was a miler, the dam's sire was a top class French jumps horse. 21 from last 24 were NH Bred including 14 from last 16. City Island by Court Cave who also was the sire of Willloughby Court. Simonsig sired by Fair Mix G1 Flat. But what a machine. Yorkhill by Presenting. Windsor Park by Galileo, Faugheen and Samcro by Germany, the latter two were both dual-purpose sires.

Since 2005, 31 runners started their careers on the flat. All beaten. No qualifiers last year. 2021 Gaillard du Mesnil.

BEATEN FAVOURITE LAST TIME - This century 38 have tried, The New One at 7/2 the sole winner. Turned over at 4/5 on Cheltenham Trials Day by At Fishers Cross.

2015 Maximum number of runners dropped from 24 to 22. Can't see it filling, ever.

Davy Russell was good at this race. 11 rides, 3 wins, two placed. P Townend taking over. Since taking over from Ruby he has gone 3211.

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