Fresh for Cheltenham Festival?

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viking

Senior Jockey
Joined
Jan 30, 2011
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Once again I see some UK trainers lining up to declare their horses will (or are likely to) go straight to the festival to ensure they’re fresh. Potters Charm being the latest high profile example. While this may work in some cases I’m not convinced it’s the best strategy. A quick look at the 2024 winners shows that the vast majority had at least one run in January/February. Ok it’s biased because most were Irish and had run at the DRF but I’m pretty sure that going further back to a time there were more British winners would show that most ran in the same calendar year

Thoughts?
 
Good question, viking, and it makes you wonder about horses in other circumstances coming back after a 10-week absence and the trainer says it needed the runner after the time off or that the horse was 'as fit as I could get it at home without a run'.

I reckon any trainer worth their salt can get them fit if they really want to.
 
I'd say that it depends on the horse and the campaign that it has had so far. In the case of Potters Charm, we're looking at a relatively young (ie immature) horse who started early and has had 4 runs in 3 months. He's probably earned a short break and getting him back from that break will take you fairly close to the Festival, arguably too close for a prep run.
 
The old secret is having one that's good enough to stop in the first place. No one seems better equipment at producing a Cheltenham winner from an individual with form like a pile of manure than the Skeltons. If you see a gamble on one of their no hopers don't hesitate to back it.
 
They have one engaged tomorrow about which the form comment for its last run said it might be prepping for the Grand Annual. Makes you wonder if the comment writer got a whisper at the time.

When Unexpected Party won the GA last season it had been beaten over 100 lengths in its two previous runs.

Shameless stuff.
 
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