Cheltenham 2026

For interest I backed the following in a small ew Canadian.

2.00: Koktail Divin

2.40: Kateira

3.20: Stumptown

4.40: Ballysax Hank

5.20: The Mourne Rambler

Nico didn't cover himself in glory picking on an amateur there

Ruby came in studs up with his Jambon comment

Kicked up a fuss about Declan Quelley trying to get a good position pre-race. Literally seemed to actually aim a kick towards Quelley too.

Quelley said post-race it was scandalous that he was picked on by a British rider, him being an amateur jockey and his wife and kids over watching.

Nico said he should look in the mirror.

The drama.

Queally has lodged an official complaint to the stewards. He must feel a line was crossed.

Great day today, Kitz @19's, Il etait, Final Orders & Jingko. Roll on tomorrow.

Today was almost like a rerun of the same day last year with strong favourites for both the Brown Advisory and Champion Chase losing their races through a series of jumping mistakes. Majborough and Romeo Coolio today doing the same as Jonbon and Ballyburn last year.

Champion chase has had odds on favourites for 9 of the last 11 years, and 8 of them have been beaten:

2016: Un de Sceaux 4/6

2017: Douvan 2/9

2020: Defi Du Seuil 2/5

2021: Chacun Pour Soi 8/13

2022: Shiskin 5/6

2024: El Fabiolo 2/9

2025: Jonbon 5/6

2026: Majborough 5/6

Only Altior in 2019 has won at odds on.

Starts were a disaster today. Having watched it back, Queally didnt do anything different from at least 10 other jockeys for the false start in the Turners, including De Boinville, who seems to have been well out of line with his behaviour. Large fields starting around almost 90 degree bends is madness.

Charlie Deutsch was pushing the envelope with the whip rules in the Grand Annual. 9 strikes after the last and not giving time to respond. He'll get a ban, but just about stayed on the right side of a disqualification.

Towend's ride on Il Etait Temps took some resolve. You'd have to think there would have been a strong temptation to try and get closer to the pace, given Majborough was such a strong favourite.

Kitzbuhel put in some round despite edging right at every fence. Didnt think hed be able to fend off Final Demand up the hill but he kept going.

Mullins has already turned round the form of a few horses coming off bad prep runs so Ballyburn could well be another.

Ive backed Ma Shantou after his win in the Cleeve. Came up the hill very strongly.

1:20: Bambino Fever 1/1

2:40: Wodhooh 10/11

3:20: Ma Shantou 5/1

4:00: Fact to File 10/11

4:40: Lavida Adiva 22/1 e/w

1:20: All the hallmarks of an Irish banker, it’s very hard to pick holes in BAMBINO FEVER. Stable form, course form, you feel if she performs she just wins.

2:20: The form of Elliott’s horses is a slight concern, but I think WODHOOH will give the Meath man his first trip to the winner’s enclosure. Impossible to knock her form and prep, and I think she will have the edge over Jade de Grugy who comes in to this switching from chasing campaign. 

3:20: Very similar profile to Paisley Park and from the same stable, I feel MA SHANTOU is progressive and is set to give a good account for himself with Cobden in the saddle.

4:00: Keeping it simple here. FACT TO FILE was imperious in the race last year, and I don’t think there is enough evidence to say that he can’t put in another commanding performance this year, slight ground concern notwithstanding.

4:40: Siding with Kevin Blake, who has tipped big priced winners of this race in the past, most notably Mrs Milner who he tipped at a big price on the ATR preview a few years ago. He’s gone in again with LADIVA ADIVA this year so I’m going to put my faith in him. 

JP McManus saying Fact to File may not run. Very late

Stayers is some muddling race. Delighted for connections of Home By The Lee though - been very consistent in it over the years so deserved their day.

JP seemed to be suggested that certain sections of the tracked hadn't been watered sufficiently. But it was good enough for his 8 other runners today???

Very icy kiss and make up between Queally and De Boinville on the TV earlier. De Boinville came across very poorly. Obviously staged for the TV, but still you could tell Queally was very uncomfortable altogether.