Thursday 14th March, 2024

Little Big Kev ran a very promising race at Huntingdon yesterday finishing a pleasing third.  He travelled well to the straight and stayed on nicely under pressure to be beaten five lengths by the winner.  Finn Lambert reported he would appreciate better ground and has plenty of potential.  Hopefully he looks like rewarding his owner Ed Ware’s patience.  We will look for another bumper for him in a few weeks time where conditions should suit him better.

Kev’s owner had an excellent second in the opener at the Festival yesterday with Jimmy Du Seuil and has plenty to look forward to as he also has some decent flat prospects for the coming season .

Very pleased to attend Cheltenham on Tuesday when there were some fantastic performances.  Congratulations to Willie Mullins on training a hundred Festival winners.  Ballyburn and Fact To File look serious contenders for top honours in the seasons to come and a hood certainly seems to have helped Gaelic Warrior.

Although much has been said about the lack of success for British runners, this game can change around pretty quickly and the Henderson yard form has certainly not helped the challenge.  However watching horses jump and gallop around Prestbury Park with power and purpose is always a joy whatever country they are trained in.

Ndaawi and Lucky Place – two of my long-term fancies for the Festival both ran with great credit and the best bet in the Gold Cup tomorrow is to back horses beginning with G.  Good luck to all.