Dry start to Cheltenham is forecast, which is good news for Grandeur d’Ame on Tuesday

March 9

Longshots they may be, but Alan hopes that one or two of his select team for Cheltenham this week might surprise the bookies and finish in the money, and he certainly got a timely confidence booster yesterday with Charisma Cat winning the EBF Mares Bumper at Sandown.

Alan, delighted that Charisma Cat was able to get back on track and make it three wins from four attempts, said:”Market Rasen was the one that got away, but she got shuffled back before the home turn and finished with such a rattle that she would have won in another couple of strides.

“However, we’ve out that behind us, and, though she was not enjoying that testing Sandown ground, she is an exciting young prospect and got the job done nicely. All being well, she will now go for the Grade 2 mares bumper at Aintree’s Grand National meeting.”

It’s been a dry week-end, so underfoot conditions should suit HMS President when he reverts to jumping and attempts to justify favouritism at Warwick today.

Alan added:”The better going is what HMS President wants. He has been running well on the Flat but failed to stay the two miles at Kempton last time, and it would to get him qualified here for the novice hurdle championship at Sandown.”

Drying conditions would also be right up Grandeur d’Ame‘s street when he tackles the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Tuesday.

We won this race a few years back with both Fork Lightning and Bensalem, and the layers have been a bit disrespectful to Grandeur d’Ame in making him a 40-1 chance.

Alan said;”With the ground coming our way, this looks the ideal time to step up Grandeur d’Ame to three miles. He is not a quick horse, but he races as though he will stay further and goes there on the back of a career-best performance when running a blinder in a £100,000 two and a half miler over this track in January, being beaten only a short head by Moon d’Orange.

“Grandeur d’Ame jumped super that day and got into a great rhythm. He is best fresh, so we set our stall out for this race after that terrific effort.”