The biggest news of the day is the absence of Mighty Park in the Turners’ as the day two confirmations came through at midday. The son of Walk In The Park was favourite for the race this morning prior to the market being suspended.
Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
Elsewhere, there was little shake-up in the Brown Advisory Novice Chase market as Final Demand spearheads the field. Third in last years Turners, he looks to get back on track after being well beaten by stablemate Kaid d’Authie. Kaid d’Authie was also confirmed, and he’s done little wrong to suggest that form can’t be upheld.
Henry De Bromhead confirmed two runners including last years Albert Bartlett second The Big Westerner. She was beaten on chase debut, but returned to form when a smart winner of a Limerick Grade 2. Koktail Divin was also among the entries despite his market position in the Jack Richards. He was well supported when given a lenient BHA mark of 150, but connections are reportedly swaying to three miles.
BetMGM Cup Handicap Hurdle
Sixty runners were confirmed for the old Coral Cup with Storm Heart topping the market. Fifth in the 2024 Triumph, he’s unbeaten in two starts this season but a mark of 151 isn’t a gift. Mullins has a further eight confirmed for the race, including last years Martin Pipe favourite Kopek De Mee. He was well backed on yard debut, but was beaten an eventual 52 lengths.
Market springer Kateira was one of two confirmed for Dan Skelton. Skelton gave her as his dark horse at a recent media day despite her recent form. She’s on the same mark as Langer Dan was when winning the race in 2024. In the Langer Dan colours, Nurse Susan was also confirmed for owner Colm Donlon.
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
Velka Pardubicka winner Stumptown was one of 18 confirmed for the Cross Country, looking to repeat last years win.
Cromwell also confirmed Vanilier, who has a 7lbs swing in the weights with Stumptown from last season’s third here. Final Orders is also in the mix for Cromwell, who won a Cross Country contest here in December.
The resurgent Favori De Champdou looks to give Gigginstown and Gordon Elliott their seventh win in the race since 2016.
Debenhams Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup
The Grand Annual sees 37 confirmed as Be Aware tops the billing. Dan Skelton won the race with Unexpected Party in 2024, who was just touched off by Jazzy Matty last season. Jazzy Matty is also confirmed, who will have to contend with a 10lbs higher mark.
Weatherby’s Champion Bumper
The Champion Bumper picture has been murky all season and 32 were confirmed to bring proceedings to an end on day two. Willie Mullins is responsible for seven of them, including Gaelic Warriors brother Our Trigger. The unbeaten Love Sign d’Anou heads the market after his 24 lengths success at Naas in January. The yard won that race with Jasmin De Vaux in 2024, who later followed up in the Champion Bumper.
An interesting candidate is the four-year-old Mets Ta Ceinture for Dan Skelton. She receives a huge weight concession, and hasn’t been seen since finishing second in a Grade 2 AQPS race at Saint-Cloud in October.