There were some notable handicap allotments unveiled at Kempton Park on Tuesday as the 2026 Cheltenham Festival kicks off in just two weeks.
Saratoga was given a mark of 130, 5lbs higher than his Irish mark, for the opening handicap of the week. The Camelot gelding is a half brother to connections Brazil, who won the Fred Winter in 2022.
Saratoga will be rated 7lbs lower than Brazil, who won by 13 lengths at Naas prior to Cheltenham. He was second in the same prep race, but caught the eye and is 1lbs better off with the winner.
Munsif was also given a 5lbs higher mark than his Irish one on 126 after finishing behind Saratoga at Naas.
Pauling out to continue British Ultima domination
Ben Pauling’s Handstands may run off top-weight in the Ultima provided Iroko goes elsewhere, who’s entered at Kelso on Saturday.
Speaking to the media via Sporting Life, Pauling said “I’d be very interested in Handstands in the Ultima, especially if someone would run against him off 162. That would make me quite excited and would probably sway my decision.”
Pauling won’t get that wish, but at the At The Races Festival preview he remarked Handstands was in excellent form.
“If he’s a Grade 1 horse he can win an Ultima.”
While his form has tailed off since last season, a subsequent wind operation may have sparked him back to life.
“I firmly believe they take a run (after wind surgery) to get their confidence. He’s come out, he believes in himself and he’s in great order.”
Roc Dino, Koktail Divin and The Yellow Clay further headline makers
Roc Dino was awarded a mark of 131 which might be enough to sneak in to the Martin Pipe. Mullins won it in 2021 with Galopin Des Champs off 142, now a two time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner.
Though a five-race maiden, the support has come for him to emulate Closutton’s 2022 success in the race.
Meanwhile, after his Leopardstown triumph, the Brown Advisory looked the race for Koktail Divin but handicaps may now be the path. He was given just a 1lbs rise from his Irish mark to 150 after his twenty one length victory.
With pieces of Graded form and a career high RPR of 157, a mark of 150 looks more than workable.
Lastly, an unchanged mark of 155 could see The Yellow Clay run off top-weight in the Coral Cup. Second in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle last year, he’s yet to rediscover that form but could spring to life in familiar territory.