It’s a busy time on the National Hunt calendar, as Cheltenham Trials Day takes place this weekend, whilst the Dublin Racing Festival is on the horizon from Leopardstown. We are also beginning to see some star performances from horses that could be key Cheltenham Festival contenders come March. We look at the latest racing news for Tuesday 20 January, as Old Park Star is rated best novice hurdler, whilst Sir Gino is set for Cheltenham clash with The New Lion.
Today’s Racing round-up
Nicky Henderson’s Old Park Star romped to an 18-length victory in the Rossington Main Novices’ Hurdle at Haydock Park on Saturday, and Timeform have since ranked him as the best novice hurdler in the UK & Ireland. Instantly slashed in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle betting, the Seven Barrows inmate has been given a rating of 153p (from 142p), which sees him top the rankings of the novice hurdlers. It also means he’s only rated 1lb lower than last year’s Supreme hero Kopek Des Bordes, so the Henderson team certainly look to have a star on their hands. (Timeform)
Champion Hurdle ante-post favourite Sir Gino will put his Cheltenham Festival credentials on the line this weekend as he heads to Prestbury Park for the Grade 2 Unibet Hurdle on Festival Trials Day. Imperious when landing the Christmas Hurdle, the current market leader is a hot favourite for Saturday’s contest, but he will face last year’s Turners Novices’ Hurdle hero The New Lion in what should be a sensational battle between the two top-class hurdlers. (Racing Post)
Gordon Elliott has mooted a possible tilt at a maiden hurdle for El Cairos, as the leading Supreme Novices’ Hurdle contender looks to bounce back from a fall at Leopardstown last time out. Clear when coming down on his last outing, Elliott has his youngster entered at the Dublin Racing Festival, but could opt for calmer waters to try and bring a confidence-boosting win to the former David Maxwell-owned runner. Elliott said: ” I’m not saying he’s not going to go, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he goes for a maiden hurdle on the Monday or Tuesday after Leopardstown.”(At The Races)
Joe Tizzard is set to bypass the William Hill Hurdle with his premier hurdler Alexei and head to Wincanton instead on Saturday 14 February for the Kingwell Hurdle. A superb winner of the Greatwood Hurdle at Cheltenham, the ultra-progressive West Country-based gelding failed to land a win at Ascot in handicap company on his last outing, but Tizzard is going to step into Graded company and try and land victory in the Kingwell Hurdle before a possible tilt at the Champion Hurdle. (Sporting Life)
There will be a whole plethora of stars heading from Gordon Elliott’s Cullentra House yard to the Dublin Racing Festival in a fortnight, and the Racing Post have undertaken a stable tour of his leading lights. Find out the latest on the likes of Brighterdaysahead, Romeo Coolio, Honesty Policy and many more ahead of the two-day jumping extravaganza in Ireland. (Racing Post)