Image © Healy Racing
Former Irish point-to-point horses once again are featuring strongly in the Cheltenham Festival betting markets with the festival only a week away.
Irish point-to-pointers feature strongly in this years renewal of Boodles Gold Cup with 13 of the 28 entered all graduating from the Irish point-to-point fields.
Jango Baie (9/2) leads the way of the Irish Pointers, the former Cheltenham Festival winner was last seen when only narrowly defeated in a four-way finish in the King George at Kempton in December. The Nicky Henderson-trained gelding started his career between the flags with handler Mick Goff.
The Jukebox Man (5/1) who carries the familiar colours of Harry Redknapp has won on both starts this season including a the King George at Kempton for trainer Ben Pauling. The son of Ask won his point-to-point maiden at Turtulla in 2022 for handler Ellen Doyle.
Haiti Couleurs (7/1), last year's Irish Grand National winner for Rebecca Curtis, comes to Cheltenham fresh from his Grade 2 Denman Chase victory at Newbury when defeating L’Homme Presse by seven lengths.
Other Irish pointers with entries to note are; Affordale Fury (33/1), Banbride (33/1), Envoi Allen (40/1), Grangeclare West (33/1), Nick Rockett (33/1) and Spindleberry (33/1)
Novice Hurdles
Mighty Park who has entries for the Supreme Novice Hurdle (4/1) and Turners Novice Hurdle (100/30) looks a decent sort after winning by 38 lengths on his racecourse debut at Fairyhouse in January. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding had finished runner-up to Harry Lowes on his point-to-point debut at Quakerstown last season.
El Cairos (5/1), who holds an entry for the Supreme Novices hurdle was purchased out of the David Maxwell dispersal put in a good performance at Thurles in January, he looked set for victory on his stable debut for Cullentra before coming to grief after the last at Leopardstown over Christmas. The son of No Risk At All started his career with Jim O’Neill when winning his maiden at Curraghmore.
Other Elliott novice hurdlers to keep an eye on is the Fairyhouse point-to-point winner Ballyfad in the Turners Novice Hurdle (7/1), he was only just beaten a short head by Talk The Talk at the Dublin Racing Festival.
Another is the Robcour-owned Skylight Hustle (4/1). The former Colin Bowe point-to-pointer has won on his last two starts which included an impressive five length victory over Carrigmoornaspruce at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Novice Chases
Final Demand who finished third in the Turners Grade 1 Novice hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival last year is entered for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase (7/2). He won the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase at Limerick over Christmas on his second over fences. His regular rider Paul Townend gives his thoughts to Betway in his new weekly blog. The seven-year-old started his career with Matty Flynn O’Connor when winning his maiden at Lingstown in March 2024.
Romeo Coolio who holds entries for Brown Advisory (4/1), Arkle Challenge Trophy (4/1) and the Ryanair Chase (7/1). The Belclare points winner for Donnchadh Doyle in 2023 has won on all of his four starts this season including three victories at Grade 1 level with his most recent being in the Goffs Arkle Novice chase at the Dublin Racing Festival.
The Fergal O’Brien trained Sixmilebridge is another former Irish pointer to watch out for, he hold entries for the Arkle Challenge Trophy (28/1), Brown Advisory Novices Chase (10/1) and the Jack Richard Novices Handicap Chase (8/1). He has won on all three of his starts this season which includes an impressive win in the Scilly Isles Novices Chase at Sandown in January. The seven-year-old son of Affinisea finished runner-up in his point-to-point maiden at Castletown-Geoghegan for handler Rob James.
Taylorstown point-to-point winner Wendigo holds multiple entries at the Festival, the Trustmarque Ultima Handicap Chase (10/1), Brown Advisory Novices Chase (6/1), Jack Richards Novice Handicap Chase (11/1). He goes to the festival after an impressive 22 length victory at Ayr for trainer Jamie Snowden.
The Henry de Bromhead trained mare The Big Westerner holds entries for the Brown Advisory Novice Chase (9/2) and the Mares Chase (13/2). This talented mare won her maiden at Ballycahane for Matty Flynn O’Connor in 2024. She put in a good performance when winning on her most recent start at Limerick over Christmas in the Grade Dawn Runs Mares Novices Chase.
Champion Bumper
Irish point-to-pointers always dominate the entries for the Weatherbys Grade 1 Champion Bumper, this year they fill 15 of the 35 entries. Some of the market principles include;
Love Sign D’aunou (9/2) heads the market, the Loughanmore point-to-point winner for Gerald Quinn impressed on his racecourse debut when registering a 24 length victory at Naas in January.
The Irish Avatar (7/1) was a nine length winner of his bumper in Navan in January. The son of Poet’s Word finished runner-up in his point-to-point at Dromahane for handler Colin Bowe.
Keep Him Company (9/1) was four length winner of his point-to-point maiden at Kildorrery last season. He is now a two time bumper winner for trainer Gordon Elliott.
The Mourne Rambler (16/1) from the Noel Meade stable will be partnered by the Irish champion flat jockey Colin Keane. The five-year-old son of Well Chosen impressed when winning on his racecourse debut at Leopardstown over Christmas. The Mourne Rambler started his career between the flags when with handler Patrick Turley.
