It was a poor display for the second Lucky 15 of the Cheltenham Festival.
Shuttle Diplomacy ran well, but missed the places by three. Wendigo was a late faller when trying to stay on. Stumptown couldn't keep the pace whilst carrying a heavy weight, which saw his stablemate win nicely. L'Eau Du Sud was outclassed by a winner who returned to form in great style.
Cheltenham 2026 Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle | 1.20 pm – Future Prospect 22/1 (4pl)
We must not have seen the best of Future Prospect, as I think it's something to note that when Patrick Mullins opts for a horse over another, and he did that when she met Bambino Fever in a bumper last year.
Obviously, Patrick got it very wrong that day, and he does tend to get it wrong at the big meetings in those races, but she must've been showing a lot at home to warrant his pick.
She was a decent bumper horse and made a nice start to life over hurdles when recording an RPR of 132 on her debut in January. That standard doesn't have her miles away from the main horses in this.
Harry Cobden is in the saddle and has already ridden a winner for Willie this week.
Cheltenham 2026 Jack Richards' Limited Handicap Chase | 2.00 pm – The Bluesman 14/1 (5pl)
If the new track rides exactly like the old track, we could be in trouble with our selection, The Bluesman. However, if horses can come from off the pace, then we could be cooking for at least a place.
The Bluesman put in a very nice performance last time out at Haydock. He was held up from off the pace, but then joined the leaders like he was a fresh horse. After he led late on, he was pushed out and won comfortably.
I'm fully aware this race is tougher, but I don't think it's a ridiculously hard race full of horses on great handicap marks. Also, I think the race could be set up nicely, with a couple of horses pushing a strong pace to give a chance to the closers.
Cheltenham 2026 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle | 4.40 pm – Bold Endeavour 8/1 (6pl)
I was torn about which horse to pick in this race, but I slightly fancied C'Est Different, maybe for sentimental reasons. However, I do believe Bold Endeavour has a fantastic chance for a yard and jockey in great form.
He was a solid horse when he was first trained by Nicky Henderson a couple of years ago. For some reason, the owner decided to send him away, and then he lost all of his form and did nothing for Laura Morgan. They saw the light and took him back to Nicky's yard and on his return to racing, he finished third in a qualifier for this race.
His current handicap mark of 130 sees him 13lbs lower than when he finished fourth in this race in 2024, which gives him a huge chance.
I do recommend backing this lad as a single as well.
Cheltenham 2026 Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Chase | 5.20 pm – Olympic Man 40/1 (5pl)
This race is a mouthful, and isn't everyone's cup of tea due to the jockeys in the saddle. I think the top weight will be tough to beat if he turns up in good form, but as we've already seen, big-priced winners can happen.
The horse which caught my attention at a huge price was Olympic Man, who is now trained by John McConnell.
John hasn't been in great form with the horses he has sent over to the UK this season, which is unlike him, but he went close with Moon D'Orange earlier in the week.
Olympic Man was previously trained by Willie Mullins and must've had a good reputation, as he was backed into favouritism for the Scottish Grand National last year. He fumbled it badly and was let down by his jumping, but they must've been confident.
His handicap mark has dropped since then, and that gives him an outside chance of winning this.
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