At Cheltenham Walsh always seems to be centre-stage, and though he will never approach Tony McCoy’s 4,000-plus winners elsewhere, his pre-eminence at the meeting that matters most is absolute. Apple’s Jade shortens for Mares’ Hurdle after Ricci retires Vroum Vroum Mag Read moreWalsh’s only ride at Thursday’s meeting is aboard Willie Mullins’s Lareena, who has run well without winning on her two starts so far this season and seems likely – though far from certain – to set off as the favourite. On today’s British cards, Domingo will have plenty of supporters in the handicap chase at Wincanton as he makes his second start for Jonjo O’Neill after arriving from Philippe Peltier’s yard in France. VJ Day (6.45) has yet to register a win in four starts but ran well behind Dubai Acclaim at Wolverhampton last week after a six-month lay-off. An opening mark of 72 looks fair on that form, while Testa Rossa (7.15) should also follow up having romped away with a handicap over course and distance in a decent time on his latest start.

Source: The Guardian March 08, 2018 09:15 UTC