A Champion Hurdle hope and classy juveniles: recent big races cause market stir

A rundown of how Friday and Saturday's big-race performances at Cheltenham and Doncaster affected the ante-post markets for the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

Happygolucky
National Hunt Chase
Introduced at best-priced 33-1

A useful hurdler who finished last season with a fine fourth in the Martin Pipe, Happygolucky has improved for going chasing, and was winning for a second time from three starts over fences.

He was beaten in between when odds-on at Fakenham, but seemed happier back on a more galloping track and was considered to have got to the front soon enough by trainer Kim Bailey after his latest success.

The RSA was mentioned for six-year-old, but Bailey thinks Happygolucky might not quite be at that level yet, so the National Hunt Chase could be a viable alternative.

What connections said:
Kim Bailey, trainer: "We'd certainly like to be back here in March, but in what race I don't know. He'll stay as long as he wants but like a lot of things it'll depend on the ground. The RSA has a lot of very good horses around and we're not quite in that league yet."

How the market looks:
Bet365: 5-1 Galvin, 8 Monkfish, 12 Next Destination, 14 Fury Road, 16 Court Maid, If The Cap Fits, 20 bar

Mister Fisher: could be a contender for the RyanairCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Mister Fisher
Ryanair Chase
16-1 (from 25)

Better ground helped Mister Fisher bounce back to the sort of form that led to him winning twice over fences as a novice before finishing fourth to Samcro in the Marsh last season.

Soft conditions had led to a disappointing return in the Paddy Power Gold Cup when pulled up, but on a sounder surface Mister Fisher beat Kalashnikov by nearly two lengths in the rearranged Peterborough Chase.

The Ryanair is the plan, although trainer Nicky Henderson intimated Mister Fisher would be seen again before the festival.

What connections said:
Nicky Henderson, trainer: "Nico [De Boinville] says Ryanair and I'll go with that. He doesn't want to go three miles, so it looks like the Ryanair road. I won't wrap him up and put him away; he'll run again but he wants a spring campaign rather than a winter campaign."

How the market looks:
Paddy Power: 6-1 Imperial Aura, 7 Min, 12 Mister Fisher, Cyrname, 14 Samcro, 16 bar

Adagio
Triumph Hurdle
20-1 (from 40)

With no Duffle Coat in opposition, Adagio paid that conqueror a nice compliment when dotting up in the Triumph Hurdle trial at Cheltenham.

The race did not look that strong, with Adagio beating the 118-rated Historic Heart by nearly five lengths, but it was a smooth success suggesting Adagio was a cut above the opposition.

What connections said:
David Pipe, trainer: "I expect we'll all want to go to the Triumph but he could get an entry in the Fred Winter. We'll see what happens in the meantime. It's handy that he goes on this ground and better ground too, so is versatile, and has a nice bit of ability."

How the market looks:
BetVictor: 7-2 Zanahiyr, 12 Duffle Coat, Nassalam, Quilixios, 16 Adagio, Monmiral, Youmdor, 20 bar

Fusil Raffles
Marsh Novices' Chase
Introduced at best-priced 16-1

A Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler, Fusil Raffles lost his way during his first season in open company over hurdles last season, which culminated with a disappointing performance when down the field in the Champion Hurdle.

He looked a rejuvenated horse when winning his first two chase starts this season, but put up a poor performance when pulled up in a Grade 2 novice chase over two miles at the November meeting. However, the step back up in trip to 2m4½f on the New course brought the best out of Fusil Raffles, who lowered the colours of stablemate Chantry House in the process.

While he was shortened in the betting for the Arkle, Nicky Henderson said after the race that his preferred Cheltenham Festival target for Fusil Raffles would be the Marsh Novices' Chase.

What connections said:
Nicky Henderson, trainer: "It was a good performance by Fusil to give weight away. I have been dying to step him up to two and a half miles but the races kept falling nicely over two miles. I think he won here because he stays and he did it really well, despite the ground. We'll put him away now and then I would imagine he'll have one run before coming back here for the Marsh."

How the market looks:
Betfair Sportsbook: Evens Envoi Allen, 16 Andy Dufresne, Fusil Raffles, Protektorat, Easywork, 20 Blackbow, Janidil, 25 bar

Fusil Raffles: Marsh Novices' Chase likely to be his Cheltenham Festival targetCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Monmiral
Triumph Hurdle
16-1 (from 25)

The Triumph Hurdle picture is dominated by Gordon Elliott-trained runners but one who broke his stranglehold in the betting was Monmiral after his ultra-impressive victory in the Summit Juvenile Hurdle.

A winner of his sole start in France before making a successful British debut at Exeter last month, the odds-on favourite never looked in doubt of losing in the Grade 2 contest and scorched clear to win by 11 lengths.

All roads lead to the juvenile championship contest for the Paul Nicholls-trained three-year-old, who is likely to bid to emulate Peace And Co in completing the Summit-Triumph Hurdle double.

What connections said:
Sean Bowen, jockey: "He's a lovely type and I like him a lot. He probably got there a bit too soon because he was travelling and winging hurdles; he'll be better with a lead for longer. He was just looking around in front [at the second-last] and then I got after him and he winged the last."

How the market looks:
Ladbrokes: 7-2 Zanahyir, 10 Quilixios, 12 Duffle Coat, 16 Adagio, Monmiral, Nassalam, 20 bar

Song For Someone
Champion Hurdle
16-1 (from 25)

While the race is likely to be remembered for the disappointing run of Goshen and the farcical omission of hurdles, Song For Someone continued his rapid improvement with another Grade 2 victory in the International Hurdle.

Last season's Kingwell Hurdle winner started this season in perfect fashion last month when a ready winner of the Ascot Hurdle and, despite stepping down in trip, he battled gamely under Aidan Coleman to add his name to the illustrious roll of honour in the 2m1f contest.

While the murmurs were that he would be tailor-made for a tilt at the Aintree Hurdle, he may have plenty of improvement still to come which could see Song For Someone challenge Epatante – who shortened in the Champion Hurdle market after the race – in March.

What connections said:
Tom Symonds, trainer: "I'm not sure the Old course would suit him in the Champion Hurdle, and I'm not saying that because of Epatante. I think the Champion Hurdle would be a bit sharp for him. He would probably be better over a little further and is maybe more of an Aintree horse."

How the market looks:
Ladbrokes: Evens Epatante, 11-2 Abacadabras, 6 Saint Roi, 7 Honeysuckle, 12 Buveur D'Air, 16 Concertista, Song For Someone, 20 bar

More Saturday reaction:

No hurdles, no problem for 'fabulous' Song For Someone as Goshen fails to figure

'Health and safety bonkers' – Evan Williams blasts removal of jumps over low sun (Members' Club subscribers)

'I had to back it up' – Mick Winters leads muddy celebrations at Cheltenham

Saturday reaction: 'My instinct is he's not a Grade 1 performer – yet'

'One run then the Marsh' – Nicky Henderson plots festival plan for Fusil Raffles

At last! Serial villain and punters' foe Sky Pirate wins on bridle at Cheltenham

'I like him a lot' – Monmiral's Triumph Hurdle odds tumble after impressive win

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