A 20-1 handicapper to watch and a young horse for the future - what I learned at the Paul Nicholls festival media day

It was to Ditcheat for the latest Cheltenham Festival media day, with Paul Nicholls running through his contenders on Monday. Here, our West Country correspondent James Stevens reveals what caught his attention during an informative event

Mares the main focus

There is no clear top Cheltenham contender for Paul Nicholls but Jubilee Alpha and Just A Rose in the Ryanair Mares' Novice Hurdle on Thursday appear the standouts.

Nicholls struggled to separate the pair, who work together, but said the experience of Jubilee Alpha could just give her the edge.

He said: "Jubilee Alpha has more experience which would point me towards her. They've always worked together and you wouldn't pick either of them out at home. Cobby [Harry Cobden] will ride Jubilee Alpha and Freddie Gingell will ride the other. Experience counts for loads but you never know how good Just A Rose could be."

Bumper hope on a par with Captain Teague

The Champion Bumper is a rare domestic Grade 1 to have eluded Nicholls but he is upbeat about the chances of No Drama This End.

He is a 12-1 shot having produced a highly impressive debut under rules on Warwick on New Year's Eve. Nicholls said he was "on a par" with Captain Teague, who outran odds of 40-1 to finish third in the race in 2023.

"We took him to Wincanton for a gallop before the Warwick race and was pleasantly surprised by what he showed us. The race was competitive but he won very, very nicely. As long as it's soft he'll run well and I think he'd be one of the best British horses. He's a lovely horse for the future."

Paul Nicholls: discussed his Cheltenham Festival chances at a media day on MondayCredit: Megan Dent / The Jockey Club

Handicap hopes

Monmiral was surprisingly Nicholls' first Cheltenham Festival handicap winner since 2018 when landing last season's Pertemps Final, but he has a good selection of chances across the week.

When pushed he nominated Ginny's Destiny, currently a best-priced 20-1 for Thursday's TrustATrader Plate, as potentially his leading contender, although the big-money buy Caldwell Potter is also high on the list earlier on Thursday and should have a "big chance" in the Jack Richards Novices' Handicap Chase.

Standouts in the handicap hurdles include Kabral Du Mathan in the County Hurdle and Henri The Second in the Pertemps. Last season's winner Monmiral is unlikely to join him, with the Stayers' his most likely destination.

Super strength behind National quintet

After a rainy start to the morning, the Somerset sun was shining as attention turned to Aintree and Nicholls seemed to be excited about a five-strong Grand National team.

Bravemansgame will be ridden by James Reveley in the Grand NationalCredit: Edward Whitaker

Kandoo Kid is undoubtedly the headline act, with that status sealed by Harry Cobden choosing to ride, but Bravemansgame, Threeunderthrufive, Hitman and Stay Away Fay all bring a certain class to the line-up.

Throw in Melling Chase-bound Pic D'Orhy, Stage Star in the Bowl and Rubaud in the Manifesto, as well as a number of handicappers, and it is easy to see why Nicholls is in such good spirits about April.

Read more:

How Paul Nicholls landed a £39,000 Cheltenham Festival gamble - plus he reveals his only ante-post bet for 2025 

Harry Skelton to ride for Paul Nicholls in Grand National as top trainer firms up Aintree jockey plans

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