'He's sneaked in under the radar' - seven eyecatching festival handicap entries

Wednesday saw the entry stage pass for the nine handicaps at the Cheltenham Festival. Our team of expert tipsters highlight seven eyecatching entries to emerge as the build-up to the biggest four days in the jump racing calendar intensifies . . .

2022 Cheltenham Festival: big-race entries

My Mate Mozzie

County Hurdle, 2.10, March 18

By Graeme Rodway

Gavin Cromwell is a man with a plan when it comes to the Cheltenham Festival and maybe this has been the target for My Mate Mozzie since he was a beaten favourite in the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse.

He was unlucky not to win that Grade 1, when a less-than-fluent leap at the last cost him victory, and My Mate Mozzie was given a quiet prep for Cheltenham behind Sir Gerhard in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival.

It's often said you need a Grade 1 horse to win a festival handicap nowadays and Arctic Fire won this in 2017 after running at the top level at the DRF. Galopin Des Champs was also successful in the Martin Pipe last year after finishing sixth in the same race in which My Mate Mozzie was fourth at Leopardstown last time, so it's a tried and tested path.

Odds: 20-1

Adrimel

The Plate Handicap Chase, 4.10, March 17

By Keith Melrose

Adrimel was last seen appearing to make heavy weather of winning a three-runner race at Haydock on Saturday, but that was deceptive. He always looked in control of the in-form Shaman Du Berlais, irrespective of that horse's mistake at the last, and has been put up only 1lb to 140.

That will get him into the Plate, his sole entry at Cheltenham where in the last two years he has contested the Albert Bartlett and Champion Bumper. Blinkers and fences have seemed to be the making of this talented individual and he's sneaked in somewhat under the radar.

Odds: 20-1

Coeur Sublime

Grand Annual Chase, 4.50, March 16

By Paul Kealy

Coeur Sublime obviously has an entry in the Arkle, so you can't go backing him ante-post, but he'd surely be interesting in a big-field handicap chase.

Second in a 14-runner Triumph Hurdle in 2019, he had plenty of other high-class hurdling form, and he has taken well to chasing, finishing second and third to Ferny Hollow before winning easily in a small race at Gowran in January.

Much depends on what the handicapper decides to do with his Irish mark of 148 given he was once 155 over hurdles, but I can't imagine he'll be that harsh on what he's done.

Odds: 8-1

Come On Teddy

Ultima Handicap Chase, 2.50, March 15 and Kim Muir Handicap Chase, 5.30, March 17

By Tom Segal

Novices have a great record in handicap chases at the Cheltenham Festival and one that catches my eye at a big price is Come On Teddy in either the Ultima or the Kim Muir.

Come On Teddy (right): has taken well to fencesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Something of a course specialist, Come On Teddy came from a long way back to be third in the Pertemps last season and he has taken well to fences. After a gutsy win at Uttoxeter on his chase debut, he had excuses when behind L'Homme Presse in the Dipper and he will have been trained for this meeting all season long.

Odds: 25-1 (Ultima), 16-1 (Kim Muir)

Red Rookie

Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase, 4.50, March 16

By James Hill

This Arkle entry has always been a nice horse of Emma Lavelle's, and I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. He was bang in contention and going well behind Brave Seasca when coming down at Ascot in December, and was a comfortable winner at Hereford last time.

That Ascot race is working out, and Red Rookie was giving Brave Seasca 5lb that day whereas he'll be in receipt of 8lb from that well-fancied rival at Cheltenham. Of the pair, I'd rather be taking the 25-1 on offer about the selection

Odds: 25-1

I Am Maximus

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, 2.50, March 16

By Matt Newman

Although in the Ballymore, it's interesting to see I Am Maximus get a Coral Cup entry. He's improved with each start over hurdles and took the notable scalp of My Drogo in a bumper. It's unwise to take that line as gospel, but it does give an indication that a mark of 134 has the potential to underestimate him.

I Am Maximus (right): improved with each start over hurdlesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Nicky Henderson has won this race three times in the last eight years and had the runner-up in 2021 with Craigneiche, a novice on just his fourth hurdles start as I Am Maximus would be. A rating of 134 is generally on the cusp of getting in and this is potentially a more suitable opportunity than the Ballymore.

Odds: 14-1

Camprond

Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle, 2.50, March 16 and Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, 5.30, March 18

By David Jennings

Ever since he finished fourth in what has turned out to be a particularly hot Greatwood in November, I've been keen on Camprond for the Coral Cup so I'm thrilled to see him entered.

That experience on the old course, going at a proper two-mile pace, will surely stand him in good stead and benefit his jumping. The manner in which he landed the Persian War at Chepstow earlier in the season was very easy on the eye and it's worth noting the fifth home that day, and beaten 21 lengths, was First Street, third in the Betfair Hurdle off 141.

Camprond is only six and his mark of 140 may underestimate him.

Odds: 14-1 (Coral Cup, 20-1 (Martin Pipe)

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