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Key pointers and views as David Pipe chases more success with Eamon An Cnoic

Eamon An Cnoic on his way to victory at Haydock
Eamon An Cnoic: crept into the race at the bottom of the weightsCredit: Grossick Racing

4.10 CheltenhamBrown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3) | 2m4½f | 5yo+ | New course | ITV/RTV

Ireland on a roll

Empire Of Dirt’s 2016 success ended a yawning 34-year gap since the previous Irish winner. Rather typically, the race has now gone for export for the past three years.

This is a race in which Irish-trained runners tend to be hugely outnumbered, and that is again the case with just Valseur Lido and Polidam flying the flag.

Be warned, however – there were just two last year as well, and it didn't stop the Irish winning.


Key number: 3

The Irish winners for the past three seasons have been Empire Of Dirt, Road To Respect and The Storyteller.


Pipe always a major player

With three winners (Great Endeavour, Salut Flo and Ballynagour) and three placed horses in the last ten years, trainer David Pipe is a man you should have on your side.

This year he is represented by Eamon An Cnoic, a convincing winner on his first run after a wind operation last time who has crept in at the foot of the weights.

Favourites rarely out of the money

The Storyteller: 5-1 winner of the Plate last season
The Storyteller: 5-1 winner of the Plate last seasonCredit: Alan Crowhurst

In the last ten years the favourite has finished out of the first three on three occasions, with two winning. Salut Flo (9-2) and The Storyteller (5-1) won at good odds and others have placed at 13-2, 6-1, 9-2, 5-1 and 11-2.

Given the prices of favourites in handicaps at Cheltenham they would seem well worth including in your calculations.


What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Janika and River Wylde
Janika will love the ground. It's a pity he's got to the top of the handicap, but that's my fault and I still think he'll be competitive. We have to think about whether to run River Wylde as we know he doesn't like the ground. He'd be of extreme interest but the ground is an extreme worry. He hasn't run since he had a horrible fall at Haydock on the day they built the fences like brick walls. It's taken a long time to get him back but he's in good shape.

Dan Skelton, trainer of Spiritofthegames
I’m really happy with him and he’s been trained for this meeting. The plan had been to go for the Close Brothers, but missing it was a blessing in disguise as we wouldn’t have beaten the winner. The cheekpieces are back on to help sharpen him up and I felt at the start of the week he was one of our leading chances. I don’t see any reason to change my mind.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Modus and Romain De Senam
I think the ground will be better, and both would be okay if it dried out a bit, but I certainly wouldn't want any overnight rain for either.

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Valseur Lido
I was happier with his run behind Rathvinden at Fairyhouse and hopefully he can regain some of his old sparkle.

Harry Whittington, trainer of Bigmartre
He’s absolutely flying and I’ve never seen him in as good a state as he is at the moment. I’m not saying he’ll win, but I’m hopeful he’ll outrun his odds and I’m really looking forward to running him.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Polidam
Polidam has only an outside chance based on his form this season.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, trainer of Templehills and Splash Of Ginge
Splash Of Ginge was second last year and is off the same mark. He likes the track and can hopefully run well. Templehills is also a good horse on his day. I wouldn’t like to rank them.

Ben Haslam, trainer of Bouvreuil
When he was with Paul Nicholls he seemed best when having a run in December and then being freshened up for Cheltenham. I think he ran back too quickly at Wetherby last time and we gave him a little wind operation in January to tighten things up. He’s run well at the festival before and while he he’s getting older it’s well worth a shot.

Lizzie Kelly, rider of Siruh Du Lac
He won really well last time despite it being close. He never does more than necessary and the way he battled up the hill was really impressive. I think he'll be hard to beat, but I'm sure there'll be plenty of others with the same view.

Paul Henderson, trainer of Doitforthevillage
He loves Cheltenham and I think he’ll run a nice race. The ground has come right for him and he’s been consistent all season. He’s got every right to run another good race.

Doitforthevillage: won this race last season for Paul Henderson
Doitforthevillage: has a good record at CheltenhamCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Donald McCain, trainer of Testify
We’ve struggled to find the right ground and right opportunities this season. He’s in good form and working well so hopefully can put in a good performance. We’ve stuck on blinkers as he’s coming back in trip; they should help sharpen him up.

Alan King, trainer of Azzerti
He was travelling well when he came down three out on trials day here and could run very well having had his confidence boosted with a canter around Ludlow.

David Pipe, trainer of Eamon An Cnoic
It was a good performance last time and he’s crept into the race off a low mark. Ideally we’d have gone for the Grand Annual, but we weren’t sure we’d get in. I’ve no worries about the trip and he’ll like the ground.

Evan Williams, trainer of King’s Odyssey
He’s always run well at Cheltenham and some of the place form he’s got, on both courses, is great. Any more rain would help as the softer the better.


Spotlight verdict

The boisterous Siruh Du Lac and Janika advertised their claims for this when first and second here in January and they have to be high on the list but preference is for Eamon An Cnoic, who ran really well on this track in November in an even better race and was back on song when winning his first start following wind surgery. Spiritofthegames, thereabouts in highly competitive handicap hurdles before switching so successfully to fences, looks a big danger, with Doitforthevillage also having a part to play.


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Peter ScargillDeputy industry editor

Published on 13 March 2019inPreviews

Last updated 15:56, 13 March 2019

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