'I'm all over him' - Daryl Jacob sweet on his old boss striking with 'Grade 1 horse in a handicap'

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Daryl Jacob believes his old boss Paul Nicholls can work his magic again in the Jack Richards, describing his runner Regent's Stroll as a Grade 1 horse in a handicap.

Nicholls and jockey Harry Cobden are bidding for back-to-back wins in the 2m4½f contest (2.00) following success with Caldwell Potter last year and Jacob is adamant they have a serious contender again.

Speaking on the Racing Post's Good Morning Cheltenham show, the former jockey said: "I think Regent's Stroll is a Grade 1 horse in the making and he'll absolutely love this ground. I think Harry will go forward on him, like he did last year on Caldwell Potter."

The absence of Sixmilebridge from the race due to the ground only strengthens the case, according to Jacob.

• WATCH: Good Morning Cheltenham with Daryl Jacob, Paul Kealy and Graeme Rodway

"With Sixmilebridge out, Regent's Stroll can get to the front end and won't get hassled," he said. "Paul Nicholls is brilliant with these types of horses and if I believe he is a Grade 1 horse, I've got to go with him in a handicap. I'm all over him."

In the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle (3.20), David Jennings is sweet on the chances of Ballyburn in a first-time hood for the red-hot Willie Mullins and Paul Townend partnership.

"The vibes are very strong," said Jennings. "You've got to remember on Racing Post Ratings, he's the best winner of the Turners in modern history, even going back to Istabraq. If they can get him back to anything close to that form, or even his Hatton's Grace form, he's got a massive chance."

Jacob took an alternative view on the Grade 1 contest and was expecting conditions to be ideal for Impose Toi.

"I don't think the race is going to be run at a proper Stayers' Hurdle pace and that you'll need a bit of pace at the end of the race," he said.

"The horses who stand out are Impose Toi, who won the Long Walk Hurdle beating Honesty Policy [in third]. I don't think he stayed on the very soft ground behind Ma Shantou last time at Cheltenham but on this drying ground he's massively overpriced. I'm also getting drawn back into Bob Olinger, who's got pace, class and loves to win."

The panel, which also included Paul Kealy and Graeme Rodway, were all keen to take on short-priced favourite Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase (4.00).

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