Five epic Cheltenham battles in prospect as festival fever continues to build

With the Cheltenham Festival fast approaching, Tommy Churchyard takes a look at some of the standout clashes racegoers may have in store next month

Benie Des Dieux v Honeysuckle
David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle

The unbeaten Honeysuckle continued her progress at the Dublin Racing Festival on Saturday, defeating Darver Star by half a length in the Irish Champion Hurdle. The six-year-old's mistake at the final hurdle could have stopped many horses but she battled back into the lead impressively. With only seven career runs, including three Grade 1s, further improvement can be expected and it would be no surprise to see her go close if connections can resist the lure of the Champion Hurdle.

Rachael Blackmore holds the Irish Champion Hurdle trophy after winning aboard HoneysuckleCredit: Patrick McCann

She will need to step up another gear to defeat nine-year-old Benie Des Dieux, who is arguably the right favourite based on form. She defeated Penhill by 21 lengths on her seasonal reappearance at Galway and would be undefeated since 2015 but for falling at the last when leading in last year's race.

Willie Mullins recently said Benie Des Dieux could be better than any mare he has trained and is considering taking on Paisley Park in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle, but he may give her the opportunity to regain her crown having won this race in 2018.

Benie Des Dieux is currently a best-priced 4-5, with Honeysuckle 11-4.

Altior v Defi Du Seuil v Chacun Pour Soi
Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase

This would be the first time all three horses have met, and Defi Du Seuil and Chacun Pour Soi would be aiming to prevent Altior winning his third Champion Chase in a row.

Chacun Pour Soi bounced back to form at the Dublin Racing Festival, putting in a commanding performance to defeat Min in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. He still needs to find further improvement on that bare form as the winning margin was less than that by which Altior has beaten Min.

Altior and Nico de Boinville celebrate their second Queen Mother Champion Chase victoryCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

We will hopefully know a lot more about Altior’s chances after the Game Spirit Chase on Saturday at Newbury where he is set to return to his preferred distance after being defeated to Cyrname over two miles five furlongs at Ascot. He has had a frustrating campaign, missing a number of targeted races, but if he returns to his brilliant best he will certainly be the one to beat.

The youngest of the three, seven-year-old Defi Du Seuil lost out to Chacun Pour Soi at Punchestown last year but has been impressive this season, defeating Un De Sceaux in two successive Grade 1s.

Now rated 170, Defi Du Seuil will likely need a career-best performance to win but is favourite at a best priced 2-1 with Altior and Chacun Pour Soi both available at 3-1.

Frodon v Min
Ryanair Chase

Frodon returned to winning ways in the Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton last month after two below-par performances. It would be a fairytale for Bryony Frost if they could repeat last year's rousing win over Aso in the Grade 1.

Bryony Frost and Frodon after battling back to win the Ryanair ChaseCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.cpm/photos)

Min’s best recent form is over further than two miles and it would be a surprise to see him line up in anything but the Ryanair at Cheltenham after two consecutive Champion Chase defeats. The five-time Grade 1 winner could face Frodon for the first time, with fellow Irish horse A Plus Tard also likely to be in the reckoning.

Min is currently favourite at 9-2 with Frodon available at 7-1.

Allmankind v Goshen
JCB Triumph Hurdle

These two unbeaten hurdlers have put in commanding performances through the season and bookmakers are unable to split them in the ante-post market.

Goshen has a combined winning distance of 68 lengths from his three starts over obstacles and has yet to be faced with a proper challenge. Gary Moore said: "All he has done is amaze and impress me”, after his victory at Sandown in November and it will be interesting to see how he performs in better company.

Goshen (Jamie Moore) on his way to winning the Introductory Juvenile Hurdle at Sandown last monthCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Allmankind has faced higher-rated horses in his three wins since joining Dan Skelton after running on the Flat for Michael Bell. His official rating of 148 is a reflection of that and puts him 4lb clear of Goshen. Allmankind defeated Cerberus by nine lengths on his last appearance at Chepstow and before that saw off the challenge of Goshen's stablemate Botox Has at Cheltenham.

Hazel Hill v Minella Rocco
St James's Place Foxhunter Chase

Hazel Hill will be bidding to join his immediate predecessors Pacha Du Polder and On The Fringe in winning back-to-back Foxhunter but he lost his unbeaten record under rules to revitalised former Gold Cup runner-up Minella Rocco at Wetherby last Saturday.

Minella Rocco (left) lock horns with Hazel Hill at WetherbyCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

That sets the scene for round two at Cheltenham where Minella Rocco finished second to Sizing John in the 2017 Gold Cup, a year after beating the 2018 Gold Cup winner Native River when they were both six-year-olds in the NH Chase.

Still with trainer Jonjo O'Neill, the ten-year-old lost his way after falling in the Irish Gold Cup two years ago, more often than not failing to finish. Hunter chases have rekindled his enthusiasm and bookmakers are finding it difficult to split him and Hazel Hill at the head of the market, with both quoted at 5-1.

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