Can Charles Byrnes and son strike another blow for the Irish with Shoot First?

Saturday: 3.50 Cheltenham
Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Pertemps Hurdle Series Qualifier) | 3m | 4yo+ | ITV4/RTV

Charles Byrnes took his record in British Flat races to 4-7 in the last five seasons when Run For Oscar landed the Cesarewitch at Newmarket a couple of weeks ago.

His jumps statistics aren’t as impressive, however, with just five winners from 37 runners in the same period.

His record at Cheltenham is a bit better, though. Byrnes won twice at the track last season with Blazing Khal, and two of his other six horses who ran there finished in the first three.

Byrnes saddles Shoot First in this staying event and he is unexposed in comparison with his rivals, having just his third outing in handicap company under the trainer’s son Philip.

The 7lb claimer has had six winners for his father, while his sole ride for the yard in Britain finished second at Perth last month, and he did boot home a winner at Sedgefield for Noel Kelly at the start of this month. Byrnes jnr could become a name to look out for this season.

Gary and Jamie Moore are a far more established father-and-son team and they might be hoping that Botox Has can develop into a genuine Stayers’ Hurdle contender this season.

Botox Has sprang a 20-1 surprise when landing the National Spirit Hurdle at Fontwell in February and returns from a 237-day break carrying 11st 9lb, the joint-second top weight.

Tobefair won this race under 11st 12lb in 2019 before finishing sixth in the Stayers’ Hurdle the following year. Only three other horses have carried more than 11st to win this race in the last ten seasons, which gives an idea of the task facing Botox Has.

Salvador Ziggy has an even bigger test. He attempts to carry 12st to victory and complete a five-timer for Gordon Elliott’s yard.

Elliott has used this meeting as preparation for Cheltenham Festival winners before and, if there is a genuine Stayers’ Hurdle candidate in the line-up, it’s probably Salvador Ziggy.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Botox Has returns to favourite course

With an impressive course record and the scope to show further improvement this season, it’s no surprise slick-jumping Botox Has figures at the top of the market.

Twice a winner at Cheltenham, the Gary Moore-trained six-year-old has also finished second there twice.

Factor in his career-best Fontwell effort in February, when landing the Grade 2 National Spirit Hurdle by a head from Brewin’upastorm, and it’s clear he returns to his favourite track with solid claims - albeit in a highly competitive race.

Moore said: “He loves the place and should have every chance. I wouldn't want the ground to be too firm. He's back up to three miles, which should suit as well.”

That Fontwell win was achieved over 2m3f, yet Botox Has is arguably even more effective at staying trips.

What they say

Ann Duffield, trainer of The Real Whacker
He’s done nothing but improve and deserves to be there. Trainers always think their horses have been given too high a mark by the handicapper, but I can’t argue with 137. It looks fair after his second in the Grade 2 River Don at Doncaster. He’s in great form.

Tom Gibney, trainer of Streets Of Doyen and Story Rory
Streets Of Doyen has loads of experience and seems to like Cheltenham. We're still getting to know him, but hopefully he'll run a nice race. Story Rory is taking a big step up in class and we don't know how he'll handle it. He's a bit higher in the weights than his mark in Ireland, but we were sending over a couple of horses to this meeting and we felt it was worth bringing him along too.

Fergal O’Brien, trainer of Ask Dillon, Silver Sheen and Ted’s Friend
Ask Dillon is on the comeback trail. He had an up-and-down season last time. After a good run at Cheltenham last December the wheels rather fell off. Silver Sheen ideally needs the ground to go good to soft. He’s come over from Jessica Harrington’s and it’s a good starting point. Ted’s Friend has done everything right this year and won nicely for Max [Kendrick] at Worcester last month.

Nick Gifford, trainer of Didtheyleaveuoutto
He’ll love the trip; he wants three miles now. I’m hoping the ground stays good. If it went soft, he wouldn’t be guaranteed to run. He ran a nice race over a shorter trip at Chepstow last time, staying on nicely towards the finish. He’s got a nice weight, is in good form, and I expect him to run well.

Oliver Sherwood, trainer of Kansas City Chief
He ran okay at Wetherby. He always needs his first run of the season. How can I improve a 13-year-old? He’s a standing dish at Cheltenham and if he gets placed I’ll be chuffed to bits.

David Pipe, trainer of Panic Attack
She’s in good form and finished fourth in this race last year. She stays well and will like the ground. I think she’ll run well.

Charlie Longsdon, trainer of Moon King
He won nicely at Worcester last time. This is obviously a much stronger race, but I expect him to run well. He’ll like the ground and we’re taking a valuable 7lb off his back again with Bradley Roberts’ claim.
Reporting by Richard Birch

Saturday previews:

2.05 Cheltenham: 'He was unlucky not to win last year' - who fancies their chances at Cheltenham?

2.40 Cheltenham: Pied Piper or Knight Salute: who will claim victory in a classic trilogy?

3.15 Cheltenham: Can course regular Editeur Du Gite notch yet another Cheltenham victory?

3.35 Doncaster: 'We want to run' - but O'Brien wary of ground for hot favourite Auguste Rodin

Newbury: 'It looks like a race he can win' - Hamish out to give Haggas another St Simon

Leopardstown: Hippodrome looks main hope as Aidan O'Brien targets 12th Eyrefield Stakes

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