Elliott saddles four in bid to grab race named after old boss

Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle | 2m4f56y | 4yo+ | RUK

Slevin bids for unique double

JJ Slevin could create a small piece of Cheltenham Festival history in recording back-to-back wins in this race for conditional jockeys which makes repeat successes unlikely.

Victorious 12 months ago on Champagne Classic, Wexford-born Slevin – who enjoyed a successful amateur career before turning conditional in July 2016 – partners Early Doors for Joseph O’Brien.

Early Doors attempts two and a half miles for the first time having been beaten on his two most recent starts in Grade 1 novice company.

Before that he won a small-field Grade 3 at Naas in December, and it will be interesting to see how his closest pursuer there, Meri Devie, gets on in the County Hurdle earlier in the day.

Mullins chasing more success

Willie Mullins has won this three times in its nine-year history, and all of those successes came with horses who went on to Graded success over fences – Sir Des Champs, Don Poli and Killultagh Vic.

Carter McKay (yellow silks) is one of three runners for Willie MullinsCredit: Alain Barr

The trainer saddles Carter McKay, who has been running in some of Ireland’s top novice races this winter and whose form could receive a boost earlier in the day should his Leopardstown Grade 1 conqueror Tower Bridge run well in the Albert Bartlett.

The trainer is also represented by Deal Destruval and Burrows Saint, who beat likely market principal Flawless Escape on her stable debut, having previously shaped well over fences for Guillaume Macaire.

Bowen back on Bieffes

James Bowen has been one of the rising stars of the jumps season and has enjoyed an excellent record when teaming up with Nicky Henderson.

Bowen won on Diese Des Bieffes in a novice hurdle at Fontwell in November and is reunited with him for the first time since.

Diese Des Bieffes ran well to be fifth in the Lanzarote Hurdle on his handicap debut behind his Bowen-ridden stablemate William Henry, who finished a fine fourth in Wednesday’s Coral Cup.

Elliott plays four in defence

Gordon Elliott made no secret of what it meant to him when winning the race named after his former boss last year and saddles four in an attempt to follow up.

Flawless Escape has been the one for money since betting opened and his form could get a boost from an unlikely quarter if his Leopardstown conqueror Total Recall runs a big race in the Gold Cup earlier in the afternoon.

Martin Pipe congratulates Gordon Elliott after winning this race 12 months ago with Champagne ClassicCredit: Patrick McCann

What they say

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Blow By Blow, Sire Du Berlais, Flaxen Flare and Flawless Escape
We're happy with Blow By Blow. He was a good winner of a Grade 3 at Thurles last time, but while he has form on testing ground he just might prefer it better. Sire Du Berlais ran very well when second at Fairyhouse last time and is in good form. He has to have a decent chance. Flaxen Flare is a festival winner and is in very good form but will need to improve on recent efforts. Flawless Escape is in great form and ran very well when third in a handicap over the trip at Leopardstown last time. We're very happy with him.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Brelan D'As and Amour De Nuit
Brelan D'As got balloted out of all the chases so he's in here but he'd have an each-way chance. Amour De Nuit would not want it any wetter.

Martin Keighley, trainer of Brillare Momento
It was a good confidence booster at Towcester last time. She loves Cheltenham, winning a Listed race there as well as her comeback in October. I'd have preferred better ground for her. I think she’s off a workable mark of 139 and if she handles the ground she’d have a live chance.

Alan King, trainer of Coeur De Lion
He won his prep race on the Flat at Southwell in good style and worked very well last weekend so should give a good account, but I’m worried he may just be a few pounds too high to be winning a race like this.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Carter McKay, Burrows Saint and Deal D'Estruval
Deal D'Estruval was a good second in the Coral Hurdle and has to have a very good chance. Burrows Saint will love the ground and has plenty of experience while Carter McKay will be having his first run in a handicap. He'll like the ground and the trip and could be going into the race a bit under the radar.

Ben Pauling, trainer of Delire D’Estruval
He’ll love the ground and as a result could run better than his odds suggest he will.

David Pipe, trainer of Mr Big Shot
He’s not had the best of preps but he’s got loads of ability. It’ll be a big ask for him but he's got plenty of potential.

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Diese Des Bieffes, Lough Derg Spirit and Brave Eagle
I'm a bit worried about the ground for Diese Des Bieffes and Brave Eagle, but stepping up to two and a half miles will help Lough Derg Spirit.

Harry Fry, trainer of Melrose Boy
We know he'll handle conditions and he won at the track earlier in the season with Kieron Edgar, who takes the ride again. He was third in a good race last time and the winner [Topofthegame] was runner-up in the Coral Cup, so that's franked the form.

Philip Hobbs, trainer of Poppy Kay
She was disappointing last time but no reason for that has come to light. She’d been in good form up until then and I think she can run well.

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