'He looks tailor-made for this' - key quotes and insight for National Hunt Chase

Tuesday: 5.30 CheltenhamNational Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase (Grade 2) | 3m6f | 5yo+ | RTV

To see a field of just seven declared, reduced to six when Ontheropes was declared a non-runner on Monday, for this longstanding prize was certainly arresting, although calls for its abolition in the wake of declarations must have been either preconceived or rash. Was it not only last week that the strength of last year's form was being pointed out at every Cheltenham Festival preview evening?

The first four home last year were Galvin, Next Destination, Escaria Ten and Snow Leopardess. Admittedly, the presence of Monkfish in the Brown Advisory, plus professionals being allowed to ride in this race, probably pushed a few towards the historically easier option.

Perhaps even more remarkable than the low turnout is that only four trainers are represented. They are broadly the yards you would expect. Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott, of course, plus Gavin Cromwell and Rebecca Curtis.

Curtis and Cromwell may not be in the same stratosphere as the two most powerful jumps yards Ireland has ever known, but they are both big-race trainers. From fewer than 400 career winners apiece, they can already boast a Stayers' Hurdle (both), Champion Hurdle (Cromwell), Albert Bartlett (both), Brown Advisory (Curtis) and this race (Curtis).

Cromwell has never had a Cheltenham Festival runner in a staying chase, but is 2-3 with staying hurdlers. Curtis's four winners at the festival over 2m7f or further have come from 36 runners. That strike-rate is almost double what would be expected by chance.

Mullins and Elliott have between them claimed five of the last nine runnings of this race, while last year Galvin was making his sole start for Ian Ferguson before returning to Elliott. For all that, Mullins' overall record in staying races at Cheltenham is perhaps not at the level you might expect. From 179 runners, he has had 12 winners. A strike-rate of less than seven per cent is not very Mullins-like, while the prices of his runners would suggest he could have expected 15 winners from the sample, so they evidently underperform relative to market expectations.

Those figures might point towards Elliott's Run Wild Fred over the Mullins-trained Stattler. The former has a good profile for this race, albeit in reverse. Plenty of top handicappers graduate from this race and last season he recorded seconds in the Thyestes and Irish Grand National, before winning the Troytown in November and finishing second in a Grade 1 at Christmas. One place behind that day was Cromwell's representative Vanillier, who improved his hurdles form by 9lb at this time last year in winning the Albert Bartlett by 11 lengths.

You would imagine that top marathon handicaps next year will be the destination for Pats Fancy, who is by far the more obvious of Curtis's pair. Her previous winner of this race Teaforthree was placed in the Welsh and Aintree Grand Nationals the following season. The National Hunt Chase is a tougher race now, but Pats Fancy is the one runner in this field you would back to still be going as others reach the end of their tether.
Race analysis by Keith Melrose

'Vanillier has been thriving in recent weeks'

Gavin Cromwell says Vanillier is peaking at exactly the right time and the trainer is expecting a big performance from his dashing grey.

Vanillier made Cheltenham his own last season when bolting up in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle and this season has centred around the National Hunt Chase. Cromwell nominated this for Vanillier in the winter and revealed his star stayer has started to come to the boil in recent weeks.

Vanillier: reported to be in flying form by Gavin CromwellCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

He explained: "Vanillier has really come to himself in the past three weeks and his work has been excellent. There are only six runners but it's a quality field and the main ones have stood their ground. I'm happy he's coming to himself at the right time."

'We'll support the Red Cross appeal in every way we can'

The name of the oldest race at the Cheltenham Festival will include 'Ukraine Appeal' in its title this year as part of the Jockey Club’s fundraising efforts for the British Red Cross in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The appeal is raising money to provide food, water, first aid, medicines, warm clothes and shelter. A donation will also be made by the Jockey Club and information to raise awareness of the national fundraising efforts will be shared across the racecourse before the running of the Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys' Novices' Chase. Soprano Laura Wright will perform World In Union before racing.

Twenty-four hospitality tickets for two people for Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup day on Friday are up for grabs in a £10 per ticket raffle to further fundraise and can be purchased on the racecourse’s website before 6pm on Tuesday. All proceeds will go to the fund.

Ian Renton, Cheltenham's managing director, said: "We'll be supporting the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal in every way we can throughout the week, raising awareness and funds for what is a really important cause. That starts on Tuesday with the Ukraine Appeal National Hunt Chase and bucket collections around the course.

Lisnagar Oscar: will run in the colours of the Ukraine flag in Thursday's Stayers' HurdleCredit: Dan Mullan (Getty Images)

"Separately the Jockey Club has made a donation to the Ukraine Appeal and we've also been running the raffle. The opportunity to win a pair of tickets to watch the most prestigious race in the jump racing calendar from such a fantastic vantage point while also supporting the appeal is one we hope will encourage a huge number of people to take part. It's the ultimate Cheltenham Gold Cup day experience."

Later in the week, Lisnagar Oscar will carry silks of the Ukrainian flag to show support in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and bookmakers Star Sports have offered to send £10,000 to the fund for every Davy Russell-ridden winner at the meeting.

What they say

Rebecca Curtis, trainer of Beatthebullet and Pats Fancy
I'm surprised there aren't more British-trained novices in the race and the small field is why we've declared Beatthebullet. On the ratings he wouldn't have much chance but he'll still run well and the step up in trip will suit him. Pats Fancy seems in great form. Again, on ratings, he shouldn't beat the Irish but he jumps very well and I think the extra distance will really suit. This race has been his target all season and I liked the way he managed to jump with Bravemansgame the whole way last time.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Braeside and Run Wild Fred
Run Wild Fred looks tailor-made for this. His Troytown win, Irish Grand National second and being placed in a Grade 1 all stack up really nicely and he must have a massive chance. He looks an ideal type for a test like this. If Braeside comes back to his Paddy Power form he could outrun his odds.

Willie Mullins, trainer of Stattler
He jumps well and stays well. If Patrick [Mullins] can just keep his position and keep him jumping without any mistakes he has every chance. Run Wild Fred is the one to beat, but our fellow can improve. Stattler looks a stayer. He's by Stowaway, whose horses excel at shorter trips, but this one has the profile of a stayer and I think he has every chance.
Reporting by Brian Sheerin

Tuesday's Cheltenham Festival previews:

1.30 Cheltenham: 'Jonbon has been flawless' – Nicky Henderson on his scintillating Supreme duo

2.10 Cheltenham: 'We'll see if he's good enough' – big British hope Edwardstone takes on Irish

2.50 Cheltenham: 'I expect him to run a massive race' – who fancies their chances in the Ultima?

3.30 Cheltenham: 'She's actually in mighty form' – De Bromhead delighted with champ Honeysuckle

4.10 Cheltenham: Telmesomethinggirl bids for another festival triumph in wide-open Mares' Hurdle

4.50 Cheltenham: 'He looks nicely treated' – Paul Townend puts up Gaelic Warrior as best chance

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