Ground key for Cheltenham hero Jazzy Matty as he bids to exploit 'great mark'

After the soft to heavy conditions on Irish National day, trainer Cian Collins will be hoping the ground will dry out ahead of his Cheltenham hero Jazzy Matty returning to hurdles off an attractive mark, but he is very much a hostage to the heavens.

A former Boodles winner under the late Michael O'Sullivan when trained by Gordon Elliott, the six-year-old showed his affinity for Cheltenham last month, jumping excellently in reapplied cheekpieces to win the Grand Annual.

His hurdles mark is 17lb lower than over fences and it's not fanciful to think he's potentially well in given he's raced just once over the smaller obstacles in the last nine months when an excellent staying-on second to Samui at Thurles after a three-month break.

It is expected to be largely dry until late afternoon and Jazzy Matty needs it to stay that way if he is to land successive renewals of the RYBO Handicap Hurdle for Collins after the recently retired Effernock Fizz belied odds of 33-1 last year.

Kalix Delabarriere has been a touch disappointing over hurdles given he looked a very smart prospect when beating subsequent Listed and Grade 2 winner Seo Linn in his bumper.

He landed a decent maiden hurdle at Naas last time and an opening mark of 125 isn't demanding too much. He could be very well treated if the ground dries out.

Serienmond improved in a first-time hood to score on his stable debut at Leopardstown last month, but the form has holes in it and a 10lb rise makes life difficult.

Nicky Henderson sends over Joyeuse, who bolted up in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury on her penultimate start in soft ground and ran respectably when sixth in the Mares' Hurdle. However, a 19lb higher handicap mark than for her Newbury win poses a significant challenge.

Helvic Dream could be the way in if the ground remains testing. He's still reasonably treated off 128 and was a good third in a competitive handicap at Listowel in September and ran a big race when runner-up to the useful Kala Conti at Down Royal.

He didn't run to form in a Grade 3 at Navan but should find this more suitable and will be spot on after a run on the Flat.

What they say

Nicky Henderson, trainer of Joyeuse
She looked good at Newbury then she probably didn't stay at Cheltenham, although the handicapper thought it was a good run and put her up another 4lb. Two miles is her trip, the ground will be on the easy side, which suits her, and we're claiming with Aidan Kelly.

Gordon Elliott, trainer of Sa Fureur
He was a bit disappointing in the Coral Cup and never really got into it. He's had a nice break since Cheltenham and is back to two miles. Josh [Williamson] can claim 7lb which will help.

Lorna Fowler, trainer of Le Grand Peinture
He’s been in brilliant form since Navan and this has been the plan. It’s a high mark as he's only won one maiden hurdle, although the form of the ones behind him has worked out. He doesn't enjoy real winter ground but there’s no reason why he won’t go through nice spring soft ground. He’s mature and has that advantage over the others. 

Cian Collins, trainer of Jazzy Matty
He's on a great mark over hurdles and the better the ground the better his chance. He's been in great form since Cheltenham. He had a solid run when second at Thurles and he needed it badly. If he handles the ground he'd have a great chance.

Harry Rogers, trainer of Lord Erskine
He has one last big race in him and if the ground dries out and he gets a truly run race he still has plenty of ability. He’ll handle the track but we wouldn't want any more rain.

Eddie Harty, joint-trainer of American Money
It’s a big step in grade but he ran well off a lowish weight at Naas. As long as the ground is not too soft it’s not going to bother him. He’s up against it in this company, but he deserves his shot. His handicap mark is fair for what he’s done and he's won over two miles.

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