Can Henry de Bromhead bag a Cheltenham hat-trick? Analysis plus a tipster verdict for £100,000 handicap

This is a race that several trainers in Britain and Ireland will have earmarked for their contenders for some time. Win any £100,000 race and the horse will have enjoyed a successful season irrespective of what happens over the next six months or so.

Recent history, though, suggests this is a high-calibre contest that provides a useful stepping stone to even bigger challenges later in the campaign. Last year’s winner – Senior Chief, trained by Henry De Bromhead – signed off with a sixth in the Grand National at Aintree. The 2023 hero Whacker Clan, a stablemate of Senior Chief, went on to contest the Scottish Grand National.

De Bromhead’s The Short Go, who finished runner-up to Senior Chief in the race 12 months ago, looks a prime candidate once again this time. Many punters believe he'll have been aimed at the contest as he's been heavily supported over the past few days.

Nicky Henderson’s Hyland, who retains relatively low mileage over fences, having landed three of his past seven starts, is another who fits the bill. A course-and-distance winner at this meeting last year, he's also been the subject of market support. He scored first time out last term on the back of a four-month break, so clearly runs well fresh.

Tipster’s verdict

De Bromhead can land a third straight victory in this valuable race, with The Short Go having the right credentials.

He’s enjoyed a longer summer break this time, which could be viewed as a positive, particularly with the way the market has been shaping up in recent days.

Hyland should also go well, as should Ballycamus, who represents the Twiston-Davies team, which usually enjoys success at this meeting.

Ballycamus is no star, but he's taken really well to fences, and his recent Chepstow second to Ask Brewster at Chepstow was arguably a career-best. The winner is a fast-improving young chaser who looks set for a hugely successful campaign, which could conclude in the Scottish National at Ayr in April.

1 THE SHORT GO
2 Hyland
3 Ballycamus

What they say

Gary Moore, joint-trainer of Nassalam
It’s his first time back after nearly a year off. We’ve done all we can at home to get him fit enough, but he might benefit for the run.

Joe Tizzard, trainer of Rock My Way
He ran very well at the Cheltenham Festival. It’s his first run of the season, and it’s a very competitive race. Most of his best form is at Cheltenham and we’re hopeful he’ll be fit enough to do himself justice.

Neil Mulholland, trainer of Transmission
I’m very happy with him. He schooled well the other day and ran well at Cheltenham last season. He goes well fresh so I’m hopeful of a good run.

Paul Nicholls, trainer of Inch House
Inch House had a very bad fall at Ayr in the spring before we had him and I don’t think he’d really got over it. I wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves last year’s form behind him and improves massively, and then goes and runs nicely in about a month’s time. It’s a bit of a retrieval mission but the signs are right at home.

Willy Twiston-Davies, joint-trainer of Ballycamus
He ran really well in a valuable race at Chepstow on his reappearance. I thought he came to win his race and then probably just needed it. The winner, Ask Brewster, is a very progressive chaser, and Ballycamus ran a huge race in defeat. I think he’s got a good chance in a competitive contest.

Evan Williams, trainer of Minella Blueway
We have to start him off somewhere and it’s nicer to start with 10 stone on his back rather than 12. He’s a nice, progressive horse. He got the hang of things towards the end of last season. He stays well and we think he’ll win a nice race somewhere down the line.

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