Cheltenham Festival Preview Night

With the Cheltenham Festival less than three weeks away, the preview nights will be getting into full swing shortly. I am fortunate enough to be on three panels this year starting with the one at the Coniston Hotel, near Skipton in North Yorkshire on Monday 2nd March. I will be alongside Brian Hughes, Henrietta Knight, Michael Shinners, Harry Bannister and Jonathan Doidge. The evening kicks off at 7pm and it is £35 per person, which includes pie, peas and a dessert. If anyone is interested in coming along, tickets can be ordered via the hotel on 01756 748080 or email conference@theconistonhotel.com. It promises to be an enjoyable evening.

As far as the action on Wednesday is concerned, I thought Adrimel produced a smart performance in the concluding bumper at Doncaster. Tom Lacey's charge, who won an Irish point last season, had created a favourable impression on his Rules debut at Uttoxeter winning by twenty six lengths. The five year old was forced to dig deep on Town Moor as he fended off the persistent challenge of the highly regarded The Edgar Wallace. A length and a quarter winner, it was a good effort under a penalty with the pair over twenty lengths clear of the third. It looked sound form. The Cheltenham Festival bumper is a possibility for Adrimel but it is hoped he swerves that and is prepared for his novice hurdle career next Autumn. He is a smashing prospect for his upwardly mobile trainer. The Tirwanako gelding was another winner for Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers article in One Jump Ahead.

I interviewed Ralph Beckett for Ahead On The Flat on Wednesday afternoon. The Hampshire based handler has a strong blend of young and older horses and has plenty to look forward to in 2020. Always very accommodating and generous with his time, Ralph gave me a detailed rundown on his string.