Festival Update winners 7/1 & 9/2

The Cheltenham Festival roller coaster continued on day four with two more winners for Update subscribers. Kargese (advised @ 7/1) and Wodhooh (9/2) looked well ahead of the handicapper as they won the County and Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdles on Friday.

It what was a profitable afternoon, it could have been even better had 100/1 chance Poniros not worn down selection Lulamba in the Triumph Hurdle in the closing stages. Nicky Henderson's unbeaten runner had mastered market leader East India Dock on the run-in only to be collar late on by Willie Mullins' hurdling debutant. Ironically, Ahead On The Flat Update clients will be aware that I tipped the former Ralph Beckett trained four year old for the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot and the Cambridgeshire last year. Talk about rubbing salt into the wound. 

Gavin Cromwell's horses have run well all week and Inothewayurthinkin capped a memorable week for the stable by winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The seven year old came good in the spring last year winning at Cheltenham and Aintree and, following two eyecatching runs at Leopardstown, he denied Galopin Des Champs from winning steeplechasing's Blue Riband with a tremendous performance. A bit sticky at his fences early on, Mark Walsh's mount warmed to his task and, once moving upsides the reigning holder at the second last, his stamina came into play and he began to pull away. A fast improving chaser, connections are now faced with the decision whether to head to Aintree for the Grand National on the 5th April. One thing is for certain, he won't be running off a mark of 160 again any time soon. Advised at 33/1 in the February Update, fingers crossed the J.P.McManus owned gelding gets the go ahead.

As discussed, there have been plenty of upsets over the four days but overall I am satisfied with the results for the OJA Cheltenham Festival Update with 5 winners - Kopek Des Bordes (Evens), Haiti Couleurs (advised @ 9/2), Jimmy Du Seuil (16/1), Kargese (advised @ 7/1) and Wodhooh (9/2). Sixandahalf and Lulamba were the hard luck stories and it is a case of what might have been with that pair. Thank you to those clients who have emailed over the last few days, it is much appreciated.

Don't forget, the Update also includes an ante-post selection for the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster (29th March), plus some other Flat racers to look out for in the coming weeks. These are likely to be in action before the new edition of Ahead On The Flat is published in early April.

The Publications section of the site has been updated - it is now possible to order Ahead On The Flat 2025 and the Updates.