Another fascinating evening of hunters’ chase action takes place this evening at Cheltenham where high-calibre hunters and proven point-to-pointers are set to line-up.
However, some well-known partnerships have been broken after riders picked up suspensions which rule them out of the meeting. In the Jonathan Neesom Memorial (6.20) both Aintree Foxhunters’ Chase winner Gracchus De Balme and Cheltenham Festival Hunters’ Chase fourth Music Drive gain new riders following bans picked up at the Grand National meeting.
Ellie Callwood has had to give up the ride on the Kelly Morgan-trained Music Drive, allowing Gina Andrews to take the reins, while James King takes over from Huw Edwards on Gracchus De Balme from Joe O’Shea’s stable. King also rides Barton Snow for O’Shea in the opening race (4.35) over two miles. Other key riders who are suspended include Toby McCain-Mitchell, who was second choice behind Edwards to ride O’Shea’s pair, and Alex Chadwick, who would have ridden fancied Clashhill for Nick Wright in the intermediate race. Dale Peters takes over on that unbeaten pointer, while Martin McIntyre is recovering from a broken collarbone and misses the ride on multiple winner Douglas Longbottom in the Junior Jumpers race (5.45). Will Biddick has picked up the ride on the Bea Coward-trained runner.
James King, who takes over from Huw Edwards on Randox Foxhunters' Chase winner Gracchus De Balme (Ce)
Callwood said: “It’s a blow to miss this meeting and also Stratford, but I shouldn’t miss too much point-to-pointing [because bans gained by amateurs under rules are enforced on days when an amateurs’ race takes place, not including point-to-points]. It’s a pity and you live and learn, but I’ve had a great season and at least I rode at the Cheltenham Festival.”
O’Shea says Statford’s Pertemps Champion Hunters’ Chase for the Horse & Hound Cup is the main goal for Gracchus De Balme, and he will not be surprised if his horse is beaten this evening. He said: “He’s not had a bit in his mouth since Aintree. He’s been out in a field. His owner wants to win the Horse & Hound Cup, and so tonight’s race was an afterthought. If he blows up coming up the hill I won’t be surprised.
Joe O'Shea, who has high hopes of a win for Barton Snow in the opener (Ce)
“Barton Snow will win the two-miler without coming out of second gear, but he has to be held up because when he hits the front he thinks he’s done enough. Poor James King has got a job to do because he’s not sat on either horse, and one needs to be up there while the other has to be held up.”