Agrapart and Kelly can claim another first for women

This prolonged wet spell is having an effect on Cheltenham preparations

Josses Hill (left) en route to winning the graduation chase at Kempton (Rex Features)

Dodging Bullets has become largely forgotten since bagging the Champion Chase at Cheltenham last March, somewhat understandably given that, owing to setbacks, he has not been sighted since, while past winners Sprinter Sacre and Sire De Grugy and likely future winner Un De Sceaux have been hitting the headlines with spectacular racecourse displays.

Finally, Dodging Bullets returns in today’s Game Spirit Chase at Newbury. Trainer Paul Nicholls is bullish about the chances of a successful title defence next month, arguing that the eight-year-old will be at the peak of his powers, but this year’s renewal looks considerably stronger than 2015’s and only a thoroughly commanding performance this afternoon will persuade punters onside.

From Storms Abigail through to Imogen, this prolonged wet spell is having an effect on Cheltenham preparations – Jonjo O’Neill’s major RSA Chase fancy More Of That, for instance, sidesteps Newbury today because the going is unsuitably soft and time is running short.

There is, too, the increased risk this year of being fooled by false Festival clues. Cheltenham is normally staged on good/good to soft ground, but several big players – notably the supposed opening race banker Min – have never run on anything faster than soft.

Trainer Paul Nicholls is bullish about the chances of a successful title defence next month. (Getty Images)

Small fields have also become a consequence of this long, wet winter, but one race inevitably unaffected is Newbury’s ever-popular Betfair Hurdle.

No female jockey has won this contest since its introduction as the Schweppes in 1963, but perhaps that is about to change; at least Lizzie Kelly and Bridget Andrews should give punters a good run for their money on the outsiders Agrapart and Zarib respectively.

Kelly’s exploits are well known and her mount Agrapart has sound place prospects following his creditable effort in top novice company at Sandown last month, a race in which the rider was unable to claim her 5lb allowance.

Andrews, a former women’s champion amateur, has actually ridden a few more career winners than Kelly and now gets her breakthrough opportunity on her employer Dan Skelton’s Zarib, a horse who has been threatening to land a big prize himself.

Willie Mullins is mob-handed with five runners, headed by last weekend’s Leopardstown winner Blazer, heavily backed into favouritism after jockey Barry Geraghty chose him over the other JP McManus-owned leading fancy, the Nicholls-trained Modus.

Penalised just 5lb, Blazer appears to have plenty going for him, but this is a quick return to the fray after a run in such gruelling conditions and Geraghty has also questioned the strength of the form.

There is also the Mullins factor, which in this case is an extreme negative. The Irish trainer’s record in British jumps handicaps is astonishingly abysmal; just one win outside of the Cheltenham Festival since Hedgehunter landed the Grand National at Aintree in 2005. And that’s not for the want of trying. He has sent over 11 horses for this race and not one of them has finished in the first four.

Josses Hill, behind God’s Own when the pair were placed in last season’s Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham, turned the tables in decisive fashion at Kempton yesterday and is now a best-priced 14-1 (with a run) for next month’s Ryanair Chase.

Top TV tips

Best bet: Jessber’s Dream (2.05 Warwick) Two from three over hurdles and can book her place in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Next best: Millanisi Boy (1.50 Newbury) Improved displays on last two starts, expected to progress again.

Each-way: Agrapart (3.35 Newbury) Only a little out of his depth in Grade One last time and can play a big part off attractive handicap mark.
Jon Freeman