Cheltenham racing finally returns with Irish trainers dominating – but a British mare could steal the show

14 hours ago 4

AFTER months and months of waiting we finally have something every punter loves… racing at Cheltenham!

Racing returns to its rightful home on Friday and Saturday… and already the Irish look to have a strong hand.

a jockey rides a horse in front of a sign that says easyfix equine

But there is a British-trained mare – already odds-on for her race – who might just be the best of the lot.

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Gale Mahler, undefeated in her last six runs, will head to the Grade 2 Sharp Novices’ Hurdle (3.00) for Yorkshire trainer Adrian Paul Keatley.

She was last seen in July when, stepping up into Listed company at the Galway festival for the first time, she annihilated her rivals and bolted up ten lengths clear.

At 4-5, she looks a sure thing under pilot Henry Brooke and it is worth nothing no Irish raiders are set to turn up and take her on.

Friday’s card has also coughed up another exciting prospect – Irishman Gavin Cromwell’s hot favourite Path d’Oroux in the 2 mile Novices’ Chase (1.50).

The seven-year-old finished up the field in a Listed contest last time out at Punchestown and is a regular at all the big meetings.

He’s pitched against Gordon Elliot’s mare Shecouldbeanything who won a Grade 3 Novice Chase at Tipperary last time out.

The race is shaping up to be pretty steamy as Joseph O’Brien is also set to throw his hat in the ring with San Salvador – another Grade 3 Novice Chase winner on his most recent start.

As for Saturday’s card, Willie Mullins has, true to form, put up some stiff competition – not least Fine Margin who has entries in both the Novices’ Hurdle (1.45) and the Novices’ Chase (4.05).

The seven-year-old had won three races on the trot until she was pulled up in a valuable handicap hurdle at Worcester, and it will be interesting to see if she’s back to her best on Saturday.

The Novices’ Chase (4.05) is shaping up to be an exciting race, with Nicky Henderson’s Hyland taking on Elliot’s Yeats Star at the forefront.

Yeats Star impressed on his chasing debut last time out at Listowel, bolting up three and a half lengths clear under Sam Ewing after jumping off hot fav.

But Henderson’s shot, Hyland, is rated two pounds higher and has course and distance form.

However, he disappointed last time out at Uttoxeter despite being the preferred ride of stable jockey, Nico de Boinville.

The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2.55) on Saturday could throw up a future Festival winner as it is the first in the series of Pertemps qualifiers.

Dan and Harry Skelton unsurprisingly have the fav in 7-1 Catch Him Derry.

After that comes the 2m½f Masterson Holdings Hurdle where Major-winning golfers Brooks Koepka and Graeme McDowell run their Harry Derham-trained horse Givemefive.

He was just nutted when last seen on the Flat at Haydock and is up against another Cromwell raider in the shape of 11-8 fav Bottler’Secret.

It’s certainly all systems go for the weekend and many people will be delighted to see the ball get rolling for the jumps season.