Stage set for Paul Nicholls to shine as Brits fire back at Cheltenham Festival

9 months ago 69

IT’s about time Paul Nicholls came to the party and he can do that with Stage Star.

The Ryanair Chase is typically competitive but STAGE STAR (2.50), who won the Turners on this day last year, is turning into a Cheltenham specialist.

Stage Star was dominant in the Turners at last year’s Cheltenham Festival[/caption]

He showed his liking for Cheltenham again this season by winning the Paddy Power Gold Cup and can conquer the Festival once more.

Irish pair Envoi Allen, last year’s winner, and classy Banbridge could him the most to do.

The Stayers’ Hurdle (3.30) features a trio of past winners in fan favourite Paisley Park, dual champion Flooring Porter and Sire Du Berlais.

Those veterans have a combined age of 34 and it’s a couple of the youngsters that can down the old guard.

Crambo beat Paisley Park in the Long Walk at Ascot but preference is for TEAHUPOO. He heads the Timeform ratings and was a close third last year.

Dan Skelton sent out a double on Wednesday to get the Brits roaring and Grey Dawning can get the better of Ginny’s Destiny in the Turners (1.30)..

Skelton’s grey, can turn around a three-quarter length handicap defeat on level terms. He looked a potential top-notcher at Warwick.

Yesterday’s easy Gallagher winner Ballyburn did the business in style — roaring 13 lengths clear to confirm his status as the clear pick in the novice hurdle division.

His Timeform rating of 160p puts him a whopping 10lb ahead of Tuesday’s Supreme winner Slade Steel.

If Ballyburn goes down the Champion Hurdle route he would be a threat to State Man (167) — but still has plenty to find on 2023 hero Constitution Hill (177p).

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