With the Cheltenham Festival upon us, Matt Chapman sat down with Paddy Brennan to reveal their best bets for day one.
In the episode of Unbridled, the duo paid particular attention to the Unibet Champion Hurdle, which sees Lossiemouth face fellow Irish mare Brighterdaysahead and last year’s Turners winner The New Lion in what looks a blockbuster clash.
Last year’s winner Golden Ace is also in the mix, alongside the shock 2025 Triumph Hurdle winner Poniros.
Matt Chapman…
“When I was going through all of my selections I got to this race and did something that I said all along I thought I’d never do – I ended up tipping Brighterdaysahead. The reason I changed my mind is she’s, by 1lb, officially the best horse in the race with a mark of 160. She gets 7lbs from The New Lion, who is rated 159.
“She’s got 8lbs in hand on her best form on The New Lion. They say she can’t race at Cheltenham but she finished second to Golden Ace in a Mares’ Hurdle when they say she wasn’t right. Just to say she can’t race at Cheltenham, off the back of one bad run and OK run, seemed to me that we’ve all been a bit harsh.
“Gordon Elliott thinks she’s a monster and if there are decent reasons for everything that’s gone before, I don’t think the evidence is strong enough that she hates Cheltenham. That statement is overegged.”
Paddy Brennan…
“Listen, Matt, it’s an opinion – I see Brighterdaysahead is going to be stabled at OIly Murphy’s yard. Obviously they’re trying something different, but if you’re looking for cheekpieces for Lossiemouth and a stable in Olly Murphy’s for Brighterdaysahead … they’re not positives.
“She’s seen Golden Ace’s backside twice in the Mares’ Hurdle and Champion Hurdle, and I think it will be the same again today. I’m not going to leave my original pick of Golden Ace. I thought it was a good decision not to run at Wincanton, I don’t think she’ll be far away and has a massive chance.”
Watch the episode in full on the At The Races YouTube channel…
