Toffees struggle to savour final games before heading to new stadium
Latest editorial
Cheltenham Festival 2024 preview with Farringdon: Day 1
Paul Townend with State Man on the gallops ahead of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, March 11, 2024
Bournemouth merited their triumph over Mikel Arteta’s underwhelming Gunners who had one eye very much on their crucial Champions League clash v PSG
In the shadow of Heathrow and glow of Thorpe Park, a band of Arsenal loyalists have built something lasting — a grassroots club with old-school values, writes LAYTH YOUSIF
First Test between the two countries since 2003 will take place at Trent Bridge
THE demise of reigning champion Constitution Hill makes the Champion Hurdle (3.30 Cheltenham) look an absolute shoo-in for last year’s distant second State Man, but I am very happy to let him win at odds of around 1/3 and the huge value each-way call here has to be the rapidly improving IBERICO LORD, ironically trained by the Hill’s handler Nicky Henderson.
Winner of the Greatwood Hurdle over this course and distance and the hurdle at Newbury, he still has about some 21lbs to find with the favourite on my private ratings, but I think this is more his track and a double figure price makes him a profit-maker even if he just hits the first three.
We are sure to have another odds-on favourite in Lossiemouth in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at 4.10, but she still has to prove that she stays two-and-a-half miles, and I am sure a few of these will try to test that stamina to the full.
More from this author
Including races at Newmarket and Thirsk
Including races at Musselburgh, Haydock, Carlisle, Wolverhampton and Fairyhouse
Including races at Ayr and Newbury
Including races at Aintree and Farringdon’s top six plays for the main event
