Nigel Twiston-Davies: Ballyandy has proved he’s up to this grade

We’ve got another exciting weekend to look forward to at Cheltenham with plenty of runners, including a couple in the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup. Plus, an update on Stable Star Bristol De Mai. Here’s my take on them.

Saturday – Cheltenham

1.50 – Al Dancer & Good Boy Bobby

Al Dancer was a very good third last time over course and distance. He was running on really well there and we’re going to ride him a bit more handy here. He’s settling much better in is races now and hopefully he can get his head in front this time. The handicapper has left his mark alone unlike some of his rivals, so based on that, we think he’s well-handicapped and should go close.

Good Boy Bobby is no backmarker by any means. He’s a second season novice and we still think there is still movement off his current mark of 146. He didn’t run too badly behind Master Tommytucker the last day at Haydock and he’s one of the leading contenders for this, so we’re hopeful our horse can run a big race.

It’s a very competitive race and plenty have live chances, but both my horses are fresh and well – I wouldn’t switch them for anything.

2.25 – Took The Lot

He’s won his last two impressively, but this is a big step up in class and he’s probably up against it. There weren’t an awful lot of places we could go next given the way he’s won those races at Bangor, but there are horses in here who are rated higher and he’ll need to improve a fair bit to beat them. We think the step up to three miles will suit and we’re hopeful he can run well, but it is a step into the unknown.

3.00 – Ballyandy

We’re looking forward to running him in the International Hurdle. He was a very unlucky second in it last year having been interfered with by one on the run-in, which almost certainly cost him the race. We’re hopeful he’ll run another big race, but it’s a pretty hot contest this time around and I’d be worried about Evan Williams’ Silver Streak who has plenty of strong bits of form.

Any rain would help our lad’s chances and one thing we do know is he’ll give us is his absolute all. Plenty seem to write him off and he continually proves them wrong, so let’s hope he can do that again on Saturday. He’s shown in the past he’s more than worth his spot in these top two-mile races and I’ve got every faith he’ll do that once again here.

Saturday – Hereford

3.42 – Super Six

He’s one I quite like, and he shows enough at home to suggest he’s got a fair amount of ability. I actually own the horse, so hopefully he runs really well and I find a prospective buyer to take him. They’ll be getting a nice horse if they do!

Bristol De Mai

Bristol De Mai has come out of Haydock in great form and we’ve been really happy with him since. We won’t see him out again until the New Year with the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham the probable next port of call. We’re still undecided whether we’ll aim him at the Gold Cup or Grand National, but the race at Cheltenham should help us make up our minds.

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