Sam Twiston-Davies’ blog: Stolen Silver has a great chance at Cheltenham

Friday

I begin my rides at Cheltenham’s November Meeting with Grey Diamond for Sam Thomas in the handicap chase (1.45pm). It’s his first run of the season and I’m sure he’ll come on from it, but he’s a good jumper who goes about his business in the right way. There could still be a bit of improvement off his mark and I’d hope Cheltenham will suit.

I’m then on Super Six in the novices’ handicap chase (2.20pm). I was happy enough with his chase debut at Ffos Las and he’ll improve for that here. He’s racing from just outside the handicap so he’ll need to run very well, but he’s more than capable of doing that.

Ballyandy has been a brilliant horse for us. He takes his chance in the veterans’ handicap chase (2.55pm) and we hope he’ll go well. This will probably be his last season and we’re gearing it around the final at Sandown, though there are lots of nice races on the way which he should be competitive in too.

I ride Weveallbeencaught in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (3.30pm) and he’s a horse I’m really looking forward to riding. The form of his bumper win has been franked and his schooling at home has been really good. We’ve been wanting to get him out for a while, but the weather hasn’t really played ball and we’re happy to start him here.

It looks a pretty strong race and we’ll know plenty more about him after this.

My final ride on Friday is Mothill in the handicap hurdle (4.00pm). He won the four-year-old hurdle at Chepstow and he’s a progressive type. I sat on him at Neil’s recently and he did everything nicely, so he looks to have a nice chance in an open race.

Saturday 

I ride War Correspondent in the Triumph Hurdle Trial (12.35pm). He comes over from Ireland and was last seen winning on his debut over hurdles at Punchestown under Rachael Blackmore. He was a good winner then and he looks a nice spare to pick up.

I’m really looking forward to riding Stolen Silver in the Paddy Power Gold Cup (2.20pm). He was obviously very impressive in the Silver Trophy when last seen and, although he’s gone up in the handicap as a result, he’s still got a great chance. I schooled him at Sam’s [Thomas] and he felt really well in himself, so we’re going there hopeful that he’ll put in a bold bid.

Next up is Punxsutawney Phil in the handicap hurdle (2.55pm). He’s racing from outside the handicap which will make his life a bit harder, but he’s been very consistent and usually runs well. The step up to three miles is a bit of an unknown, however.

Sunday

On Sunday I ride Fantastikas in the handicap chase (2.20pm). He was supposed to run at Sandown recently but that was abandoned so we’ve rerouted him here. He’s in good form and this looks a nice place to start him off in.

I’m excited to ride I Like To Move It in the Greatwood Hurdle (2.55pm). It’s clearly a very competitive, big-field handicap as this race always is, but we’ve always liked him and we’re hopeful he could be a bit better than his mark.