Wednesday’s Cheltenham card began with a victory for Nicky Henderson and Nick de Boinville with Might Bite but that only tells half of the story. He cruised into the lead at the last but began pulling himself up and drifted out to 40-1 on the exchanges before consenting to run on and regain the lead close home.
The same team could be in the winner’s enclosure again on Thursday with Broxbourne in the Mares’ Hurdle race at 3.15. Racing fans will remember Broxbourne winning the Goodwood Stakes and the Brown Jack Stakes on the flat when trained by Mark Johnston. She prefers good or fast ground so her opportunities have been limited over hurdles but the Lambourn trainer appears to have saved her for this meeting.
She warmed up with an effortless victory on ground softer than she likes at Ludlow and looks well handicapped on a mark of 127. There are some good mares in opposition including her stable companion Mayfair Music. She has run poorly on soft ground in her two previous races this season but it is safe to put a line through those. Top weight L’Unique would have finished fifth or sixth in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham had she not fallen. She could run well despite top weight while The Govaness won well last time and could be improving.
Sean Bowen continues to impress in the saddle and he rode another winner at Cheltenham on Wednesday. Tomorrow he rides two for his father, Peter, including Rolling Maul in the staying handicap hurdle at 4.25.
The seven-year-old son of Oscar has really paid his way this season, winning handicaps at Cheltenham and Warwick. He defied top weight of 11st 12lbs last time out on soft ground but conditions were faster when he fought back to beat Knight Of Noir in first-time blinkers on New Year’s Day.
His first four victories were on good ground so he should not be inconvenienced by conditions on Thursday. It is more a question of whether the handicapper has caught up with him with another 7lbs on his back. Aqalim ran well at the festival but I’m still not convinced that he stays three miles while Milan Bound needed all of McCoy’s persuasion to win last time out. Sybarite would also have a chance if he decides to put his best foot forward.
Broxbourne 3.15 @7-2 Bet365
Rolling Maul 4.25 @7-1 Ladbrokes
