Finding an edge in today’s fiercely competitive cards at Cheltenham means going beyond the form book. We’ve done the work for you, cross-referencing the day’s key runners with the explicit plans and private hopes revealed by their trainers in the season’s premier stable tours. This is your essential briefing for an informed day’s racing.

1. The Cheltenham Showcase

There are few stages in jump racing as prestigious as Cheltenham, and even at this early point in the season, the Showcase meeting carries significant weight. Races won here can be crucial stepping stones to the major festivals in the spring. Today, we focus on four notable runners from the powerhouse stables of Nicky Henderson, Olly Murphy, Paul Nicholls, and Ben Pauling. Their trainers’ own words, shared in recent stable tours, provide a crucial layer of insight into their condition, campaign plans, and ultimate prospects.

1.1 Race: 2:20 William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (3m 1f)

Horse Profile: Hyland

• Trainer: N J Henderson

• Form: 41122P-

• Weight: 11st 11lb

Trainer’s Insight

“He was an impressive winner of three novice chases, and we stepped him up in class in the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day and he ran a brilliant race to finish second to The Jukebox Man. He will start his second season chasing in either the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury or the Badger Beers at Wincanton. He is a lovely horse and there should be more to come from him.”

— Nicky Henderson

Analyst’s Verdict

This valuable handicap chase serves as the launchpad for a campaign geared towards major prizes like the Coral Gold Cup. While this may be a seasonal reappearance, his runner-up effort in the Grade 1 Kauto Star sets a formidable standard. Carrying 11st 11lb on his handicap debut is a stiff task, but that performance against The Jukebox Man suggests he possesses the class to handle it. Henderson’s high regard is clear, and his proven top-level form makes him look dangerously well-treated for this return.

1.2 Race: 2:55 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (2m 7f 208y)

Horse Profile: Long Draw

• Trainer: O Murphy

• Form: 22141-3

• Weight: 11st 4lb

Trainer’s Insight

“He goes to Cheltenham in October for a Pertemps Qualifier then the rest of the season will work itself out from there. He loves Cheltenham and we will train him for a Pertemps.”

— Olly Murphy

Analyst’s Verdict

Olly Murphy’s comments could not be clearer regarding the strategy for Long Draw. Today’s race is explicitly identified as a “Pertemps Qualifier,” signalling that the long-term target is the prestigious Pertemps Network Final at the Cheltenham Festival in March. This reveals the stable’s confidence in the horse’s ability and stamina. With the knowledge that he “loves Cheltenham” and is being specifically prepared for this series, his chances today must be taken very seriously. This is not just another run; it’s the first step in a carefully laid plan.

1.3 Race: 4:05 William Hill Extra Places With Bog ‘Chasing Excellence’ Novices’ Chase (3m 1f)

Horse Profile: Welcom To Cartries

• Trainer: P F Nicholls

• Form: 8/442-

• Weight: 11st 2lb

Trainer’s Insight

“He is on a fair mark over fences, and we will campaign him in decent staying handicap chases. He finished fourth in the Grade 2 Esher Novices’ Chase at Sandown and fourth in the Grade 1 Kauto Star Novices’ Chase at Kempton and that experience can only have benefited him.”

— Paul Nicholls

Analyst’s Verdict

Welcom To Cartries brings a fascinating profile to this novices’ chase. While still eligible for novice company, his form boasts fourth-place finishes in both Grade 2 and Grade 1 contests last season. That experience against high-calibre opposition is invaluable and gives him a significant class edge over less-seasoned rivals today. Paul Nicholls’ plan to campaign him in “decent staying handicap chases” underscores the stable’s belief in his ability. This race looks an excellent opportunity for him to gain a confidence-boosting win before stepping into tougher handicap company.

1.4 Race: 4:40 Oddschecker Open National Hunt Flat Race (2m 87y)

Horse Profile: Collanisi

• Trainer: B Pauling

• Form: 3-

• Weight: 11st 2lb

Trainer’s Insight

“He is a nice individual and he ran well on his only start. He returned from Ffos Las with a niggly issue and we had to give him the rest of the season off. He has come back in, looks a much stronger horse and works well. He will be a two-mile novice hurdler.”

— Ben Pauling

Analyst’s Verdict

Collanisi returns to the track after a lengthy 339-day absence, but the context provided by Ben Pauling is highly encouraging. The “niggly issue” that curtailed his debut season has been resolved, and the horse has reportedly matured physically, returning as a “much stronger” individual. While his long-term future lies over obstacles, this bumper provides an ideal platform to gauge his progress. The stable’s positive remarks suggest he is fit enough to defy his long absence and build on the promise of his debut third.

As the action concludes at Prestbury Park, our focus shifts to a trio of runners worth noting from one of the sport’s most powerful stables.

2. Olly Murphy’s Runners to Note

The spotlight now falls squarely on the Warwickshire-based stable of Olly Murphy. Three of his contenders were specifically discussed in his recent stable tour, providing valuable context on their current fitness, ability, and future targets. This represents a prime opportunity to assess these prospects with insider knowledge.

Horse Profile: Burncourt Boy

• Trainer: O Murphy

• Form: F/P1-

Trainer’s Insight

“He won a point-to-point, and he will start off in a two and a half mile maiden hurdle. He seems a very likeable individual and a horse that will win plenty of races.”

— Olly Murphy

Analyst’s Verdict

A point-to-point winner held in high regard, Burncourt Boy is a name to follow closely as he embarks on his hurdling career. The trainer has explicitly stated his intention to start the horse over two and a half miles, believing him to be a stayer in the making. While he is expected to “win plenty of races,” it is worth noting that any debut over a shorter, two-mile trip might be sharper than ideal and primarily for experience.

Horse Profile: Orderoftheday

• Trainer: O Murphy

• Form: 3/122-

Trainer’s Insight

“He is a horse that was placed in both his bumpers and could make a very nice novice hurdler. He will start in a two-mile maiden hurdle and will end up staying very well.”

— Olly Murphy

Analyst’s Verdict

In contrast to his stablemate Burncourt Boy, Orderoftheday appears primed for a speedier test on his hurdling debut. Murphy’s stated intention to “start in a two-mile maiden hurdle” marks this horse out as one with the right profile for an early-season contest over the minimum trip. He brings solid bumper form to the table, and if the two stablemates were to appear in the same two-mile maiden, Orderoftheday would appear the more prepared of the pair for that specific test.

Horse Profile: Karton Plein

• Trainer: O Murphy

• Form: 2/541-6

Trainer’s Insight

“He is a lot better than his first run suggests as he blew up. He will want two and a half miles in time, but he can win over two miles before we step him up in trip.”

— Olly Murphy

Analyst’s Verdict

Karton Plein’s last performance is easily forgiven, with the trainer noting that the horse simply “blew up” due to a lack of fitness. The key insight here is the stable’s confidence that, despite being a future stayer, he possesses the ability to win over two miles first. This suggests a strong belief that the horse is on a workable handicap mark and has enough class to be competitive before tackling his preferred distance. With that reappearance run under his belt, a much-improved performance is expected.

This report has aimed to arm you with direct insights from some of the sport’s leading trainers, adding a valuable layer of analysis to the day’s racing. Enjoy an informed and successful day.