Cheltenham Festival 2022 Dark Horses

The Cheltenham Festival is now just over one week away. Similar to a glamorous piece of theatre, the final preparations are being put together ahead of the famous Cheltenham roar at 1:30 on the 15th of March which raises the curtain on the four best days within the National Hunt racing calendar.

In this article, I assess several runners who could be flying under the radar at this years festival.

Arkle Novices Chase: War Lord 22-1

This years Arkle appears to be Edwardstone’s to lose. The Alan King trained eight year old brings rock solid form consisting of a pair of grade two’s and a grade one this season.

However, I look at the rest of the field and feel that War Lord is good value at a big price to hit the frame. Colin Tizzard’s handsome grey was thumped by Edwardstone by a margin of 16 lengths at Sandown before Christmas. But this seven year old stayed on strongly to win a competitive novice Chase at Lingfield during Winter Million weekend as well as turning over useful novice Minella Drama at Carlisle in November.

I don’t think this is the strongest Arkle we’ve ever seen and if things don’t go as smoothly as they have so far this season for the market leaders, then I can see War Lord picking up some of the pieces and hitting the frame.

Tommy’s Oscar: Champion Hurdle 20-1

One of the biggest success stories of the season to mirror the heartwarming story behind Ann and Ian Hamilton, Tommy’s Oscar has made a magnificent rise through the handicap ranks to earn the right to rub shoulders with the top level hurdlers.

If you had said to connections that Tommy’s Oscar would be a 20-1 chance for the Champion Hurdle after being turned over in a conditional jockeys contest at Wetherby in October, I’m sure you would have been laughed out of the course.

Since that effort in October, the rise has been very impressive. A third at Carlisle followed, before the winning sequence began as did the climb up the handicap ranks. A Hogmaneigh Hurdle, a pair of class two handicap hurdles and most recently the grade two Champion Hurdle trial at Haydock have all been plundered along the way with the obvious step now into grade one company.

The Champion Hurdle looks wide open in terms of each way places. Tommy’s Oscar is a good, neat jumper who travels strongly which could play to his strengths should a good gallop be ensured. I think at 20-1, Tommy’s Oscar can certainly outrun his odds.

Funambule Sivola: Queen Mother Champion Chase 14-1

This years renewal of the Champion Chase appears to be Shishki’s lap of honour which will solidify his stranglehold on the two mile division.

However, I do feel at the prices, the Venetia Williams trained Funambule Sivola has a cracking chance of hitting the frame.

A two time winner this season, this seven year old was seen chasing home the mighty Shishkin in the Maghull Novices Chase at Aintree’s Grand National meeting last season, only finishing three and a quarter lengths behind the Seven Barrows superstar. A second in behind tenacious front runner First Flow in the Peterborough Chase, and a pair of wins including the Game Spirit Chase last time out have been the high points during this campaign. In behind at Newbury was the very useful Sceau Royal, placed in a Champion Chase himself. Grand Annual hope Before Midnight was in behind at Doncaster two starts ago with it evidently clear that a significant step up is needed in order to be in amongst things here.

With the likes of First Flow, the enigmatic Allmankind and the latest scalp claimed by Shishkin Energumene all entered, I can see this race being run at a very strong gallop which could play into the hands of horses who prefer to be dropped in. Of course, it will be extremely difficult to topple Shishkin who’s proved to be deadly around Prestbury Park, however if the pace collapses towards the end of the race, I can definitely see Funambule Sivola picking up the pieces and hitting the frame.

Elixir De Nutz: Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase 16-1

A grade one winner in his novice hurdling days when winning the Tolworth, Elixir De Nutz appears to be very well handicapped coming into this hotly contested race with a rating of 143.

Colin Tizzard will also potentially saddle recent Newbury winner Amarillo Sky in this with it looking increasingly likely that Brendan Powell will ride.

The Terry Warner owned eight year old does hold an entry in the Arkle on Tuesday but I’d be very surprised to see the horse line up in that. A weight of 10-13 looks very attractive with one or two of the top weights looking very likely to run including last years winner Sky Pirate.

It’s taken time for this horse to find his mojo again having lost his way hurdling. This season’s starts have been very encouraging. A narrow second to Gladiateur Allen at Exeter on good to soft was followed up with a 3/4 length victory over smart duo Nassalam and Annual Invictus at Plumpton and a comfortable 13 length success in a weak novice chase around Kempton last time out.

With a class angle and Cheltenham form reading 21167, I am very confident of a bold bid in this from Elixir De Nutz.

Fusil Raffles: Paddy Power Plate 14-1

This seasons fortunate Charlie Hall Chase winner comes into this off a career low mark of 149. It’s evidently clear that this smart seven year old didn’t stay the trip in the Sky Bet Chase at Doncaster last time. However, sandwiched between both the Charlie Hall success and non staying Sky Bet Chase effort was a creditable fourth in the renamed Racing Post Gold Cup in behind the Cheltenham loving Coole Cody.

Fusil Raffles does hold an Ultima entry on day one as well as his Plate entry but I’m hoping connections will opt for the latter instead of persisting at three miles. The double green Munir and Souede owned horse has Cheltenham figures reading 1124 from six runs including a second in behind Gold Cup contender Chantry House in the Marsh Novice’s Chase at the Festival last year.

With generous odds of 14-1 on offer, I would be surprised if Fusil Raffles can’t hit the frame in this.

Fantastikas: Ultima Handicap Chase 14-1 In what is traditionally the first big handicap of the week at Cheltenham, the Ultima once again looks strongly competitive.

I like the look of the Nigel Twiston-Davies trained Fantastikas in this. Owned by Imperial Racing, who owned former Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander, this seven year old has bumped into a couple of smart novices throughout the season.

A seven and a half length second in behind fellow Festival bound Threeunderthrufive in the December Novices Chase at Doncaster was by no means a poor effort, with the Paul Nicholls trained winner earmarked as a potential star in National races next season. Potential Brown Advisory hopeful L’Homme Presse and smart mare The Glancing Queen proved too classy in the Dipper two starts ago, with the winner going on to Grade One glory in the Scilly Isles Novice Chase at Sandown. The form from both races looks rock solid.

A recent, head bobbing victory at Lingfield at Lingfield during Winter Million weekend when edging out Queenohearts should have this progressive novice spot on for this big field handicap assignment. If Frodon were to line up carrying top weight, the former KG George winner would be carrying over a stone more then Fantastikas, who with a weight of ten stone six looks very appealing in a handicap of this nature.

School Boy Hours: Kim Muir 12-1

I‘ve been praying that School Boy Hours sneaks into this years Grand National. He‘s currently number 63 in the standings and will rely on others to come out in order to get in. It does, however look very unlikely.

Noel Meade’s nine year old holds an entry in the Kim Muir and looks to be fairly treated by the British handicapper.

Two starts ago saw him finish down the field in behind the enigma Asterion Forlonge in the EMS Copiers Novice Chase at Punchestown before finishing with a late surge to narrowly deny Ben Dundee in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas. Recent JP McManus purchase and Grand National contender Enjoy D’allen was back in third with the well handicapped Death Duty back in fifth.

It’s worth noting that last years Grand National winner Minella Times was a four length second in the same contest before going on to Aintree glory in the Spring.

I’d love to see School Boy Hours at Aintree in April as I feel he’s fairly treated and can definitely adapt to the unique test that is Aintree’s Grand National course. The Kim Muir could well end up being a stepping stone providing luck is on his side and he gets a run.

Thank you for reading.

Imagery courtesy of JTW Equine Images. @JTWEquineimag