March 12 / 17.30 Cheltenham

17.30

Soft

Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  • Prize money: £60387.5
  • 3m 5f 201y
  • Class 1
  • 7 runners
RTV
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Maureen Mullins National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Jockeys’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Chase Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.88
  • Place: £1.60

Form: O-312F BF

Last run: 34 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
Favourite for Grade 1 Albert Bartlett novice hurdle here (3m, soft) one year ago and about 1l down at the last, only to duck out through the wing; got up close home in good 2m5f beginners chase at Fairyhouse (2m5f, soft) in December, before good second in Grade 1 event at Leopardstown (3m, soft); jump to his left led to a costly collision when 1-4 on latest outing; a hood is enlisted; not crying out for this longer trip but he's firmly in calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

14th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

3m 2f 70y

Class 1

16:00 Cheltenham

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Jack Kennedy

T: Emmet Mullins

Strong stayer who made short work of his rivals in the National Hunt Chase here (3m6f, heavy) last March and showed he could do more than just grind away when close up in the Bowl (3m1f, soft) at Aintree after; unable to go with Banbridge in the home straight in the King George at Kempton (3m) on Boxing Day and his pace was again lacking over 2m5f at Ascot (good) last month, but this test can see him back in a good place; a dollop of rain would help but he isn't a forlorn hope.

20/1

2

15th Feb 2025

Good To Soft

2m 5f 8y

Class 1

15:37 Ascot

Corbetts Cross

11st 10lb

J: Mark Walsh

T: Emmet Mullins

Second-season chaser who never landed a blow in good-ground King George last time (raced mostly on soft/heavy otherwise); not short of stamina, having been successful over 3m6f at the 2024 Cheltenham Festival, but his last attempt over 2m5f resulted in a win; major player provided he copes with the return to this distance and shows best form.

5/2

OUR TIP

9/4

  • Place: £1.60

Form: 1P6-11

Last run: 44 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 150

Form & Verdict
The way he blew out at the Cheltenham and Punchestown festivals last spring as a novice hurdler is a nagging worry, but he justified odds-on favouritism without any bother when switched to fences this season in the mud at Punchestown (3m) and Naas (3m1f Grade 3); more settled in the latter, which probably brings this trip within range (he's also now hooded for the first time) and he's narrowly the best on form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Embassy Gardens

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Stablemate of Gaelic Warrior; record of 3-6 over fences features a very useful performance at Tramore (2m7f, heavy) on New Year's Day; subsequently came up short in the Irish Gold Cup, taking overall Grade 1 form figures to P6P6; still has something to prove at this level.

8/1

3

3rd Apr 2025

Good To Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:55 Aintree

Embassy Gardens

11st 10lb

J: Paul Townend

T: W P Mullins

Stablemate of Gaelic Warrior; record of 3-6 over fences features a very useful performance at Tramore (2m7f, heavy) on New Year's Day; subsequently came up short in the Irish Gold Cup, taking overall Grade 1 form figures to P6P6; still has something to prove at this level.

8/1

6th

2

1st Feb 2025

Yielding

3m 0f 70y

15:30 Leopardstown

Embassy Gardens

11st 10lb

J: Michael O’Sullivan

T: W P Mullins

led narrowly or disputed lead, prominent 3rd

12/1

Form: 2P4-31 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 132

Form & Verdict
Won his only point and 1-4 over hurdles; it's as a chaser and long-distance chaser that he's coming seriously into his own, upped to nearly 3m7f for the Devon National at Exeter (heavy) 18 days ago and making all to win by 60l; that's not the easiest form to pinpoint but he's in the mix and the only one who has already ventured beyond 3m1f, which suited him so well; wears cheekpieces first time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

11th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

4m 2f 74y

Class 1

16:00 Aintree

Mr Vango

10st 12lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Usually goes well in the mud; last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National and he rallied to go very close against Twig in the 3m2f Becher over these fences on first outing this term; while there was so much to admire to that point, he's cracked with alarming speed in 3m and 4m1f races on his last two outings.

66/1

1

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

4m 1f 56y

Class 2

14:43 Newcastle

Mr Vango

12st 0lb

J: David Bass

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Hugely the class act in this field and last season's hat-trick culminated in the 4m2f Midlands National; rallied to go very close in the Becher at Aintree (3m2f) on first outing this season; he wasn't going almost immediately once headed (fairly early stage) last time, which is a nagging worry despite that race being over just 3m; soft or heavy ground is ideal but there's no doubting his strength in stamina and that factor is key.

7/1

1

31st Jan 2026

Soft

3m 0f 42y

Class 2

15:42 Sandown

Mr Vango

12st 0lb

J: Jack Tudor

T: Mrs Sara V Bradstock

Needs soft/heavy ground; grand stayer who completed a notable hat-trick (3m1f-4m2f) last term, culminating in Midlands National win; went very close in the Becher Chase at Aintree (3m2f) in sole outing this season, showing further progress on the figures; the weather has interrupted plans since; respected, with a slog at the trip on the cards.

13/8

Form: 1-3332

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won well in 3m handicap hurdle at Punchestown (good to yielding) last April; minor honours this season in all four chases, wearing tongue-tie and cheekpieces over 3m on last two; rallied when beaten a head by Henry's Friend in Ascot Grade 2 (3m, good to soft) on latest outing, but best form came when a near-15l third in Grade 1 at Kempton (3m, good) on Boxing Day and that run gives him one of the better form chances; good chance also that he will be suited by further than 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:35 Punchestown

Kilbeg King

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong

20/1

11

2nd May 2024

Yielding

2m 7f 110y

18:35 Punchestown

Kilbeg King

11st 2lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

prominent, not fluent 6th, pulled up quickly after 8th, looked to go wrong

20/1

6th

6

13th Apr 2024

Soft

3m 0f 210y

Class 1

14:30 Aintree

Kilbeg King

11st 0lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Anthony Honeyball

Creditable efforts in defeat in Graded novice chases this winter (3m, good/good to soft) and ran well for long way in 3m6f NH Chase at Cheltenham last month (heavy; beaten 32l); could be in the mix now back down in trip and back in a handicap, provided the removal of cheekpieces isn't an issue.

12/1

Form: 1-3123 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 0lb

7 yo Mare

OR: 137

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner, including for her win in Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree (3m1f, soft) last April; yet to improve on that form as a chaser this term, but she has had Grade 2 assignments on last two outings (respectable third to Henry's Friend and Kilbeg King at Ascot last time) and there's plenty of the thorough stayer about her 3m performances.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

22nd Apr 2026

Soft

2m 7f 180y

Class 1

15:10 Perth

Apple Away

11st 4lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Consistent sort who won this two years ago (soft); Panic Attack has better form and she's run just once this season, but that was a solid effort when third of five at Carlisle in November over an inadequate 2m4f (good to soft), and she can give a good account.

6/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

3rd

1

2nd Nov 2025

Good

2m 3f 210y

Class 1

13:32 Carlisle

Apple Away

11st 6lb

J: Derek Fox

T: Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore

Classy mare but very much a stayer having won last season's 3m4f Grand National Trial at Haydock (good to soft; kept on) in February, after which she disappointed in the Midlands National; does travel strongly so unwise to dismiss purely on the strength of today's trip, especially on a stiff track; returns with yard in form.

4/1

Form: 0-5111

Last run: 24 days

W: 11st 7lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 142

Form & Verdict
Won novice handicaps at Newbury (2m6f, soft) and Hereford (2m5f, good to soft) before getting the better of Kilbeg King (by a head) and Apple Away to win five-runner Grade 2 novice at Ascot (3m, good to soft) last month; the last contest was in first-time cheekpieces; more improvement is needed but it looks as if he will stay beyond 3m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

25th Apr 2026

Good

3m 4f 146y

Class 1

15:30 Sandown

Henrys Friend

11st 6lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Seems best making the running or racing prominently; his six races in the last 14 months have been a mixed bag, with an Ascot win (3m, good) in November the highlight; just 1lb higher today and ran respectably on penultimate start, but his two earlier attempts at 3m6f/4m did not work out; a tongue-tie (worn twice in 2023, with a win on first occasion) returns.

16/1

9th

2

21st Feb 2026

Good To Soft

3m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Kempton

Henrys Friend

11st 8lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Back to form when 5l behind Deep Cave last time at Ascot (3m, good to soft) but he does look vulnerable to better-treated opposition, for all that he's just 2lb higher than for November's win at Ascot; likely to race on the front end.

14/1

2

1st Nov 2025

Good

2m 7f 185y

Class 1

15:45 Ascot

Henrys Friend

11st 10lb

J: Ben Jones

T: Ben Pauling

Record of 4-9 over fences, his best form when winning by 6l at Newbury (3m2f, good to soft; 5lb higher today); disadvantaged when slowly away (from a standing start) in the Ultima at Cheltenham and yet still made a challenge three out before fading; never got competitive in the Scottish National but he wasn't alone; a stiff 3m around here looks up his street; shortlisted.

15/2

Form: -11127 BF

Last run: 143 days

W: 11st 7lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 154

Form & Verdict
Second here one year ago in the 3m Pertemps Final (soft) as hurdler; took well to chasing, winning on first three attempts before second of 17 in the Kerry National (3m, yielding to soft) in September; weakening late on in foray to the USA in October "may have been a case of one race too many," according to his trainer; put away for this race since and trainer has a good record in it; plausible for stamina and form, so one to consider seriously.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

24th Sep 2025

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 180y

16:23 Listowel

Salvador Ziggy

11st 11lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Eight-time winner who compiled winning sequences for Gordon Elliott in 2022 and 2023; second to Good Time Jonny in 2023 Pertemps Final; also finished second in this race in 2023; absent since stable debut in a hurdle race last December.

16/1

17th

1

28th Dec 2024

Good To Yielding

2m 7f 80y

15:05 Leopardstown

Salvador Ziggy

11st 12lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: Barry Connell

Eight-time winner (including four over hurdles) who compiled good winning sequences for Gordon Elliott in 2022 and 2023; second to Good Time Jonny in 2023 Pertemps Final; also finished second in 2023 in Kerry National; took runner-up spot again in Mayo National; now with Barry Connell.

12/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.40
Straight Forecast £5.52
Trifecta £42.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Embassy Gardens

SPOTLIGHT:

Salvador Ziggy

TOPSPEED:

Mr Vango

Telegraph:

Corbetts Cross

WEST COUNTRY:

Kilbeg King

LAMBOURN:

Mr Vango

The Star:

Corbetts Cross

POSTDATA:

Embassy Gardens

The Times:

Embassy Gardens

D Express:

Embassy Gardens

Daily Mirror:

Embassy Gardens

Daily Record:

Embassy Gardens

The Guardian:

Salvador Ziggy

Daily Mail:

Salvador Ziggy

The Sun:

Kilbeg King