Robbie Power: “I Have A Great Chance In The Bumper”

With no winners on day one of the Cheltenham Festival for Robbie Power, the Gold Cup winner and our Racing Ambassador is remaining positive as he looks ahead to day 2 of the Cheltenham Festival.

It was a big day for the Irish on the first day of Festival and Robbie ‘Puppy’ Power expects Champion Chase Day will follow suit.

2.10 RSA Chase
“Mister Malarky was a good winner in a Grade 2 Novices’ Chase at Ascot and he has improved an awful lot in his last couple of runs, the test of stamina will suit, the softer it gets the better. His stamina is his forte. I been very very impressed with Delta Work this year, he has stamped his authority on the staying division of Novice Chasers and his win in the Drinmore was very very good. Top Of The Game was a good 2nd at Kempton over Christmas, but I’m a big Delta work fan, I think he’s one of the Irish bankers of the week for me.”

2.50 Coral Cup
“As you’d expect from a Coral Cup, it is very competitive. Vision De Flos was a good winner of a grade 2 hurdle the last time at Fontwell and has had a wind operation which he seems to have improved from. I’m looking forward to riding him, he’s got plenty of weight on his back but he doesn’t have to give stacks away either. I’d give Dermot McLaughlin’s Canardier a chance as well, he’s got good course form and is probably best of the Irish for me. Nigel Twiston-Davies’ Ballyandy will be interesting however it is very competitive, and Canardier and Vision De Flos look like good each way shots to me.”

3.30 Queen Mother Champion Chase
“I don’t think we need to talk an awful lot about this, bar an accident Altior wins and I think Min is going to finish second to him. With the BoyleSports 2nd or 3rd to the SP favourite, Min is a great bet at 7/2. If something goes wrong with Altior you’ll get well paid and if Altior beats him you’ll get your money back as a free bet. But I think Altior will beat Min.”

4.50 Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle
“It’s a very competitive Handicap. Got Trumped was a good winner of his maiden hurdle in Punchestown earlier in the season and since then ran very well at Christmas but just found the step up to Grade 1 company too hot last time out. Back into a handicap now it’ll suit him and he is really going to appreciate the softer ground. Band Of Outlaws will probably go off as the favourite but I’d have question marks over his stamina on softer ground. Then you have Lethal Steps who Gordon Elliot said will be the winner. He has his cheekpieces on for the first time if they could ignite a bit of a spark he could take a bit of beating.”

5.30 Champion Bumper
“I’m looking forward to riding Master Debonair, he was a good winner of a bumper here over course and distance and the form of that bumper has work out very well as plenty in behind him have come out and won again since. I think he has a very good chance and is definitely a good each way price anyway. Envoi Allen is the winner of three bumpers, he was impressive the last day although he’d a hard race and he’s been kept busy. He’ll probably go off as the favourite and is the one we all have to beat, but I’m looking forward to Master Debonair who’s got a good chance.”