Racing review: Turners Novices' Chase warms up as Galopin and L'Homme excite

Remembering the forever-changing name of the 2m4f novices’ chase at the Cheltenham Festival isn’t easy, but it is far from difficult to recall the winners. How can you forget Vautor’s romp in 2015; Defi Du Seuil’s strong-staying performance in 2019 or Samcro’s narrow defeat of Melon in 2020? There’s a strong likelihood that this year’s contest will meet expectations. 

The Henry de Bromhead-trained Bob Olinger has been antepost favourite (currently available at 2.4) for the Turners Novices’ Chase since he crossed the line seven-and-a-half-lengths in front of Gaillard Du Mesnil in last year’s Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle. Both chase starts this year have resulted in victory and he’d usually be a shoo-in for a race of this nature.

However, in Galopin Des Champs, who justified short odds at Leopardstown on Sunday, and Saturday’s impressive Sandown winner L’Homme Presse, he is set to meet two extremely talented rivals. 

Galopin Des Champs (4.1) has set the track on fire this year and has won by a total aggregate distance of 31 lengths without being challenged - there could be plenty left under the bonnet. While L’Homme Presse’s similarly aggressive tactics has enabled him to dominate the British division. There has been few easier Grade 1 winners than Venetia Williams' runner in the Scilly Isles Novices' Chase last weekend.

With two enforcers in the race, how will Bob Olinger cope? There’s a good chance that three champions are set to face off next month and therefore the Turners’ might just be the race of the festival.

Facile by name, facile by nature

Great horses don’t always pass on talent to their progeny - I don’t need to be a bloodstock expert to tell you that. But in the case of Facile Vega, who is a beautifully-bred gelding by Walk In The Park out of champion racemare Quevega, there is a prime example of impeccable bloodlines translating into ample ability.

Willie Mullins was quoted as saying “Facile Vega has always shown me he's decent. I think he's a horse that could have a nice future” after his debut bumper success at Leopardstown in December. The Closutton-based trainer is rarely wrong and Facile Vega proved his worth with an exquisite 12-length success in Grade 2 company on Saturday. Mullins’ response? “He looks to be even better than I thought he was.”

Likely to go off a short-priced favourite for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival, Facile Vega could be the young star that horseplayers rave about for years to come. If he is to emulate his dam, Quevega, who won at the festival a remarkable six times, then that might just be a requirement.

Popular accumulator fails to deliver

Horse racing is an unpredictable sport, hence the global attraction, and however much you convince yourself that a winning accumulator is just around the corner, the truth is that unblemished combination bets are extremely hard to land.

Finding the value or an edge tends to be the common approach, but sometimes a string of favourites can become irresistible. The most famous case was on March 10, 2015, as victories for Douvan (Supreme), Un De Sceaux (Arkle) and Faugheen (Champion Hurdle) left bookmakers fearing a seven-figure payout. Punters needed Annie Power to complete an excellent first day at the Cheltenham Festival, but a final-flight fall resulted in an anticlimactic end. 

There was similar hype on Sunday as betslips flooded social media after the first six favourites all won at Leopardstown. Accumulators across Great Britain and Ireland relied on Mullins once again, and once again they were let down as Pink In The Park finished just fifth in the closing bumper. One day punters will be on the right side of the outcome!