Paddy Brennan is no stranger to the two feature films on the third day of the Cheltenham Festival, winning both the Stayers obstacle and Ryanair Chase in his sparkling career, and he joined Matt Chapman for a special frantic preview before Thursday’s action.
In the Stayers’ (4.00), the title champion Teahupoo is back to defend his title after a campaign this season which saw him on the track only once in Fairyhouse in December.
Deposit is another winner of the Return Festival Impressed in the pursuit of novices of Brown Advisory 12 months ago.
He came across the star of the Gold Cup Gallopin of the Champs three times this season and now avoids a fourth confrontation when he goes up on a trip for the Ryanair (3.20).
On the stayers, which Brennan won on board Inglis Drever in 2007, he said: “It seems to me that it is a perfect ground and I do not think it will bother Tea win or lose stay.
“If there is another horse that I would choose, it would be the Stark. I think it could end very hard at the top of the hill.”
Chapman said: “I am worried about Teahupoo. I think he is vulnerable on this surface and he is not so far ahead of the rest.
“I hope something else here can improve. The house by the lee that you could say is in the form of his life, it simply depends if this form is good enough.
“”Lucky place is my selection. He is undefeated this season and has only had eight races in his life, so he is totally not exposed. I think he will love this trip and was brilliant in the Coral Cup here last year.
“He beat the Golden Ace, winner of the Hurdle champion, in Ascot this season and the horses of Nicky Henderson like Drying Ground.”
Lucky Place heads for the Hurdle des Stayers Thursday
The frantic team is also divided on his choices for the Ryanair, who should see the French competitor he is French starting in front.
“It is French will make it a very easy race to travel for Protektorate and the facts to be deposited,” said Brennan. “He will go a gallop and they will follow him. They just have to go to their comfort zone, but do not let it clarify 20 lengths.
“I think it will be a big race but I am with Fact. “”
Fact to deposit (near) heads for the house alongside Galopin des Champs
Chapman said: “It’s a horse that would probably want a little more cut in the ground but I don’t see much with Protektorate.
“It was shiny in Windsor and finished third in a golden cup. It is more than many of these could do.
“I spoke to AP McCoy this week and I felt like they really want to deposit. I think they are going to move it forward and they think they will just go to win this.”
