Former British point-to-pointers in action at Festival

A number of horses who have competed in British point-to-points will be in action during the four-day Cheltenham Festival which begins today (Tuesday).

At least three are expected to line up on day one, starting with Touch Me Not who runs in the Gr.1 My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy (2.00). Two years ago when trained in Warwickshire by Tom Ellis, Touch Me Not looked sure to win a maiden race at Charm Park until falling at the final fence. He was subsequently sold for £150,000 to Gordon Elliott and has since won over hurdles and fences and more recently finished second to the Arkle favourite, Majborough, in a Gr.1 race at Leopardstown.

Casa No Mento, who was formerly trained in Hertfordshire by Bradley Gibbs, won her only British point-to-point when landing a flat race at Bangor-on-Dee. She then joined Nigel Twiston-Davies’s stable and has won a further six races, most recently returning to Bangor to win a novices’ chase. Tomorrow she reverts to the smaller jumps when tackling the Gr.1 Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle.

The first day’s final race, the Princess Royal National Hunt Challenge Cup (5.20), includes two former British pointers, but only Kyntara is sure of run. He landed a maiden race for Mel Rowley’s stable at Bishop’s Court in Devon on his first start and then joined Kim Bailey for whom he won a bumper and was regularly placed over hurdles.

He then rejoined Rowley after she had gained a trainer’s licence to run horses under rules, and has added two further victories to his form line.

Latenightrumble has also been declared for the NH Chase, but he is at the foot of the handicap and currently second reserve for the race. Trained by Tom or Gina Ellis during his spell of point-to-pointing, he won three times in the sport before switching to racing under rules this season.

Ahead of final declarations for Wednesday’s Cheltenham card a number of former British pointers were in contention, starting in the opening race, the Gr.1 Turners Novices’ Hurdle (1.20), in which No Questions Asked could line up for trainer Ben Pauling. The winner of four races for Pauling, No Questions Asked scored at Edgcote for Tom Ellis on his pointing debut.

Ellis runs Latenightrumble’s better-known half-brother Latenightpass in the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase (3.20), in which he will be ridden by Gina Andrews, while also in that race is Deise Aba, whose varied career began in Irish points, then moved into racing over hurdles and fences before joining Fran Poste for who he won three point-to-points and a hunters’ chase. He has since joined Taunton trainer Alexandra Dunn.

A jubilant Charlie Case with Deise Aba and trainer Fran Poste (right) after a victory at Lockinge last season (Ce)

Energumene, who scored at Larkhill on his racing debut back in January 2018, has won the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (4.00) twice for Willie Mullins. Jonbon stands in his way on this occasion, but he cannot be ruled out.

Western Zephyr and Third Time Lucki are former British pointers entered in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase (4.40), while the Gr.1 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (5.20) includes the names of No Drama This End and Kalypso’chance, who were impressive winners of their sole British point-to-points before joining Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliott respectively. They have since won bumpers for their new trainers and certainly add interest to a fascinating contest.

No Drama This End on his way to post under Will Biddick ahead of a debut win at Badbury Rings (Ce)

*A look at British pointers in action on days three and four to follow when declarations are known