Marten Julian’s Weekly Roundup 16 February 2026

I’m anticipating a flurry of activity in the ante-post markets for Cheltenham this week with the publication of the entries for the handicaps – the weights are then released next Tuesday (February 24th).

Some bookmakers have been offering odds on these races with the NRNB concession for a few weeks now, based on the anticipated entries, and there has been a fair amount of speculation in podcasts and on social media about the likely plots, especially for the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase and the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.

Speaking frankly, I’ve found the previews quite overwhelming. I have conscientiously tuned into most of them but much of what they say is quickly superseded by events, while the interviews with trainers reveal little.

Willie Mullins, like Martin Pipe, reserves the right to delay his running plans for as long as possible and in interviews it’s almost as if he’s thinking out loud, mulling over the options. I don’t mind this as he adopts the same approach with his owners and, as we all know, horses can come right or go wrong with little notice.

Gordon Elliott, who holds a strong hand this year, ends every comment with the words “We’re looking forward to running him/her”, while hardly a day goes by without Nicky Henderson appearing on our screens.

The four main podcasts appear to be Unbridled, The Road to Cheltenham, Upping The Ante and The Irish Angle. I tune in to them all but they vary in the quality of relevant content.

The most informed, and insightful, is The Irish Angle featuring Emma Nagle, Johnny Ward and Paddy Flood. They offer a frank and objective perspective on the latest topics, frequently expressing views that are kept under wraps in other outlets.

Upping The Ante is entertaining, with a fine balance of light banter and opinionated comment from Johnny Dineen and David Jennings, in a well-structured programme.

Unbridled would benefit from tighter editorial control – Matt Chapman has a fine racing brain but it is more in evidence when he’s covering an evening All-Weather meeting in the studio than here, where the discussion can border on the puerile.

The Road to Cheltenham is, in contrast, thorough even if one gets the impression the presenters are not always able to fully disclose their feelings on certain topics, notably controversial rides.

As for our contribution, I will be revealing a couple of ante-post bets on our Database this week and I have restricted our selections in the Cheltenham Spotlight booklet to six each from Ronan, Jodie and myself.

Rodney is covering the Stats, notably focusing on the more obscure angles, while you can acquire my views and information for each of the four days in my Daily Bulletins.

Bye for now

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