Marten Julian’s Weekly Roundup 16 March 2026

Hi there,

‘It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.’

So said Robert Louis Stevenson, whose wise words could be the guiding maxim for the legion of fans in the weeks leading up to the Cheltenham Festival.

I tried to watch all the main podcasts, and a few of the independent ones, through the eyes not of a pundit but as a punter. As the aforementioned saying suggests, the anticipation of the meeting can be more enjoyable than the meeting itself.

Having long believed that the value of a service should not be judged purely on results, I did in fact take note of a few of the pundits’ tips.

I will have missed some, but pride of place should go to the Racing Post’s relatively new columnist Moray Smith, who recommended Supremely West at 25/1 in November for the Pertemps and Heart Wood at 16/1 in January for the Ryanair. Mind you, on his own admission the remainder of his ante-post portfolio was less impressive, but at those odds you only need a couple to come in.

Lydia Hislop was, in my view, the most impressive of the panellists. Well researched and erudite, she shared insights and informed comment throughout the build-up and nominated Meetmebythesea, the 9/1 winner of the Jack Richards, as her best bet of the meeting.

There were others, but some of the best-connected panellists went down at much shorter prices with the likes of Kopek Des Bordes, Lulamba, The New Lion, No Drama This End, Majborough, Bambino Fever and the non-runner Fact To File.

However, as I say, pundits and tipsters are always doing their best for you in an extremely challenging business.

Things were made more challenging last week by the state of the ground.

With the exception of the Gold Cup, run in a staggeringly good time of 10.98 seconds faster than standard, the evidence of the clock suggests the going was on the good side of good to soft, even after the overnight rain on Thursday.

There were at least three winners at the meeting who are confirmed good ground performers … Final Orders, Martator and Ask Brewster, while Rebecca Curtis attributed Haiti Couleurs’ defeat in part to the conditions.

We mustn’t forget the uncertainty over running plans for the big races. It wasn’t until Saturday evening that Willie Mullins and Rich Ricci decided to run Lossiemouth in the Champion Hurdle, while Gaelic Warrior had the Ryanair as an option. Then there was the late withdrawal of Fact To File from the Ryanair.

It was by fine margins and late calls that Paul Townend and Rich Ricci landed the big-race double.

There were inevitably a handful of unlucky runs. Of these, I would bring the performance of Selma De Vary to your attention in the Triumph Hurdle. It is rare to see a horse finish so well at this level after running so keenly for much of the race. She looks one for the top mares’ races and could give her owner a worthy successor to Lossiemouth.

Bye for now

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