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This episode marks the final London-based preview for the In The Know team before they head to the hallowed turf of Cheltenham. Host Ross Brierley is joined by the Racing Post’s resident handicap expert Paul Kealy and the legendary Tom Segal to navigate the minefield of 12 festival handicaps. The panel discusses the difficulty of multiple entries and the “anti-post trap” where horses often drift on the day. With over 7,000 entries to sift through, the experts provide their definitive shortlists, focus on “fast” horses over “stayers,” and highlight where the British and Irish handicappers may have missed a trick.
The clear “nugget” from this session is the immense confidence behind Koktail Divin in the Jack Richards (Novices’ Handicap Chase). Paul Kealy and Tom Segal agree that this horse is operating at a Grade 1 level, with Kealy noting the handicapper was surprisingly lenient with a mark of 149. Another significant takeaway is the skepticism surrounding the “talking horses” in the Fred Winter, with Segal opting for La Luna Artista as a faster alternative to the hype. If you’re looking for an each-way swing, Bold Endeavor at 25/1 in the Pertemps offers the kind of “calculated trainer maneuvering” that the Henderson yard is famous for.
5/5
| Horse | Race | Trainer | Note |
| La Luna Artista | Fred Winter (Juvenile) | Jane Williams | Won a Grade 2 by 13 lengths; rated 125. |
| Jagwar | Ultima Handicap Chase | Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero | A Festival winner stepping up in trip; the one to beat. |
| Donnacha | The Plate | Nigel Hawke | Consistent jumper; superb record at Cheltenham. |
| Jinko Blue | Coral Cup | Nicky Henderson | Rated 144; looks on a very fair handicap mark. |
| Stormheart | Coral Cup | Willie Mullins | Grade 1 class horse; top of Tom Segal’s shortlist. |
| Iceberg Theory | National Hunt Chase | Paul Nolan | Unexposed chaser; crying out for a step up in trip. |
| The Goffer | Cross Country Chase | Gordon Elliott | Fourth last year; lurking on a dangerous mark. |
| Ryan’s Rocket | Grand Annual | Fergal O’Brien | High-cruising horse; handles the course well. |
| Koktail Divin | Jack Richards (Novices) | Henry de Bromhead | Considered a “Grade 1 horse in a handicap”. |
| Sixmilebridge | Jack Richards (Novices) | Fergal O’Brien | Unbeaten over fences; whacked high-class rivals. |
| Bold Endeavor | Pertemps Final | Nicky Henderson | Rejoined yard on a lower mark; 25/1 value. |
| Indoor | Kim Muir Chase | Fergal O’Brien | Form is 10lb better than the favorite’s chase form. |
| Panda Boy | Hunter Chase | Martin Brassil | Huge RPR of 147 recently; serious contender. |
