Wednesday, January 23, 2019 – Unbeaten hurdler Nelson River is on course for the £32,000 G2 JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle (12.40pm, 16 entries), one of five Graded contests on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham this Saturday, January 26.

Nelson River is already a winner at Cheltenham this season, having come with a sustained run to land the JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial by a length from Fanfan Du Seuil at The International on December 15.

The four-year-old has now won three of his five starts since joining trainer Tony Carroll, with a Flat success at Wolverhampton in September and a juvenile maiden hurdle at Bangor in November also on his CV.

Carroll, who is based at Cropthorne in Worcestershire, said today: “Nelson River is in good form and, all being well, will be back at Cheltenham on Saturday.

“It was a tough performance at The International. He is only learning still and has come away from it well.  

“How he gets on at the weekend will obviously determine possible targets in the spring. He is an interesting horse and this will be another test for him.

“It is possible he may want further in time, but at the same time he is still learning about life – he is a very raw type of horse.

“We will probably go back on the Flat with him as well in the future.”

Nelson River’s opponents are set to include Adjali, runner-up in the G1 Finale Juvenile Hurdle at Chepstow on December 27. His trainer Nicky Henderson has won four of the last six renewals of the JCB Triumph Trial Juvenile Hurdle.

The entries also feature Torpillo (Nigel Twiston-Davies), who has both of his British starts at Sandown Park by a combined distance of 45 lengths and like Adjali is owned by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede.

Other promising entries include G3 winner Chief Justice (Gordon Elliott IRE), one of six Irish-trained entries, and decisive Newbury scorer Our Power (Alan King).

Elsewhere on the card, the highly-regarded Brewin’Upastorm (Olly Murphy) will drop down in class for the £32,000 G2 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (3.00pm, 14 entries) over an extended two and a half miles.

An impressive winner on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon, the six-year-old finished a close fourth behind Champ (Nicky Henderson) in the G1 Challow Novices’ Hurdle at Newbury on December 29.

Brewin’Upastorm will enjoy a 5lb pull in the weights should Champ line up as well on Festival Trials Day.

Trainer Olly Murphy, who is based in Warwickshire, said: “I have been very happy with Brewin’Upastorm since Newbury.

“He has improved from that run and we are looking forward to running in him in what looks a good renewal of the G2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.

“He is still very unexposed. The Challow was just his second start over obstacles and it was a good run.

“If Saturday’s race is run at a truly championship pace, that will suit him.”

Excellent entries for the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle also include Champ’s stablemate Birchdale, an eye-catching winner on his hurdling debut at Warwick, wide margin New Year’s Day victor Jarveys Plate (Fergal O’Brien) and the unbeaten Emitom (Warren Greatrex).

The seven-race programme on Festival Trials Day also includes the £100,000 G2 BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase (2.25pm, 3m 1f 56y, eight entries) and £60,000 G2 galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (3.35pm, 2m 7f 213y, 14 entries), respective trials for the G1 Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup and the G1 Sun Racing Stayers’ Hurdle in March.

Latest Going

The going at Cheltenham is currently Good to Soft, Good in places.

An unsettled week is forecast, with up to 5mm of rain.

There are no weather issues expected ahead of Festival Trials Day and tickets are available for purchase at www.cheltenham.co.uk

Scott Mills provides after-racing entertainment

DJ Scott Mills from BBC Radio 1 will be taking to the decks in The Centaur from 4.30pm to 6.00pm for the Festival Trials Day after-party.

Club and Tattersalls ticket holders will be able groove into the evening following the last race.

Festival Trials Day

 Saturday, January 26, 2019

Time Race Distance Prize Money

12.40 JCB Triumph Hurdle Trial (Grade 2) 2m 179y £32,000

1.15 Timeform Novices' Handicap Chase 2m 4f 127y £27,500

1.50 Spectra Cyber Security Solutions Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 2m 4f 127y £75,000

2.25 BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase (Grade 2) 3m 1f 56y £100,000

3.00 Ballymore Novices' Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f 56y £32,000

3.35 galliardhomes.com Cleeve Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 7f 213y £60,000

4.10 Steel Plate & Sections Handicap Hurdle   2m 179y £27,500

Total prize money £354,000

 Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the northern outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting. The Festival™ presented by Magners, which happens in March over four days every year, next takes place from Tuesday, March 12, to Friday, March 15, 2019 inclusive and tickets are on sale. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season. 

More information is available at  www.cheltenham.co.uk     and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces), Facebook  www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing    and Instagram (@CheltenhamRaces).

 About The Jockey Club

Cheltenham is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Festival™ presented by Magners and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences The Jockey Club offers through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny made goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. The Jockey Club was founded in 1750 and today is the largest commercial group in Britain's second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and the charity, Racing Welfare. For more information, visit  www.thejockeyclub.co.uk

If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact: Sophia Dale, Communications Manager - Jockey Club Racecourses South West 01242 537 683 sophia.dale@thejockeyclub.co.uk