Barry Connell’s Eachtotheirown is scheduled to run in the opening Supreme Novice Hurdle. This follows the news that Marine Nationale had been scratched from his defence of the Champion Chase crown due to a minor injury.
Connell’s Confidence in Eachtotheirown
Barry Connell, who also trains Marine Nationale, has a unique background as a former stockbroker and hedge fund manager. He learned to ride in his late 30s and rode several winners as an amateur, including one at Cheltenham. Connell transitioned to ownership and then to training horses himself.
Connell’s record at the Cheltenham Festival from five runners includes two wins and a second. He spoke positively about Eachtotheirown during a media event last month.
Connell said Eachtotheirown “won his maiden hurdle in Galway and then we thought he was a certainty in the [Grade One] Royal Bond,” but the horse ran poorly. Connell added, “Never one to waste a good crisis, I applied for a handicap mark for him and was given a rating of 124. We went to Thurles and he won by nine lengths and went up 13lb to 137.”
Connell believes Eachtotheirown is capable of running to a mark significantly higher than 137. He noted the horse had to make his own running in his maiden hurdle and in the handicap. “I think a truly run championship race where you can drop him in will suit him and he’s a super jumper,” Connell said. “He’ll be a big price for the Supreme, but I definitely think he’ll be competitive.”
50-1 is available about Eachtotheirown with bookmakers offering a quarter the odds and three places each-way.
Sean Bowen’s Cheltenham Record
Sean Bowen is on track to be confirmed as champion jockey for the second successive year. With 210 victories so far, he is 107 ahead of Harry Skelton, his closest rival. Bowen is aiming to become the first jump jockey to ride 300 winners in a single campaign next season.
Despite his success, Bowen’s record at the Cheltenham Festival is not strong. He hasn’t had a winner in 52 rides, and the average starting price of those horses was 40-1.
Bowen’s positive attitude shines through. He smiles when his Cheltenham statistics are mentioned, acknowledging the challenges of the sport.
Today’s Odds
Courtesy of Oddschecker, here are today’s three
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Sean Bowen is looking ahead to next season, where he harbours serious ambitions of becoming the first jump jockey to ride 300 winners in a single campaign.