Cheltenham Festival Market Movers - 20/02/23

The performance of the weekend and big mover in the Ryanair Chase market was the Nicky Henderson trained Shishkin who got back to winning ways in frightening style.

Now a five time Grade One winner, Shishkin put his rare bone condition and Palete set backs behind him to bolt up by 16 lengths in the Grade One Ascot Chase on Saturday.

Having been 4/1 NRMB for the Ryanair Chase with most firms ahead of the Ascot Chase on Saturday he is now the even money favourite for the race.

He showed he was back to his best and the step up in trip to 2m5f was the making of that, he still does not lack pace but it allowed for his jumping to be exemplarily and having cruised all the way round, he pulled away in the final furlong in devastating fashion.

The one to beat in that division.

Earlier last week we saw Monty's Star throw down a big shout for the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle when beating stablemate Hiddenvalley Lake at Clonmel in a Grade Three Novice Hurdle.

Being a frustrating horse before last Thursday, taking more time than most to learn how to race properly, he put it all together on the Thursday to see of his stablemate who was the favourite for the Albert Bartlett before that event.

Monty's Star is now massively in the picture for the Grade One over three miles on the final day of the festival, moving from 40/1 into 10/1 for the contest.

Henry De Bromhead has a great record with his horses using that race at Clonmel and then heading to the festival with Minella Indo winning the race and Monalee finishing second.

Monty's Star is also a half brother to Monalee.

The final mover from the weekend came on Sunday from Punchestown in the bumper with the Willie Mullins trained Ballyburn for owner Ronnie Bartlett put down his marker for the Champion bumper.

A good winner of a PTP at Loughanmore in October 2022, he was bought for €80,000 and given to Willie Mullins who gave him his rules debut on Sunday.

Taking on a decent field on is debut, he looked in trouble heading into the final furlong, but he showed his class and staying ability to fly home and win by just over two lengths.

The gelding is now 7/1 with most firms for the Grade One Champion bumper from 20/1.