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Equinties - no LOLamba
BGP Capital
February 09, 2026
Gm, Equinauts
What three Cheltenham races were most affected by this weekend’s events.
The Arkle, the Supreme, and the Gold Cup.
We’ll cover them today.
Let’s dive in.
HEADLINE ROUNDUP
NO LOLAMBA
LULAMBA won the Grade 2 Game Spirit Chase at Newbury, emulating the great ALTIOR and SPRINTER SACRE by winning the race as a novice. He was good, but don’t lie, you thought he was in trouble around the home turn, didn’t you? We did, but his class prevailed, so he is clearly horse capable of competing in Grade 1s.
Add to the fact that he picked up on - as Ben Pauling described on Luck On Sunday - some of the worst ground the current crop of jockeys has seen in years against solid 150-155 horses, and you can upgrade the performance. But, there are three points to consider. Does he have the tactical speed for an Arkle, does he already need further, and will this race have left a mark?
The Arkle can actually turn into a bit of a staying contest, and in a year where two of the three market leaders (LULAMBA & ROMEO COOLIO) probably look like they want further already, it will be an interestingly-run contest.
There is something in our minds that makes us think KOPEK DES BORDES could have too much boot for them, and he could sidle upon sides them on the bridle approaching the last and out speed them when push comes to shove. JANGO BAIE did win the race last year, in fairness.
There is obviously the big lay-off and small setback to consider with KOPEK, which is why he’s an 11/4-shot and not a 7/4-shot.
So, the short answers are he probably does have the speed, he does need further already (he’d be readymade for the old Grade 1 2m4f novices’ chase), and with the ease he won Saturday’s contest, it probably didn’t leave a mark.
That second point would almost make us worry a bit more than some about his prospects in an Arkle. Some people think it’s crazy to find negatives in what he did on Saturday, but we think it’s fair to be somewhat sceptical, especially about the short-priced favourite.
Quite remarkably, we’re heading into an Arkle with three good horses at 6/4, 11/4, and 7/1 (if ROMEO COOLIO runs, of course) who all have major upsides and fairly sizeable question marks. Exciting stuff, and that’s without even considering KARGESE!
Post-race, Nico de Boinville said: "He's still a baby. We were desperate to get the run into him. It's hard work out there for a young novice against established stars. It's not easy but he's come through it well.
"I thought that was a great prep. I thought he was a lot more professional up the straight.
"That should stand us in good stead for the Arkle. Ultimately he's got class and class saw him through today. It was very much a learning curve today. He had to go and get the experience and I'm glad we went. He's a lovely horse, a smashing one to go forward."
THE OTHERS
SOBER GLORY in the Supreme and HAITI COULEURS in the Cheltenham Gold Cup were the other notable movers from this weekend’s action.
We could dive into why both horses were good, or how the race at Cheltenham will suit, but what you really want to know is whether they can win at Prestbury Park next month or not.
SOBER GLORY’s performance, on RPRs, sits him right between OLD PARK STAR and TALK THE TALK, yet he is still a 16/1-shot. One could argue he is still value there.
His time was also four seconds quicker than that of TUTTI QUANTI’s in the William Hill Hurdle, and he only carried 2lbs less. Yes, the ground got worse through the day, but it’s certainly something. Would he be able to get his own way in a Supreme? No, and that’s definitely a worry. You wouldn’t want to class him as a flat track bully, but his form initially suggests that.
As for HAITI COULEURS, he’s no value in the Gold Cup, but he certainly has his chance.
There’s only so many times you can keep looking at a visually impressive horse and not seriously considering him for a big race.
Just look at the way he jumped the last and galloped away; it was very impressive, and one that definitely gives him a chance in March. He travels, he stays, and he jumps. The only thing that would concern us is, has he been over-raced?
Of the two, preference would go to HAITI as there are still a fair few unknowns about the blue riband event. Post-race, Rebeca Curtis said: I don't think he was doing a lot in front and, while he's gone through that ground, I don't think he loves it as much as a slightly better surface. It's job done and we can freshen him up now.
"It's really exciting and all systems go for the Gold Cup. He's almost done it the hard way, creeping up the handicap, and hopefully he's earned his place now."
He certainly has earned his place, and not only that, he has a great chance.
EYE-CATCHERS
ZANOOSH – SUNDAY 14.20 NAVAN
It was hard to find many eye-catchers from this weekend due to the ground, so we’ll give you a winner from yesterday at Navan that was very impressive. ZANOOSH justified strong market support to make it three wins from her last three, and she was very good in an admittedly poor race. She showed plenty of boot even on heavy Irish ground, and she earned herself quotes of 14/1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at 20/1 for the Albert Bartlett. We wouldn’t be afraid to drop her in trip to the Mares’ Novice, as she does have speed, and she travels away nicely. She could well be a big-priced player come March, and her win pays a good compliment to ECHOING SILENCE, 12/1 for the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, as she was ahead of her at Cork in November.
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