Well my friends, it’s been a long time coming but finally I’m back with another blog! I hope lockdown and the year since March has been kind to you all and that is some capacity I can help shorten the Winter with my ramblings. I’ve been trying to get motivated for a while now and I’ve finally had to bite the bullet and get stuck in! What better way to get back in the swing of things than a quality card at headquarters! The white flag is raised and were off…

The first race on the card is a Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs. This is pretty simple so I wont complicate it. As far as I can see the handicapper must have been high or drunk or both or even just playing favourites when he decided to gift INDUNO 3/1 a mark of 115. This horse is a bumper and hurdle winner already and has come across a couple of horses now rated in the 130s in his short career. It’s my opinion that if hes not capable of exploiting this lowly mark especially with Fergus Gillards 6lbs claim on his back then David Pipe may as well give up training now. This horse is one of the biggest certainties of the year off this sort of mark and 3/1 surely cant last long. If 3s is too short for you or you just missed the price and want to back something eachway to chase him home then TANGO BOY 7/1 (EW) is the horse for you. Hes a really likeable individual who has been improving with every start. A previous bumper winner with 3 nice hurdle runs and another summer under his belt I expect this son of Flemensfirth to run a big race. It’s just a shame hes bumping into such a well handicapped horse in the shape of INDUNO!

Selection: INDUNO 3/1 FAV

Danger: TANGO BOY 7/1 (EW)

The second race on the card is a 2 mile Handicap Chase and the selection here again comes from the top of the market but MAGIC SAINT 11/4 comes from a yard churning out plenty winners at the moment and while hes running here off a mark of 152 top conditional Bryan Carver takes off a valuable 5lbs which brings him back down to his last winning mark of 147. He also drops back in trip from 2 and a half miles for the first time since his last victory which may well be a tip in itself. His 2 wins since arriving in the UK from France have come over the minimum trip and with a run under his belt already this season he shouldn’t be lacking for fitness. Everything is pointing towards a big run. Again if it’s an eachway bet your looking for BALLYWOOD 13/2 (EW) will give you a good run for your money. Travelled really well over course and distance last time before fading on the run in to finish 6th. He should have come on plenty for that run and with the handicapper dropping him 2lbs on the back of that he wont be far away.

Selection: MAGIC SAINT 11/4 FAV

Danger: BALLYWOOD 13/2 (EW)

Next up is a 2 mile 4 furlong Novices Chase and again it looks like a case of keeping things simple. It is essentially a match race and the market frames it as such. PROTEKTORAT 5/4 is the one for me here. A smart novice hurdler last season he always looked a horse with huge potential. He ran in some top races last season be it Listed or Grade 2 Novice events up to finishing a respectable 10th in the Coral Cup. Hes a really strong traveller and a real natural athlete. He certainly has the potential to make his presence felt in plenty of the big novice chases this season and I can see him being close to the best of what Britain has to offer over the intermediate trip. Friday is just the next step on what is a very exciting season ahead for connections and I would be very disappointed if he couldnt kick Southfield Stone aside with some ease here!

Selection: PROTEKTORAT 5/4 FAV

Next up will is the Cross Country which may well be the feature race for many on the day with Easysland and Tiger Roll locking horses again. It’s not really a betting race in many respects and Easysland beat Tiger Roll fairly comfortably to say the least back in March off level weights and he gets 4lbs of Tiger Roll here. That said Tiger Roll has the advantage of a run under his belt so that might level the playing field somewhat. The better the ground on the day the closer Tiger Roll could get to Easysland but can I see him beating him maybe. That’s exactly what your reading this for I know fence sitting! Honestly I think this will be a close run thing I dont think anyone will run away with it. The way Easysland jumps it could be a case he makes a mistake and if you wanted a bet and can get some of the 3/1 about Tiger Roll I wouldnt put anyone off taking that and have a go at the price for small stakes of course with race fitness on his side and provided the ground stays on the good side of soft! But in all honesty you have a horse at the end of his career taking on one who is only getting started and this time I’ll have to go with youth and potential with EASYSLAND 8/11! Yes that’s right people looks like I’ve tipped another favourite!

Selection: EASYSLAND 8/11 FAV

The penultimate race on the card is the Ballymore Novice Hurdle a trial for the real deal in March over 2 miles 5 furlongs. Your going to kill me for this but I’m getting my excuses in early here look I tipped this one last time at 9/1 for anyone who cares to follow my twitter tips so I’ve an excuse for going in again on yet another favourite in the shape of DOES HE KNOW 11/8! Kim Baileys charge is a second season novice. He had 2 runs last season finishing second twice but Bailey saw the potential in this son of Alkaased and put him away and minded him. So far this season hes repaid Bailey in spades winning his first 2 starts including over course and distance. Despite having to give 3lbs to his rivals he is impossible to oppose. He was still green last time in the run but the further he went the better he got and he was never stronger than from the last to the line. That race should have brought him on again and if that is the case I cant see anything in this field to beat him. So yes it’s another favourite but just throw them all together if you must and have a big money accumulator on! You wont regret it!

Selection: DOES HE KNOW 11/8

The final race of the day is a 2 mile handicap hurdle and I know this will come as a shock but I’m not actually going to tip the favourite in this one! ONE TRUE KING 7/1 (EW) gets the vote here on the back of a solid 2nd over course and distance last time behind Tegerek who will be taking up an engagement in the Greatwood on Sunday. Take Tegerek out of the race that day and One True King would have won 7 and a half lenghts. Obviously he just bumped into one on the day. The 4th Wild Max has also come out and won since which gives the form a solid look to it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the 7/1 is long gone by the time this one goes to post. With any luck he wont bump into another incredibly well handicapped horse in here today. He got 2lbs from the handicapper for that 2nd last time and that seems more than fair so fingers crossed he can get the job done. If theres one in here capable of running a big race at a price HAZZAAR 14/1 (EW) could be it! This is his first run for the Tom Lacey yard since leaving Venetia Williams. That said Tom Lacey has experience of this horse before from his bumper days and trained him to win a bumper on debut so I’ll be interested to see what Lacey can do with him now over hurdles. The booking of Richard Johnson is also a positive. At the prices he could well be worth a few quid eachway.

Selection: ONE TRUE KING 7/1 (EW)

Danger: HAZZAAR 14/1 (EW)

Well that’s it for the first blog of the 2020/2021 season. Hope it was somewhat insightful if not mildly interesting. Bare with me I’m just getting back into the swing of things I’m sure the quality of writing should improve in the weeks and months ahead. Heres to a profitable first day back on the blog and good luck with your bets!

Well I’ve been threatening one of these for a while during this lockdown but have been struggling to find the motivation to sit down and put it all together. I’ve finally given in to temptation and with no other horse racing to punt on or delve into looking for angles and value then this should be good for the soul or at least my soul!

We were treated to a hell of a festival in 2020 and we can look forward to the same in 2021 I’m sure. We seemingly had a serious group of Novice Hurdlers this season and we all hope they get to next seasons festival in one piece so we can enjoy a similar competitive and enjoyable festival next year if not even better with those novices graduating to Open company over hurdles or improving into exciting novice chasers. Rather than picking out the big races to start with I’m going to go through the Festival race by race day by day putting horses up as they may appear during the week next year so bare with me a certainty for the 2021 Gold Cup will likely be the last tip of the blog! So without delaying any longer let’s get stuck in shall we…

A quick look at the Supreme Novices first of all and I havnt lost any faith in APPRECIATE IT 16/1, infact the Champion Bumper just proved even more to me that he could be something special. Now plenty horses will come out of the woodwork dont get me wrong but he was up close to the pace the whole way in the Champion Bumper when the likes of Ferny Hollow, Eskylane and Third Time Lucki who finished 1st, 4th and 5th were in the last 4 or 5 for most of the race. Anything that raced in and around Appreciate It were dying a death from before the home bend and that speaks volumes for me. Out of all the four I mentioned there I’d take Appreciate It every time no question about it. Hes the type you can see dominating a Supreme and quickening off the home bend like so many Mullins horses in the past. Now hes obviously well found in the market like youd expect but hes still a big enough price to have a bit of a play on him even now. Just another of note that shouldn’t be forgotten about at a big price is CAPTAIN KANGAROO 50/1 who didnt run at Cheltenham and had t even made his debut until the very last race of the irish jumps season in Clonmel. This horse at 1 point was Champion Bumper favourite early in the season which shows what high regard he was perceived to have been held in at home. Now while you might think a Clonmel bumper at that time.of year couldnt have been much of a race but this was a proper race full of strength and depth with a handful of well touted horses in the lineup so dont dismiss the form too quickly. He was held up well off the pace and came there travelling in the straight to cruise up and quicken clear with consummate ease. While people might think 16/1 about Appreciate It is short enough 11 months out from the festival I cant see why you couldnt have a go at 50s on Captain Kangaroo! Another I had almost forgotten about and I’d gone a long way in the blog without mentioning so I had to backtrack quite a bit is UTHRED 40/1 who was a winner on bumper debut 12 months ago at Fairyhouse before being bought by Gigginstown. He then made his hurdle debut at Cork where he finished 2nd to Front View with Jon Snow back in 3rd. They proved to be two fairly decent novices but presumably deciding he maybe needed more time to develop he was sent back to bumpers. That proved somewhat of a masterstroke as he went and bolted up in a Listed event at Navan that has been won by some very smart horses in the past like Envoi Allen and Samcro to name just two very recent and very decent animals! Hes definitely one to keep onside next season!

Selections: Appreciate It 16/1 ,

Uthred 40/1

Flyer: Captain Kangaroo 50/1

Next on the agenda is the Arkle and there is a horse I’ve had on my mind from this from before Cheltenham when him get beat at Punchestown on January 12th by Andy Dufresne and that horse is CAPTAIN GUINNESS 20/1 who was brought down 2 out in the Supreme when still hard on the bridle. Plenty people will disagree with me here but for me he was travelling far better than Shiskin at the time and had been badly inconvenienced at 3 out also. For me Shiskin got outpaced at the top of the hill and I’d worry about that happening with him again. As for Captain Guinness he went to Cheltenham really inexperienced with only 2 runs under his belt. Hes a big scopey individual with a huge engine and the way he jumped hurdles I believe hes going to be dynamite over fences. He may not only be your 2021 Arkle winner but the 2022 Champion Chaser in waiting and with Henry De Bromhead doing the training and Rachel Blackmore in the saddle I wouldnt place my faith anywhere else. I wouldnt be surprised if come day 1 next March you will be lucky to get 2/1 nevermind 20/1! Maybe that’s a bit excessive but we dont do things in half measures here… Just to throw in an alternative I’d go for County Hurdle winner SAINT ROI 33/1. He came to the track in Clonmel with a big reputation and left his supporters at short odds down with a wallop but he won a Tramore maiden after that in good style. Now I dont think anyone thought they were looking at a Cheltenham Festival winner that day in Tramore but he fairly bolted up in one of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the season despite being very inexperienced. Now he will have to step up to Grade 1 level but fences would give him the chance to find his and mature a bit and I think that is the right option for him.

Selection: Captain Guinness 20/1

Flyer: Saint Roi 33/1

I wont dwell too long on the Champion Hurdle as I dont have a major opinion on the race and think it’s a bit of a minefield what I will say is I think EPATANTE 4/1 is the right favourite. She was a very impressive winner of this years renewal and was value for much more than the winning margin. She showed a lethal turn of foot after the last to put the race to bed. Would I back her at 4/1 this far out maybe would I recommend it to other no I certainly wouldn’t. What I do know is I think JP McManus is a certainty to win the 2021 renewal. If there was a firm willing to offer a price on him to be winning owner for the Champion Hurdle next year then I’d snap that up. If you wanted to take a flyer at a price plenty people have tipped up Saint Roi 20/1 but I wont be. I’d rather take a chance on something like ELIXIR D’AINAY 33/1 who was going well when taken out by Asterion Forlonge in the Supreme and while he may be a likely County Hurdle horse on Friday than a Champion Hurdler he could just be 1 that improves plenty. Even SPORTING JOHN 66/1 who clearly didnt run his race in the Ballymore but had been so impressive before that and has been completely disregarded by the market.

Selction: Epatante 4/1

Flyers: Elixir D’Ainay 33/1 ,

Sporting John 66/1

As for the Mares Hurdle I think HONEYSUCKLE 4/1 is a certainty. Think she will stick to hurdles for the time being at least. I can see Benie Des Dieux using the experience she already has over fences and going for the Mares Chase. Dont think they will fancy a rematch when she would have little competition in the Mares Chase division. The past seasons mares novice was a piss poor renewal and theres nothing worth considering coming out of there.

Selection: Honeysuckle 4/1

The National Hunt Chase is another race I wont dwell on for too long. My main selection at this stage is DICKIE DIVER 33/1 who missed all the 2019/2020 season but was a really decent staying novice hurdler and a race like this would be really up his street. He won his maiden point at a track that is in my opinion the most stamina sapping course anywhere behind the rails or in point to points in Britain or Ireland. Carrying the JP McManus colours it wouldnt be beyond the realms that Derek O’Connor could get the leg up and if that was the case youd expect he will be no 33/1 shot. Others of note are the long absent NEXT DESTINATION 25/1 who like Rathvinden a few seasons back has had a long absence now having missed the past 2 seasons after running into the places in an Ballymore/Neptune in his novice hurdle season. This is a horse with plenty stamina in his pedigree and after a long absence like hes had steering clear of a Grade 1 RSA for a race like this could be right up his street. Again you’d suspect if he turned up Patrick Mullins would ride which would also make him considerably shorter in the market. Let’s try and get a clean sweep of the top amateur jockey bookings and say the Gordon Elliott horse for the 2021 renewal will be ESCARIA TEN who would relish a real test of stamina and could well be ridden by Jamie Codd! Nevermind getting the winner if all those 3 jockeys turn up on those respective horses it would be some going… just call me Mystic Tips!

Selection: Dickie Diver 33/1

Flyers: Next Destination 25/1 ,

Escaria Ten 33/1

Here I thought this would be a quick enough blog and me trying to be brief but in typical fashion I’ve too much to say on these topics even 11 months out and this could well be the longest blog I’ve done to date…

Day 2 kicks off with the Ballymore Novices Hurdle and BALLYADAM 20/1 makes the most appeal to me. While he made his racecourse debut as a short priced favourite at Navan where he was turned over plenty didnt go his way that day the best is still to come. Hes a most gorgeous individual and while I’m only going on limited visual impression and murmurs sometimes you just have to take it that the connections know what they have. When you have a horse that looks as good as he does if he has half the ability to match you have a serious horse on your hands! QUEENS BROOK 33/1 is another I’d have on my mind for this race even though she hasnt been priced up for the race with many I presume expecting she will go to the Dawn Run instead and take on the mares. She a big unit and I’d worry about her over 2 miles at a good gallop that she might not be able to organise herself well enough. Gordon has been known to run a mare here rather than in the Dawn Run over the years too so that would be a positive that if it’s right for he she could well come here. I thought she may well turn out to be the best horse to come out of the Champion Bumper and I’ll tell you why. She was fast tracked into the race after making her bumper debut just 3 weeks earlier at Gorwan Park on bad ground so who’s to say she wasnt still feeling some of the effects from that race. She raced primarily 6 or 7 wide the whole way which wouldnt to my mind have been an advantage having sacrificed huge amounts of ground. She travelled into the race really strongly and finished a very good 3rd on the day. With some more experience under her belt and time to fill into that big frame of hers she really could be value in here.

Selections: Queens Brook 33/1 ,

Ballyadam 20/1

The RSA is a race jam packed with potential. When you think back at the blockbuster that was the Albert Bartlett if you get all the front 3 going head to head again it really could be something special to savour. I love Latest Exhibition but I cant really see him turning around the form with MONKFISH 10/1 who looks every inch a chaser. A huge horse who won the Albert Bartlett having been very green, making a bad mistake at the last and still battled back to be going away at the line. Not many horses could have done that late on and after making vitually all his own running too. If there was one at a wild price it could be SAMS PROFILE 50/1 who after a year out will be far from the thoughts of plenty people and while he might not win but if you wanted a speculative punt on a horse that could surprise plenty and make the frame he could well be the one.

Selection: Monkfish 10/1

Flyer: Sam’s Profile 50/1

The Champion Chase is the next on the list of races for day 2 and it’s another one of those races it’s hard to gave an opinion on but as always I’m going to give one anyway! There are 2 horses that stand out for me, DEFI DU SEUIL 14/1 is an overreaction to one bad run. He had been sensational all through the season up until the Champion Chase on a week that the Hobbs stables runners in generally ran way below par. I’d be willing to forgive him that run and at 14s hes definitely worth a few quid. The other horse I think may be some value is A PLUS TARD 20/1 and while connections may feel he has some unfinished business in the Ryanair the easier option very much looks to be the Champion Chase. With Altior turning 11 and Chacun Pour Soi being prone to injury there is no reason to think either of them will be anywhere near their best of even make it to the festival next March. If I was connections of A Plus Tard I’d strongly consider going down the Champion Chase route.

Selections: Defi Du Seuil 14/1 ,

A Plus Tard 20/1

Next up the inaugural running of the Mares Chase and youd have to think Willie Mullins will have the key to this as he has with almost every other mares race that the festival has ever had to date. Like I mentioned earlier I dont think BENIE DES DIEUX 16/1 will go back to take on Honeysuckle again and being a mare with chasing experience already in the bag it wouldnt be much of a surprise if she had she swansong here and took the race for the first time for Willie Mullins. 16s is far too big and I’d be willing to back her now as if you got the nod that she was heading here she would be a very short priced favourite!

Selection: Benie Des Dieux 16/1

The last race of day 2 to discuss is the Cross Country. EASYLAND 2/1 rightly is favourite but you cant advise an antepost bet on a 2/1 shot 11 months out so who knows what will happen between now and next March but YANWORTH 33/1 would make limited appeal.

Flyer: Yanworth 33/1

It’s taken far longer than I had anticipated but finally we are onto day 3! Yes still only day 3 but bare with me if everything falls into place with this blog, if I may quote JP McManus as he left The Cotswolds 12 months before Mister Donovan became his first Cheltenham winner “By this time next year we will be millionaires!” At least I think it was JP…

Race 1 on day 3 is The Marsh Novices Chase and it doesnt take an expert to put up ENVOI ALLEN 5/1 here but the price is generous and while I see him like many as a Gold Cup horse of the future I think he will go here instead of the RSA. I would much rather pack him at 5/1 for this than Shiskin at 4/1 for an Arkle that’s for sure. Of those at bigger prices EASYWORK 25/1 would appeal but I dont think he can beat Envoi Allen. Having said that he put up a serious performance in the Ballymore being so keen and still finishing his race out so well to finish 2nd. Will they be keen to take on Envoi Allen again who knows… A wild one that people may have forgotten after a lack luster season in Open company over hurdles is KLASSICAL DREAM 25/1. Hes a real athletic individual and while he can be a bit temperamental hes a horse with plenty of ability and it wouldnt surprise me if he could recapture some of his old spark over a trip further than 2 miles over fences!

Selection: Envoi Allen 5/1

Flyers: Easywork 25/1 ,

Klassical Dream 25/1

The Ryanair is the next race to look at and on Cheltenham form after being 2nd in a Supreme, 2 Champion Hurdles and a Marsh this is surely the year for MELON 20/1 to gain a first Cheltenham victory at a track that he relishes. Be it the undulations or the atmosphere something sparks him to life here and who’s to say he wont go one better next year! If we could add another one to the antepost portfolio that is growing ever longer by the second but IMPERIAL AURA 25/1 who was an impressive winner of the Novice Handicap Chase this year. He looked like a proper graded horse in a handicap that day and is still a young inexperienced horse with no end of experience left in him. That 25/1 could look a huge price come the day.

Selections: Melon 20/1 ,

Imperial Aura 25/1

In the Stayers Hurdle PAISLEY PARK 7/1 is a big price if you can forgive him his last run. He looked an unstoppable force before then and it would be foolish to rule him out now at that kind of price if he comes back next season and wins on his seasonal debut he will undoubtedly shorten significantly. THYME HILL 16/1 represents the novice for from this year and youd have to think that from what looked a really good crop of young horses any of those good novice youd like to think would make their presence felt and at least give Paisley Park a race. Again like in the Champion Hurdle market I’d give SPORTING JOHN 40/1 a chance if he turned up here but I cant really see Philip Hobbs keeping 2 good young novices for this race and hes always said he thought Thyme Hill was a Stayers Hurdle horse so one would presume he would be the likelier if the 2 to go here.

Selection: Paisley Park 7/1

Flyers: Thyme Hill 16/1 ,

Sporting John 40/1

In the Dawn Run Mares Novices Hurdle GYPSY ISLAND 10/1 was a prolific bumper mare before she unfortunately missed all of last season with injury but if she came back to her best she would certainly take some stopping in this race and rightly was installed as the market leader. At bigger prices there are 2 that interest me and they are in the same colours and hail from the same yard! This will come as a surprise to many but the yard I’m talking about is that of Dermot McLoughlin. The first is DELVINO 25/1 who made her bumper debut in a very competitive bumper in Navan when she finished infront of Ballymore fancy Ballyadam l. That day she cruised around and went for home early in the straight which was far too soon in deep ground and having looked like she had the race down up she got collared late on. She made no mistake on her second start and will make her presence felt over hurdle for sure. Black type can only be a formality for this very talented mare! The other is SANTA ROSSA 50/1 who was a prolific mare herself in bumpers in 2018/2019. She had 1 start over hurdles in a competitive maiden at Fairyhouse against the geldings late in the season when she shaped really well. She finished a close 3rd that day despite conceding race fitness and valuable jumping experience to her rivals. At this time last year I would have fancied her to play a big part in the race at the 2020 Festival so it would be foolish to forget about her now.

Selection: Gypsy Island 10/1

Flyers: Delvino 25/1 ,

Santa Rossa 50/1

Onto the final day of the festival and if this blog is anything to go by 4 days is plenty there is no need to make it a 5 day festival as it’s taken me long enough to get this far! While I like to chance my arm predicting plenty things the Triumh Hurdle 2021 will not be one of them at least not at this early stage.

Quickly onto the Albert Barlett then and there is value to be had here if you can find yourself a runner. It’s a raise known for throwing up a big priced winner most years on the day nevermind this far out but we will have a go at it that’s for sure! ESKYLANE 33/1 ran a blinder in the Champion Bumper this season to finish 5th and the addition of hurdles and a step up in trip should suit this son of Flemensfirth down to the ground. Hes in the right place when it comes to being targeted at the Cheltenham Festival so he would be as good a starting point as any for this race. The other horse I’d focus on for this is FAROUK D’ALENE 50/1 who was a dual bumper winner in Ireland this past season and hes another a step up in trip looks sure to suit. He looked in trouble last time in Naas on his second start when grinding out the win late in the day after a prolonged battle up the straight. I’m definitely looking forward to seeing what he can do over obstacles.

Selections: Eskylane 33/1 ,

Farouk D’Alene 50/1

We finally made it to the Gold Cup and this will be brief. There is only 1 bet you could possibly have for the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup and it is my NAP of the entire week even at this stage. If you only have 1 Antepost bet for Cheltenham 2021 while your in lockdown it simply must be MINELLA INDO 14/1. Minella Indo is a real classy individual. Already a Cheltenham Festival winner having won the 2019 Albert Bartlett he should have made it 2/2 at the festival when idling badly in the RSA after the last. He got passed within 4 or 5 strides of the line leaving no time for him to get his head back infront but there is no doubt in my mind that he was by far the best horse in that race. Had he had company for longer that day or even the rail to run against he would have been a very convincing winner. I’d see him reversing form with Champ with ease come the Gold Cup and with youth on his side he may well be able to overcome the reigning champ Al Boum Photo too.

Selection: Minella Indo 14/1 (NAP)

FESTIVAL ANTEPOST LUCKY 31

Minella Indo 14/1 (Gold Cup)

Envoi Allen 5/1 (Marsh)

Captain Guiness 20/1 (Arkle)

Honeysuckle 4/1 (Mares)

Monkfish 10/1 (RSA)

Our Antepost Lucky 31 with a €1 stake (total €31) pays a massive €177,407!!!

Well we have gotten through every race currently priced up so now a few handicappers worth touching on.

Festival Plate: Galvin

Novice Handicap Chase: Thatsy (provided he goes over fences)

Pertemps: Thatsy (if he stays hurdling)

Coral Cup: Chantry House

Ultima: At The Acorn (before a tilt at the Aintree Grand National)

County Hurdle: Elixir D’Ainay

Wherever he goes Thatsy will be competitive in any handicap be it over hurdles or fences from 2m4f to 3miles.

Well I hope that if nothing else this passed the time for some of you during this lockdown. If you never place an antepost bet and you dont take a word of this forward to next season unless they all go on the steer clear list because I tipped them. Whatever the case may be I hope people forgot about lockdown for a little while and got back to looking forward to all the great racing we have coming our way in 2020 and into 2021!

Stay safe my friends! Until next time whenever that may be, go easy!

“May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine soft upon your face,

May the rain fall soft upon your fields,

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.”

I cant believe how the week has flow. We’ve had our highs and lows along the way. Such a shame how the Champion Chase fell apart and the 1 main protagonist who did run might as well have stayed at home because he couldnt have been right either. Tiger Roll getting beat was another kick for the Cheltenham fans who adore their horses especially their old warriors. As I write this racing has not yet started on day 3. Maybe by the time your reading this Faugheen has already written his name into the history books and crowned the festival. Giving everyone a memory they will hold for the rest of their lives. It’s not something I’m backing as you well know but I wouldnt begrudge a great horse his rising from the ashes on a stage he made his own over the years. Anyway no point saying anymore let’s get stuck into Day 4.

First up is the Triumph hurdle and this race is another muddling race with at least two of the three market principles as one Racing Pundit from Monaghan would say “Mad B*****ds”. This certainly wont be a crawl that’s for sure. With the frenetic pace that’s likely to be on with both Goshen 7/2 and Allmankind 4/1 taking eachother on for the lead they could well have their races ran by the time they turn to run down the hill for home. It’s for that reason I think ASPIRE TOWER 13/2 (EW) is the one to be on certainly out of those at the head of the market. Hes shown he can at least be restrained to a reasonable gallop so he shouldn’t be joining Goshen and Allmankind in their pace war and more than likely setting the pace for the chasing group instead. Hes definitely the best of what the Irish have to offer. I wouldnt worry too much about his fall in Leopardstown last time. He will have schooled plenty at home since and that fall would be the last thing on my mind for him. As for the eachway value in the race. I tipped up SIR PSYCHO 12/1 (EW) for the Boodles in one of the previous blogs but after going and bolting up at Haydock over the weekend hes got a rating of 147 making him the second highest rated juvenile around so hes above the ceiling rating for that race now. It would be a shock if he didnt take his chance in Grade 1 company now any you know what at 12/1 hes a big price in a race that will suit him. Hes shown when winning at Exeter beating when he took on his elders that he is more than capable of taking a lead and setting well and that was arguably to my eye at least the most impressive I’ve seen him. Hes certainly a player and I’ll be taking a slice of that 12/1 eachway! As for overnight sensation Solo 3/1 (FAV) hes overrated and beat nothing worth talking about in a slow time around Kempton when he was in prime position to take advantage. I wouldnt touch him with stolen money. Hes a lay for me I cant have him at all.

Selection: Aspire Tower 13/2 (EW)

Danger: Sir Psycho 12/1 (EW)

The second race on Day 4 is the County Handicap Hurdle and it’s a race that has been dominated by Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton in recent years so anything they run is worth noting! In the last 10 renewals of the race they have won 7/10 between them. Willie Mullins has 4 to his name and Dan Skelton 3 for a man who hasnt been training very long! In the last 5 seasons they have won all 5 between them. All Skeltons 3 winners have been in the last 4 years so its definitely a race he targets! Willie Mullins Betfair Hurdle runner up CIEL DE NIEGE 7/1 (EW) (FAV) would be very hard to oppose in here considering Willie’s record in the race and the fact hes still a very unexploded horse. He was infront plenty long enough at Newbury and had he had more company from the last hurdle I reckon he would have lasted home. MOHAAYED 10/1 (EW) (tipped at 33s on the Antepost blog) won this race 2 seasons ago for Dan Skelton off a mark of 139 and ran really well just getting tired from the back of the last in the race last year off a mark of 153. Hes back down to a mark of 142 now so he definitely looks well treated. Hes won off a mark of 145 in the past so that mark of 142 definitely isnt beyond him. Another of interest is Thatsy 16/1 is a horse I adore but I think 2m is the wrong trip for hi I think we wont see the best of him until he goes over two and a half or even 3m. That said a real strongly run 2 miles on tacky ground could bring his stamina into play up the hill so he may still be good enough for a place even if hes short the natural pace to win. Even Scaramanga 40/1 would have a chance if the ground drys through Thursday and into friday who knows it might get to genuine good to soft and if that was the case he wouldnt be anything like a 40/1 shot.

Selections: Ciel De Niege 7/1 (EW) Mohaayed 10/1 (EW)

Dangers: Thatsy 16/1 (EW) Scaramanga 40/1 (EW)

It’s the Albert Barlett up next and this race is renowned for throwing up plenty shocks and it wouldnt be a surprise if it did so again. For me Thyme Hill 9/2 (FAV) is overrated after struggling to dispose of The Cashel Man at Newbury last time and that rival has since needed the help of the stewards to win on his latest start when only 2nd past the post when a long odds on favourite. LATEST EXHIBITION 5/1 (EW) brings the most solid form to the table and over all sorts of trips from 2m to 2m 4f and most recently up to 2m 6f. Earlier in the season I thought he had plenty gears and maybe stepping up in trip wasnt the way to go but hes proven the gears hes showing were a sign of pure class as opposed to anything else. He was the winner of a Galway maiden hurdle before finishing a good 2nd to Abracadabras over 2 miles at Navan. On his next start he stepped up in trip to take on the highly touted Andy Dufresne and disposed of him in no uncertain fashion after out battling him all the way up the straight. Plenty including myself questioned if the real Andy turned up that day but it now looks in hindsight as the form has stood up. Andy Dufresne dropped back to 2m again and disposed of Captain Guinness in a thriller in the Moscow Flyer Grade 2 at Punchestown while Latest Exhibition stepped up to 2m 6f at the Dublin Racing Festival and won snug enough at the death. He settled well and travelled like a dream before cruising up on the home bend and going about his business. Hes by far the form horse in here to my mind and 5/1 looks a steal! HARRY SENIOR 12/1 (EW) comes here instead of a possible run in the Ballymore and hes of obvious interest. It took him a while to get his act together over hurdles only getting off the mark at the 4th time of asking. He bumped into a couple of smart individuals in those runs and subsequently went and won a Garde 2 at Cheltenham so he has some course form in the book. He is normally a sound jumper who just stays and gallops. Hes such a genuine character I think this race will suit him. Hes tough, hardy and always gives it his all. Hopefully he wont be too far away.

Selection: Latest Exhibition 5/1 (EW)

Danger: Harry Senior 12/1 (EW)

Onto the big race of the meeting now the Gold Cup! This is one of the most open and exciting Gold Cups on paper in recent years. The defending Champion Al Boum Photo 4/1 heads the betting. He ran out an impressive winner of last years renewal beating Anibale Fly and Bristol De Mai but I just dont know what that form is worth. He went on to finish 2nd at Punchestown after that to Kemboy who had returned quickly from putting up a phenomenal performance at Aintree so it wouldnt be beyond the realms that they didnt run to their official marks on that occasion. Al Boum Photo returned to action at Tramore on New Years Day beating a couple of stable mates impressively but for me he doesnt set a very high standard and not an insurmountable standard for at least a couple of these. Santini 4/1 is miles too short in the betting. It would want to be a swamp for him to have even place prospects. His jumping isnt good enough and he has no tactical speed. When the taps are turned on he wont be able to cope with what’s thrown at him. DELTA WORK 11/2 (EW) looks the best of the Irish at this stage after winning the two big Irish trials, first at Christmas and then the Irish Gold Cup. He also represents last seasons Novice form and I still cant belief he got beat in the RSA but connections have said they got tactics wrong on the day. Kemboy 8/1 is a danger to all if he got his jumping sorted out as this season has been riddled with mistakes you wont get away with at this level. Best of the British challenge is LOSTINTRANSLATION 13/2 (EW) this horse was a top Novice last season at the intermediate trip, having some epic battles with Defi Du Seuil along throughout the season. He started the season on top form winning around Carlisle and then taking the Betfair Chase at Haydock beating course specialist Bristol De Mai in the process. He went off a short price in the King George over Christmas where he didnt run his race. He had been running in snatches before making a bad mistake 4 out which ended all chance of him playing a part in the race and he was pulled up. Since hes had a wind op and if that has done the trick he will be right in the mix here. If there is to be a home win this year then this is the horse. Lastly it wouldnt be me if I didnt mention PRESENTING PERCY 12/1 (EW). Hes a former emphatic RSA winner in 2018 and he had an interrupted preparation for last years race and he got a cut when colliding with Kemboy at the first fence. He returned lame after that and missed out on the rest of the season. His runs in the John Durkan and the old Lexus at Christmas in Leopardstown were solid runs that would have led you to believe that his whole season was being geared to one day and that was Gold Cup day in March. His run last time in the Irish Gold Cup not so much though as he came there travelling turning in and went by Delta Work and Kemboy. He got a beautiful seam up the inside rail and seemed to be going to put his race to bed but he did what I never thought I’d see him do he faded from the last home and appeared to get outstayed. Like I said that would have been the last of my worries with him when push came to shove over the years even over 3m 4f in an Irish National trial he was never found wanting. Maybe the problems he had over the past 18months have caught up with him but if the old Percy turns up on Gold Cup day there isnt a horse in this field that will beat him! I for one still hope he will and what a result it would be!

Selections: Delta Work 11/2 (EW) Lostintranslation 13/2 (EW)

Danger: Presenting Percy 12/1 (EW)

The Foxhunters is race 5 on the card and the defending champion HAZEL HILL 5/1 (EW) and again I dont think he can be opposed. This horse is all class. Whether they go fast or slow he can deal with it and any kind of ground wont be an inconvenience . He may be a 12yo now but he hasnt many miles on the clock and he powered up the hill last year. He was beaten by Minella Rocco at short odds last time but I wouldnt take any notice of that. Come Cheltenham he will be spot on and there isnt a better hunter chases around. DON POLI 18/1 (EW) is another that deserves a mention in here. Hes a former Grade 1 winner at the Festival in the RSA. Hes also won a Martin Pipe and been 3rd in a Gold Cup so you know he likes it around there. At 18s hes a definite eachway player and I’d be happy to back him at half that price so theres plenty value in him yet.

Selection: Hazel Hill 5/1 (EW)

Danger: Don Poli 18/1 (EW)

The penultimate race of the Festival is the Grand Annual. A race that’s normally run at a break neck gallop with jumping at a premium. As you would imagine a 20 plus runner handicap chases over 2m at the Festival is a devilishly difficult affair to figure out and Gordon Elliott has a couple live chances in here. ECLAIR DE BEAUFEU 10/1 (EW) jumps well and travels supremely well through his races but has been tame in the finish more than once. That said the very nature of this race suits a really strong traveller who’s a reliable jumper. He will surely look like a winner in the straight. Whether he will go through with his run is open to question but he is a young unexposed chaser who could still be well ahead of his mark. CHOSEN MATE 8/1 (EW) is another of the Elliott team with a chance in here. He was a Grade 2 winning novice hurdler last season and reached a rating of 142 over hurdles in Ireland so knowing the British handicapper normally gives the Irish contenders an extra couple of pounds his chase mark here of 147 looks fair enough. Hes was 3rd behind Melon on Chase debut at Leopardstown before being disappointing in his second start when he went off favourite. He made no mistake at the third time of asking when bolting by 11L from Cappucamix who subsequently has won a beginners chase by 11L himself. He will carry 11st 4lbs and will have the services of Davy Russell on his back which is never a negative around here. He should go well. Great Field 16/1 deserves a mention, hes a bit of a head case and his recent form may not be anything to write home about but he does have plenty class. Hes a former Grade 1 winning novice and he may just be able to go a half a stride faster than anything else in here and get plenty of these at it. Hes not the worse bet in the world at 16/1.

Selection: Chosen Mate 8/1 (EW) Elcair De Beaufeu 10/1 (EW)

Danger: Great Field 16/1 (EW)

Last but not least the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle will bring the curtain down on what’s sure to be another thrilling Cheltenham Festival. Hopefully by then we will have had enough winners to not be hunting a get out of jail winner in the lucky last. ILIKEDWAYURTHINKIN 6/1 (EW) is a strong favourite and his plot to this race being no secret to anyone over the past year. The horse very much caught the eye of the racing public last winter under tender handling from Mark Walsh. From then everyone was watching and waiting for the day he would be unleashed and make a mockery of his mark. That day because a week where he ran twice at the Galway Festival back in the summer and he bolted up twice under Darragh O’Keeffe. Long since then and again under tender hands on a couple of occasions signs have pointed to the horse being on a very workable mark and being saved for a big day. Darragh O’Keeffe took the early jump season by storm even leading the jockeys championship in the autumn from Paul Townend. The horse seems to have been saved to give him what will hopefully be his first festival winner in a race where no jockey will have ridden more winners this season. That kind of experience in the saddle can be vital in a race such as this and hes sure to go very close. THE BOSSES OSCAR 11/1 (EW) will be one of the leading hopes for Gordon Elliott and would have outstanding chance. The Bosses Oscar is a horse with a big reputation and is one to be kept onside for sure. He was an impressive winner of a Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle over Christmas and ran well behind French Dynamite at Thurles last time. He may be short on experience but Gordon Elliot will have him well primed for his task in a race hes farmed over the last 10 years. FRONT VIEW 5/1 (EW) who has the services of Jonjo O’Neill Jr in the saddle. He was 2nd on hurdle debut to Envoi Allen before beating a very good bumper horse in the shape of Uthred when winning his maiden hurdle at Cork. He had a couple of months off then before running a very eye catching race in Thurles the last day when he may have been ridden with this day in mind. That Thurles race has thrown up a horse for this race in the last few years when Blow By Blow won it before winning this on his next start.

Selections: Front View 5/1 (EW) Ilikedwayurthinkin 6/1 (EW)

Lastly I hope anyone who has followed my blogs has enjoyed them and had a bit of luck in the process. Having so many people following the blog really makes all the effort worthwhile. Hopefully it wont be too long before I get back at it again but I cant promise anything as it’s so time consuming. Enjoy what remains of the festival and until next time, go easy…

Another day dawns on Cheltenham racecourse and we got out of jail a bit on Day 1 with The Conditional doing the business for us. If we could have a winner at that sort of price every day we would be doing alright. Heres hoping by the time this blog goes live Day 2s blog will have thrown up plenty winners and we will be playing with bookies money for the rest of the week.

Day 3 begins with the Marsh Novices Chase over 2m 4f and let’s start with the British contenders Itchy Feet 7/2 (FAV) is short enough for me now after winning a three runner race on chasing debut at long odds on before seemingly taking apart a seemingly competitive Grade 1 at Sandown. I’m going to have to play devils advocate here though and say that to me the race completely fell apart. Bad ground around Sandown has been known to throw up freakish performances and I for one this this is another one of them. All the horses with the big hurdle ratings fell in a hole and you had the likes of Champagne Platinum manage to scrape into 3rd and he had shown no love for chasing on his two previous starts having being closer to being lapped than winning. For me undoubtedly the best of the British contenders is MISTER FISHER 11/2 (EW) even as an Irish man I think hes a cracking bet for anyone to have. He travels and jumps like a buck. Despite not winning by wide margins hes been dealing with his opposition with ease in his previous two starts and whatever happens when they turn into the straight this lad wont be far away. Nicky has always liked this horse and I know you have to take anything Nicky says with a pinch of salt but his assistant Toby Lawes was absolutely raving about his last season too and that just tells me we haven’t seen the best of him just yet. Alot will depend on how much the ground drys through Wednesday and up to the start of racing on Thursday. The more the ground drys the less of a chance Faugheen 6/1 has. Look he has been the most amazing horse for connections and I doubted whether chasing this season was the right thing to do, but hes been loving it and has gone from strength to strength. Hes 3/3 over fences including 2 Grade 1s. The softer the ground the the easier it will be for Faugheen to go the pace here and the more he will be able to turn it into a slog. At this stage in his career I think the softer the ground the more in control he is and the more it inconveniences his main market rivals. Unless he ends up a double figure price he wouldnt be a bet for me. If you told anyone in 2018 after SAMCRO 6/1 (EW) won the Ballymore that he would be a 6/1 shot in a Marsh Chase taking on a 12 year old Faugheen you’d have been picked up by the men in white coats. While he has alot to prove to alot of people and understandably so I’ll admit to being one of the people who took him on as a novice hurdler (ya that went well) but I’ve been impressed with him as a chaser this season. He jumps like a good old fashioned staying chaser he just pops away and travels. Pace doesnt matter to him be it fast or slow he has a good temperament and can handle anything thrown at him. Fine hes had a hiccup or two this season but that wouldnt put me off as I think he was going to bolt up at Fairyhouse when he came down at the second last when he slipped up. At Christmas he went to Limerick and to be honest if he were mine he would have never gone there to run on a bog behind a classy old Faugheen who loved the conditions. He has all the back class in the world and we know the engine is there if hes on a going day he will be hard to beat but can you trust him to run his race at 6/1? I think you can. MELON 10/1 (EW) is worth a bet in here while he certainly didnt pull up any trees at Leopardstown last time behind Notebook and Cash Back, by far and away all his best form has come at the Cheltenham Festival! Whatever it is be it the course or the way the races are run or the atmosphere that gets this horse on his game but hes ran at the festival three times now finishing 2nd on all three occasions in the Supreme and two Champion Hurdles! While personally I would have rathered seen him run in the Arkle but in Willie Mullins we trust. I couldnt let him go win and not at least have something on him. I’d never forgive myself. Ok now that’s enough about the Marsh let’s move on…

Selections: Mister Fisher 11/2 (EW) Samcro 6/1 (EW)

Danger: Melon 10/1 (EW)

The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle is up next and there is more than a handful in here with chances often I’d have a really strong fancy for this race but I dont this season as yet at least. Look the dogs on the street know THE STORYTELLER 13/2 (EW) (FAV) looks a plot in here. He ran well to grab the final qualifying spot at Leopardstown over Christmas when finishing in 6th. Hes a former Grade 1 winning novice chaser from Punchestown a couple of seasons ago and he brings in previous Festival winning form having won the Festival Plate in 2018! Gordon Elliott has also won the last two renewals of this race so he knows the kind of horse you need here. Needless to say it would be no surprise if he dotted up under Davy Russell. Gordon also saddles another leading fancy in the shape of SIRE DE BERLAIS 7/1 (EW) who won this race last year under a superb Barry Geraghty ride and he has been campaigned all season with a return to try defend his crown in mind. He has been running eyecatchingly in recent starts being way out the back of the screen and staying on late in the day. He had a mark of 152 this year and even though he will be at the head of the weights I dont think that will stop him being involved again. He will certainly be staying on up the hill at the death. He is getting first time blinkers applied to help him travel a bit better which can only help his cause. A GREAT VIEW 20/1 (EW) needs a mention in here too. He was travelling like a dream in this race 2 years ago when making a brutal mistake at the second last hurdle which finished his chances of winning but he still stayed on into 6th behind Delta Work and we all know what he has gone on to do since! He ran an eye catching race to qualify for this when 3rd in a qualifier at Punchestown in late February and there was plenty money around for him on the day. He has a mark of 142 which means he will be carrying 11st 2lbs giving him a nice racing weight and from the Denis Cullen yard he wont catch the eye of too many punters. A brief mention for the home team goes to One For The Team 20/1 he might have a chance and is one of the leading British contenders. He had been running well without winning for a long time and finally got his head infront at Newbury but he may well have won by too far and a mark of 142 now up 12lbs for that may just be beyond him! A quick word for Jatiluwih 16/1 and his owner/jockey David Maxwell who have former a tremendous partnership together winning 5 of their last 6 races and only finding one too good last time. He looks to me that the step up in trip will suit and I may have got a bit carried away back in November when I claimed he could be the horse to give David Maxwell a first Cheltenham success but he should run well and I would be surprised to see him in the mix. The Irish have dominated this race for a good few years now and I expect this to be no different! Sometimes it pays to not ignore the obvious and this is a race I’ll have maybe three eachway bets in! I like to cover my bases.

Selections: The Storyteller 13/2 (EW) Sire De Berlais 7/1 (EW)

Danger: A Great View 20/1 (EW)

The Third race of the day the Ryanair is a little easier to figure out with only two horses in mind having winning chances. Sorry Frodon 5/1 fans but he hasnt a prayer of beating the front two in the market! MIN 11/4 and A PLUS TARD 15/8 (FAV) are a standout pair in here. Min would be a Supreme winner and a Champion Chase winner had Altior not been around and is a multiple Grade 1 winner in his own right! You can set your watch by him 99 times out of 100 he will run his race. A Plus Tard is a former Festival winner having won the Close Brothers by a wide margin last season and lowered the colours of Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown over Christmas! The Ryanair trip should suit him down to the ground and being a winner if a 2m Grade 1 he has a touch of class so tactically hes bombproof or so it would seem to me. The major deciding factor here could well be the ground and that will decide where my money goes. If it turns up worse than soft I think I’d be marginally in the A Plus Tard camp but if the ground was soft or better I’d probably side with Min. There is literally nothing between them and we look set for one hell of a duel between these two up that Cheltenham hill! If you were to really push me for one I’d probably just side with Min but this will be close I cam assure you of that.

Selection: Min 11/4

Danger: A Plus Tard

The big race of the day is the Stayers Hurdle and there is no reason to oppose PAISLEY PARK 4/6 (FAV) who is just a winning machine! I took him on enough times last season to have learned my lesson and he looks better than ever this season. Hes even started to travel in his races which makes him an even more potent force than he was before. Hes simply unbeatable theres no point digging too deep here just stick to the obvious. If you want an eachway bet then CITY ISLAND 14/1 (EW) is a decent bet. Chasing hasnt gone to plan so they have reverted to hurdles and it seems the right decision as they can always go chasing next season with his novice status in tact. He was a good winner of the Ballymore last season so we know he handles the track and what the Festival has to offer. Theres not many you could trust to get in the frame in here but he certainly looks a decent bet at the prices. One more to note is PENHILL 14/1 (EW) who is a former winner of this race and has won the Albert Bartlett as a novice over course and distance too so the the test holds no fears for him. If Willie Mullins can get him back on song then 14/1 would look a ridiculous price. I know he hasnt been at his best for a while but the Festival might just reignite the fire in his belly!

Selection: Paisley Park 4/6

Dangers: City Island 14/1 (EW) Penhill 14/1 (EW)

Back to handicaps again now and the Festival Plate is up next. I hit the crossbar last year with the 2nd and 3rd in here so I’m hoping we can go one better this time around. Theres a few I’d like to touch on so please bare with me. Simply The Betts 4/1 (FAV) will obviously have plenty supporters especially after his form being franked by Imperial Aura in the Novice Handicap on Tuesday but I’m going to take him on at that sort price. SPIRITIFTHEGAMES 14/1 (EW) must have a big chance having finished 3rd in this race last year and hes only 2lbs higher now. He loves it round here and the better the ground the better his chance will be! He looks sure to be involved. The best of the Irish here would be BEN DUNDEE 10/1 (EW) who was 3rd to A Plus Tard in the Close Brothers last year. He would appreciate a bit of nice ground and a prep run last time over hurdles should have him spot on for this with Davy Russell likely to take the ride. BLAZER 16/1 (EW) has always looked a horse with a race of this nature in him ever since winning a handicap hurdle in Leopardstown under Barry Geraghty as far back as 2016 when he was laughing at his rivals up the straight. Chasing has been a real learning process for him but he seems to be getting the hang of things at long last and last time he ran a stormer at the Dublin Racing Festival any kind of a step up on that here would make him a contender. Of the others Death Duty 18/1 was a class act a couple of years ago and touted for great things before injury kept him off for a very long time. His latest run at Gowran wasnt divoid of promise and soft ground will be a help. It would be great to see him bounce back. The last one to give a shout to is Robin De Foret 14/1 has travelled like a dream on his last couple of starts and has recently had a wind op so if that has done the trick he could well be a winner in waiting but youd like to see him finish out his race a bit better before parting with some cash on him.

Selections: Ben Dundee 10/1 (EW) Spiritofthegames 14/1 (EW)

Danger: Blazer 16/1

The Mares Novice Hurdle is the penultimate race on Day 3 with MINELLA MELODY 11/4 (FAV) assuming command at the top of the market and rightly so having disposed of all the main Willie Mullins contenders in what has been the leading trial at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago. This mare is 3 from 3 over hurdles and took high ranking in the best mares bumpers at Aintree and Punchestown last season. She is likely to be up front out of trouble setting her own pace under Rachel Blackmore. He has plenty experience and will no doubt attempt to grind her rivals into submission. Of the British runners FLORESSA 6/1 (EW) for Nicky Henderson. Shes already a listed winner over hurdles at Newbury and that form has been franked since with Silver Forever winning at Sandown and Jeremy’s Flame finishing 2nd in the Tolworth. On her most recent start she stepped out of novice company to take on Lady Buttons and Irish Roe who are two very smart mares. I think shes a very hard mare to know out of the frame and at the very least shes an eachway bet to nothing.

Selection: Minella Melody 11/4

Danger: Floressa 6/1 (EW)

The final race of the day is the Kim Muir Handicap Chase for Amateur riders. LE BREUIL 7/1 (EW) is a former festival winner in last seasons National Hunt Chase and with Jamie Codd back in the saddle again you have to stand up and take notice. He runs here off a mark of 145 and has so much form going for him. Hes a festival winning beating Discorama last season and Discorama was a close 3rd in the Ultima on day 1 off a mark of 148 while Le Breuil runs off 145 here. Le Breuil also finished in 5th just 1 place behind The Conditional in the Grand National Trial at Warrick and The Conditional won the Ultima on Day 1. Add to that you have one of the all time great amateurs who will be brimming with confidence after getting a festival winner on day 1. Ben Pauling had a quiet start to the season but if his runners so far this week are anything to go by he has his team in tip top condition and all bodes well for a huge run. Champagne Platinum 8/1 is far too short for me. To date he has shown no love whatsoever for chasing with his jumping being consistently poor to put it mildly. I know you have Derek O’Connor in the saddle but I dont think even he is capable of performing the miracle that Champagne Platinum needs to win. If he does then there will surely be a shrine erected to honour him in Martinstown. Another horse of interest to me here is FITZHENRY 11/1 (EW) he has been 2nd in two of biggest handicap chases run in Ireland in the Paddy Power behind Roaring Bull and before that in the Troytown behind subsequent Grade 2 winner Chris’s Dream who is set to take his chance in the Gold Cup on Friday. 11/1 is a huge price and getting 4, 5 and even 6 places likely then hes a knocking bet that you wont see out of the frame with Patrick Mullins in the saddle. MILAN NATIVE 11/1 (EW) is another who looks sure to run well. He has form.in the book with the likes of Darver Star, Royal Rendezvous and Allaho to name but a few this season and off a mark of 143 with Rob James claiming a valuable 7lbs for Gordon Elliott he shouldn’t be far away.

Selection: Le Breuil 7/1 (EW)

Dangers: Fitzhenry 11/1 (EW) Milan Native 11/1 (EW)

Well that’s it Day 3 done and dusted. Cant believe we are already over half way through the Festival. Hopefully we have had plenty more winners on Day 2 and have found some value in the blog again. Likes, Retweets and all feedback greatly appreciated. As always, go easy…

Well as I write this I still dont know how Day 1 went for us, but hopefully it’s gone well and if nothing else we held our own as nobody likes to start chasing from the word go. Why beat around the bush let’s get stuck in! Thats what you’re here for after all!

The day kicks off with possibly the best horse you will see at the Festival full stop, in the shape of ENVOI ALLEN 5/4 (FAV) in the Ballymore. Last seasons Champion Bumper winner so we know he handles the track and what the festival prelims can throw at him. He really does look bomb proof. Hes a big imposing type and though he may be a horse to make an even better chaser hes a pretty damn good hurdler as it is which makes the future all the more exciting. People have the perception that hes slow but hes far from slow. Hes a Grade 1 winner over 2 miles in the hottest novice hurdle ran anywhere in the last number of years nevermind just focusing on this season. Hes also done the business at Grade 1 level over 2m 4f around Naas. All his form is working out from his bumpers to his maiden hurdle and everything that has gone since. Another plus for me is he races so lazily. He only ever does enough and once something comes to him he finds more and breaks the hearts of all challengers. Take him on at your own risk. Now of those to take him on SPORTING JOHN 3/1 as those of you who followed my Antepost Blog will know I adore this horse but jesus 3/1 is short now so i just couldnt advise a bet on him at this stage. That said if you read that blog you may well have taken the 20/1 that was around at the time so heres hoping you did! He is the most likely horse to give Envoi Allen the most to do but the value is gone. At bigger prices if you want to have an eachway bet then EASYWORK 22/1 (EW) is the horse to have your money on in my opinion. At this stage (hopefully) Asterion Forlonge will have won the Supreme and the form of his run at the Dublin Racing Festival behind that rival will be red hot. This is a gorgeous horse who I had very high hopes for this season. I thought last time he was a bit of a certainty to beat Asterion Forlonge and though i was wrong that day, they went a hell of a gallop and I was waiting for the pair of them to fall out the back of the telly but they didnt. Now he couldnt live with Asterion in the straight but he still held off everything else fairly comfortably which says alot for his ability. I will certainly have a bet on him eachway or maybe even without the favourite.

Selection: Envoi Allen 5/4

Dangers: Sporting John 3/1 Easywork 22/1 (EW)

Moving onto the RSA I have to go back to what I said in my Antepost blog for Day 2.If there is one horse I’m itching to take on at the festival its Champ 3/1. No doubt there are plenty of people out there who just love Champ and fair play to you if you do but to me hes a horse I will always oppose. Champ is a poor jumper of a fence, always looking like an accident waiting to happen as Barry Geraghty found out at Cheltenham on New Years Day. His jumping is often big over his fences, he is prone to landing in a bit of a heap, he skews over his fences making plenty odd shapes, he wouldnt seem to me at least to be the most genuine horse in the world and he just gives the impression of being a little stupid… He did forget to take off at the second last on New Years Day… I’m sure some day he will make his way to Enda Bolgers happy home for disgruntled old chasers who have lost their way to get trained up for a tilt at the cross country! Theres no more to be said so now onto the horses with actual chances of winning. MINELLA INDO 7/2 is last seasons Albert Barlett winner so theres your all important festival form. He may have been 50/1 that day but he proved it to be no fluke when backing up at Punchestown. His chasing debut came at Gowran Park over a trip short of his best behind Laurina on a going day. He followed that up with a good win over now Grade 2 winner Captain CJ at Navan and though that was a workmanlike performance hes improving run for run and I expect him to take a big jump forward again here. COPPERHEAD 9/2 is the best of the home team. I was really impressed with him at Newbury a couple of starts ago in a handicap, but god he travelled well and it was just a matter of when he was going to be sent about his business. He backed that up when he stepped into Graded company last time at Ascot and bolted up in what was a real stamina test. This horse would have been a million miles away from being an RSA horse in anyones mind at the start of the season but right now there isnt many that you would have over him. Of the rest Allaho 9/2 will have plenty of supporters but he just wouldnt be for me. He finished a bit tame in the Albert Barlett last season and I wouldnt be totally convinced he stays that well. Everyone in Willie’s yard seems to have thought he was a horse for the Marsh but the owners look to have got there way having him run here. He tends to take some liberties at his fences and at a real championship pace round Cheltenham that might just catch him out. As for Easy Game 11/1 he would never have looked to me as if he wanted 3 miles but who’s to question Willie Mullins. He will probably be dropped in to get the trip and try pick up some pieces but whether that gets him amongst the places I wouldnt be so sure. Battleoverdoyen 12/1 cant have ran his race at the Dublin Racing Festival. He has to be better than that run. Last season he didnt travel well to Cheltenham he didnt eat or drink while he was there and that would explain his poor showing in the Ballymore. Will he be any better this time around, I wouldnt be putting my hard earned on the line to find out. That said if he did travel ok this time around he would give any of these a race on a going day.

Selection: Minella Indo 7/2

Danger: Copperhead 9/2

Race 3 is the Coral Cup which year in year out is one of the most devilishly difficult handicaps of the week with 9 of the last 10 winners going off double figures. Nicky Henderson has a reasonable record in the race having won 3 of the last 10 renewals of the race and I really like his runner DAME DE COMPAGNIE 10/1 (EW) in here. She won over and extended 2m 4f with the minimum of fuss back in December in a mares handicap hurdle by 4 and a half lenghts no less. Now she got 8lbs for that and subsequently got and extra 2 off the handicapper to take her to a mark of 142 but Nicky and JP appealed that and got her back down those 2lbs to 140. That may prove to be a valuable 2lbs to get back as your looking for every last ounce going to help tip the scales in your favour around Cheltenham. I dont think a mark of 140 is anything like her ceiling and I’d be surprised if she wasnt involved at the business end. TOP MOON 33/1 (EW) is another contender in the JP silks to keep on the right side of. He has some very nice form in the book winning a handicap hurdle round Cork with consummate ease before being given a poor ride at Navan when he finished 2nd to Alfa Mix in what surely was a race connections left after them. I’d draw a line through his run at Leopardstown last time where he finished mid division. It was a muddling race and he just didnt get the rub of the green. He is definitely still on a very workable mark and I wouldnt like to let him go off that kind of price here without carrying a few quid of mine on his back. I’d never forgive myself if he won and I hadnt even a small interest. CANARDIER 12/1 (EW) is a horse I backed in this very race last year when trained by Dermot McLoughlin. Hes always promised a big race and some day he will click in one of these handicaps. He has a touch of class which always comes in handy in these races and he travels like a dream. Hes definitely on a workable mark and is just 4lbs higher than his mark last year. Willie Mullins always seems to improve these horses he gets from other trainers and he wouldnt have to improve this lad much to make him a really serious contender in here. If there was to be one negative connections in the past were always adamant he wanted a bit of decent ground so if it turned up soft or worse I’d be more cautious in supporting him. Just 1 for the home team at a wild price The Mighty Don 33/1 (EW) contested the Stayers Hurdle this time last year and has dropped from a mark of 150 down to 143 while running over fences on recent starts. A return to hurdles may be exactly what the doctor ordered to reignite some of his old spark and if it does he could easily outrun those odds. Plenty people could well be drawn to the Charles Byrnes horse in here Thosedaysaregone 16/1 but he just wouldnt be for me. He is a very inconsistent performer who has been well fancied plenty of times in the past and shown nothing. Now people can tell me all they like that it was by design but hes not a horse I’d trust with my hard earned that’s for sure.

Selection: Dame De Compagnie 10/1

Dangers: Top Moon 33/1 (EW) Canardier 12/1 (EW)

Finally we are onto the big one! The Champion Chase and this has got to be one of the most, if not the most anticipated races of the Festival! Or at least it would have been had Altior been well enough to take his chance. We cant dwell on that now we just have to focus on the runners we do have. At the start of the season I’d have been all over Chacun Pour Soi 5/2 but as the season has progressed my opinion has changed. He got beat over Christmas by A Plus Tard. Yes Chacun did come out and win well at the Dublin Racing Festival since but everything couldnt have gone more perfect form him that day and he was probably flattered by the winning margin. There can only be one selection in here for me at that’s DEFI DU SEUIL 7/4 (FAV). I took Defi on last season when he was clashing with Lostintranslation and I did my money a few times. At the start of the season he wouldnt have been my cup of tea but I’ve been seriously impressed by the way hes progressed through the season from start to start. Hes grown in confidence from Cheltenham, to Sandown and on to Ascot. His jumping has become slicker and he has that turn of foot that can be so potent when its exploited correctly. It’s taken a while but Barry Geraghty has really found the key to Defi now and if he holds his challenge until after the last at Cheltenham then for me there is only going to be one winner and Defi will just go sweeping by. Look this race is simply one to savour. You dont need to have a bet to enjoy this race as it could be one for the ages that you end up telling your kids and grandkids about. A real tale of racing folklore is about to be told and you certainly dont want to miss it.

Selection: Defi Du Seuil 7/4

Up next is the Cross Country where TIGER ROLL 1/1 (FAV) is obviously the main attraction and rightly so. This four time festival winner and two time Grand National winner is certainly a fan favourite for many a Nationl Hunt racing fan. He has captured the imagination of the racing world and even people who are once a year followers of our great sport know Tiger Roll! That’s the stature of this little horse who loves his racing and is made for the big occasion. He made a more than satisfactory return to action at Navan last time over hurdles after having a chip removed him his leg towards the end of 2019. He travelled really well that day and even looked a winner before just blowing up on the run to the last. He was perfectly entitled to do that and he should come on leaps and bounds for that run no doubt. It would be foolish of me to put anyone off backing him at Evens after what he did to the Cross Country field last season when he took they apart and won by half the track but I will give an eachway alternative. That alternative is Yanworth 16/1 (EW). For me hes an obvious choice, hailing from the yard of Cross Country supremo Enda Bolgerwho has farmed this race in the past. Yanworth moved to Enda Bolger this season from Alan King and kicked off his season with a win over the banks at Punchestown which earmarked him at least as capable of applying his trade in this sphere. Now he came a cropper at Cheltenham next time but that wouldnt worry me as it was only a small mistake. He has since gone to Punchestown and finished 3rd less than 3L behind Neverrushacon. Now you could say that form is questionable and he doesnt put it all in and maybe he doesnt but your getting a decent price to find out. I expect the atmosphere of Cheltenham could just rev him up enough that we see the real Yanworth rather than the Yanworth who turned up in Punchestown last time. Lets not forget this is a horse with an enviable CV and has plenty class being a multiple Grade 1 winning hurdler and a Grade 2 winning chaser. Look he wont be for alot of people but hes certainly capable and I for one wouldnt like to discount him. At 16/1 I’m happy to back him eachway and I’d be shocked if he didnt at least give Tiger Roll a race for a long way.

Selection: Tiger Roll 1/1

Danger: Yanworth 16/1 (EW)

The penultimate race on Day 2 is the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (old Fred Winter) and the best place to start here is with the favourite ARAMAX 6/1 (EW) who was very impressive last time at Naas. Now he wouldnt have been on my radar before that run but he most certainly is now. He travelled supremely well the whole way and despite making a few jumping errors late on and looking in a battle jumping the last he changed gears and the back of it and sprinted clear up the run in to win like a very smart horse indeed. Now the handicapper has obviously have his say and he carries plenty weight but both owner and trainer have won this race before and just because hes been found at the head of the market I wouldnt like to put anyone off. Paul Nicholls also has an enviable record in this race so whatever he sends here you should stand up and take notice of. MICK PASTOR 8/1 (EW) is a buzzy individual who’s taken some racing to get him to settle better now while the pace of a race like this would look sure to suit he would be one that the crowds and the occasion could get to so just be wary of that. It’s also worth noting hes had a wind op since his facile victory at Ludlow last time and if that has improved him again he ranks as a very serious contender. If you were a follower on the Antepost Blog again you would have nabbed plenty value here with 20/1 available at that particular time. One more to add to the mix is SAINT D’OROUX 18/1 (EW). Now he was a real early season fancy for me in the Triumph before he made his Irish debut but after that Down Royal race I said to myself look hes probably more of a type for this race. He disappointed more than once this season and looked tame in a finish at times but on his most recent start in Gowran Park he looked a completely different animal. Now the form of that race isnt anything to write home about but it’s just the style he did it in would make you sit up and take notice. He could well be on an upward curve right now and Gordon may have found the key to him at home so at 18/1 he could be worth a small interest eachway at the prices.

Selections: Aramax 6/1 (EW) Mick Pastor 8/1 (EW)

Danger: Saint D’oroux 18/1 (EW)

The curtain closer on Day 2 is the Champion Bumper and this revolves around a horse I’m just mad about in the shape of APPRECIATE IT 15/8 (FAV) Granted now he doesnt take much finding in the market but hes a standout in this field. This horse has just got it all! Hes a big imposing individual with a beautiful temperament. He stays, he has a turn of foot and a real touch of class! This horse has it all! He was impressive in a two and a half mile bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas and returning to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival people doubted if he had the speed needed for the drop back in trip but he proved he had in no uncertain terms quickening up in the straight to forge clear in the style of one destined for bigger and better things. I really think it will take a minor miracle to get him beat, I really do! Of the home team plenty respect must go to ISRAEL CHAMP 11/1 (EW) who improved plenty from his bumper debut to win a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and follow up with another Listed win at Ascot. He certainly looks to be a horse going places in what so far has been a good season for the David Pipe team. This is going to be big field so there could be some decent eachway terms to be exploited here so let’s throw a few wild ones into the mix. For the Irish while JULIES STOWAWAY 40/1 (EW) took 3 runs to get off the mark in bumpers hes a real battle hardened horse now which will stand to him in a race like this. He will love a good gallop and after being initially outpaced when he won his bumper at Navan he stayed on best of all to get on top close home. A dig in the ground wont inconvenience him and if the race turns into a slog he could very well get himself involved. Dont forget it’s not so long ago when Mags and Danny Mullins teamed up with Debuchet who just got nabbed close home in the bumper so they know the type of horse suited to this race. One at a wild price for the home team is ADRIMEL 28/1 (EW) for the Tom Lacey stable. The softer the ground the better for this lad. Hes an irish point to point winner and on his rules debut he bolted up by 26L on heavy ground at Uttoxeter. But to my mind that wasnt his most impressive performance to date. That came last time when under a penalty he beat a horse of Kim Baileys who had been well fancied for his debut at Exeter where he finished 3rd in a race that has worked out pretty well. They pulled 21L clear of the 3rd that day on soft ground and for me that form has been underappreciated. Hes definitely a horse with plenty ability and with Richard Johnson in the saddle who knows he might just be able to get him involved under a typical Johnson drive.

Selection: Appreciate It 15/8

Dangers: Israel Champ 11/1 (EW) Julie’s Stowaway 40/1 (EW) Adrimel 28/1 (EW)

That’s it for the Day 2 preview I hope you all enjoyed it. Looking back at my selections and even some of the horses I’m opposing it could be a huge day for JP McManus. Scarily he could win 4 or 5 races on the day, as he has some real big guns to fire. Again hopefully it put some horses on your radar or even took them off your radar now they have got my backing! As always likes, retweets and any feedback greatly appreciated! Over the next few days keep an eye out for the remaining previews! Hopefully we have found a little value and some winners! Go easy…

By the time the tape goes up in the Supreme to kickstart the 2020 Cheltenham Festival, we will have been 361 days in waiting for it all to start again and it cant come a moment too soon. Every dream of owners, trainers, jockeys, grooms and fans alike are all still alive right now but it wont be long until some of those dreams are shattered and other reputations enhanced and new dreams beginning, as all connected with the sport with each race that passes are already dreaming of what heroics the novices could perform in 12months time. The anticipation is high now and come 1:30 on Tuesday the atmosphere will be electric, tension will be high and excitement levels will be through the roof with everyone hoping to kickstart the festival with a winner. Let’s hope the runners in the Supreme get away first time and we all enjoy a festival to remember! Without any further ado, let’s get started shall we?

Shiskin 11/4 (FAV) is the great white hope for the home team in the Supreme as they try do something they have struggled with in recent years and that is wrestle the trophy out of the grasps of the irish, whom with the help mainly of Willie Mullins have held a monopoly on this race in recent years. For me Shiskin has done nothing special in his starts to date and is favourite stories of what he might be. For me there is 1 must have bet in the race and that is ASTERION FORLONGE 3/1 for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. This team know better than anyone what it takes to win a Supreme and sometimes theres no need to look too hard as the obvious is often so for a reason. The performance he put up at the Dublin Racing Festival was impressive to my eye as the field were strung out all across Dublin and even more impressive on the clock! As some of you who read my Antepost Preview will know I got the stopwatch out and compared the Grade 1 Novice over 2m to the Irish Champion Hurdle. Now the times are one thing but bare in mind that Irish Champiom Hurdle was run on much quicker ground. By my watch Asterion Forlonge and Easywork were over 3.5 seconds quicker to the 4th hurdle as they took eachother on from the word go and would have led Petit Mouchoir and Honeysuckle down over the 3rd last. Now I consider a second to be the equivalent of 4-5 lenghts so that would have given the novices between a 14 -17.5 lenght lead by the 4th hurdle. No wonder they had the whole field in trouble from so far out. Now you’d think after going so quick early the Novices would have fallen in a hole and they definitely slowed things up considerably between the 3rd last and the turn in to the straight, but Asterion Forlonge still managed to quicken off the home bend to settle his race in a matter of strides and make no mistake about it he did quicken. The final stat to focus on is the split from the last to the line and Asterion Forlonge was just 0.69 seconds slower than Honeysuckle which after going so hard it really shows this horse must have one hell of an engine. I can see Paul Townend taking the bull by the horns and setting his own fractions which has been a theme with the Mullins winners in this race. This will turn into a real test of grit and stamina despite the 2m trip and it will take 1 hell of a horse to get by this enigmatic grey when he cuts loose off the home bend! Take him on at your peril! If 3/1 isnt your kind of price dont worry there are some eachway alternatives in here that are more than capable of getting involved. CHANTRY HOUSE 7/1 (EW) to me is the best of the home team. Well we say hes a member of the home team despite being Irish bred, owned and ridden, but look we have to give them something to cling to! This horse simple oozes class and while he may not have been thrown in at the deep end yet he has done everything asked of him to date and done it in some style. That prep may be a negative to some but not to me, as many of these have had hard races on bad ground over the past few months and coming in here fresh and full if potential. He is already a winner at the track so he has some vital track experience and he is pretty adaptable in home the race will be run. An ex Irish point to pointer if this turns into a test which it very likely will he has stamina in his locker to be competitive and not only that he has pace to burn should the race turn into a sprint. He will likely be dropped in by Barry Geraghty and come there travelling on the run down to the last. Whether he will be good enough or not we will all find out on the day. Of the rest a horse I really love is CAPTAIN GUINNESS 16/1 (EW) and we may not see the best of him until he wins the Arkle next season over fences, but this is a very talented horse. Last time he was very keen in Punchestown and pulled his way to the front when being nabbed close home by Andy Dufresne. Rachel Blackmore had intended on dropping him in on that occasion as she had in a big field maiden on his debut at Navan, but the pace was pedantic and Captain Guinness took off and possibly left his race behind in doing so. He will have no such problems this time around with a strong pace almost a certainty. If Rachel can get him settled and I dont doubt her for a second, then this is an electric jumper with plenty untapped potential. Whatever the result this is always a race to savour and I’m sure it wont let us down. But I do hope it goes our way and we kickstart the festival with a winner!

Selection: Asterion Forlonge 3/1

Dangers: Chantry House 7/1 (EW) Captain Guinness 16/1 (EW)

The action comes thick and fast and the Cheltenham Festival but that certainly doesnt mean theres any lack of quality or intrigue. The Arkle Novices Chase is up next and I have to say this must be one of the most competitive festivals we have seen in a long time! Many recent renewals of the Arkle have been transpired to be processions for odds on favourites where you just enjoy the show. The lack of a standout superstar odds on favourite in this seasons renewal doesn’t take from the race in the slightest as it is shaping up to be a real thriller. Though it is not easy pick out a future superstar in this field it doesnt necessarily mean one isnt lurking in there somewhere! Notebook 11/4 (FAV) is a perfect 4/4 over fences and cant be knocked for what he has achieved to date over fences but probably to my detriment I’m going to take him on. Before he won at Leopardstown last time he almost ran away with Rachel Blackmore and headed the opposite way to all the rest of the field on the way down to the start. The atmosphere at the Dublin Racing Festival fails in comparison to what he will experience at Cheltenham so it will be interesting to see how he copes with the prelims. To me there is plenty of value to be had with CASH BACK 7/1 (EW) in a race that Willie Mullins has saddled the winner of in 4 of the last 5 seasons. Cash Back is a big imposing tank of a horse who made a mighty impressive chasing debut at Navan before stepping into graded company at Naas and being even more impressive again when brushing aside a talented field. At Leopardstown on his most recent start he found only Notebook too good on that occasion. Cashback was a big backward type last season over hurdles and he is only coming into himself now. It’s my firm belief that he has plenty scope for improvement and hopefully will have improved past Notebook since the last day. Paul Townend again as with Asterion Forlonge in the Supreme will set out and make plenty use of his mount at a course where it often pays to be handy, especially over fences. Of the home team I dont rate Brewin’upastorm 11/2, I think he has plenty to find on form with victories over Southfield Stone and Good Boy Bobby being flakey at best. Let’s not forget he was tame enough in the finish in the Ballymore last year and he wont find these waters any calmer. ESPRIT DU LARGE 14/1 (EW) comes here fresh on the back of an impressive win in a Grade 1 around Sandown at the Tingle Creek meeting and while he doesnt have sexy connections he is a big imposing chaser with of plenty potential. Adam Wedge and Evan William’s are having a very successful season and while the yard may be better known for staying chasers who love a bit of soft ground rather than Grade 1 chasers over 2 miles they are more than capable of readying one for the big day and he will likely hunt round out with the intention to come late and pick up some of the pieces when most of these begin to cry enough. Another worth a quick mention is MARIE BANRIGH 12/1 (EW) for Dan and Harry Skelton. This mare is 4/4 over fences and won all of her last six starts. This is a tough gutsy mare who loves chasing and while she would undoubtedly be a surprise winner of the race she is getting the 7lbs mares allowance. Harry Skelton is shrewd enough now not to get caught up in any pace war and like Esprit Du Large he will be hunting round to pick up the pieces and invaluable black type. She may well sneak into a place!

Selection: Cash Back 7/1 (EW)

Dangers: Esprit Du Large 14/1 (EW) Maire Banrigh 12/1 (EW)

The Ultima Handicap Chase is the first big handicap puzzle of the 2020 Cheltenham Festival for us to get our teeth into. It may come as a surprise to some people but I think this is one for the home team. THE CONDITIONAL 8/1 (EW) has long been one of my biggest festival fancies this season. He moved to David Bridgewater from Martin Hassett in the summer of 2019 and has been going from strenght to strenght ever since. He won over course and distance in October off a mark of 131. He then went on to back that up with a brilliant 2nd in the Ladbroke Trophy (old Hennessy) at Newbury off 137. He got 5lb for that from the handicapper and travelled like a dream in the Grand National trial around Warwick in early January. He had the nose cut off him so to speak turning into the straight that day and when push came to shove he found little off the bridle and blatantly didnt stay. He still finished 4th that day with the 2nd and 6th having won since. The handicapper has been very kind to him having dropped him 3lbs for that effort so back on a mark of 139 now he looks very well treated and for me at least he looks set to get back on his upward curve here for a trainer with a formidable Cheltenham Festival record. He will be getting 18lbs off the top weight and favourite Vinndication 6/1 (FAV) here and with only 10st 6lbs on his back he will be very difficult to beat. Another who will carry my money as a saver in here is NO COMMENT 14/1 (EW) for Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson. He had been on my shortlist for the Kim Muir but takes his chance here instead. He had ran well at the festival in the past in the Martin Pipe and when finishing a staying on 5th in the Kim Muir last season. He wasn’t messed around on that occasion and returns here off a 1lb lower mark. He was well fancied for the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas where he fell 5 out but if non the worse for that and with Richard Johnson in the saddle this could well be the day and I expect him to hit the frame off a low weight if 10st 4lb. The best of the Irish to my mind is DISCORAMA 9/1 (EW) who has been 2nd at the last 2 Cheltenham Festivals when finishing runner up to Blow By Blow in the Martin Pipe and again last season in the National Hunt Chase. We know he likes the track and will cope with the occasion but he hasnt really been at his best this season. The handicapper hasnt given him much of a reprieve at the weights but he has had a wind op and if that has the desired effect there is no reason why he cant be in the mix yet again for the ever popular Paul Nolan.

Selection: The Conditional 8/1 (EW)

Dangers: No Comment 14/1 (EW) Discorama 9/1 (EW)

The feature on Day 1 is the Champion Hurdle and though seemingly lacking a star the race makes up for that in the competitive nature of big field of 17 runners that it has attracted making it the biggest field at least in my racing memory. Epatante 7/2 (FAV) wouldnt be for me, having disappointed at the festival last season in the mares novice and I’m not willing to take it on trust that she will cope better this time around. My theory all season has been that this Champion Hurdle will be going the way of one of last seasons juveniles. Since Down Royal back at the start of November I’ve been with COEUR SUBLIME 16/1 (EW) when he absolutely bolted up pulling double in the hands of Davy Russell. He has always been a horse that Gordon Elliott has held in very high regard and he has previous Cheltenham form having finished 2nd in the Triumph Hurdle last season. Now he hasnt always been the most consistent but he definitely has the engine and after disappointing at Leopardstown last time hes had a wind op. If that has done the trick and with some luck in running he should be there coming to the last. Who knows what could happen from the last to the line, but with Davy Russell in the saddle we have the best the festival has to offer to try get us home in front! PENTLAND HILLS 5/1 (EW) for me is a great eachway bet to nothing. Of all the horses in the field you wont find a better jumper than Pentland Hills in my book. His jumping is nothing short of electric and if the trophy was given out for jumping then this would be your winner for sure. He won last seasons Triumph Hurdle with very little experience and backed that up with a tough performance in Aintree. This season has been a disappointment to be fair. After travelling like a winner and hitting the front at the last on his seasonal debut at Cheltenham he seemed to blow up which can be easily forgiven and he had been very keen throughout that day. At Haydock last time he went to win his race after the last and looked to have it in the bag before being caught in the dying strides as happens so often around there. I never take Haydock form at face value for that reason as it always throws up freak results with horses coming from clouds to steal victory from what looked certain defeat. Pentland Hills has had a wind op since then he looks sure to come there travelling at some stage. It’s just a matter of Nico delivering him as late as possible to try ensure he gets the most out of him if he has become a bit of a thinker this season when he hits the front. FUSSIL RAFFLES 16/1 (EW) is another of last years juveniles that needs a mention having won the Adonis last season before going on to win a Grade 1 at Punchestown beating Fakir D’oudaries. Now that came after a Fakir had gone to both Cheltenham and Aintree so maybe he was feeling the effects of that and the form isnt all that. He did make a winning seasonal reappearance before going off favourite for the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton and all the talk before that race was about how much he had improved from last season and how much he had come on for his first run. He didnt go a yard that day eventually being pulled up. Now I didnt hear any explanation at to why he ran so bad that day but if hadnt ran that day he would be at least half that 16/1 here if not close to favourite. Lastly SILVER STREAK 25/1 (EW) finished 3rd in last seasons Champion Hurdle and has always run out of his skin round the track. He comes in here fresh and well and a replication of last seasons run would have to see him at least hit the frame. If theres one in here way overpriced for the level of form.he brings he here compared to some others in the field.

Selection: Coeur Sublime 16/1 (EW)

Dangers: Pentland Hills 5/1 (EW) Silver Streak 25/1 (EW)

Up next is the Mares Hurdle and this could well be the clash of the day. BENIE DES DIEUX 8/11 (FAV) should be 2/2 around Cheltenham having won the 2018 renewal of this race and was well clear on the bridle when coming down at the last flight last season. I opposed her this time last year but I have to say every time I’ve seen her over the last 12 months she has impressed me more and more. Her win at Gowran Park last time was nothing short of scintillating as she put a decent field to the sword. We know she handles the track and has class to burn. Undoubtedly this will be a hell of a battle with Honeysuckle 5/2 who is still unbeaten and warrants plenty of respect but I just feel at this stage of their careers Benie Des Dieux holds the edge in yet another race that Willie Mullins farms year in year out. I know plenty of people would have rathered see 1 of these mares head somewhere else to take on the boys, be it in the Champion Hurdle or the Stayers but this race would be alot poorer if we hadnt such a battle to look forward to. There will be plenty of differing opinions and that’s part and parcel of what makes this sport so enjoyable and so intriguing. But for me its Benie Des Dieux all the way for another Mares Hurdle and another win for the Irish!

Selection: Benie Des Dieux 8/11

The penultimate race on Day 1 is the Novice Handicap Chase and top to bottom there are only 6lbs in the weights. For me GALVIN 7/1 (EW) is of obvious interest. A good novice hurdler last season finishing 6th in the Ballymore under a tender ride from Davy Russell. He was still a big baby then and made a bad mistake 3 out when the race was just hotting up. He has had 3 chase starts this season, just enough to earn himself a handicap mark to qualify for this race and having secured that no doubt he was put away with this race very much in mind. He will be having his first handicap start over hurdles or fences here and the a race of this nature may well suit him very well. He also gets Davy Russell in the saddle which as I will keep saying is a huge asset around here at the Festival and granted his jumping holds up he shouldn’t be far away. For the home team I’ve been intently watching BEAKSTOWN 14/1 (EW) all season as Dan Skelton had talked him up quite a bit last year to be a real good chaser. He ran well on his chase debut behind Sam Spinner but has failed to kick on since then. Look maybe hes not all he was made out to be, he wouldnt be the first horse not to live up to his reputation and certainly wont be the last either if that should be the case. But that said from his 2nd run over fence ive had this race in mind for him and maybe it was the target all year having lowered expectations slightly this season. He may not be a up to winning a Grade 1 at the festival but that’s not to say he couldnt be competitive here and hes certainly worth having on your shortlist. Another worthy of a mention are firstly LORD SCHNITZEL 50/1 (EW) who has been running well in some really good beginners chases, having bumped into Faugheen, Carefully Selected and Battleoverdoyen already this season. If he had bigger connections or was in a more notable yard this horse would definitely be alot shorter in the betting but I cam assure you Matthew Smith is a very capable trainer who not so long ago got a horse called Rawnaq to place at 50/1 in a festival handicap. Hes not just coming over to make up the numbers. This man knows the time of day and deserves respect. It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to me at least should this horse outrun his odds.

Selection: Galvin 7/1 (EW)

Dangers: Beakstown 14/1 (EW) Lord Schnitzel 50/1 (EW)

The final race of the day is the National Hunt Chase and unfortunately with an injury or two and horses heading elsewhere this race has somewhat fallen apart, making it possibly the most uncompetitive and least interesting race of the day if not the whole week. I have been wanting to take on Carefully Selected 7/4 (FAV) in this race for a long time but with how the race is shaping up he may well just have to jump around adequately to outclass these. His jumping has been poor to say the least. Hes been prown to slowing into his fences, landing steeply and just going right through them on occasion but the engine he undoubtedly has has gotten him through all tests he has met over fences so far this season. Would I back him at 7/4 probably not so I will probably just stick with a small eachway bet here. After plenty thought I have come down on the side of NEWTIDE 10/1 (EW) for Kim Bailey and Barry O’Neill. Kim Bailey has always been a trainer with a knack of producing bold, front running, tough, hardy chasers and this lad fits the mould perfectly. He was lucky last time to be left clear at the last in Wetherby but that was a decent race and he had a decent yardstick in the shape of Dan Skeltons Ardlethen back in 2nd that day. Look it wouldnt be a bullish selection by any means but he looks a bit of value in a race that is seriously lacking in strenght and depth. We also have a real positive jockey booking in Barry O’Neill who may not be a household name like Derek O’Connor or Jamie Codd but he is as good a point to point jockey as Ireland has to offer and if Newtide isnt good enough on the day it wont be from lacking in the saddle.

Selection: Newtide 10/1 (EW)

So there we are, that’s the Cheltenham Day 1 Preview done and dusted. Hopefully we have found some value and will get plenty good runs out of my selections. Thanks to everyone who reads the blog and any feedback is greatly appreciated as always. Lastly I’d just like to wish everyone all the very best of luck for the week. I hope it’s an enjoyable and profitable festival for all. No doubt we will be treated to a few scintillating performances throughout the week. Let’s hope it lives up to what we all imagine it will be and even surpass those notions kn occasion. Nothing left to say now but keep an eye out for the Day 2 Preview but until then, go easy…

Onto the final Antepost Preview and it’s been a week in the making. We started out with the Day 1 Preview 4 weeks out from the Festival and now we find ourselves with just the 3 weeks to go! Let’s no waste anymore time and get stuck in the Race 1 of the day, the Triumph Hurdle!

This race is another muddling race with at least two of the three market principles as one Racing Pundit from Monaghan would say “Mad B*****ds”. This certainly wont be a crawl that’s for sure. With the frenetic pace that’s likely to be on with both Goshen 4/1 and Allmankind 4/1 taking eachother on for the lead they could well have their races ran by the time they turn to run down the hill for home. It’s for that reason I think Aspire Tower 6/1 (EW) is the one to be on certainly out of those at the head of the market. Hes shown he can at least be restrained to a reasonable gallop so he shouldn’t be joining Goshen and Allmankind in their pace war and more than likely setting the pace for the chasing group instead. Hes definitely the best of what the Irish have to offer. I wouldnt worry too much about his fall in Leopardstown last time. He will have schooled plenty at home since and that fall would be the last thing on my mind for him. As for the eachway value in the race. I tipped up Sir Psycho 16/1 (EW) for the Boodles in one of the previous blogs but after going and bolting up at Haydock over the weekend hes got a rating of 147 making him the second highest rated juvenile around so hes above the ceiling rating for that race now. It would be a shock if he didnt take his chance in Grade 1 company now any you know what at 16/1 hes a bit price in a race that will suit him. Hes shown when winning at Exeter beating when he took on his elders that he is more than capable of taking a lead and setting well and that was arguably to my eye at least the most impressive I’ve seen him. Hes certainly a player and I’ll be taking a slice of that 16/1 eachway!

Selection: Aspire Tower 6/1 (EW)

Danger: Sir Psycho 16/1 (EW)

The second race on Day 4 is the County Handicap Hurdle and it’s a race that has been dominated by Willie Mullins and Dan Skelton in recent years so anything they run is worth noting! In the last 10 renewals of the race they have won 7/10 between them. Willie Mullins has 4 to his name and Dan Skelton 3 for a man who hasnt been training very long! In the last 5 seasons they have won all 5 between them. All Skeltons 3 winners have been in the last 4 years so its definitely a race he targets! Willie Mullins Betfair Hurdle runner up Ciel De Niege 12/1 (EW) would be very hard to oppose in here considering Willie’s record in the race and the fact hes still a very unexploded horse. He was infront plenty long enough at Newbury and had he had more company from the last hurdle I reckon he would have lasted home. I would advise people take the 12/1 now as he will probably be half that at least on the day! People have been telling me in recent days that Whiskey Sour 25/1 (EW) is out for the season but I haven’t seen any confirmation of that myself so if he were to turn up having place in the race the past 2 years he would definitely be worth putting on the shortlist. Moyhaayed 33/1 (EW) won this race 2 seasons ago for Dan Skelton off a mark of 139 and ran really well just getting tired from the back of the last in the race last year off a mark of 153. Hes back down to a mark of 142 now so he definitely looks well treated. Hes won off a mark of 145 in the past so that mark of 142 definitely isnt beyond him. He may well be the chief Skelton hope again this year and 33/1 looks very generous indeed! If you were looking outside of the obvious trainers for something Turnpike Trip 25/1 (EW) ran a decent race behind a handicap blot in Not So Sleepy at Ascot off a mark of 146. Back on likely better ground come the festival he should be in the frame having top class Irish novice form in the book behind the likes of Envoi Allen, Abracadabras and Darver Star in the Royal Bond!

Selections: Ciel De Niege 12/1 (EW) Mohaayed 33/1 (EW)

Dangers: Whiskey Sour 25/1 (EW) Turnpike Trip 25/1 (EW)

It’s the Albert Barlett up next and this race is renowned for throwing up plenty shocks and it wouldnt be a surprise if it did so again. For me Thyme Hill is overrated after struggling to dispose of The Cashel Man at Newbury last time and that rival has since needed the help of the stewards to win on his latest start when only 2nd past the post when a long odds on favourite. Latest Exhibition 8/1 (EW) brings the most solid form to the table and over all sorts of trips from 2m to 2m 4f and most recently up to 2m 6f. Earlier in the season I thought he had plenty gears and maybe stepping up in trip wasnt the way to go but hes proven the gears hes showing were a sign of pure class as opposed to anything else. He was the winner of a Galway maiden hurdle before finishing a good 2nd to Abracadabras over 2 miles at Navan. On his next start he stepped up in trip to take on the highly touted Andy Dufresne and disposed of him in no uncertain fashion after out battling him all the way up the straight. Plenty including myself questioned if the real Andy turned up that day but it now looks in hindsight as the form has stood up. Andy Dufresne dropped back to 2m again and disposed of Captain Guinness in a thriller in the Moscow Flyer Grade 2 at Punchestown while Latest Exhibition stepped up to 2m 6f at the Dublin Racing Festival and won snug enough at the death. He settled well and travelled like a dream before cruising up on the home bend and going about his business. Hes by far the form horse in here to my mind and 8/1 looks a steal even at this stage! He will probably be best priced 5/1 on the day. Colin Tizzard has plenty cards to play in the Staying Novice Hurdle division and it will be interesting to see what he sends here but if Harry Senior 12/1 (EW) came here instead of to the Ballymore hed also be of interest. Just keep him in mind wherever he runs he will have a decent eachway chance. This is normally run at a good pace and if Elixir D’Ainay 33/1 (EW) was sent here by Willie Mullins it would be worth having a few quid eachway on him. He didnt settle at Leopardstown last time and pulled his chance away behind a steady gallop but given a better pace here and a larger field it should in theory at least help him settle and if he does he would be no forlorn hope.

Selection: Latest Exhibition 8/1 (EW)

Danger: Elixir D’Ainay

Onto the big race of the meeting now the Gold Cup! This is one of the most open and exciting Gold Cups on paper in recent years. The defending Champion Al Boum Photo 4/1 heads the betting. He ran out an impressive winner of last years renewal beating Anibale Fly and Bristol De Mai but I just dont know what that form is worth. He went on to finish 2nd at Punchestown after that to Kemboy who had returned quickly from putting up a phenomenal performance at Aintree so it wouldnt be beyond the realms that they didnt run to their official marks on that occasion. Al Boum Photo returned to action at Tramore on New Years Day beating a couple of stable mates impressively but for me he doesnt set a very high standard and not an insurmountable standard for at least a couple of these. Santini 4/1 is miles too short in the betting. It would want to be a swamp for him to have even place prospects. His jumping isnt good enough and he has no tactical speed. When the taps are turned on he wont be able to cope with what’s thrown at him. Delta Work 5/1 (EW) looks the best of the Irish at this stage after winning the two big Irish trials, first at Christmas and then the Irish Gold Cup. He also represents last seasons Novice form and I still cant belief he got beat in the RSA but connections have said they got tactics wrong on the day. Kemboy 8/1 is a danger to all if he got his jumping sorted out as this season has been riddled with mistakes you wont get away with at this level. Best of the British challenge is Lostintranslation 7/1 (EW) this horse was a top Novice last season at the intermediate trip, having some epic battles with Defi Du Seuil along throughout the season. He started the season on top form winning around Carlisle and then taking the Betfair Chase at Haydock beating course specialist Bristol De Mai in the process. He went off a short price in the King George over Christmas where he didnt run his race. He had been running in snatches before making a bad mistake 4 out which ended all chance of him playing a part in the race and he was pulled up. Since hes had a wind op and if that has done the trick he will be right in the mix here. If there is to be a home win this year then this is the horse. Lastly it wouldnt be me if I didnt mention Presenting Percy 10/1 (EW). Hes a former emphatic RSA winner in 2018 and he had an interrupted preparation for last years race and he got a cut when colliding with Kemboy at the first fence. He returned lame after that and missed out on the rest of the season. His runs in the John Durkan and the old Lexus at Christmas in Leopardstown were solid runs that would have led you to believe that his whole season was being geared to one day and that was Gold Cup day in March. His run last time in the Irish Gold Cup not so much though as he came there travelling turning in and went by Delta Work and Kemboy. He got a beautiful seam up the inside rail and seemed to be going to put his race to bed but he did what I never thought I’d see him do he faded from the last home and appeared to get outstayed. Like I said that would have been the last of my worries with him when push came to shove over the years even over 3m 4f in an Irish National trial he was never found wanting. Maybe the problems he had over the past 18months have caught up with him but if the old Percy turns up on Gold Cup day there isnt a horse in this field that will beat him! I for one still hope he will and what a result it would be!

Selection: Delta Work 5/1 (EW)

Dangers: Lostintranslation 7/1 (EW) Presenting Percy 10/1 (EW)

The Foxhunters is race 5 on the card and the defending champion Hazel Hill 5/1 (EW) and again I dont think he can be opposed. This horse is all class. Whether they go fast or slow he can deal with it and any kind of ground wont be an inconvenience . He may be a 12yo now but he hasnt many miles on the clock and he powered up the hill last year. He was beaten by Minella Rocco at short odds last time but I wouldnt take any notice of that. Come Cheltenham he will be spot on and there isnt a better hunter chases around. Don Poli 16/1 (EW) is another that deserves a mention in here. Hes a former Grade 1 winner at the Festival in the RSA. Hes also won a Martin Pipe and been 3rd in a Gold Cup so you know he likes it around there. At 16s hes a definite eachway player and I’d be happy to back him at half that price so theres plenty value in him yet.

Selection: Hazel Hill 5/1 (EW)

Danger: Don Poli 16/1 (EW)

The penultimate race of the Festival is the Grand Annual. A race that’s normally run at a break neck gallop with jumping at a premium. As you would imagine a 20 plus runner handicap chases over 2m at the Festival is a devilishly difficult affair to figure out and one of my fancies for the race Off You Go hasnt even been priced up so maybe he wont be getting an entry who knows. Hes a twice Ladbroke Hurdle winner at Leopardstown and reached a rating of 152 over hurdles in Ireland. His chasing career could have begun with a win when falling at the last in a Beginners Chase won by Carefully Selected. His run at Gowran Park the weekend was striking albeit on bad ground he travelled all over a winner and it looked a matter of how far before even fading out of the places. That run screamed to me a return to 2m having spent most of his time since his most recent victory running over further. He definitely would be interesting if he turned up here. Gordon Elliott has 2 live chances in here in the shape of Eclair De Beaufeu 16/1 (EW) and I’m A Game Changer 25/1 (EW). Both jump well and travel supremely well through there races but have been tame in the finish more than once. That said the very nature of this race suits a really strong traveller who’s a reliable jumper. Either or both if the run will surely look like a winner in in the straight. Whether they go through with their run is open to question but they are two young unexposed chasers who could still be well ahead of their respective marks. For the home team Clondaw Castle 25/1 (EW) could play a leading role here. He was a smart novice last season and bounced back to form with a win at Warwick last time over 2m 4f. A return to 2m shouldn’t inconvenience him and he could well be a player.

Selection: Eclair De Beaufeu 16/1(EW)

Danger: Im A Game Changer25/1(EW)

Last but not least the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle will bring the curtain down on what’s sure to be another thrilling Cheltenham Festival. Hopefully by then we will have had enough winners to not be hunting a get out of jail winner in the lucky last. Ilikedwayurthinking 6/1 (EW) is a strong favourite and his plot to this race being no secret to anyone over the past year. The horse very much caught the eye of the racing public last winter under tender handling from Mark Walsh. From then everyone was watching and waiting for the day he would be unleashed and make a mockery of his mark. That day because a week where he ran twice at the Galway Festival back in the summer and he bolted up twice under Darragh O’Keeffe. Long since then and again under tender hands on a couple of occasions signs have pointed to the horse being on a very workable mark and being saved for a big day. Darragh O’Keeffe took the early jump season by storm even leading the jockeys championship in the autumn from Paul Townend. The horse seems to have been saved to give him what will hopefully be his first festival winner in a race where no jockey will have ridden more winners this season. That kind of experience in the saddle can be vital in a race such as this and hes sure to go very close. The Bosses Oscar 12/1 (EW) and Thatsy 25/1 (EW) will be leading the Gordon Elliott charge on the day and both would have outstanding chances. The Bosses Oscar is a horse with a big reputation and is one to be kept onside for sure. He was an impressive winner of a Leopardstown Maiden Hurdle over Christmas and ran well behind French Dynamite at Thurles last time. He may be short on experience but Gordon Elliot will have him well primed for his task in a race hes farmed over the last 10 years. As for Thatsy hes a horse I really think has a huge future. He has been campaigned over 2m on his first two starts in handicap hurdles and he travelled well just lacking the turn of foot required at the business end. This horse has always looked a stayer in the marking, a real gutsy galloper and I thoroughly expect the hill and the nature of the Festival to bring out the best in him. Write him off at your peril!

Selection: Ilikedwayurthinkin6/1(EW)

Dangers: The Bosses Oscar 12/1 (EW) Thatsy 25/1 (EW)

That’s it folks, we finally got through it all. It took longer than expected to get the 4 blogs completed. Thanks to everyone who read 1 or all 4 blogs. The support is greatly appreciated. Dont forget to like and retweet the blog. Any feedback as always is greatly appreciated! Until the festival, go easy…

Plenty drama, thrills and spills over the weekend so far with some horses tipped up in the first two blogs getting slashed for their respective races at the festival so we are already after sneaking some value, even this far out. Heres to more of the same so let’s get to it!

Day 3 of the festival kicks off with The Marsh Novices Chase (old JLT) and the current favourite here is Allaho 5/1 (EW). He is was beaten on his chasing debut by what was a well supported Easy Game to whom he was conceding race fitness but he shaped well in the main and travelled well until just getting tired on the run in. He was entitled to come on plenty for that as most of Willie’s do and he made no mistake on his second start when beating Milan Native 21L with the minimum of fuss. Last season he made his hurdling debut in a hot Grade 3 contest which he won before going on to finish in the frame in Grade 1s and Cheltenham and Punchestown over 3 miles behind Minella Indo. So despite not jumping fences in a graded race yet he has plenty graded form in the book and is to be taken very seriously. Hes a big imposing individual made for chasing so it’s not beyond the realms of imagination that he should make a better chaser. I think a forceful ride over 2 and a half miles will suit him down to the ground and he may well be good enough to grind these into submission. The aforementioned Easy Game 10/1 (EW) wouldnt be without an eachway chance too having performed to a good level on both his starts over fences when beating Allaho and again when chasing the evergreen Faugheen home in a the Garde 1 Flogas Novices Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. He may just lack the requisite class to win a Grade 1 at the Cheltenham Festival. Fakir D’oudaries 9/1 (EW) comes in here a little under the radar after missing his previous engagement at The Dublin Racing Festiva. Before that he only found Notebook too good over 2 miles which is nothing to be ashamed of, in a race that didnt show him to best effect. Back to the 2m 4f trip should suit and with how he jumps he would be have his chance but again I just wonder about the class element. Has he got enough of it? I’m not so sure. Obviously with his Festival form like I mentioned in blog 1 you could easily take a chance on Melon 16/1 (EW) although I’d rather see him in the Arkle. This could turn out to be a hell of a race you know when you think Samcro 8/1 (EW) could turn up here too, but I’m hoping if he goes to the festival he goes RSA. As for the British contenders Itchy Feet 6/1 is short enough for me now after winning a three runner race on chasing debut at long odds on before seemingly taking apart a seemingly competitive Grade 1 at Sandown. I’m going to have to play devils advocate here though and say that to me the race completely fell apart. Bad ground around Sandown has been known to throw up freakish performances and I for one this this is another one of them. All the horses with the big hurdle ratings fell in a hole and you had the likes of Champagne Platinum manage to scrape into 3rd and he had shown no love for chasing on his two previous starts having being closer to being lapped than winning. For me undoubtedly the best of the British contenders is Mister Fisher 8/1 (EW) even as an Irish man I think hes a cracking bet for anyone to have. He travels and jumps like a buck. Despite not winning by wide margins hes been dealing with his opposition with ease in his previous two starts and whatever happened in Cheltenham when they turn into the straight this lad wont be far away. Nicky has always liked this horse and I know you have to take anything Nicky says with a pinch of salt but his assistant Toby Lawes was absolutely raving about his last season too and that just tells me we haven’t seen the best of him just yet. I guess now that I’ve mentioned most of the possible field we better move on and try get through another race or this could up being exclusively a Marsh Chase blog!

Selection: Allaho 5/1 (EW)

Damgers: Mister Fisher 8/1 (EW) Easy Game 10/1 (EW)

Let’s hope every race doesnt take me as long as that or we will miss the festival altogether just trying to read this! The Pertemps Handicap Hurdle is up next and there is more than a handful in here with chances often I’d have a really strong fancy for this race but I dont this season as yet at least. Look the dogs on the street know The Storyteller 15/2 (EW) looks a plot in here. He ran well to grab the final qualifying spot at Leopardstown over Christmas when finishing in 6th. Hes a former Grade 1 winning novice chaser from Punchestown a couple of seasons ago and he brings in previous Festival winning form having won the Close Brothers in 2018! Gordon Elliott has also won the last two renewals of this race so he knows the kind of horse you need here. Needless to say it would be no surprise if he dotted up under Davy Russell. Gordon also saddles another leading fancy in the shape of Sire De Berlais 15/2 (EW) who won this race last year under a superb Barry Geraghty ride and he has been campaigned all season with a return to try defend his crown in mind. He has been running eyecatchingly in recent starts being way out the back of the screen and staying on late in the day. He will have a mark of about 150 this year and even though he will be at the head of the weights I dont think that will stop him being involved again. He will certainly be staying on up the hill at the death. Ronald Pump 16/1 (EW) is another likely Irish contender in here having just failed to come from last to first I’m the qualifier at Leopardstown over Christmas. It will be interesting to see who takes the ride with Robbie Power who is this horses regular partner likely to be on the Jessica Harrington trained Silver Sheen. Now Ronald Pump will need plenty luck in running as hes likely to be ridden cold out the back but he has a touch of class about him and he could surprise a few in here. If you haven’t heard of his trainer Matthew Smith dont worry hes an absolute genius! He only has a small few horses but hes a master of getting horses to progress and this is one of his success stories having won his first race of a mark of 102 and taking a likely rise for finishing second on his last hurdle start he will be in around the 150 mark now too. A Great View 25/1 (EW) needs a mention in here too. He was travelling like a dream in this race 2 years ago when making a brutal mistake at the second last hurdle which finished his chances of winning but he still stayed on into 6th behind Delta Work and we all know what he has gone on to do since! He still has to qualify but hes running in the Pertemps qualifier set for Punchestown on Wednesday so keep an eye on him there he might just sneak into the first six! He has a mark of 135 for he would have a good racing weight for the festival if he qualifies. A brief mention for the home team goes to One For The Team 20/1 (EW) he might have a chance and is one of the leading British contenders. He had been running well without winning for a long time and finally got his head infront at Newbury but he may well have won by too far and a mark of 142 now up 12lbs for that may just be beyond him! The Irish have dominated this race for a good few years now and I expect this to be no different! Sometimes it pays to not ignore the obvious and this is a race I’ll have maybe three eachway bets in! I like to cover my bases.

Selections: The Storyteller 15/2 (EW) Sire De Berlais 15/2 (EW)

Dangers: A Great View 25/1 (EW) Ronald Pump 16/1 (EW)

The Third race of the day the Ryanair is a little easier to figure out with only two horses in mind having winning chances. Sorry Frodon 6/1 fans but he hasnt a prayer of beating the front two in the market! Min 7/2 and A Plus Tard 11/4 are a standout pair in here. Min would be a Supreme winner and a Champion Chase winner had Altior not been around and is a multiple Grade 1 winner in his own right! You can set your watch by him 99 times out of 100 he will run his race. A Plus Tard is a former Festival winner having won the Close Brothers by a wide margin last season and lowered the colours of Chacun Pour Soi at Leopardstown over Christmas! The Ryanair trip should suit him down to the ground and being a winner if a 2m Grade 1 he has a touch of class so tactically hes bombproof or so it would seem to me. The major deciding factor here could well be the ground and that will decide where my money goes. If it turns up soft I think I’d be marginally in the A Plus Tard camp but if the ground was good I’d probably side with Min. There is literally nothing between them and we look set for one hell of a duel between these two up that Cheltenham hill! If you were to really push me for one I’d probably just side with Min…

Selection: Min 7/2

Danger: A Plus Tard 11/4

The big race of the day is the Stayers Hurdle and there is no reason to oppose Paisley Park 4/6 who is just a winning machine! I took him on enough times last season to have learned my lesson and he looks better than ever this season. Hes even started to travel in his races which makes him an even more potent force than he was before. Hes simply unbeatable theres no point digging too deep here just stick to the obvious. If you want an eachway bet then City Island 12/1 (EW) is a decent bet. Chasing hasnt gone to plan so they have reverted to hurdles and it seems the right decision as they can always go chasing next season with his novice status in tact. He was a good winner of the Ballymore last season so we know he handles the track and what the Festival has to offer. Theres not many you could trust to get in the frame in here but he certainly looks a decent bet at the prices. One more to note is Penhill 16/1 (EW) who is a former winner of this race and has won the Albert Bartlett as a novice over course and distance too so the the test holds no fears for him. If Willie Mullins can get him back on song then 16/1 would look a ridiculous price. I know he hasnt been at his best for a while but the Festival might just reignite the fire in his belly!

Selection: Paisley Park 4/6

Dangers: City Island 12/1 (EW) Penhill 16/1 (EW)

Back to handicaps again now and the Festival Plate is up next. I hit the crossbar last year with the 2nd and 3rd in here so I’m hoping we can go one better this time around. Theres a few I’d like to touch on so if your in need of a wind op or simply a cup of tea to help you finish out all the way to the line I’d advise get that now! Of major interest to me here would be Glen Forsa 25/1 (EW) if he turned up. This is a classy individual who climbed all the way to the top table of the novice ranks last season. I was really pleased with his seasonal reappearance at Newbury when he finished a very close 3rd to Oldgrangewood who has since gone in again at Cheltenham and is now rated 12lb higher. He jumps and travels and has plenty class to boot. Mick Channon is well able to ready one for the big day and if he turns up here I cant see him going off a 25/1 shot! Spiritifthegames 16/1 (EW) is another with a big chance having finished 3rd in this race last year. He loves the it round here and the better the ground the better his chance will be! He looks sure to be involved. Lalor 20/1 (EW) is another who has returned to form this season with some good attempts under his belt he should be building in confidence all the time and on his day he has a race like this in him. The best of the Irish here would be Ben Dundee 14/1 (EW) who was 3rd to A Plus Tard in the Close Brothers last year. He would appreciate a bit of nice ground and a prep run last time over hurdles should have him spot on for this with Davy Russell likely to take the ride. I reckon we will look back when this race is over and think how did we pick all the first four in here and a short head between the four of them! One can only dream…

Selections: Glen Forsa 25/1 (EW) Ben Dundee 14/1 (EW)

Dangers: Spiritofthegames 16/1 (EW) Lalor 20/1 (EW)

The Mares Novice Hurdle is the penultimate race on Day 3 with Minella Meloday 11/4 assuming command at the top of the market and rightly so having disposed of all the main Willie Mullins contenders in what has been the leading trial at Fairyhouse a few weeks ago. This mare is 3 from 3 over hurdles and took high ranking in the best mares bumpers at Aintree and Punchestown last season. She is likely to be up front out of trouble setting her own pace under Rachel Blackmore. He has plenty experience and will no doubt attempt to grind her rivals into submission. One at a price who I adore is Santa Rossa 20/1 (EW) who made her belated hurdles debut in a really decent maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last month where she travelled really well before getting tired late on against race fit rivals. She was prolific in bumpers last season and even took on the geldings in a Grade 2 bumper at Aintree where she finished a very Creditable 3rd before running 5th in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown. She may be small in stature but shes a mare with big heart and it wouldnt surprise me one bit were she capable of causing a major upset here on the biggest of days for Dermot Mcloughlin. Willie Mullins has won every renewal of this race to date and anything he runs is a danger whatever there proce but I hope we can buck the trend this year.

Selection: Minella Melody 11/4

Danger: Santa Rossa 20/1 (EW)

Last but not least on Day 3 in the Kim Muir for amateur jockeys and it certainly wont be news to many people that Glenloe 6/1 (EW) has found himself at the head of the market here. Two years ago he chased home Delta Work in the Pertemps going down by just a nose and we all know what that horse has gone on to do since. He has been campaigned at trips short of his best all season and the step up to 3m 2f will suit. You can also garuntee the services of either Derek O’Connor or Jamie Codd on his back so whatever else he wont be lacking for anything from the saddle! Another worth mentioning who ran well in the race last season is No Comment 20/1 (EW). He finished a staying on 5th that day and while his jumping sometimes leaves a bit to be desired he certainly is one I can definitely see making the frame again. Whatever happens here I cant see the colours of JP McManus passing the post infront!

Selection: Glenloe 6/1 (EW)

Danger: No Comment 20/1 (EW)

That’s it another antepost blog brought to a close! We are almost there now just one to go! As always thanks for reading and all likes, retweets and feedback is greatly appreciated! Until next time, go easy…

Firstly I’d just like to thank everyone who gave up some time from their lives that they will never get back to read my Cheltenham Day 1 – Antepost Preview Blog. If you felt let down by the content or felt you got done out of your time by a starter on a power trip sorry but life doesnt give any justice refunds! For those of you mad enough to enjoy or get something from Blog 1 then Blog 2 is full of plenty more waffle just for you! Let’s get started shall we…

Cheltenham Day 2 gets underway with the Ballymore Novices Hurdle and without a doubt the day if not the festival revolves around the banker of the meeting in here in the shape of Envoi Allen 5/4. No I wouldnt consider myself much of a short odds punter, sure I bunch a few together in multiples or that but as a single bet they just wouldnt be for me. I wouldnt put anyone off him and why would I? Hes unbeaten in point to points, bumpers and over hurdles. Hes already a Cheltenham Festival winner, having won the Champion Bumper last season and no matter what challenge comes his way and just when you think hes in trouble he always battles on and digs out a bit more. While plenty people like the flash types who come there swinging along but for me what the public love and what they really get behind is a horse the battles and finds when the going gets tough and in Envoi Allen you get that in spades every day hes on the racecourse and I dont expect this race to be any different. I think the 5/4 is still value as I cant see him being anything other than odds on on the day! Now onto what I really like to do and that’s try find a little value! The value selections in here for me are Sporting John 20/1 (EW) and Harry Senior 20/1 (EW). First to Sporting John who beat no less than Harry Senior on hurdles debut. All the first 5 that day have run since. Between them they have 10 runs, 6 wins, 3 seconds and a faller when upsides 2 out. There was a big drift on Sporting John that day but that didnt stop him and he came there travelling in the straight to win by a snug lenght and a quarter. Maybe they thought he would come on for the run in what was obviously a hot race but it was hard not to be impressed. Now I dont think theres a horse in here to beat Envoi Allen but if for some reason hes not 100% or the bubble were to burst then Sporting John is just the type of horse who will be there waiting to pounce! As for Harry Senior, hes improved run to run and won a Grade 2 last time around Cheltenham when he beat the highly touted King Rolland in no uncertain terms. This lad is a real tough hardy galloper who will give you a great run for your money. He jumps well and wont be lacking when it comes to facing up the hill. He also has plenty experience with 4 runs under his belt already this season so he should be well capable to deal with whatever the festival throws at him!

Selection: Envoi Allen 5/4

Dangers: Sporting John 20/1 (EW) Harry Senior 20/1 (EW)

Moving not so swiftly on to race 2 the RSA Novices Chase. If there is one horse I’m itching to take on at the festival its Champ 3/1. No doubt there are plenty of people out there who just love Champ and fair play to you if you do but to me hes a horse I will always oppose. Champ is a poor jumper of a fence, always looking like an accident waiting to happen as Barry Geraghty found out at Cheltenham on New Years Day. His jumping is often big over his fences, he is prone to landing in a bit of a heap, he skews over his fences making plenty odd shapes, he wouldnt seem to me at least to be the most genuine horse in the world and he just gives the impression of being a little stupid… He did forget to take off at the second last on New Years Day… I’m sure some day he will make his way to Enda Bolgers happy home for disgruntled old chasers who have lost their way to get trained up for a tilt atthe cross country! As for who I’d back against him it’s an open race with not many standout bets to be had. I’d like to keep Minella Indo 5/1 (EW) onside as a former festival winner when he won the Albert Bartlett last season defying odds of 50/1 but he backed that up to prove it was no fluke when he went in again in Grade 1 company at Punchestown. Now his form hasnt set the world alight so far this season but coming from Henry De Bromheads you can count on him being spot on for the day, you’ll have no worries about his jumping and he has the back class to be involved at the business end. For me hes a certainty to make the frame! Sam Brown or Copperhead would also have eachway chances if they turned up here but I hope they run elsewhere. Now for a horse that is ridiculously overpriced if he turns up and that horse is Samcro 20/1 (EW). If you told anyone in 2018 after he won the Ballymore that he would be a 20/1 shot a month before a tilt at the RSA you’d have been picked up by the men in white coats. While he has alot to prove to alot of people and understandably so I’ll admit to being one of the people who took him on as a novice hurdler (ya that went well) but I’ve been impressed with him as a chaser this season. He jumps like a good old fashioned 3 mile chaser he just pops away and travels. Pace doesnt matter to him be it fast or slow he has a good temperament and can handle anything thrown at him. Fine hes had a hiccup or two this season but that wouldnt put me off as I think he was going to bolt up at Fairyhouse when he came down at the second last when he slipped up. At Christmas he went to Limerick and to be honest if he were mine he would have never gone there to run on a bog behind a classy old Faugheen who loved the conditions. I believe this is the trip and test he was made for and should he turn up here I think he will take the world of beating! Black Op 20/1 (EW) is worthy of a small mention with the track and trip likely to suit and depending who turns up this is one British runner who will give the home team something to support turning into the straight at least.

Selection: Minella Indo 5/1 (EW)

Danger: Samcro 20/1 (EW)

Our first dip into handicap waters on Day 2 is for the Coral Cup and as you would expect the waters are muddy to say the least. Now plenty people will be drawn to the Charles Byrnes horse in here Thosedaysaregone 16/1 but he just wouldnt be for me. He is a very inconsistent performer who has been well fancied plenty of times in the past and shown nothing. Now people can tell me all they like that it was by design but hes not a horse I’d trust with my hard earned that’s for sure. I for one would be much more interested in the likes of the Willie Mullins trained Whiskey Sour 25/1 (EW) who has placed in the County Hurdle at the festival the last two years and maybe just maybe a step up in trip would suit. Dont try fix what’s not broken you might say but placing in two County Hurdles for me you must try something different and this might just do the trick. He obviously likes it round here, hes got solid Festival form in the bag and hes trained by a man who dominates many a Cheltenham Festival so he certainly ticks alot of boxes. Buildmeupbuttercup 25/1 (EW) is another deserving of a mention here. Shes a very consistent mare who generally runs her race but more often than not she finds one or two too good. One of these days shes going to turn up and win a race like this, it’s only a matter of time. Top Moon 33/1 (EW) is yet another Irish contender to keep on the right side of. He has some very nice form in the book winning a handicap hurdle round Cork with consummate ease before being given a poor ride at Navan when he finished 2nd to Alfa Mix in what surely was a race connections left after them. I’d draw a line through his run at Leopardstown last time where he finished mid division. It was a muddling race and he just didnt get the rub of the green. He is definitely still on a very workable mark and I wouldnt like to let him go off half that price without carrying a few quid of mine on his back. Dame De Campagnie 20/1 (EW) is one for the home team worth a closer look. She won over and extended 2m 4f with the minimum of fuss back in December in a mares handicap hurdle by 4 and a half lenghts no less. Now she got 10lbs for that and is now off a mark of 142 but I dont think that will inconvenience her too much and I’d be surprised if she wasnt involved at the business end. Thatsy needs a mention here too as I strongly believe hes a well handicapped horse but is consistently being run over the wrong trip. His 2 runs in handicaps have been over 2 miles where he has travelled well but gotten outpaced. As soon as he steps up in trip to 2 and a half or preferably 3 miles you will see him to much better effect and I for one you be all over him! I hope he ends up in one of the last Pertemps qualifiers as I think that’s the race would best suit him at the festival. Just keep a look out!

Selections: Whiskey Sour 25/1 (EW) Dame De Compagnie 20/1 (EW)

Dangers: Top Moon 33/1 (EW) Buildmeupbuttercup 25/1 (EW)

Finally we are onto the big one! The Champion Chase and this has got to be one of the most, if not the most anticipated races of the Festival! For me I’ve been trying to get Altior 2/1 beat his whole career at 2 miles over fences, yes that hasnt been going too great thus far but a leopard doesnt change his spots and I’m the most stubborn leopard you will find so I’m taking him on again. For me hes not as good as he was, his jumping is too big, he always gets outpaced in proper 2 mile championship races and you cant keep getting away with that. At the start of the season I’d have been all over Chacun Pour Soi 5/2 but as the season has progressed my opinion has changed. He got beat over Christmas by A Plus Tard 8/1 who I adore and if it turned up very soft theres a fair chance we would see him end up here with a definite chance. Yes Chacun did come out and win well at the Dublin Racing Festival but everything couldnt have gone more perfect form him that day and he was probably flattered in the end. At 5/2 I’d be happy to let him be. That means there can only be one selection in here for me at that’s Defi Du Seuil 9/4. I took Defi on last season when he was clashing with Lostintranslation and I did my money a few times. At the start of the season he wouldnt have been my cup of tea but I’ve been seriously impressed by the way hes progressed through the season from start to start. Hes grown in confidence from Cheltenham, to Sandown and on to Ascot. His jumping has become slicker and he has that turn of foot that can be so potent when its exploited correctly. It’s taken a while but Barry Geraghty has really found the key to Defi now and if he holds his challenge until after the last at Cheltenham then for me there is only going to be one winner and Defi will just go sweeping by. A brief mention goes to the highly touted Cilaos Emery 12/1 (EW) who has always had a lofty reputation and is still a bit of an unknown in these waters. We thought we were set to find out at Leopardstown last time when he departed at the first but hes a lurked who could spoil the party and if he did it wouldnt be the biggest surprise in the world. But I hope he doesnt.

Selection: Defi Du Seuil 9/4

Up next is the Cross Country where Tiger Roll 6/4 is obviously the main attraction and rightly so. This four time festival winner and two time Grand National winner is certainly a fan favourite for many a Nationl Hunt racing fan. He has captured the imagination of the racing world and even people who are once a year followers of our great sport know Tiger Roll! That’s the stature of this little horse who loves his racing and is made for the big occasion. As I write this we haven’t seen Tiger Roll yet this season but he is supposed to return in Navan this Sunday. Fingers crossed it goes ahead with time running out for connections to get a run into him before the Festival. It would be foolish of me to put anyone off backing him at 6/4 after what he did to the Cross Country field last season when he took they apart and won by half the track but I will give an eachway alternative. That alternative is Yanworth 8/1 (EW). For me hes an obvious choice, hailing from the yard of Cross Country supremo Enda Bolgerwho has farmed this race in the past. Yanworth moved to Enda Bolger this season from Alan King and kicked off his season with a win over the banks at Punchestown which earmarked him at least as capable of applying his trade in this sphere. Now he came a cropper at Cheltenham next time but that woudlnt worry me as it was only a small mistake. This is a horse with an enviable CV and has plenty class being a multiple Grade 1 winning hurdler and a Grade 2 winning chaser. Look he wont be for alot of people but hes certainly capable and I for one wouldnt like to discount him. At 8/1 I’m happy to back him eachway and I’d be shocked if he didnt at least give Tiger Roll a race if not spoil the party altogether!

Selection: Yanworth 8/1 (EW)

The penultimate race on Day 2 is the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (old Fred Winter) and the best place to start here is with the favourite Aramax 8/1 (EW) who was very impressive last time at Naas. Now he wouldnt have been on my radar before that run but he most certainly is now. He travelled supremely well the whole way and despite making a few jumping errors late on and looking in a battle jumping the last he changed gears and the back of it and sprinted clear up the run in to win like a very smart horse indeed. Now the handicapper will obviously have his say but both owner and have won this race before and just because hes been found at the head of the market I wouldnt like to put anyone off. For the last couple of months I’ve had Wolf Prince 12/1 (EW) at the top of my list for this race but I dont know will connections be tempted into going down the Triumph route instead. Hes run well now twice in Graded company and a drop back into handicaps to me would be ideal. He jumps and travels well in his races, but when push comes to shove he doesnt lie down either! Hes got plenty experience at this stage of the season and with the heart he shows when knuckling down at the business end he might just be able to tough this out up the hill! Another Irish contender is Oak Park 25/1 (EW) who travelled really well in a Grade 1 last time at Leopardstown. He could well be on a very attractive mark now and sneak in at the foot of the weights. A good pace which he will get here would surely suit and if it’s an outsider you want I wouldnt put anyone off. Anyone thinking of backing Cerberus or A Wave Of The Sea for this I’d hold fire as I fully expect those runners to take in the Triumph Hurdle instead as JP has so many juveniles to run and these two appear to be the best of what he has at this stage of the season. Both are graded winners and even though A Wave Of The Sea may well have had fortune on his side last time they deserve to take their chance in another Grade 1. Of the British contenders Paul Nicholls has two of major interest for me in Mick Pastor 20/1 (EW) and Sir Psycho 20/1 (EW). Both these runners have reached a decent level of form over hurdles and look to have a future ahead of them in this sphere. Paul Nicholls also has an enviable record in this race so whatever he sends here you should stand up and take notice of. Mick Pastor is a buzzy individual who’s taken some racing to get him to settle better now while the pace of a race like this would look sure to suit he would be one that the crowds and the occasion could get to so just be wary of that. As for Sir Pyscho he surprised alot of people last time at Exeter when he destroyed his opposition including a very short priced favourite and bounded clear up the straight. Fast ground may be a concern for him but hes full of potential and is a live chance for the British Champion Trainer! As if I haven’t mentioned enough Elysian Flame 25/1 (EW) would also be worth a closer look if he turned up.

Selections: Aramax 8/1 (EW) Wolf Prince 12/1 (EW)

Dangers: Oak Park 25/1 (EW) Mick Pastor 20/1 (EW) Sir Psycho 20/1 (EW)

The curtain closer on Day 2 is the Champion Bumper and this revolves around a horse I’m just mad about in the shape of Appreciate It 2/1. Granted now he doesnt take much finding in the market but hes a standout in this field. The bookies may well push him out on the day so I wouldnt be surprised to see a better price than the 2s currently available but this horse has just got it all. Hes a big imposing individual with a beautiful temperament. He stays, he has a turn of foot and a real touch of class! This horse has it all! He was impressive in a two and a half mile bumper at Leopardstown over Christmas and returning to Leopardstown for the Dublin Racing Festival people doubted if he had the speed needed for the drop back in trip but he proved he had in no uncertain terms quickening up in the straight to forge clear in the style of one destined for bigger and better things. I really think it will take a minor miracle to get him beat, I really do! Of the home team plenty respect must go to Israel Champ 10/1 (EW) who improved plenty from his bumper debut to win a Listed bumper at Cheltenham and follow up with another Listed win at Ascot. He certainly looks to be a horse going places in what so far has been a good season for the David Pipe team and for me at least he is the leading British hope!

Selection: Appreciate It 2/1

Danger: Israel Champ 10/1 (EW)

That’s it for the Day 2 preview I hope you all enjoyed it. Again hopefully it put some horses on your radar or even took them off your radar now they have got my backing! As always likes, retweets and any feedback greatly appreciated! Over the next few days keep an eye out for the remaining antepost previews! Hopefully we have found a little value and some winners! Go easy…

Four weeks out from the Cheltenham Festival it’s about time I put pen to paper on some antepost selections in search of what I consider to be value bets who can only shorten between now and Cheltenham for their respective engagements! In four weeks time we will know the results of every one of these races I’m about the preview so let’s hope I have a few winners on my list.

The festival curtain raiser as always will be the Supreme Novices Hurdle! A race that any National Hunt fan has been anxiously wait for since the festival finished with Early Doors winning the Martin Pipe last March. The Donnellys have two big Hope’s in the Supreme, one trained on either side of the Irish Sea. The favourite Shiskin 3/1 is in training with Nicky Henderson appears to many to be the great white hope for the home team but he really wouldnt be for me. But Asterion Forlonge 6/1 (EW) really impressed me with his win in the 2m Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown during The Dublin Racing Festival. He beat a horse I like alot there in the shape of Easywork and he did it the hard way. From the drop of the flag they went hell for leather with Asterion Forlonge and Easywork taking eachother on. To my eye I felt at the time they went a crazy gallop but after the race I was second guessing myself. The other night I got out the stopwatch and I ended up more impressed with what I saw. So impressed by the clock I went about comparing it to The Irish Champion Hurdle run over course and distance on what many considered to be much quicker ground on the Saturday. By my watch Asterion Forlonge and Easywork were over 3.5 seconds quicker to the 4th hurdle and would have led Petit Mouchoir and Honeysuckle down over the 3rd last. Now I consider a second to be the equivalent of 4-5 lenghts so that would have given the novices between a 14 -17.5 lenght lead by the 4th hurdle. No wonder they had the field strung out all over the track from a long way out. Now youd think after going so quick early the Novices would have fallen in a hole and they definitely slowed things up considerably between the 3rd last and the turn in to the straight, but he did manage to quicken off the home bend to settle his race in a matter of strides and make no mistake about it he did quicken. The final stat to focus on is the split from the last to the line and Asterion Forlonge was just 0.69 seconds slower than Honeysuckle which after going so hard it really shows this horse must have one hell of an engine. Now with all my waffling out of the way let’s not forget the cold hard stats say that nobody knows a Supreme horse like Willie Mullins does and if he chooses this as the target for this enigmatic grey there is no way he will be a 6/1 shot! Others of note are Chantry House 11/1 (EW) for Nicky Henderson and JP McManus who has been campaigned in less stormy waters so we dont quite know how strong his form is but you cant deny he has done everything asked of him thus far. Hes a dual point to point winner, a bumper winner and now a dual hurdle winner with an impressive display at Newbury under a penalty where his jumping was slick and he travelled supremely well before quickening up with consummate ease on the run in to streak clear for a facile victory in the hands of Barry Geraghty. I wouldnt put anyone off having an eachway bet on him. A selection at bigger odds from this side of the Irish Sea would have to be Captain Guinness 14/1 (EW) for high fliers Henry De Bromhead and Rachel Blackmore. This trainer jockey combination have been prolific at all the big Irish meetings so far this season landing multiple grade 1s at the expense of the larger stables of Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. Now Captain Guiness is short on experience with only 2 career starts but this horse just oozes class. This might come too soon in his career but his jumping is electric and any horse who is suspect in that department he will find them out! My one concern for him would be if he got into an early battle with Asterion Forlonge and whether he could deal with the pressure a horse like that will put him under from early on but hes a decent enough price in my mind that you can take a chance on him. Whatever happens here I wouldnt have any other horse on my mind for the 2021 Arkle so if your thinking that extra year ahead make a note of where you heard it first!

Selection: Asterion Forlonge 6/1 (EW)

Dangers: Chantry House 11/1 (EW) Captain Guiness 14/1 (EW)

Moving swiftly on, if that’s even possible for me, the Arkle Novices Chase is up next another ultra competitive race in what possibly is the most open Cheltenham Festival of my time where almost every Grade 1 be it in Novice or Open company is up for grabs with hardly anything between a handful of horses in so many of the markets. Of those at the head of the market I’d give Cash Back 7/1 (EW) another go to try and reverse the form with Notebook from Leopardstown as hes a horse that seems to be progressing with every run and chasing seems to have been the making of him. A horse I’ve been fancying for this race for a long time is Melon 25/1 (EW) and while he certainly didnt pull up any trees at Leopardstown last time behind Notebook and Cash Back by far and away all his best form has come at the Cheltenham Festival! Whatever it is be it the course or the way the races are run or the atmosphere that gets this horse on his game but hes ran at the festival three times now finishing 2nd on all three occasions in the Supreme and two Champion Hurdles! I hope they stick to 2 miles and give him another go here as I think if hes ever going to have a day in the sun its here! Of the home brigade Esprit Du Large 20/1 (EW) is somewhat of a forgotten horse in the race having won a Grade 1 already this season around Sandown on the Tingle Creek card. He is a big imposing old fashioned chaser who no doubt will have surprised many by his progress this season over fences but he may not be finished yet. He will be well out of the early pace duels and will be there to pick up the pieces up the hill. If there is one concern it’s likely to be the ground as I dont think he would want the ground to quick but that’s unlikely to be too much of a worry on day 1. One more to get a brief mention is Maire Banrigh 20/1 (EW) who couldnt have done much more so far this season making it 4 wins from 4 runs over fences taking the scalp of no less than Thomas Derby in the process! Getting 7lbs she may well be a danger to all!

Selections: Cash Back 7/1 (EW) Melon 25/1 (EW)

Dangers: Esprit Du Large 20/1 (EW) Maire Banrigh 20/1 (EW)

Race three on Day 1 is the Ultima Handicap Chase and I think the markets even at this early stage are pretty bang on or at least in tune with what I’ve got on my mind as the most likely horses to be involved at the business end. Theres only one place in my mind to start and that’s with The Conditional 10/1 (EW) for David Bridgewater. A winner over course and distance already this season. He followed up with an excellent 2nd in the Ladbroke Trophy (Old Hennessy) at Newbury and was running really well when shaping as a non stayer over 3m 5f around Warwick. He would have traded really short in running that day before being squeezed in the straight and finding little thereafter. Since then I’ve had him as one of if not my biggest handicap fancy at the Cheltenham Festival! Dont be mistaken David Bridgewater is a very good trainer and when he targets one at the Cheltenham Festival they inevitably go very very close! Another of note is Copperhead 16/1 (EW) for the Tizzards who has impressed me this season in handicaps winning back to back races at Wincanton and most recently at Newbury where he travelled supremely well and made a mockery of his mark on that occasion! He has got 11lbs since then off the handicapper but I wouldnt see that stopping him if he turned up here. Hes set to run Saturday Feb 15th in Ascot so his fortunes there will determine if he should turn up here or go for 1 of the graded novice chases. Another worth a quick mention is OK Corral 14/1 (EW) who had been on my shortlist about a month ago but has since won a good handicap chase at Doncaster and gone up 9lbs to a mark of 155 so I believe theres a few better handicapped ones in here than him but still hes worthy of a mention. Lastly for the Irish I need to mention one horse, now I’m not sure if he will turn up here or in the Kim Muir but if he does Glenloe 16/1 (EW) would have a massive chance for Gordon Elliott and JP McManus. He was touched off at the 2018 festival off a mark of 137 over hurdles in the Pertemps when beaten just a nose by his stablemate and multiple Grade 1 winning chaser Delta Work. He has an Irish mark of 135 so granted the British handicapper doesnt go mad any mark of around 140 would see him ultra competitive and I certainly wont back against him wherever he goes!

Selections: The Conditional 10/1 (EW) Glenloe 16/1 (EW)

Dangers: Copperhead 16/1 (EW) OK Corral 14/1 (EW)

Onto the Day 1 feature now The Champion Hurdle and boy is this an open looking renewal! At this stage I’m tending to stick along the lines of the way I’ve been thinking all season to be honest and I’ll be going against the trends, totally expecting a 5 year old winner coming from last seasons Juvenile ranks. Now if Honeysuckle 11/2 (EW) turned up obviously she would be of interest and I think she would devour the hill and would be sure to hit the frame. But with her participation 50/50 at best let’s focus on the horses more likely to turn up on the day. Pentland Hills 5/1 (EW) is rather shorter than I was expecting in this market tbh so it’s hard to put him up as a value bet at this stage but if someone wanted a horse to give them a good run for their money and sure to come there travelling turning for home then hes the one for you. There isnt a better jumper in the races, hes actually electric over his hurdles I cant recall a hurdler taking my eye as much as he does at any point in the past. Now you would be a bit disappointed with how his season has gone but he blew up at Cheltenham first time up and then got beat in the last stride in Haydock last time. I’d forgive any horse for getting beat late on at Haydock as it happens so often that races look over there just for something to come from the clouds on an almost daily basis. Fussil Raffles 16/1 (EW) is no back number here and his record before his flop at Kempton is enviable to say the least. The run at Kempton over Christmas was just too bad go be true and so I’d draw a line through that run. If he hadnt run that day no doubt he would be close to favourite here so it doesnt take much to forgive that effort. Coeur Sublime 20/1 (EW) has been my fancy for this from as far back as November when he bolted up at Down Royal. I said that day I saw the Champion Hurdle winner and I still believe that. He was disappointing at Christmas around Leopardstown but he made a sound that day and has since had a wind op I believe. So with his wind sorted and him being a horse who runs best fresh he should be primed to peak at the Cheltenham Festival by the maestro that is Gordon Elliott and with Davy Russell on his back i wouldnt have a moments worry. Lastly Silver Streak 25/1 (EW) shouldn’t be forgotten as he finished 3rd in the Champion Hurdle last season and has shown a liking for the track in the past so it wouldnt be the biggest surprise in the world should he make the frame again.

Selection: Coeur Sublime 20/1 (EW)

Dangers: Pentland Hills 5/1 (EW) Fussil Raffles 16/1 (EW) Silver Streak 25/1 (EW)

The Mares Hurdle is up next or the Willie Mullins Benefit Mares Hurdle as it should be known. Fear will be struck into all should Benie Des Dieux 4/5 stand her ground and run here instead of a possible tilt at the Stayers Hurdle or even a drop back in trip to the Champion. There isnt much to say that people dont already know but Benie looks better than ever this season and won this race in 2018. She was also cruising when taking a crashing fall at the last hurdle last season where she would surely have won with the minimum of fuss had she stood up. If you want a bet eachway Laurina 8/1 (EW) should she return to hurdles would appeal but shes on a recovery mission now. That said she does have the class to be involved here. The other to keep on the right side of is the ultra likeable and consistent Lady Buttons 20/1 (EW) who would cap another fantastic season should she get into the frame here for her small yard and very lucky connections.

Selection: Benie Des Dieux 4/5

Dangers/ Eachway: Laurina 8/1 (EW) Lady Buttons 20/1 (EW)

The penultimate race on Day 1 is the Novice Handicap Chase and there are plenty horses of interest in here. I’ll try be as fair as possible but the Irish bias in me is strong so the selections will be weighted towards the visitors. To keep my British followers happy I’ll give a British hope first in the shape of Beakstown 16/1 (EW) who was a highly rated novice in the Skelton yard last season. He got found out in good novice hurdles last term and for me at least this season has been a plot all along for this race. Whether he will be good enough or not is up for debate but it wouldnt be the biggest shock in the world if Dan Skelton found the requisite improvement in him. Off You Go 20/1 (EW) would no doubt be a massive player here on his hurdles rating should he squeak into this but I reckon the handicapper will have something to say about that so he may well end up elsewhere. I’m A Game Changer 25/1 (EW) again would be of interest in here on a going day. No doubt he will travel well into the race but when facing the hill he may have his metal tested just a little too much as he has been weak in a finish before. Gallant John Joe 20/1 (EW) is a massive price for a horse place in a Grade 1 novice hurdle last season and who has been running so well over an inadequate trip of 2 miles on his last couple of starts. The step up in trip would be sure to suit him and he will be bang there in the finish. Chosen Mate 14/1 (EW) will probably just about be my number 1 in the race. He ran well behind Melon and Gallant John Joe in Leopardstown over 2 miles before never being put into the race at Fairyhouse under an interesting ride. He has since bolted up in a beginners chase. He will be towards the head of the weights but of any mark in the low 140s he would take stopping that’s for sure. At The Acorn would have a huge chance if the handicapper gave him a little help to get in at the foot of the weights but that seems unlikely to happen to say the least!

Selections: Chosen Mate 14/1 (EW) Gallant John Joe 20/1 (EW)

Dangers: Beakstown 16/1 (EW) Off You Go 20/1 (EW) I’m A Game Changer 25/1 (EW)

The last race of Day 1 is the National Hunt Chase and the major fancy in here for me would be Champagne Classic 4/1 (EW). Hes a former Grade 1 winning hurdler at the Punchestown Festival and former Cheltenham Festival winner. Hes a second season novice which should stand him in good stead here. Hes a brilliant jumper which cant be said for his chief market rival and for all those reason he’d be at the top of my list here. If either Sam Brown 16/1 (EW) or Copperhead 20/1 (EW) turned up here instead of in a handicap or in the RSA they would have eachway chances in a race that doesnt exactly capture the imagination like some other races across the week.

Selection: Champagne Classic 4/1(EW)

Dangers: Sam Brown 16/1 (EW) Copperhead 20/1 (EW)

So that’s it, my antepost look at Day 1 Of The Cheltenham Festival comes to an end. There is definitely value to be had in the selections here in my opinion and hopefully you have stuck with me to the end. I hope you found this insightful either in solidifying your own opinion or stirring up thoughts on something you hadnt considered up to now. I know there are alot of horses towards the head of the market in these races I may have passed over but that was just simply as they wouldnt interest me as bets and i just had so much to get through anyway I had to thin things out a bit. Keep an eye out over the coming days for the rest of the series of daily antepost previews. Hopefully it wont take me too long to get through them all and there should be plenty more content up here soon.