This has been a long time coming and I’ve been meaning to get back in the blog groove for some time. It’s great to be back and what better weekend to return than with the Dublin Racing Festival Day 1 action which is nothing short of scintillating from start to finish! The entries are nothing short of top class and bar the lack of a few more overseas competitors this is of Cheltenham Festival in quality in everything bar name. Every single one of the main protagonists are set to turn up to put on a show for anyone who cares to lay an eye on the action be it on course, in a betting shop or the comfort of their own home! You wont find so much top quality racing packed into two days anywhere! Trust me, you wont want to miss this!

Action begins on Saturday at 12:50 with a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle over 2m 6f and what a race we have in store! With little to separate the top 4 in the market and plenty graded form on offer. Paul Nolan is back on the cusp of kicking down the Grade 1 door back into the big time with his charge Latest Exhibition. An impressive Galway maiden hurdle winner before just finding Grade 1 winner Abracadabras too good before lowering the colours of Andy Dufresne on his most recent start over hurdles. Andy Dufresne has since franked the form winning the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer having dropped back to the minimum trip of 2 miles. You’d think that form would sway the likes of me to his corner but not this time! Latest Exhibition on pedigree wants a trip but on what I’ve seen so far hes got bags of toe and the test of this race and heading on to the Albert Bartlett wouldnt be for me. It may prove that he is a quality stayer and class was what he showed more than anything winning over 2m on hurdles debut and 2m 4f when swatting Andy Dufresne aside but to me this test could just prove too much for him at this stage of his career and at 5/2 I’d happily oppose him. Now the hardest thing for me to a do in this race is to separate Fury Road 3/1 and Elixir D’Ainay 7/2. Fury Road is a 3/3 over hurdles having romped home in impressive fashion in a Down Royal maiden before winning what was nothing short of a procession in Navan. At Christmas he headed to Limerick where he justified short odds to take a Grade 2 by a lenght on what was very deep ground. On the whole he travelled supremely well and bar a mistake at the last he would have been a more impressive winner on the day on what to my mind was ground that wouldnt see a smooth traveller like him at his best. The slightly shorter trip of and better ground at Leopardstown should see this strong traveller to best affect and hes sure to be in the shake up at the business end! As for Elixir D’Ainay I developed a massive grá for this horse when he made his debut behind Vision D’Honneur last season and I was itching to see him again. On his seasonal reappearance at Naas he took care of Longhouse Poet in good style before finishing a very decent 2nd to Envoi Allen in Grade 1 company over 2m 4f, again with Longhouse Poet in behind. To try choose between the two is next to impossible for me and it will simply come down to my going with my heart over my head and my heart says Elixir D’Ainay 7/2 is the bet and at that kind of price for the ordinary punter I’d have no issue with telling anyone back him eachway. While this will disgust many a man out there the aim of the game when your punting first and foremost is to enjoy the racing and get value for money out of your bets and maintain as much as you can. After that if you make a profit the great but with Elixir D’Ainay sure to be in the first three and and eachway bet bringing back the vast majority of your stake that’s what I advise to keep the enjoyment factor at its maximum! This is only race 1 afterall we still have a long way to go this weekend!

Selection: Elixir D’Ainay 7/2

Danger: Fury Road 3/1

The second race on the card really is something to savour, with a field that would not be out of place as a the feature Champion Chase on the Wednesday of the Cheltenham Festival! No less than six of the eight declared runners have won a Grade 1 contest over hurdles or fences in what promises to be a blink and you’ll miss it encounter! Chacun Pour Soi looks to make amends for his defeat over Christmas at the hands of A Plus Tard, while Cilaos Emery bids to show it was no fluke he found himself at the head of the betting for last seasons Arkle before having to miss put due to injury. The three mentioned were all cracking novices last season and I hold A Plus Tard in very high regard having done me a favour or two on the punting front in the past but I just cant get away from the forgotten horse in here. That horse is Min 3/1 who has won the past two renewals of this race, hes but some way clear on ratings and in my opinion one of the finest and most athletic jumpers of a fence I have ever seen! He has put in some mesmeric performances over 2 miles in the past and would have a Supreme Novices Hurdle and a Champion Chase added to his CV if it wasn’t for a horse called Altior. Just think back to Aintree last April when he put the useful Politologue to the sword by no less than 20L. The focus in the betting seems to be all on the young pretenders but for me Min is far from over the hill at 9 and you know what you get with him, hes a six time grade 1 winner and at 3/1 he will do for me! Best of the rest may well prove to be A Plus Tard but at 11/4 on ground likely to be quicker than ideal things might all happen a little too quickly for him here!

Selection: Min 3/1

Danger: A Plus Tard 11/4

Moving swiftly on and with Grade 1 action coming thick and fast the Irish Arkle is up next! What a field we have again and with five having genuine aspirations of winning. For me there are two interesting runners in here in the shape of Cash Back 7/1 and Melon 13/2. I’m surprised that you can get these two at such big prices. I genuinely thought at least one if not both of them would be alot closer to the head of the market but I guess that just shows the competitive nature of the race. From Cash Backs chasing debut I always felt he would be at home in top Grade 1 novice chases this season, such was the style of his jumping and how much he seemed to be in love with the chasing game! Hes 2/2 over fences and seems to be progressing nicely! The one concern I’d have for him in here is in his previous two chase starts hes had the run of the race and with pressure sure to be applied from an early stage it will be interesting to see how his jumping stands up under pressure and what he will find if they can get him off the bridle! With the likely hot pace that will be on here with a number of front runners likely to take eachother on the main selection would have to be Melon 13/2 (EW) who has been 2nd in a Supreme Novices Hurdle and twice in Champion Hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival! Melon is a horse with plenty of class and while in the past Leopardstown hasnt bee the scene of his finest hour he did break his maiden over both hurdles and fences around here and shouldn’t be discounted! His adaptability tactics wise is just another reason to keep him onside. No doubt Paul Townend will try smuggle him around and challenge on the run down to the last and hopefully he will be good enough on the day! Win lose or draw here I would say whatever he does here he will be better at Cheltenham a track and an occasion that has time and time again has brought the best out of him!

Selection: Melon 13/2 (EW)

Danger: Cash Back 7/1 (EW)

The fourth race on the card is a handicap chase over 2m 1f and again it’s an ultra competitive affair! Paloma Blue will have plenty supporters but I’m not sure he jumps well enough when push comes to shove in a big field like this! For me theres a one must have bet in this field and that’s the progressive Snugsburough Hall 6/1 (EW). This horse always promised alot in his earlier career, a smooth traveller in his races and a sound jumper. Denis O’Regan gets on well with him and he will no doubt smuggle him around for a late run. Obviously with those kind of tactics you need some luck in running but taking that into account he still is an obvious one for me having been so impressive when last seen over fences at Punchestown winning by no less than 11L that day and with having had a pipe open over hurdles at Cork on the 4th of January he should be spot on for this! Another to give a small mention to is Ted Walsh’s Batcio who ran really well round here over Christmas and off a featherweight he should run well under Luke Dempsey.

Selection: Snugsburough Hall 6/1(EW)

Danger: Batcio 9/1 (EW)

Onto the Irish Champion Hurdle next at 3:10 where Honeysuckle 7/4 puts her unbeaten record on the line against the boys and who’s to say she cant keep the winning thread going! Look I haven’t always been her biggest fan and that has been to my detriment to say the least but today I give best and admit she may just be something special! That could be the kiss of death to her but hopefully not as shes a mare with bags of class and a likeable attitude to boot. Rachel Blackmore has been masterful in the saddle and the pair have struck up an formidable partnership and they may well just star again on this blockbuster card. If they do land the prize she will surely change her Cheltenham course and head for the Champion Hurdle as opposed to a Mares Hurdle clash with Benie Des Dieux! Sharjah her main market rival no doubt doesnt get the credit he deserves being a three time Grade 1 winner in open company but he doesnt always bring his A game to the table and that is enough reason to oppose him. If there was to be a fly in the ointment at a wild price it would be Aramon who was a Grade 1 winning novice last season and while his form tailed off from Cheltenham he had been on the go a long time and you could forgive him for needing a break after such a busy season! He looked to need the run at Christmas and while he just may not be up to this grade in open company 40/1 is a price you can take a chance in for small money!

Selection: Honeysuckle 7/4

Danger: Aramon 40/1 (EW)

The penultimate race on the card is a devilishly tricky 0-150 handicap hurdle over 2 miles. The race revolves around the Unexpected 4/1 who was a very impressive maiden winner earlier in the season before not being able to live with the imposing Easywork over 2m 4f at Limerick. The extra distance on very testing ground proved too much that day but with his sights lowered a bit and into a handicap back in trip and on better ground I give him the nod to bounce back. There are plenty others in here to consider like Top Moon 15/2 who under a different ride may well have obliged last time around Navan and cant be taken too likely. Thatsy 12/1 ran well in a similar race over Christmas but I see him as more of a stayer and cant for the life of me figure out what hes doing running over 2 miles again. If you want to have a flyer on a horse at a big price make it The Mouse Doctor 20/1 for Tony Martin. He seems to love it around here and hes lurking at the foot of the weights. Likely to be ridden for plenty luck you have to accept that he will arrive very late if at all so if hes running on and doesnt quiet get there you cant say you weren’t warned! If theres an eachway bet on an outsider to be have trust in The Mouse Doctor to give the best run for your money!

Selection: Unexpected 4/1 (EW)

Danger: The Mouse Doctor 20/1 (EW)

The race to bring the curtain down on Day 1 will be a Grade 2 Bumper and hopefully we will all be well in profit by now to sit back relax and enjoy Appreciate It 2/1 who won a 2m 4f bumper around Leopardstown over Christmas and while you might think the drop back to 2 miles might inconvenience him here I dont think that will be the case. What he showed more than anything last time was a tremendous turn of foot to put the race to bed in a matter of strides round the home bend to catapult himself straight to the top of the market for the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham. He has a stiff test of course with multiple winners lining up to take him on and his main market rival Eric Bloodaxe will be popular amongst many but the form of his debut win hasnt been franked in the interim and he was at best workmanlike over course and distance over Christmas. If there is to be a slight upset to me it will come in the shape of Wide Reciever 6/1 but in all honesty I dont see Appreciate It getting beat!

Selection: Appreciate It 2/1

Danger: Wide Reciever 6/1 (EW)

Best of luck with your punting to one and all this weekend. I hope amidst the rustiness of my blogging skills that some of you who read this find it insightful or even helpful! Any feedback would be greatly appreciated be it good or bad! Check in tomorrow when hopefully after a bag full of winners I’ll be posting my thoughts on Day 2! Be lucky!

The first race on Day 4, the final day of the Cheltenham Festival 2019 is the Triumph Hurdle. Sir Erec is a red hot favourite and I’ve no problem in steering well clear of him. I’m happy to be proven wrong, but I will be backing against him that’s for sure. I’ll take two value punts against the field. The first of those is TIGER TAP TAP 10/1 (EW) for Willie Mullins, Rich Ricci and with Ruby Walsh in the saddle. The run to focus on was his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. That day he finished within a neck of Sir Erec. That day they raced at a proper race and a big field, his jumping was electric and he travelled beautifully. In contrast Sir Erec didn’t jump so well in amongst horses and his flat experience stood him in good stead on the day. Since then they met again at the Dublin Racing Festival where Sir Erec got a very easy lead. He was given a 4-5L lead at a pace where he would have been doing as much cantering down to the start. It’s easy for a horse like him to jump well when cruising around in splendid isolation with no distractions and doing everything completely within himself. The way the race was ran made Sir Erec look very impressive on the day but you can’t ignore a 109 rated flat horse, give them an easy lead, sit a few lenghts off him and let him turn the race into a two and a half furlong sprint. Tiger Tap Tap at 10/1 had to be considered a cracking eachway bet and I expect him to leave his Dublin Racing Festival form well behind in a truly run race in the Triumph. PIC D’ORHY 9/1 (EW) for Paul Nicholls has yet to run in Britain but has 6 runs to his name in France. This horse was 2nd beaten just over a lenght in a Grade 1 at Auteil in November so he has plenty of experience even at the top level. The talk in the last six to eight weeks has been really positive and you write him off at your peril.

Eachway Pokes:

Tiger Tap Tap 10/1

Pic D’orhy 9/1

The second race on the day is the County Hurdle, a race in recent season where if you have been following Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins then you will have been doing pretty well for yourself. These two trainers know exactly what it takes to win this race and anything they run in the race must take serious consideration. WHISKEY SOUR 6/1 (EW) is another I have a keen interest in. As I see it he was 3rd in this race last season off 141 and I think he has to return to this race where he ran so well last year with a massive chance. He’s only 2lbs higher now and like I mentioned earlier Willie Mullins is one of the trainers to focus on in this race and I’m sure if Whiskey Sour turns up in top condition he wont be far away. Another with a claims for the same stable is CUT THE MUSTARD 16/1 (EW) who found only one too good, also at the Dublin Racing Festival. She ran particularly well in last season Mares Novice Hurdle having been very keen throughout and taking on high class mare Maria’s Benefit the whole way you can upgrade her finishing position on the day. She’s a mare going the right way and definitely has a good race in here. One more with a decent chance is Dan Skeltons CH’TIBELLO 9/1 (EW) who the past few season’s has been mixing it in Grade 1s and 2s where he ran with credit. He has been rated 157 in the past and gets a run here off a mark of 146 a full 11lbs lower than his best. This looks like a but of a Skelton plot and with two winners of this race already in his short training career I wouldn’t like to count against him making it three!

Shorties:

Whiskey Sour 6/1

Eachway Pokes:

Ch’tibello 9/1

Cut The Mustard 16/1

The Albert Barlett is a race in the last 5 or 6 season’s with an average winning SP of 20 or 25/1. As that would suggest it’s been a graveyard for punters and a devilishly tricky race to figure out. I won’t go into too much detail but two at the shorter prices to note in my opinion are BIRCHDALE 6/1 (EW) and DICKIE DIVER 8/1 (EW). They are two horses possibly short of experience but full of potential. They also both run in the JP McManus green and gold and both winning Irish point to pointers on debut. Dick Diver especially I believe will relish the strong pace and the serious test of stamina. Having won a point to point at Templenacarriga on his debut too some doing at a track that puts a severe emphasis on stamina and I’d encourage anyone to go to see the track, because the undulations and the climb are extreme you need to see it in the flesh and walk the track to really appreciate it.

Shorties:

Birchdale 6/1

Eachway Poke:

Dickie Diver 8/1

Finally onto the big race of the day and the entire meeting. The race every owner, trainer, breeder and jockey wants to win. This season there is no doubt in my mind the race is coming back to Ireland and heading West across the Shannon with the genius that is Pat Kelly. His stable star PRESENTING PERCY 4/1 (EW) in my mind is an absolute certainty for this race. He stays, he has pace, he jumps, he is pure class, he has festival form having won at the previous two festivals, is trained by a genius and has one of the best of all time in the saddle. This horse is the people’s horse, a horse taken in by every real racing fan out there. In my opinion this year’s Gold Cup will be the first of multiple and this is only the beginning of what’s going to be a phenomenal legacy. People who wonder if not having a run over fences this season is a concern shouldn’t worry he has plenty of experience in a wide variety of distances and grades over hurdles and fences, which will stand to him. Trust in Pat Kelly and you won’t go too far wrong. As regards dangers, I believe the greatest threats are also Irish trained in KEMBOY 12/1 (EW) and AL BOUM PHOTO 16/1 (EW) who both were novice last season and are both Grade 1 winners. Kemboy was simply sensational in what he done from the last to the line in Leopardstown over Christmas to a proper Grade 1 field was staggering no matter what sort of pace they went around at. That makes him a serious contender. Al Boum Photo came down at the second last in the RSA behind Presenting Percy last season and while he wouldn’t have gotten near the winner it would have been tight for second between him and Monalee. These two Irish horses are very worthy eachway bets and will give you a good run for your money.

Shorties:

Presenting Percy 4/1

Eachway Pokes:

Kemboy 12/1

Al Boum Photo 16/1

Onto the Foxhunters now and I’ll just touch on a few with now fierce strong opinion. STAND UP AND FIGHT 5/1 (EW) looks a worth his place at the top of the market from this side of the Irish Sea. He’s been an easy winner of a couple of Hunter Chases and while he was beaten recently in a point to point id just draw a line through that. Enda Bolger knows better than anyone what it takes to win this race and you can trust he will have his runner peaking at 4:10 on the day. Of the British contingent you couldn’t be anything but impressed with HAZEL HILL 6/1 (EW) when he bolted up at Warwick last time. He jumps and travels and has a touch of class, most likely far beyond hunter chasing. There’s no telling what this horse is capable of and I’m looking forward to finding out!

Shorties:

Stand Up And Fight 5/1

Hazel Hill 6/1

The Grand Annual is an ultra competitive betting heat, with a frenetic pace assured and plenty carnage to follow suit. I have to touch on LE PREZIEN 11/1 (EW) who won this race last season and somehow gets back here off just 1lb higher than he won off last year. The mind boggles how the handicapper has been won easy on him and for that reason he needs strong consideration here having proven a liking for this particular test. I haven’t the strongest opinion on this race so let’s just leave it at the one shall we.

Eachway Poke:

Le Prezien 11/1

Can you believe it? The final race of the festival, and only something over 11 hours in the making in these blogs. Who would have thought it would take so much time and effort but it’s been enjoyable. The Martin Pipe is a race that Gordon Elliott loves to win and he has several in here including DALLAS DE PICTONS 6/1 (EW). Dallas De Pictons won with a little bit to spare last time at the Dublin Racing Festival when idling in front up the straight. He is very unexposed and there no telling how high he can climb just yet. GETAREASON 16/1 (EW) will be a danger to all should the ground remain slow. Hes been mixing it with great distinction in graded novice hurdles throughout the season on ground too quick for him and every bit of dig he gets underfoot a massive help to his chances. DAYBREAK BOY 18/1 (EW) is another not to forget about for Henry De Bromhead and with Donal McInerney booked to take the ride its a tip in itself that he is not without a very live chance in this. Its often worth taking note of jockey bookings as this race is a Conditional Jockeys race, so all these riders are claimed a riders against their peers and naturally you’d think the top jockeys in the division have been sought out by those trainers coming here with high hopes of a winner.

Shorties:

Dallas De Pictons 7/2

Eachway Pokes:

Getareason 16/1

Daybreak Boy 18/1

Thanks to everyone who read the Cheltenham Blogs this week and the Antepost Blogs this week hopefully people found it helpful and backed a few winners. Best of luck on the final day of the festival 2019 and for heaven’s sake don’t forget to back PRESENTING PERCY in the Gold Cup!

Half way through the festival already, can you believe it? Time flies when your having fun i suppose. Not the easiest punting week but so many classy performances and talking points to date. Lets waste no time and get stuck right in to Day 3. Heres hoping for some more luck today.

The JLT Novices Chase is up first and this is a wide open renewal with plenty of questions about all of these really. DEFI DU SEUIL 3/1 is a horse that Barry Geraghty will have to deliver him as late as possible. He has looked the most resolute this season and at this trip on sticky ground hes not certain to stay so he wouldn’t be for me. LOSTINTRANSLATION 7/2 would most likely be the one for me but it wouldnt be a bullish opinion by any means. He has had plenty jumping problems early in the season and is prone to letting fly at times and throwing himself at a fench. Thankfully his last two starts have been better in that regard than his previous two and he outfought Defi Du Seuil up the hill in January after being passed going to the last. A thorough test which this could very well be would suit him and he will give you a good run for your money. At eachway prices I have always been a fan VINNDICATION 9/1 (EW). Hes as tough as they come he grinds horses into the ground by going a relentless gallop and he jumps for fun. I was shocked last time when they changed tactics on him and rather than making the running they dropped him in which really didnt work. Dont forget he went off favourite to beat Defi Du Seuil and Lostintranslation last time at Sandown and back to more forceful tactics here could see him prove the market had it right that day even if tactically they got it wrong. One more that deserves mention is KILDISART 8/1 (EW) who is another horse I’ve always liked from his first run over hurdles last season. Hes a big imposing individual who really catches the eye. Again as with a few in this race my biggest concern for him would be his jumping. He walked through the 2nd last fench here last time when winning a handicap but that didnt stop him winning with plenty to spare. This is his first time tackling Grade 1 company but if he can get his jumping together it wouldnt be the biggest surprise in the world if he ran well.

Shorties:

Lostintranslation 7/2

Eachway Pokes:

Vinndication 9/1

Kildisart 8/1

Race 2 in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle and there looks to be a real handicap plot in here in the shape of SIRE DE BERLAIS 13/2 (EW). He was strongly fancied in last seasons Martin Pipe and if you think back to this race last the similaries between himself and Glenlow who finished 2nd are striking. Both ran well in festival handicaps and had a light campaign just ensuring qualification to run on the day and being kept fresh for a the big day. In my eyes at least he must go very close. Another I’ve had on my mind for this race for a long long time is WALK TO FREEDOM 12/1 (EW) who has returned from an absence this season a much more settled horse than in his younger days when he was a bit mental to say the least. He has won on all kinds of ground albeit he hasnt tackled this trip on as testing ground as he will get here. His biggest assets are his turn of foot and even more so his jumping which dare I say it is champion hurdle class. If he handles this ground over the trip he looks certain to be involved at the business end of the race. Look I could keep waffling on about many more of these but let’s just leave this to two.

Shorties:

Sire De Berlais 13/2

Eachway Poke:

Walk To Freedom 12/1

We are into the first of the feature races now with the Ryanair Chase and FOOTPAD 4/1 (EW) is the one for me. He won the Arkle in tremendous style last year and while this season hasnt taken off yet hes had excuses for that. He made a bad mistake at the fence after the stands at Naas on his first start of the season and gave himself a fright and an over-reach for good measure. His jumping was all over the place after that but he was obviously feeling the affects of that over-reach. He had some time off after that and blew up on the run in at Leopardstown over Christmas with the race at his mercy. He gave himself another over-reach that day so you’d hope he’s due a bit of luck at this stage. I’m sure he will come here with no stone left unturned and back on an easy surface that he lovers he could well prove a cut above these. Of the rest it’s competitive for the places ROAD TO RESPECT 9/2 was 4th in last season Gold Cup but while he is a festival winner over this course and distance as a novice I’m not so sure that it’s entirely what he needs and this stage in his career. Add to that he generally needs good ground which he wont get here and I’d be inclined to leave well enough alone with him. UN DE SCEAUX 6/1 is probably a solid enough option. He’s seemed as good as ever this season but he is 11 and while he loves dig in the ground he doesn’t necessarily want it too testing over this trip. MONALEE 9/2 is another with a chance but for me has just a fraction below the top level. That’s not to say he can’t win now back at his ideal trip but I feel a few will have to run below themselves for him to get involved.

Shorties:

Footpad

The Stayers Hurdle is alot more other then the betting suggests and I’d be encouraging people to steer clear of PAISLEY PARK 2/1. He has won weak graded staying hurdles on his last two starts with not a single proper Grade 1 staying hurdler in Britain at the moment. He’s beaten trees of late and it wouldn’t surprise me if at least 1 of those tree finished in front of him here in the shape of BLACK OP 14/1 (EW) who is back over hurdles after a stint over fences where his jumping didn’t stand the test. Back over hurdles last time he was much improved but he tracked a lightening fast gallop very closely which he paid for late on. I fancy he will prove to be the best of the British. BACARDYS 12/1 (EW) is another with an eachway chance having coming down at the last in this race last year when booked for at worst third. If he gets a decent gallop in front of him here he has a definite chance and there won’t be many staying on better than him. The one for me though is FAUGHEEN 4/1 (EW) as I expect the former Champion Hurdler to roll back the years and put on a show that will bring the house down. Should he come back to form I expect he will receive the latest cheer of the week and so he should. His performance in the 3 mile Grade 1 at Punchestown last season was freakish as he took apart a stellar field which included dual Cheltenham Festival Grade 1 winner Penhill. A reproduction of that run and they won’t see where he went.

Shorties:

Faugheen 4/1

Eachway Pokes:

Bacardys 12/1

Black Op 14/1

The Festival Plate is the fifth race on the card on Day 3 and I’m a bit confused as to how Siruh Du Lac is favourite here and almost half the price of his nearest rival. I’d be much more interested in the horse he beat that day in JANIKA 9/2 (EW) (who regular followers will know was tipped up antepost at 20s). He has two really good runs under his belt so far this season and he looks like a horse you have to deliver as late as possible. He has proven he handles the track last time and Dayrl Jacob is learning more about him every time he rides him. I’m sure if he held onto him a little longer last time I’m sure the result would have been different and I expect him to be coming fast and late. He’s impossible to knock out of the frame! This looks like a race for the home team so I’ll add one more to the mix. SPIRITOFTHEGAMES 8/1 (EW) (again tipped up antepost at 20s) ran a really good race here last time behind Kildisart who as mentioned earlier has an eachway chance in the JLT. I’m sure Dan Skelton had left something to work on then and if he can improve 5% on his run that day he’s another who won’t be far away.

Shorties:

Janika 9/2

Eachway Poke:

Spiritofthegames 8/1

This is probably the most competitive renewal of this race we have seen. EPATANTE 9/4 will be at the head of the market representing JP McManus and Nicky Henderson. I was very taken with her debut at Kempton before Christmas. She showed a frightening turn of foot that day that showed her to be a mare full of potential. This will be her toughest assignment to date but I really feel she could be anything. I’ve been beating the SANCTA SIMONA 20/1 (EW) drum since she won a Kilbeggan bumper in May. Now I know Kilbeggan is far from the breeding ground of champions but this mare has won 2 hurdles races since then and went off favourite for a Grade 1 against the geldings at Christmas in Leopardstown. The horse that beat her that day was Aramon who’s since proven himself as good a Grade 1 Novice Hurdler as Ireland has to offer this season. Hopefully he will have franked the form in no uncertain terms in the Supreme and by the off of this race the 16/1 could look ridiculous! I’ll be having a decent bet on her for sure.

Shorties:

Epatante 9/4

Eachway Poke:

Sancta Simona 20/1

The final race of the day the Kim Muir Handicap Chase for Amateur Riders. NO COMMENT 11/1 (EW) ran a solid race in the National Hunt Chase (4 miler) at the festival last season under Derek O’Connor before simply finding the trip on testing ground all too much for him. While he’s prone to a mistake or two we can put our faith in Mark O’Hare who gets on board for the first time today to bring the best out of him. I haven’t really a particularly strong opinion on this race but I wouldn’t discount the Paul Nicholls inmate TOUCH KICK 16/1 (EW). Touch Kick jumps well and will stay all day. He’s got Will Biddick in the saddle and is an ultra consistent horse who more often than not runs his race.

Eachway Pokes:

No Comment 16/1

Touch Kick 16/1

Looking through the cards for Day 2 of the festival it is conceivable that Gordon Elliott could have 4 or 5 winners on the day. He certainly has the horses at the head of the market in most of the days races and as we all know he has the quality in his string and the training knowhow to pull it off.

While it wasnt all plain sailing on Day 1 we still managed to get a few good results. I gave a favourable mention to Klassical Dream 6/1 but ultimately went the other way as well as antepost tipping up the 3rd home Itchy Feet 33/1 (EW). Again antepost we had 2nd in the Arkle with Us And Them 33/1 (EW). I also gave a 1,2 in the Champion Hurdle eachway with Melon 16/1 (EW) and Espoir D’Allen 20/1 (EW). A Plus Tard 16/1 (EW) was another Antepost winner and won in a common canter. Finally a gallant 2nd for DISCORAMA 12/1 (EW) who left his all behind him, we couldnt have asked for any more!

It’s the Ballymore first on Day 2 and it’s the Elliott inmate BATTLEOVERDOYEN 10/3 that I have come down on. This horse is the most beautiful animal to look at a magnificent beast. He’s not just good looks though, he has talent to burn and puts his head down when asked to go about his business. The first time I laid my eyes on him was when he won his bumper in Punchestown. I was just blown away by him when I saw him and that doesn’t happen too often. He won his bumper in a canter and the 3rd and 4th won on their next start. Gordon knew this lads future was with obstacles in front of him and he just couldnt help but send him over hurldes less than 3 weeks later. He went to Navan and bolted clear of a 21 runner field jumping impeccably and announcing himself as a force to be reckoned with in graded hurdles for the season. On January 6th he rocked up in Naas and duly justified favouritism when winning the first of what will hopefully be many Grade 1s. Let’s hope he can make the Ballymore Grade 1 his second. One at a slightly bigger price BREWIN’UPASTORM 9/1 (EW) threw his hat into the ring last time when coming down at to last while still in front over course and distance in January. He thrived on what was a real stamina test that day proving better than the form of his Challow run at Newbury in December. Olly Murphy has always had a massive opinion of this horse and is bullish if a bold show again on Wednesday. With Richard Johnson on board setting the fractions they could prove hard to pass for many in the straight. He’s definitely one with solid eachway claims. For anyone who is a fan of SAMS PROFILE 10/1 I wouldn’t like to put you off but what I will say is, I think he was flattered by his proximity to Battleoverdoyen last time and while I hope for Mouse he runs well i honestly think he’s likely booked for 4th or 5th. That said there would be nobody happier to see Mouse Morris back in the winners enclosure at Cheltenham.

Shorties:

Battleoverdoyen 10/3

Eachway Poke:

Brewin’upastorm 9/1

Race two is the RSA Chase and yet again I’m siding with another one for Gordon Elliott and Michael O’Leary. See I said it could be a big day. DELTA WORK 15/8 is one of the big Irish bankers for me and many others this week. He’s got festival form winning last year’s Pertemps and handles all kinds of ground. He’s taken like a duck to water to chasing and has acquitted himself with distinction in all three chase starts to date. He’s a two time Grade 1 winning chaser already in his career. One of those victories came over another multiple Grade 1 winning Novice Le Richebourg over 2 and a half miles in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. Even a mistake at the last which caused his partner in crime Davy Russell to lose his irons wasn’t enough to stop him. That was a very classy performance. Not only does he stay extremely well and have festival form but that day he showed he has pace too in beating the standard setter in the 2 mile novice chasing division. Add to that his pinpoint accurate jumping and handling all kinds of ground this horse has to take the world of beating. Even when it comes to his trainer and jockey he couldn’t be in better hands. In recent seasons Davy Russell has been second to none in applying his trade to maximum effect around Cheltenham. I wouldn’t be advising anyone to be placing their hard earned cash and faith anywhere else here. This could just be a Gold Cup horse in waiting and be able to give Presenting Percy a race next season. Of the rest TOPOFTHEGAME 7/2 for me is best of the rest and will more than likely chase him home. Hes a serious unit, a giant of a horse capable of making any beast look small in comparison. Hes a very good jumper and has plenty class but he has it all to do to topple Delta Work. The market has got this pretty much spot on but I’d have no mass in SANTINI 7/2. He’s overrated and got it all to prove and it’s my firm belief the ground would need to turn heavy to give him a real shot in this.

Shorties:

Delta Work 15/8

The Coral Cup over 2m 5f is up next at 2:50 and there’s a red hot favourite in here for Ireland in the shape of URADEL 5/1 (EW) who’s been on many people’s minds for this race Since the Dublin Racing Festival. Every man and his dog has heard 1 racing journalist/ tipster or another on some platform giving this a big chance. Look he has obvious claims stepping up in trip off such a low weight but I wouldn’t like to be taking much shorter than 5s in such a competitive handicap. One at a bigger price worth noting is Dermot McLoughlins CANARDIER 16/1 (EW). He won over course and distance in October with plenty up his sleeve in a novice hurdle. While the form isn’t anything to write home about the 2nd did manage to win a Grade 3 last time and Canardier was able to dispose of him with consummate ease. Course form is always a help around here and this horse isn’t lacking for experience either, this going to be his 8th run over hurdles. As long as the ground doesn’t get too testing he should give a good account of himself for a lesser known yard. CRACKING SMART 14/1 (EW) had his injury problems last season but they are behind him now. Gordon seems to have been bringing him to the boil nicely over the course of the season, with his run last time behind Tiger Roll his best effort so far. He’s always been a horse they have held in high regard and there was plenty better judges than me saying last season that he was a Ballymore or Albert Bartlett type so he does bring his share of class to the table. I’m sure they would have loved to go chasing with him this season but the quick ground has played it’s part in keeping those plans on hold. It may well have been a blessing in disguise for he must have a great eachway shout in this. Lastly a word on last year’s winner BLEU BERRY 25/1 (EW) who seems to be a forget horse in this field he comes here off a 5lb higher mark than when winning the race last year beating Topofthegame in a driving finish under Mark Walsh. We keep talking about festival form and this horse is coming back to the scene of the crime and is likely to get not too dissimilar conditions to what he got last year. He’s definitely been missed in the market and shouldn’t be underestimated.

Shorties:

Uradel 5/1

Eachway Pokes:

Canardier 16/1

Cracking Smart 14/1

The big one now the Champion Chase and ALTIOR 4/9 will be a warm order and rightly so. How much of a certainty he is depends for me as to how soft the ground gets. The quicker the ground the better chance MIN 4/1 (EW) has and the closer he can get to Altior. Look there isn’t much we have to say about this race. On all known form Altior wins. He has beaten Min twice at last festivals but there have been one or two times he’s shown frailties and should they surface again we could at least have a race on our hands. Min for me is an eachway bet to nothing at the very least and should anything go amiss with Altior he will be best equipped to pick up the pieces.

Eachway Bet To Nothing:

Min 4/1

Race 5 is the Cross Country Chase which features a real old favourite in the shape of 3 time Cheltenham Festival winner and Grand National hero TIGER ROLL 6/5. He won this race last season having also won the National Hunt Chase (4 miler) and Triumph Hurdle at previous Cheltenham Festivals. We keep harping on about it but festival form is key and shows up every year with horses coming back year in year out to run well. Again He’s another for Gordon Elliott and Michael O’Leary. He seemed better than ever last time winning a graded hurdle at Navan beating Off You Go. He looked that day to be at least as good as ever and I wouldn’t like to put anyone off him even though at times in the past he hasn’t looked completely in love with the jumping test the Cross Country poses. For an eachway bet to nothing I like the Enda Bolger trained AUVERGNAT 6/1 (EW). He took his form to a new level over Christmas at Leopardstown winning the Paddy Power Chase on quick ground. This is a horse that likes an ease. He’s dynamite over the banks and other obstacles and will no doubt acquit himself with distinction and run his race. If you are like me and aren’t particularly fond of backing short priced favourites then this horse is the bet for you.

Shorties:

Tiger Roll 6/5

Eachway Poke:

Auvergnat 6/1

The penultimate race on Day 2 is the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (formally the Fred Winter). Plenty of people will be on the side of BAND OF OUTLAWS 6/1 (EW) here and that’s fair enough I can see where your coming from. At the prices though he’s short enough in a race that historically is won by a horse at a double figure price. At a bit of a bigger price FINE BRUNELLO 10/1 (EW) was last seen chasing home Frakir D’oudairies last time out at here in January. He was given a very educational ride that day under the tender hands of Barry Geraghty. That was his first start for Joseph O’Brien and I expect him to have improved plenty for the run. He probably hasn’t run since by design with this race in mind, not wanting to get any unnecessary extra weight in the handicap. I expect him at the very least to be in the shake up going down to the last. Another of note are STAR MAX 14/1 (EW) who has been progressing nicely run to run and won a decent enough maiden at Gowran last time and over no doubt will step up again. Lastly I must give a favourable mention to the Willie Mullins trained CIEL DE NEIGE 16/1 (EW) who will be making his British and Irish debut for Willie Mullins here having previously been trained in France. We all know Willie is a master of improving these kind of horses dramatically and he has to be taken very seriously in a wide open competitive handicap.

Eachway Pokes:

Fine Brunello 10/1

Star Max 14/1

Ciel De Neige 16/1

The final race of Day 2 is the 14 runner Champion Bumper and this is possibly the smallest field in living memory for this race. I have one really bullish opinion in here and that is BLUE SARI 10/3 looks a serious force to be reckoned with. He has been bought by JP McManus since making his debut in at Gowran Park on Thyestes Day. He beat another horse of JPs that day and Derek O’Connor who road the 2nd said he thought he was going to win turning in and couldnt believe what Blue Sari did. Thats enough of an insentive for me at least to go in strong. ENVOI ALLEN 3/1 is another with a serious chance and the soft ground will have increased his chances.

I can’t believe it’s here already. It’s Cheltenham Festival Week. The excitement has had me for weeks now and I can’t wait for the action to get underway. I haven’t looked forward to a festival as much in quite a while with so many races wide open and so many questions yet to be answered. I know you are just as excited as I am so let’s not waste anymore time and get stuck in to the action at last! Hopefully I can dig out a few winners to help get the week off to a flyer!

First race on the card is the Supreme Novices Hurdle and as much as it may pain me to say it this may be staying in Britain with Nigel Twiston-Davies and Dai Walters AL DANCER 5/1 (EW). This big strapping grey has taken to hurdles like a duck to water. He handles all kinds of ground so whatever the ground we get on Tuesday it’s all the same to him. He’s 4 from 4 over hurdles and has won at the track in a common canter in a handicap. He got a 12lb penalty for that win but it didn’t stop him from running out a very convincing winner of the Betfair Hurdle at Ascot. One thing that has surprised me is he has been declared without a hood. Hes a keen going sort at the best of times and I just hope the buzz of the day and the roar of the crowd wont get to him too much. He’s an eachway bet to nothing and looks certain to be involved at the business end of what’s a wide open Supreme. Of the Irish I wouldn’t read too much into the Mullins jockey bookings with KLASSICAL DREAM 5/1 and ARAMON 14/1 (EW). I believe will has had his say and he’s stuck with the same partnerships that went to post at the Dublin Racing Festival. There probably isn’t much between them but price is key. I’d put Aramon at the head of the Mullins challenge as long as the ground doesn’t get too soft. That said how bad can it be after an extremely dry winter and it’s the first race of the meeting it’s fresh ground I don’t think it’s much of a worry to be honest. Aramon is a Grade 1 winner and was narrowly beaten in another Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival when he hung badly on the run in and Paul Townend couldn’t ride him out properly and was at pains to keep him from putting Klassical Dream through the rail that day. I believe Aramon was the best horse on the day and should be a dual Grade 1 winner. At 14/1 hes a cracking eachway bet. He will be covered up and will come with one late run. Hopefully he won’t be far away. In my last blog I put up ITCHY FEET 33/1 at a mad price and he may well still be over priced at 33/1 but connections seem to believe he needs proper good ground to be seen at his best. That’s not to say he can’t still outrun those odds.

Shorties:

Al Dancer 5/1

Eachway Poke:

Aramon 14/1

Next up is a very interesting, highly competitive Arkle. The standard might be below other season’s with many of the big guns picking up knocks and missing the festival. On the bright side it makes a pleasant change to the usual 1 horse stroll round Cheltenham that the Arkle has become with a real short priced favourite having scared off all meaningful opposition and winning in a common canter. I put HARDLINE 6/1 (EW) up at 16s for this just two weeks ago and it’s great to see the support having coming for him since then. He’s a strong traveller who jumps impeccably well and Davy Russell will take his time on him. He will be as far away from the frenetic pace that will no doubt ensue up front as he possibly can be and will loom large on the run to the last where hopefully he will be good enough to go away up the run in. He’s just what you want in a race like this and you get one if the best in the business to nurse him round. Again hes an eachway bet to nothing. Another not to be forgotten is US AND THEM 18/1 (EW) who seems to be completely forgotten by the market. This horse has been 2nd twice in Grade 1 company behind Le Richebourg who would have been a short price favourite for this had he turned up. The softer surface won’t be a problem to him and while it might be hard to see him winning I see him bang in contention for a place at what’s an insulting price for what he’s achieved. Of those at the head of the market I can’t have LALOR he was a fortunate winner her in the Autumn and I would say his Sandown run is more his level. As for GLEN FORSA who won off a mark of 114 in Chepstow back in November over 3 miles. Well if a horse winning of that kind of rating over 3 miles at the start of the season is good enough to be an Arkle winner then the thoroughbred is a dying breed!

Shorties:

Hardline 6/1

Eachway Poke:

Us And Them 18/1

Race three of Day 1 is the first handicap of the week, the Ultima Handicap Chase over 3m 1f. There has been plenty talk for Paul Nicholls GIVE ME A COPPER 6/1 (EW). The softer ground will be right up his street and he comes to the race with a lofty reputation at home in Ditcheat. He jumps well touch wood and travels well but he will never have experienced anything like the field size and the speed he will encounter here. He’s a horse who’s had his problems and I’m sure we haven’t seen the best of him but he may just lack a bit of experience. Of those at bigger prices UP FOR REVIEW 14/1 (EW) is a big good looking chaser who has size and scope to burn. He was off for the most of two years between his novice hurdling and chasing careers but he has improved this season for the experience gained at the end of last season. He ran in one of the most competitive handicap chases of the Irish jumps season last time in the Thyestes at Gowran Park. That day in the Thyestes they changed tactics dropping him out having previous racing prominently he was settled last and travelled widest of all the whole way. He made eye-catching headway across the top of the track and was the only horse to make any significant headway from off the pace. He gets in here of his Irish mark of 146 which seems generous on the behalf of the British handicapper and let’s hope he can take advantage of that here. Another of note at a price is Gordon Elliott and Davy Russell’s NOBLE ENDEAVOUR 20/1 (EW) was as short as 15/2 second favourite for this race back in 2017 when he came there travelling like a winner going to the last but only managed 3rd in the end. It was a disappointing result at the time but it later transpired he finished lame. He gets in here off a 4lb lower mark and I’m sure connections are keen to have another crack at this race and he could be one that heavy support will come for on the day.

Shorties:

Give Me A Copper 6/1

Eachway Pokes:

Up For Review 14/1

Noble Endeavour 20/1

At last it’s time to discuss the Champion Hurdle. Without a shadow of a doubt this is the most anticipated Champion Hurdle of the last decade. It has all the puzzlement and anticipation of when the likes of Harcibald, Brave Inca, Hardy Eustace and Mac’s Joy used to turn up and fight out Champion hurdles in the early 2000s. These were golden years for champion hurdles. We had real strong rivalries horses that would turn up the every dance in the year and fight out thrilling finishes and everyone had their favourite and everyone had reasons to oppose others. The Festival has been missing this kind of anticipation for the Day 1 showpiece for a long time and it’s great to have it back. APPLES JADE 9/4 is a rightful favourite on her form this season. She’s beaten everything Irish hurdling has to offer (besides Laurina) over 2 miles, 2 and a half miles and 3 miles. She’s put everything to the sword and beaten in devastating fashion. I have never been her biggest fan but I have to give credit where it’s due I can’t crib her anymore. She deserves her shot at this and I hope she crowns what has been an incredible season here. LAURINA 4/1 (EW) is a good bet for the ordinary man. She will get a good pace to run at here and has got her preferred surface. She’s a mare with bags of potential and who knows where her ability ends. We should have a better idea after this race granted she gets around safely and if she runs he race she’s an eachway bet to nothing and I don’t think anyone would be shocked if she could pull of the win. BUVEUR D’AIR just wouldn’t be my cup of tea after a shock defeat at Christmas and two seemingly soft champion hurdle wins. All that aside he will have to be a serious horse to give weight and a beating to these too super mares. At bigger prices look lets be honest we all want the top 3 to turn up in form and fight out the finish so nobody can question the form but if there was to be a shock or something to get into the frame at a price for me the progressive ESPOIR D’ALLEN 20/1 (EW) would be the bet. He is 7 from 8 over hurdles only tasting defeat once when he clearly wasn’t right. I’ve always had a very high opinion of him and he’s a real unknown quantity at this level. Another to note if he can bounce back to form is MELON 14/1 (EW) who has been 2nd in a Supreme and a Champion Hurdle on his previous two visits to the festival and if the cheekpieces I was crying out for two weeks ago can reignite the fire in his belly for the game we know he’s well capable of being involved in the shake up at the business end of the race.

Shorties:

Apple’s Jade 9/4

Eachway Pokes:

Espoir D’Allen 20/1

Melon 14/1

The Mares Hurdle is next up on the card and Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh will have their first hot favourite of the festival here. It’s not often they have to wait this long on the Tuesday for a horse of likely banker material in many people’s eyes to run for them but this crazy national hunt season has fallen thus. BENIE DES DIEUX 1/1 is a bit on the skinny side for me. In my opinion there are reasons to oppose her even though her chances are better now than I thought they would be two weeks ago when good ground seemed odds on to open the festival. A much better bet at the prices in my eyes is LIMINI 8/1 (EW). Only two years ago she went off a 6/4F for this race when going down by a lenght and a half having made a mistake at the last. That day she only found Apple’s Jade and Vroum Vroum Mag too good and they are as good a mares as have graced the turf at Cheltenham on their day. There is no horse of such class in here and with Benie Des Dieux not seen since Punchestown last season and everything having gone right for her in this race 12 months ago I’m willing to take my chances against her.

Eachway Poke:

Limini 8/1

The penultimate race on the card in the Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase and I’ve a really strong fancy here in the shape of A PLUS TARD 7/1 (EW) which I put up here at 10s a few weeks back and hopefully some people got on then. I really hope this horse can give Rachel Blackmore her first Cheltenham Festival winner to crown what has been an incredible season for her. I’m sure no racing fan would begrudge Rachel a festival winner and everyone in Ireland will be cheering her on if she’s in with a chance going to the last on the day. This horse jumps and travels extremely well. He will be ridden close enough to the pace and will appreciate the extra ease in the ground. He easily disposed of Duc De Genievres in a beginners chase around Naas earlier this season and he is a general 6/1 shot for the Arkle. Since then he suffered defeat at the hands of the really talented Winter Escape who unfortunately misses the festival. They pulled 13L clear of the 147 rated Jetz that day and a reproduction of that kind of form would see him look very attractively handicapped here. Of those at the foot of the weights, should the first reserve AZZERTI 20/1 (EW) get in he’d be of obvious interest having been travelling sweetly when coming down 3 out behind Kildisart who runs in the JLT later in the week and one of my leading Festival Plate fancies Spiritofthegames. You may ask how I’m just passing over HIGHWAY ONE O ONE who finished 2nd that day but he got an easy lead and didn’t see another horse until the run between the last two fences and it’s my opinion that he may have been flattered by that result.

Shorties:

A Plus Tard 7/1

Eachway Poke:

Azzerti 20/1

The final race of the day is the National Hunt Chase (4 Miler) for amateur riders and it often pays to stick with the big named riders in here who know the track well and you can be safe in the knowledge that whatever the race throws up they won’t panic and will be able to adapt to every eventuality. For me I’ve always been a massive fan of DISCORAMA 7/1 (EW) and I think the test posed by this particular race will suit him down to the ground. An ease in the ground won’t be any inconvenience to him. He got outpaced earlier this season on quick ground over 2 and a half and even over 3 miles in Ireland. Last time he fell at the last in Naas in a race won by BALLYWARD 7/2. He was pushed along that way and slightly detached with a circuit to go but the further he went the better he was going and he jumped and crept into the race down the back before launching his challenge between the last two fences. He had just about drawn upsides Ballyward at the last where he came down. I’m very much of the opinion that the race wasn’t over and done with by any means and anything could have happened after the last. At roughly twice the price of Ballyward he looks a decent bet and he has top amateur Barry O’Neill on board so shouldn’t be found wanting from the saddle. OK CORRAL 3/1 is a worthy favourite and has the infamous Derek O’Connor on his back. He may well be the best horse in the race but im not sure 4 miles will see him to best effect. He is a very keen going horse and wouldn’t be out of place in an RSA or even a JLT. He undoubtedly has the class to win a race like this but I doubt whether he will have enough left in the tank come the business end of the race to get up that Cheltenham hill.

Eachway Poke:

Discorama 7/1

As the sun sets on the horizon and the evening gloom comes down on Day 1 of the festival I hope that this blog will have been insightful and helpful to all you who read it. Here’s hoping for plenty fun, excitement and lots of winners for today and the rest of the week.

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

The first race on Day 4, the final day of the Cheltenham Festival 2019 is the Triumph Hurdle. Sir Erec is a red hot favourite and I’ve no problem in steering well clear of him. I’m happy to be proven wrong in two weeks time, but on the day I will be backing against him that’s for sure. I’ll take two value punts against the field. The first of those is TIGER TAP TAP 14/1 (EW) for Willie Mullins, Rich Ricci and with Ruby Walsh in the saddle. The run to focus on was his maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. That day he finished within a neck of Sir Erec. That day they raced at a proper race and a big field, his jumping was electric and he travelled beautifully. In contrast Sir Erec didn’t jump so well in amongst horses and his flat experience stood him in good stead on the day. Since then they met again at the Dublin Racing Festival where Sir Erec got a very easy lead. He was given a 4-5L lead at a pace where he would have been doing as much cantering down to the start. It’s easy for a horse like him to jump well when cruising around in splendid isolation with no distractions and doing everything completely within himself. The way the race was ran made Sir Erec look very impressive on the day but you can’t ignore a 109 rated flat horse, give them an easy lead, sit a few lenghts off him and let him turn the race into a two and a half furlong sprint. Tiger Tap Tap at 14/1 had to be considered a cracking eachway bet and I expect him to leave his Dublin Racing Festival form well behind in a truly run race in the Triumph. PIC D’ORHY 12/1 (EW) for Paul Nicholls has yet to run in British but has 6 runs to his name in France. This horse was 2nd beaten just over a lenght in a Grade 1 at Auteil in November so he has plenty of experience even at the top level. The talk in the last six to eight weeks has been really positive and you write him off at your peril. I’d advise people to take the 12/1 NRNB now because it’s my firm belief if he runs Harry Cobden will ride him and Sean Bowen will ride Quel Destin. If this come to fruition then Pic D’orhy will go off at least half the price, possibly even as low as a 4 or 5/1 shot. If they don’t think he can at least beat Quel Destin I don’t see him running and you will get your money back.

Eachway Pokes:

Tiger Tap Tap 14/1

Pic D’orhy 12/1

The second race on the day is the County Hurdle, a race in recent season where if you have been following Dan Skelton and Willie Mullins then you will have been doing pretty well for yourself. These two trainers know exactly what it takes to win this race and anything they run in the race must take serious consideration. WONDER LAISH 12/1 (EW) looks set to rock up in this for Charles Byrnes and Davy Russell. He’s been in great form all season and I don’t believe a slow run race suited him last time. He got stuck out the back and ran into trouble a few times between the run out of the back and the turn into the home straight. Davy looked after him from there home with this race in mind. There was talk earlier in the season that this horse could even make his presence felt in a Grade 1 before the end of the season. He’s a high class flat horse with plenty of experience and you have one of the best jockeys ever to have sat in the saddle on your side in one of the most frenetic races of the year. The horse is a great jumper and still has juice left in his handicap mark. That’s always a good position to be in. WHISKEY SOUR 20/1 (EW) is another I have a keen interest in. Now some people with better connections and more qualified than me to express an opinion on this have tipped him up for the Coral Cup. As I see it he was 3rd in this race last season off 141 and I think he should return to this race where he ran so well last year. He’s only 2lbs higher now and like I mentioned earlier Willie Mullins is one of the trainers to focus on in this race and I’m sure if Whiskey Sour turns up here he will go close. Briefly another with a chance is Willie Mullins BLAZER 33/1 (EW). He was 2nd to Sharjah in the Galway Hurdle back in the summer and he definitely has a race like this in him at some stage. He’s got a nice mark of 142, he copes with all kinds of ground and he has plenty of experience in these big field high class handicaps over hurdles and fences. All that should stand him in good stead.

Eachway Pokes:

Wonder Laish 12/1

Whiskey Sour 20/1

Blazer 33/1

The Albert Barlett is a race in the last 5 or 6 season’s with an average winning SP of 20 or 25/1. As that would suggest it’s been a graveyard for punters and a devilishly tricky race to figure out. I won’t go into too much detail but two at the shorter prices to note in my opinion are BIRCHDALE 10/1 (EW) and DICKIE DIVER 9/1 (EW). They are two horses possibly short of experience but full of potential. They also both run in the JP McManus green and gold and both winning Irish point to pointers on debut. Dick Diver especially I believe will relish the strong pace and the serious test of stamina. Having won a point to point at Templenacarriga on his debut too some doing at a track that puts a severe emphasis on stamina and I’d encourage anyone to go to see the track, because the undulations and the climb are extreme you need to see it in the flesh and walk the track to really appreciate it. Of those at bigger prices EASY GAME 25/1 (EW) has plenty of experience which is normally a positive in a race like this and he may just come in under the radar if he turns up here.

Eachway Pokes:

Dickie Diver 9/1

Birchdale 10/1

Easy Game 25/1

Finally onto the big race of the day and the entire meeting. The race every owner, trainer, breeder and jockey wants to win. This season there is no doubt in my mind the race is coming back to Ireland and heading West across the Shannon with the genius that is Pat Kelly. His stable star PRESENTING PERCY 4/1 in my mind is an absolute certainty for this race. He stays, he has pace, he jumps, he is pure class, he has festival form having won at the previous two festivals, is trained by a genius and has one of the best of all time in the saddle. This horse is the people’s horse, a horse taken in by every real racing fan out there. In my opinion this year’s Gold Cup will be the first of multiple and this is only the beginning of what’s going to be a phenomenal legacy. People who wonder if not having a run over fences this season is a concern shouldn’t worry he has plenty of experience in a wide variety of distances and grades over hurdles and fences, which will stand to him. Trust in Pat Kelly and you won’t go too far wrong. As regards dangers, I believe the greatest threats are also Irish trained in KEMBOY 10/1 (EW) and AL BOUM PHOTO 16/1 (EW) who both were novice last season and are both Grade 1 winners. Kemboy was simply sensational in what he done from the last to the line in Leopardstown over Christmas to a proper Grade 1 field was staggering no matter what sort of pace they went around at. That makes him a serious contender. Al Boum Photo came down at the second last in the RSA behind Presenting Percy last season and while he wouldn’t have gotten near the winner it would have been tight for second between him and Monalee. These two Irish horses are very worthy eachway bets and will give you a good run for your money.

Shorties:

Presenting Percy 4/1

Eachway Pokes:

Kemboy 10/1

Al Boum Photo 16/1

Onto the Foxhunters now and I’ll just touch on a few with now fierce strong opinion. STAND UP AND FIGHT 4/1 looks a worth his place at the top of the market from this side of the Irish Sea. He’s been an easy winner of a couple of Hunter Chases and while he was beaten recently in a point to point id just draw a line through that. Enda Bolger knows better than anyone what it takes to win this race and you can trust he will have his runner peaking at 4:10 on the day. Of the British contingent you couldn’t be anything but impressed with HAZEL HILL 7/1 (EW) when he bolted up at Warwick last time. He jumps and travels and has a touch of class, most likely far beyond hunter chasing. There’s no telling what this horse is capable of and I’m looking forward to finding out!

The Grand Annual is an betting heat, with a frenetic pace assured and plenty carnage to follow suit. You have to touch on LE PREZIEN 16/1 (EW) who won this race last season and somehow gets back here off just 1lb higher than he won off last year. The mind boggles how the handicapper has been won easy on him and for that reason he needs strong consideration here having proven a liking for this particular test. Another of note is Gordon Elliott’s DUCA DE THAIX 20/1 (EW) who found a Grade 1 too hot to handle behind Le Richebourg last time but he seems very much at home in handicaps and when he won the Dan Moore at Fairyhouse he seemed to win with a bit in hand after travelling supremely well and for that reason I feel he’s worth a bet at a decent price on the day if he turns up here.

Can you believe it? The final race of the festival, and only something over 11 hours in the making in these blogs. Who would have thought it would take so much time and effort but it’s been enjoyable. The Martin Pipe is a race that Gordon Elliott loves to win and he has 2 runners of note in here DALLAS DE PICTONS 6/1 (EW) and GETAWAY JOHN 33/1 (EW). Dallas De Pictons won with a little bit to spare last time at the Dublin Racing Festival when idling in front up the straight. He is very unexposed and there no telling how high he can climb just yet. Getaway Trump is coming in under the radar having been beaten in Thurles on his most recent start but that wouldn’t concern me. He was just tending to hang right that day and was going to win his race when making a mistake at the last which cost him a lenght and gave him a chance to hang in behind the winner again on the short run in. He’s a horse with plenty of potential and as long as the ground is good I expect him to be involved at the business end of the race here. URADEL 7/1 (EW) was a strong fancy for the last number of weeks for the Coral Cup but the handicapper has appeared to have been lenient with him and there’s no guarantee he will get into that race. Obviously for all the same reasons given for the Coral Cup similarly those apply to this race and if he runs here instead he will most likely go off favourite. Just one more for the notebook is CANARDIER 25/1 (EW) for Dermot McLoughin who knows the time of day and brought this horse over for a sighter in October. He’s got a rating of 137 and you’d have to think the style in which he won that day suggested there could be quite a bit more to come from him. On the day take note of jockey bookings as this race is a Conditional Jockeys race, so all these riders are claimed a riders against their peers and naturally you’d think the top jockeys in the division have been sought out by those trainers coming here with high hopes of a winner.

Shorties:

Dallas De Pictons 6/1

Uradel 7/1

Eachway Pokes:

Canardier 25/1

Getaway John 33/1

Thanks to everyone who follows the blog and like and retweets on Twitter it’s greatly appreciated!

Last night the news came through that Penhill would miss Cheltenham, as he became the latest in a long list of hotly fancied horses for their respective races to bite the dust.

Day 3 kicks off with the Grade 1 JLT Novices Chase. This market has real scope to change between now and the off. Like I mentioned in the Day 1 Preview it wouldn’t come as a surprise to me at all if Defi Du Seuil went down the Arkle route instead. Glen Forsa is definitely going to the Arkle and Topofthegame is heading to the RSA. That means at least two if not three of the top four in the betting will not turn up and everything else will shorten dramatically. LOSTINTRANSLATION 3/1 is a worthy favourite in a wide open race. That said his jumping has left plenty to be desired at times, being liable to really clatter one when the heat is on. I’d argue if not on one but possibly two occasions had his jumping held up, he’d have taken the scalp of La Bague Au Roi who if she turned up here would be going off in my opinion no bigger than 7/4. So there is still plenty of juice in that 3/1. Of those at bigger prices to pay serious attention to it is my firm belief that CHRIS’S DREAM 25/1 (EW) would go very very close if he turned up here rather than the RSA. I don’t believe he truly stays 3 miles and that a truly run two and a half miles where he can really use his jumping and high cruising speed would really test a lot of his more fancied rivals. I really hope he turns up here. I gave a favourable mention to HARDLINE 20/1 (EW) for the Arkle the other day and again if he turned up here you’d write him off at your peril. One for the Brits at a price would be KILDISART 12/1 (EW) although he is probably the right price. He won a handicap over course and distance in January and he’s a big imposing tank of a horse, a real good looking chaser who just takes your eye out. Like the favourite though he’s prone to cutting a fence in two like he did with two out here last time. He will have to jump better than that to be stepping up to win a Grade 1 but you often see horses run out through the soft British fences and not even break stride so maybe he won’t need to jump at all!

Shorties:

Lostintranslation 3/1

Eachway Pokes:

Chris’s Dream 25/1

Hardline 20/1

Kildisart 12/1

Next up is possibly one of my favourite races of the meeting, as it’s a race I’ve had a lot of punting success in in the past. The Pertemps is always a hotly contested big field handicap hurdle and not for the faint hearted punter among us. Having a close look at this race it baffles me how a horse like SIRE DE BERLAIS 7/1 (EW) gets back here off just a 1lb higher mark than when he contested the Martin Pipe last season where he was one of the more fancied Irish runners of the meeting. This really smells of a plot as I cast my mind back to the very same connections last season with Glenloe. I’m sure he will go off favourite here and has to go very close. WALK TO FREEDOM 16/1 (EW) is a horse I’ve had on my radar for a long time for this race. He owes me nothing this season having been a lucrative horse to follow thus far. This horse has everything you need to win a race like this. He’s got pace to burn and unlike in the past he’s learned to settle now which makes him a lot more versatile tactics wise now. Probably his greatest asset is his jumping. He jumps like a champion hurdler, just lightening quick and makes ground at every hurdle. While I was shocked so see the British handicapper give him 11lbs for finishing 2nd at the Dublin Racing Festival when he assessed him for this, it often pays to follow the class angle in races like this. CAP YORK 16/1 (EW) is a horse improving rapidly. He has had his problems in the past but this season he’s finally showing us what he is capable of. I had fancied him for a qualifier for this race at the Dublin Racing Festival but he came out that day due to the ground. He made amends last week in good style at Fairyhouse where he didn’t go unsupported. I feel what we have seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg with him.

Shorties:

Sire De Berlais 7/1

Eachway Pokes:

Walk To Freedom 16/1

Cap York 16/1

If your having a bet now for the Ryanair I’d advise you make it FOOTPAD 6/1 (EW). Quite simply it’s a no brainer. This horse is a two mile soft ground specialist but his limitations over the minimum trip on good ground have been exposed this season despite not being 100% on either start this season. If he is declared for this he will be a small fraction of the 6/1 he is now. At a price like this he’s at the very least an eachway bet to nothing. He’s a Grade 1 winner in France over two and a half miles so he definitely stays. He has festival form having won the Arkle last season with previously good runs in the Triumph and the Champion Hurdle. Back him now before he’s 5/2 or shorter on the day. Of the rest UN DE SCEAUX 10/1 (EW) is as good as ever this season at the age of 11 and he’s sure to run his race again having won twice and been 2nd on two more occasions at the festival.

Shorties:

Footpad 6/1

Eachway Pokes:

Un De Sceaux 10/1

In the Stayers Hurdle I’d encourage anyone who will listen to steer clear of Paisley Park. He beat mostly trees last time in the Cleeve Hurdle where they went off like the clappers. He was outpaced last time on the final circuit and while some say it is testament to the horse how easily he won in spite of that I’d have massive concerns. That day the trees that went off at a crazy gallop were stopping in front of him and could barely raise a leg let alone gallop. The race was set up perfectly for him and he was massively flattered by the result. For me BLACK OP 14/1 (EW) is the best the British have to offer in this division and if Noel Fehilly could have his ride again in the Cleeve he’d have kept well away from that hot pace in that he followed closely and faired by far the best of those who raced prominently. While quick ground would have to be a concern I wouldn’t be opposed to having a bet on him at the prices. There is a max bet in here for me and that is the evergreen FAUGHEEN 6/1 (EW). He was running a stormer last time behind Apple’s Jade and was yet to be asked for anything when uncharacteristically coming down at the second last in Leopardstown. Last season was for the most part a write off having been running over what is an inadequate two miles at this stage of his career. The real proof of his retained ability is his run at Punchestown at the end of last season. People can say he got an easy lead all they want but in any even what you simply need to focus on his what he did for the home turn to the line. He bolted clear with consummate ease from 2018 Stayers Hurdle winner Penhill mind blowing fashion. He did that with consummate ease and all the vibes I’m hearing lately are that Faugheen is simply flying at home and the yard can’t see anything beating him. Paisley Park will be finishing outside of the first three places on the day with his tail between his legs, having been taken apart by Faugheen. Just briefly to touch on one more, BACARDYS 20/1 (EW) has been tried over fences a few times now without success. He simply just doesn’t jump well enough over fences. He’s a much better hurdler and was a certainty to finish in the first three when storming home in this race last season when he unfortunately came down at the last. The race is sure to be run at a more suitable gallop this year and with a clear round of jumping he should be rattling home late on.

Shorties:

Faugheen 6/1

Eachway Pokes:

Bacardys 20/1

Black Op 14/1

The Festival Plate is the fifth race on the card on Day 3 and I’m a bit confused as to how Siruh Du Lac is favourite here and almost half the price of his nearest rival. I’d be much more interested in the horse he beat that day in JANIKA 20/1 (EW). He has two really good runs under his belt so far this season and he looks like a horse you have to deliver as late as possible. He has proven he handles the track last time and Dayrl Jacob is learning more about him every time he rides him. I’m sure if he held onto him a little longer last time I’m sure the result would have been different and I expect him to be coming fast and late. He’s impossible to knock out of the frame! This looks like a race for the home team so I’ll add one more to the mix. SPIRITOFTHEGAMES 20/1 (EW) ran a really good race here last time behind Kildisart who as mentioned earlier has an eachway chance in the JLT. I’m sure Dan Skelton had left something to work on then and if he can improve 5% on his run that day he’s another who won’t be far away.

Eachway Pokes:

Janika 20/1

Spiritofthegames 20/1

This is probably the most competitive renewal of this race we have seen. Honeysuckle and EPATANTE 11/4 will be at the head of the market with preference being with the Nicky Henderson inmate. I was very taken with her debut at Kempton before Christmas. She showed a frightening turn of foot that day that showed her to be a mare full of potential. This will be her toughest assignment to date but I really feel she could be anything. I’ve been beating the SANCTA SIMONA 16/1 (EW) drum since she won a Kilbeggan bumper in May. Now I know Kilbeggan is far from the breeding ground of champions but this mare has won 2 hurdles races since then and went off favourite for a Grade 1 against the geldings at Christmas in Leopardstown. The horse that beat her that day was Aramon who’s since proven himself as good a Grade 1 Novice Hurdler as Ireland has to offer this season. Hopefully he will have franked the form in no uncertain terms in the Supreme and by the off of this race the 16/1 could look ridiculous! I’ll be having a decent bet on her for sure.

Shorties:

Epatante 11/4

Eachway Pokes:

Sancta Simona 16/1

The final race of the day the Kim Muir Handicap Chase for Amateur Riders. NO COMMENT 16/1 (EW) ran a solid race in the National Hunt Chase (4 miler) at the festival last season under Derek O’Connor before simply finding the trip on testing ground all too much for him. If Derek commits to riding him again and I suspect he will, then he will be more likely single figures on the day. While he’s prone to a mistake or two we can put our faith in Derek to bring the best out of him. I haven’t really a particularly strong opinion on this race but I wouldn’t discount the Paul Nicholls pair of TOUCH KICK 20/1 (EW) and EL BANDIT 25/1 (EW). Touch kick jumps well and will stay all day and while El Bandits season has gone the wrong was so far but the handicapper has relented a bit and he was heavily fancied for the Badgers Ales earlier in the season. Jockey bookings will be very interesting.

Eachway Pokes:

No Comment 16/1

Touch Kick 20/1

El Bandit 25/1

Good luck everyone! Feedback is always welcome, along with likes and retweets.

Firstly, needless to say I’ve been delighted by how well received the Day 1 blog was and hopefully people will be equally as pleased with what Day 2s blog has to offer. Thanks to everyone for the Likes, Retweets and Comments!

Hopefully come the first race on Day 2 of the festival we will be rolling in bookies money after a great days sport and punting on Day 1. That will make Day 2 all the easier to enjoy safe in the knowledge we hold the advantage and have money to play with heading into the rest of the week. So why wait any longer? Let’s get stuck into Day 2s cards!

The opening race of the day is the Ballymore Novices Hurdle (formally the Neptune). There are some real talking horses in here. No bigger than Champ in JP McManus silks and named after former multiple champion jockey Tony McCoy. At best price 3/1 favourite he’s one to avoid for me. I never really took to him as a bumper horse and again I find myself looking to take him on again as a hurdler. In January of 2018 he went to Ascot where he took on Vindication who was conceding 6lbs to him in a Novice Hurdle over 2m 5f and he got beat. Has he enhanced his form claims since? I don’t think he has. I’m happy to take him on. Of the shorties I’d be more than happy to take something like BATTLEOVERDOYEN 5/1 (EW). Look it’s a muggy eachway bet sure but as an average punter who likes a bet now and then or just at the big meetings like Cheltenham, goal number 1 should always be to hold onto what you’ve got and get a good run for your money and he’s just the type that will be at least there with a shout rounding the home turn. There’s nothing worse than being beaten on the downhill run to 3 and 2 out watching your selection being swallowed up. Of those at bigger prices you can still get KLASSICAL DREAM 10/1 (EW). I know initial preference with him may have been for the Supreme but in his blog for Racing TV over the weekend Ruby Walsh wrote of how he felt the Ballymore was the race for him and if Ruby gets his way there’s no way this Grade 1 winner goes off anything more than half that so take a slice of that 10/1 while you can. Of the British contingent I’d be happy to have either of the pair BIRCHDALE 14/1 (EW) and BREWIN’UPASTORM 12/1 (EW). These two took eachother on over course and distance in January and when Brewin’upastorm came down at the last. Plenty of observers would say that Birchdale would have been beaten that day but I’d strongly disagree. If you watch Barry Geraghty closely on a regular basis you’ll know he often crouches in the saddle and looks to be getting stuck in when he’s actually taking a pull. It’s my firm belief that he would have won by a length or two. The one negative is with Champ in here Birchdale may go to the Bartlett instead. But if he turns up he will be a formidable force on the day.

Shorties:

Battleoverdoyen 5/1

Eachway Pokes:

Klassical Dream 10/1

Birchdale 14/1

Brewin’upastorm 12/1

Race two is the RSA and here we have another Nicky Henderson favourite that needs to be taken on or even place layed if that floats your boat. That horse is Santini. He was an overrated Novice Hurdler and before he ever jumped a fence he was an overrated Novice Chaser too. This horse needs bottomless ground to be seen to best effect and even when he got his conditions at last year’s festival he wasn’t good enough to take advantage in the Albert Bartlett. Gordon Elliott’s DELTA WORK 4/1 stands out a mile here. He has previous festival form winning last year’s Pertemps. He followed that up with a narrow defeat in a Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Punchestown. He’s gone from strength to stenght over fences on his first two starts he was running over a trip sort of his best at two and a half miles but his sound jumping and gutsy attitude stood him in good stead both when winning his beginners in Down Royal and again when beating dual Grade 1 winner Le Richebourg in the Drinmore when he made a bad mistake at the last and rallied on the run in to get back up. At Christmas he was upped to 3 miles and easily won his second Grade 1 of the season on ground quicker than ideal. This is a horse we haven’t seen the best of yet and Cheltenhams typical Good to Soft ground and the RSA test look ideal for him. He will only shorten between now and the off of this race and I see him going off favourite. Of the British TOPOFTHEGAME 6/1 (EW) looks another muggy eachway bet to nothing. He arguably should have won the Kauto Star at Kempton on Boxing Day and this giant of a horse has scope to burn. He’s a horse I’ve always liked and he has probably taken time to grow into his massive frame. He can only get better with age and in ways reminds me of Don Cossack. He also has good Festival form having finished 2nd in last year’s Coral Cup which as we hear over and over again is always a bonus having been there and handled this big occasion. The markets seems to have this race fairly right even if Santini is totally the wrong favourite. Of those at bigger prices to touch on briefly VINDICATION 25/1 (EW) is a horse I’ve always liked. He’s as tough as they come a real hardened stayer and I was surprised to say the least with the tactics they employed last time in Sandown when they decided to take a lead which I think negates his real strenghts that as his relentless gallop and his dogged determination where he meets all challenges with his “thou shall not pass” attitude. The step up the 3 miles would be a real plus for him and he could be one of the outsiders to keep on side. The best of the Irish to fit the outsiders bill could well be MORTAL 33/1 (EW) and while I don’t think he can win it wouldn’t be the greatest surprise should he nab a place. You can put a line through his defeat last time over and inadequate trip and off of a crawl. He just hadn’t the gears on quick ground for a race that was simply a sprint from the home turn to the line. He looks sure to turn up on the day and if he does I can’t see him going off 33/1.

Shorties:

Delta Work 4/1

Topofthegame 6/1

Eachway Pokes:

Vindication 25/1

Mortal 33/1

The Coral Cup is up next and i will try not to go into tok much detail with the alotted weights and final field still an unknown. There will be plenty of interest in the likes of URADEL 8/1 (EW) on the day and I wouldn’t put anyone off. He’s got a very similar profile as the winner for the same stable and owner last season and ran a solid trial for the race at the Dublin Racing Festival. Taking what it took to get into last year’s renewal into account he should be garunteed a run. Another with a claims for the same stable is CUT THE MUSTARD 33/1 (EW) who found only one too good, also at the Dublin Racing Festival. She ran particularly well in last season Mares Novice Hurdle having been very keen throughout and taking on high class mare Maria’s Benefit the whole way you can upgrade her finishing position on the day. She’s a mare going the right way and definitely has a good race in here. There’s a chance she could go for the Martin Pipe later in the week instead but wherever she goes she has a definite chance. Another that falls under the Coral Cup/ Martin Pipe bracket is GETAWAY JOHN 33/1 (EW) who may not look the most straight forward but this horse has in my opinion been a plot for something like this for a long time and while he may well be destined for the Martin Pipe, wherever he turns up he’s a horse you simply must back!

Shorties:

Uradel 8/1

Eachway Pokes:

Cut The Mustard 33/1

Getaway John 33/1

The big race of the day the Queen Mother Champion Chase is next up and reigning champion Altior returns to defend his crown at skinny odds and I’m willing to take him on. Min 8/1 (EW) is a massive price for me and must be taken. If hes declared to run here hes instantly a best price 3/1 if not 5/2. I can’t envisage him not turning up here and a clash with Altior on good ground over fences could be just what he needs to gain compensation for two previous festival defeats at the hands of Altior. Min is the best technical jumper of a fence I’ve ever seen and Altior has shown some chinks in his armour a few times. He has shown on his two starts over fences at Cheltenham that he’s not exactly in love with the place and it’s my firm belief that the testing going at last season’s festival kept Altior in the race and made it enough of a test for him to take Mins scalp after the last. There is also a distinct lack of pace in the race this time around and Min is one who certainly wouldn’t mind it turning into a sprint. Of those at bigger prices it’s hard to make a case for too many but should FOX NORTON 25/1 (EW) turn up on the day, he will be ridden to pick up the pieces and is a likely customer to stay on into a place at a decent eachway price.

Shorties:

Min 8/1

Eachway Pokes:

Fox Norton 25/1

Next up is the Cross Country and I don’t think there’s any more that needs to be said here than we have a very solid favourite in the shape of TIGER ROLL 5/4 on the day as I can only see him shortening. Even though skinny odds such as this are not my cup of tea I can’t put anybody off really. A word of caution looking back on his win in the Boyne Hurdle, I know Gordon said he was only 75% fit but I wouldn’t believe that and it wouldn’t be a shock to me if that run might just be him peaking too soon. Also I’d have slight concerns over his form from back before Christmas when he last tackled the Cross Country fences that he just didn’t seem to be as fluent as you’d like and with so many obstacles in the race you can afford to continue to give away ground and get away with it. AUVERGNAT 6/1 (EW) is an eachway bet to nothing in a race that you know he loves, not to mention he seems better than ever this season having won the Paddy Power at Leopardstown over Christmas. He will definitely be the play for me on the day. If you want something at a bigger price then FACT OF THE MATTER 16/1 (EW) seems to really have taken to the discipline like a duck to water. You could certainly do worse than having a small bet on him eachway.

Shorties:

Tiger Roll 5/4

Auvergnat 6/1

Eachway Pokes:

Fact Of The Matter 16/1

Next up is the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. It has always been a firm belief of mine that juvenile hurdles are death traps and the stats would back that up with the average winner of this race being 20/1 plus in recent years. Of those close to the head of the market the FINE BRUNELLO 14/1 (EW) is of real interest to me. He finished 2nd here when having a sighter behind Frakir D’oudairies who is second favourite for the Supreme and there was a lot to like about his run that day when being quietly ridden by Barry Geraghty. Whatever mark he gets from the handicapper he will be a force to be reckoned with here. Others to note are a pair who recently finished 1st and 2nd in a Gowran maiden in the shape of STAR MAX 20/1 (EW) and FUTURE PROOF 33/1 (EW). Both have plenty of experience which is vital in a race like this. Whatever ground conditions are on the day they will handle it and they have run very solid races in behind some of their better fancied rivals who have less scope for improvement. The Fred Winter is a race where I always have more than one bet and this year will be no different. Should these 3 all turn up I’ll be playing all 3 eachway.

Eachway Pokes:

Fine Brunello 14/1

Star Max 20/1

Future Proof 33/1

The last race of the day is the Champion Bumper and for me there is a real standout bet in BLUE SARI 6/1 (EW). His Irish debut was nothing short of electric. Derek O’Connor who rode the 2nd that day said turning in he thought he was going to win and couldn’t believe how easily Blue Sari went away from him. A glowing reference like that goes a long way in my book. Don’t forget Willie Mullins has a formidable record in the race and you have to take that very seriously. One at a wild price and I know she hasn’t beat much to date but she owes us nothing and has been as green as grass in her two runs, that horse is SANTA ROSSA 25/1 (EW). Shes a mare with loads of potential and Dermot McLoughin is a trainer who knows the time of day. They have nothing to lose by running her here and the usual fast pace and stiff finish should really play to her strenghts. While honestly it is hard to see her win she is one who could easily make it into the frame at a big price with loads of the major bookmakers offering plenty places on the day. In an open year she’s no forlorn hope.

Shorties:

Blue Sari 6/1

Eachway Pokes:

Santa Rossa 25/1

Hope this can get half as much views and positive feedback as yesterday’s blog and best of luck with all of your bets for Day 2!

Just a look into the Cheltenham Antepost Markets, value hunting with two weeks to go! I will select a few of runners under categories of Shorties and Eachway Pokes all of interest value wise!

The opening race of the festival often has a real hotpot favourite especially this side of the Irish Sea. With possibly some of the Mullins big guns being held off on due to the unseasonably quick ground. Yet the Irish contingent apart from juvenile Frakir D’oudairies being some way off favouritism. Look while I’m a big fan of Al Dancer, anyone who follows my Twitter will know I was very interested in him at 12/1 only a few weeks ago. Best price 3/1 looks skinny enough now and just borderline backable for me. He could be well supported on the day with traditionally the Betfair Hurdle winner being a talking horse on the day. I still feel that there is value to be had and is much rather and eachway bet. You could do worse than backing ELIXIR DU NUTZ 10/1 (EW) with decent course form and the Tolworth working out well since. More of interest for me is ARAMON 12/1 (EW) a Grade 1 winner over Christmas at Leopardstown by a wide margin over a mare I like a lot in Sancta Simona. He was possibly unlucky in defeat, again in a Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival when he hung in the closing stages and Paul Townend had to pull him out off his stable companion no less than 4 times after the last, meaning he couldn’t get properly stuck into him. He was only beat a short head that day and I believe he was a moral winner on the day. How many dual Willie Mullins Grade 1 winners would go into a Supreme ever at a double figure price? Let me remind you that Melon who only found one too good in the 2017 Supreme was only a maiden hurdle winner before going off favourite in the Supreme. GRAND SANCY 14/1 (EW) is another to keep a close eye on. He seems to be progressing run to run for Paul Nicholls and after a very good 2nd behind Elixir Du Nutz in the Tolworth he ran in open company last time against the older horses and came out on top in a thrilling finish against 154 rated hurdler Sceau Royal when conceding 2lbs. That was a quality performance and he’s definitely overpriced. As I write this I have stumble across a real flyer at a big price in the shape of ITCHY FEET 33/1 (EW) who on his most recent start finished 2nd to Elixir Du Nutz here by a length and a quarter conceding 5lbs. It was popular opinion that day that the omition of 3 flights due to the low sun was a big help to the winner and Itchy Feet would have been at the very least a lot closer should those flights have been jumped. Olly Murphy his trainer will have a Cheltenham Festival winner before too long I’m sure and who knows, this forgotten horse may well be the answer and look incredibly overpriced on the day.

Shorties:

Al Dancer 3/1

Eachway Pokes:

1. Aramon 12/1

2. Itchy Feet 33/1

Onto the Arkle now, which has been falling apart in recent weeks. This may be a harder race to find value but I’d be inclined steer clear of those at the top of the market. Who knows maybe with Le Richebourg coming out this morning DEFI DU SEUIL 5/1 (EW) might turn up here instead. I’d certainly be more interested in him here than in the JLT. If you can get some 4 or 5/1 NRNB it wouldn’t be the worst bet in the world although not necessarily my cup of tea. Of those at bigger prices HARDLINE 16/1 (EW) looks worthy of an eachway bet should he turn up having won a Grade 1 over two and a half miles over Christmas and having easily swatted dual Grade 1 2nd US AND THEM 33/1 (EW) aside at Navan earlier this season. Look this is a puzzling race and could possibly be one of the weakest Arkles ever run but without lashing into one in a big way, these are three horses who on the day if they run will all go off considerably shorter!

Shorties:

Defi Du Seuil 5/1

Eachway Pokes:

1. Hardline 16/1

2. Us And Them 33/1

Onto the first handicap of the meeting next the Ultima Handicap Chase. Paul Nicholls GIVE ME A COPPER 13/2 (EW) would be one for the short list and likely to go off favourite. He ran a very eye-catching race, jumping very well in the process last time at Sandown on the back of 446days off the track. He should come on plenty for that and with the Paul Nicholls stable in such good form it would be hard to knock him out of the frame. My one concern being he seems to want soft ground but on the plus side Cheltenham will be well watered on the first day and should be ok for him. Of those at bigger prices UP FOR REVIEW 20/1 (EW) ran a stormer to be 3rd in the Thyestes at Gowran Park after a wide trip throughout and on the day he was the only one to make any significant progress from off the pace having been last most of the way. He’s a big scope individual who’s had his injury problems in his career but now he’s fit and sound he definitely has a race like this in him. Another if more again from the Thyestes is ALPHA DES OBEAUX 33/1 (EW) if he turned up of course he’d be running off top weight but he’s been running right up to the very best of his form and he has a real touch of class that always stands him in good stead in races like this. If he turns up he will take some knocking out of the frame with bold front running tactics.

Shorties:

Give Me A Copper 13/2

Eachway Pokes:

Up For Review 20/1

Alpha Des Obeaux 33/1

Onto the big one now the Champion Hurdle. Here it’s my firm belief on this season’s form APPLES JADE 9/4 should be favourite. Not to mention that 7lbs mares allowance. LAURINA 7/2 is short enough now for me and while I think she’s a superstar and we will see the best of her over fences next season unless we get a bit more value on the day or your willing to have a really muggy eachway bet at that 7/2 I’d hesitantly have to leave her be having backed her at 8s back in November. Of those to interest me at eachway prices I’ve always been a massive fan of ESPOIR D’ALLEN 20/1 (EW) who was a really high class juvenile last season and has gone from strength to stenght having returned from injury this season. He’s going in the right direction and I was very taken by him at Naas last time. We must not forget people were getting carried away with Laurina beating Stormy Ireland last week but Espoir D’Allen left her for dead in the straight at Limerick and is 6 times the price! I’d like to see some headgear applied to MELON 20/1 (EW) in the shape of cheekpieces to sharpen him up and I wouldn’t lose hope with him just yet. It may be that he likes a softer surface than hes got all season which he will get on Champion Hurdle day. Add to that he has two 2nds to his name in a Supreme and Champion Hurdle so we know he has the ability. The Cheltenham crowd and a set of those cheekpieces I mentioned may just spark him to life and I wouldn’t like to totally dismiss him.

Shorties:

Apple’s Jade 9/4

Eachway Pokes:

Espoir D’Allen 20/1

Melon 20/1

Onto the Mares Hurdle now where last year’s winner BENIE DES DIEUX 13/8 is likely to prove very popular with punters in a race that Willie Mullins has farmed in the past. Look she could very easily go off even shorter on the day and depending on earlier results I wouldn’t be surprised to see her go off odds on. I can give her supporters season for concern though. Firstly we haven’t seen her all season. Also last season’s race wasn’t the best renewal of the race we’ve seen and while you can say she beat Apple’s Jade but so did Midnight Tour who wouldn’t pull up any trees. Apple’s Jade was a shadow of herself last season for whatever reason and got racing with La Bague Au Roi at least a mile from home and paid for it in the finish. The eventual first and 2nd sat in the last couple throughout and benefited hugely from how the race was ran. I also draw cause for concern with the ground as we’ve never seen Benie Des Dieux on ground as quick as she’s likely to tackle at the festival having looked to have been outpaced last season on ground she likes before ultimately staying on best. The one of most interest to me here is a stable companion of the favourite in the shape of LIMINI 9/1 (EW) who has previous festival form winning the 2016 Mares Novice Hurdle before going down narrowly in this race in 2017 after a mistake at the last behind wonder mares Apple’s Jade and Vroum Vroum Mag who came here on top form. A reproduction of anything like that form should see her going very very close here and after a good run last time behind Presenting Percy in Gowran Park and being freshened up since she would be my idea of the winner for sure.

Eachway Poke:

Limini 9/1

Now onto the Close Brothers Novice Handicap Chase and I’ll try to keep this as brief as possible with it next to impossible to predict where a lot of these will end up. First of two I will touch on is A PLUS TARD 16/1 (EW) who bumped into a right one last time in the shape of Winter Escape who is an outsider I fancy in the Grade 1 JLT later in the week. He also beat Willie Mullins Duc De Genievres when winning his beginners chase who coincidentally is generally half the price for this race. I believe this 16/1 is serious value for Henry De Bromheads charge. The other of interest for me at this time is ROBIN DE FORET 16/1 (EW) he could very well sneak in here off top weight and he is a big scopey horse who jumps well in the main and went off an odds on favourite on his most recent start before coming down 3 out behind Winter Escape at Cork. Before that he was a decent 2nd behind since dual Grade 1 winner Le Richebourg at Tipperary. If he runs he should give you a good run for your money and to me at least he would be more likely to turn up here than his more fancied stablemate who will probably go in Grade 1s.

Eachway Pokes:

A Plus Tard 16/1

Robin De Foret 16/1

Last for the opening day is the National Hunt Chase over four miles. Of the shorter priced runners here I wouldn’t put anyone off BALLYWARD 9/2 (EW) who is sure to go well under top amateur Patrick Mullins. He will stay all day, jumps economically and should run a good race for your money. Another shortish one is CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC 9/1 (EW) who even though having been off for a long time has run 2 very creditable races in graded company at Naas and Navan. He’s a previous festival winner and has a touch of class having previously been a Grade 1 winning Novice Hurdler. Of those at longer prices I’m very interested in DISCORAMA 14/1 (EW) who was running a stormer at Naas last time after being outpaced and pushed along early he grew in stature as the race went on and he came on the run to the last with a big challenge before he ultimately fell. I reckon he’d at the very least have gone very close to beating Ballyward that day and the four miles will be a big help for him. He also has festival form having finished 2nd in last season Martin Pipe. Lastly I better give a mention to one of the British contingent IBIS DU RHEU 25/1 (EW) who broke his maiden over fences here back in the Autumn and has some great festival form. He’s a previous winner of the Martin Pipe and finished 5th in the Novice Handicap Chase at last season’s festival. He handles all kinds of ground and saves all his best runs for Cheltenham.

Shorties:

Ballyward 9/2

Champagne Classic 8/1

Eachway Pokes:

Discorama 14/1

Ibis Du Rheu 25/1

Hope you have found this insightful and helpful and with any luck we will have found some serious value and a few profitable bets.

The opening race of the day is a 2 mile Maiden Hurdle, with 18 runners set to go to post. Look in all honesty I think anyone who knows anything bout racing can see that this is far from a strong maiden hurdle. We don’t know much about many of these so I’ll just get straight to the point. A tentative selection goes to the Willie Mullins trained mare ALLEZ DANCE 7/4. While she hasn’t run in 446 days since leaving France to join Willie Mullins that isn’t a concern for me. Mullins is more than capable of getting one ready first time out. More importantly she competed at Listed level in France and was well fancied on her starts at that level going off single figure odds so you’d expect her to have an above average level of ability. The likely favourite for Gordon Elliott has been off the track 668 days since winning a point to point and I’m not convinced that was a great race that he won. The other runner of note is the Joseph O’Brien trained Galilean whon was rated in the 90s on the flat and made a fine hurdles debut behind Chosen Mate at Fairyhouse. I wouldn’t put anyone off backing the Joseph O’Brien inmate eachway but my main bet would be Allez Dance.

Race two is another Maiden Hurdle this time over 2m 4f. INSULT 9/4 looks a strong favourite for Rachel Blackmore to continue her title challenge and hit back at Paul Townend after he takes the opening race of the day. Insult ran a very satisfactory race on debut at Tramore to finish 2nd behind Mormon and with natural progression should be difficult to beat. If there is to be an upset in this I can see OPPOSITES ATTRACT 16/1 (EW) running a solid race to get himself involved at the business end of the race for Dermot McLoughlin who has a very interesting jockey booked to ride in the shape of Barry Geraghty. The market is worth monitoring but I wouldnt be surprised to see plenty eachway money for this one.

Next up at 2:40 is the big race of the day the Quevega Listed Mares Hurdle and of course the star attraction here comes in the shape of LAURINA 1/3. Look there’s no point saying otherwise, this is her biggest test to date but if she has Champion Hurdle aspirations she should be winning this with some ease despite give away weight to all of he rivals. We can expect her to do this on the bridle with consumate ease and I for one will be shocked and disappointed is that isn’t the case.

The 3:15 is a Pertemps Handicap Hurdle qualifier for the Cheltenham Festival, so if a horse finishes in the first 5 places here then they will qualify for the corresponding race at Cheltenham and it’s down to being high enough in the handicap then to get a run. Onto this race and here I’m sticking with CAP YORK 10/1 (EW) who I gave a very positive mention to before coming out as a non runner at the Dublin Racing Festival. He’s a horse that had his problems in the past and is lightly raced to date but he made a nice comeback when winning a Maiden Hurdle at Navan before going on to be beaten over 4 lenghts in a Grade 2 Novice Hurdle. It is my opinion that a mark of 132 is fair and workable and this horse should have plenty of improvement in him.

Next up is a Mares Maiden Hurdle over 2m 6f and it looks an open race. I’m quiet surprised actually at the price we are able to get on the selection here. THE CADDY ROSE 5/1 (EW) was a 16L winner of a bumper last time in very taking fashion. I know the race wasn’t of the highest standard but to stretch clear like she did that day. She’s a mare with plenty experience and had previously ran multiple very good races in defeat. It’s completely plausible that she has finally come to hand and showing her true form now and with 5/1 available she’s most certainly for me at least, an eachway bet to nothing.

The penultimate race of the day is a handicap hurdle over 2m 4f and a strong enough selection goes to TUNGSTEN KID 5/1 (EW) for John and Conor Brassil. This horse has been running well in defeat of late, not least last time when 4L behind Father Jed who has since come out to finish a solid 2nd off his revised mark. Tungsten Kids mark remains unchanged at 80 from that run and has Conor Brassil taking off a very useful 5lbs. The trip and ground should hold no excuses for him and off a featherweight of 10st 6lb, getting weight all round he should be extremely difficult to have out of the frame.

The days racing comes to a close at 4:55 with a 4yo Bumper over 2 miles. NO GREY AREA’S 11/10 should be difficult to beat after making a taking debut to finish 2nd at Naas last time. Any improvement from that run could make a tough horse to oppose and the booking of Patrick Mullins can only be a positive.