Here we go and get ready for the roar ............
Supreme Novice Hurdle
Darlan fell LTO ...can't be having him as Cheltenham hurdles will be no kinder than Newbury ones plus favourites haven't a great record in this. 13 of the past 15 winners had won last time out and 15 of the last 17 winners had raced in the previous 45 days (30 Jan on). If we're getting 'statty' then this narrows the field down to six. Unless it rains non stop in the next few hours then Trifolium is off my list - the heavier the better for him although he's half brother to Balder Suces who has won on this ground (good to soft). Nicky Henderson has an awful win record in this race (he had 2nd and 3rd last year though) but Tetlami looks very tempting at the price. I'll stick with my original antepost pick of Galileo's Choice to win with Tetlami each way and hope that Henderson comes good this year.
Galileo's Choice win (UP 7th)
Tetlami each way ( UP 9th)
Arkle Chase
The third year of Paddy Power's marketing assault on the Cheltenham Festival involves this race. You'd have to have just crawled from under a rock not to know that they are refunding all losing bets if Sprinter Sacre wins this. Some have suggested that this is because they thought Peddler's Cross would be running and provide some competition but I don't believe for one minute that I was ahead of the bookies here (I never thought he'd run in it!). This together with the fact that antepost favourites (and indeed only 2 of the past 19 winners have been so) provide a strong argument for looking for an alternative selection. Sprinter Sacre is a wonderful gorgeous horse but I think his style of running (freegoing, bouncy) isn't bet suited here. Al Ferof is the only runner who has contested a grade 1 in recent weeks. Al Ferof come out top of my sheet at 4.31 with Sprinter Sacre on 3.42. Al Ferof is a Spring horse.....
Al Ferof win (UP4th)
JLT Specialty Chase (Handicap)
I'm avoiding those entered for Aintree (it's incredible to think that a Cheltenham Festival race can be used as prep for the GN but the timing is so convenient!). Mossley is back at a suitable distance, on ground that he'll like and in a more realistic grade. I can't believe (despite the hype) that Our Mick will last. Zarrafakt is a nice horse who may run into a place (still to high in the weights I think to win) and shouldn't have a problem getting up the hill.
Mossley each way (UP PU)
Zarrafakt each way (UP PU)
....and good luck to Lucy Alexander with her first Cheltenham Festival ride on Riguez Dancer :)
Champion Hurdle
Is there even any point in going through the field with Hurricane Fly in this? He is a monster and pretty much bomb proof. Having said that, Binocular improved massively after his wind op and I shall have a (wuss!) saver on him just in case there's been giant leaps forward at home that we don't know about since his last outing. In any other race (i.e.without these two) I'd be very interested in Oscars Well but he just seems to lack that grade 1 class - falling short on each occasion ..the best he can hope for must surely be 3rd today.
Hurricane Fly win (3rd)
Binocular (for the forecast) (UP 4th)
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
No I shan't be walking to the centre of the course to watch! Seven runners can have a line struck through as all the 56 places have been filled by Irish trained horses in the past. Scotsirish and Uncle Junior both took the wrong course here in December, handing Garde Champetre the win but that won't be happening today and I have this between these two Mullins horses. Scotsirish is the main hope for the stable and the one I'll be backing with his stable mate for the forecast.
Scotsirish win (UP very sadly pulled up)
Uncle Junior (for the forecast) (UP 8th)
Olbg David Nicholson Mares Hurdle
Doesn't Quevega own this race now? If she likes the other horses then she lets then run against her! Seriously, she is head and shoulders above the others so is a no brainer for me. What A Charm in first time blinkers is interesting at a big price with her ground so I'll put a little each way on her.
Quevega win (1st)
What A Charm each way (UP11th)
Is there anyone who doesn't want Hunt Ball to win for his exuberant owner today? He is on his highest mark and his only visit here in the past resulted in a 67 length 4th last April. The opposition is a different class today and I he'll have to be a much improved horse if he's to win this. I like That'll Do with Ruby up. He's on a decent mark, has course form and will like the ground. Bless The Wings is a close second for me so I'll be on both each way.
That'll Do each way (F)
Bless The Wings each way (UP 10th)
.......and I'm off - see you later and good luck everyone x
Supreme Novice Hurdle
Darlan fell LTO ...can't be having him as Cheltenham hurdles will be no kinder than Newbury ones plus favourites haven't a great record in this. 13 of the past 15 winners had won last time out and 15 of the last 17 winners had raced in the previous 45 days (30 Jan on). If we're getting 'statty' then this narrows the field down to six. Unless it rains non stop in the next few hours then Trifolium is off my list - the heavier the better for him although he's half brother to Balder Suces who has won on this ground (good to soft). Nicky Henderson has an awful win record in this race (he had 2nd and 3rd last year though) but Tetlami looks very tempting at the price. I'll stick with my original antepost pick of Galileo's Choice to win with Tetlami each way and hope that Henderson comes good this year.
Galileo's Choice win (UP 7th)
Tetlami each way ( UP 9th)
Arkle Chase
The third year of Paddy Power's marketing assault on the Cheltenham Festival involves this race. You'd have to have just crawled from under a rock not to know that they are refunding all losing bets if Sprinter Sacre wins this. Some have suggested that this is because they thought Peddler's Cross would be running and provide some competition but I don't believe for one minute that I was ahead of the bookies here (I never thought he'd run in it!). This together with the fact that antepost favourites (and indeed only 2 of the past 19 winners have been so) provide a strong argument for looking for an alternative selection. Sprinter Sacre is a wonderful gorgeous horse but I think his style of running (freegoing, bouncy) isn't bet suited here. Al Ferof is the only runner who has contested a grade 1 in recent weeks. Al Ferof come out top of my sheet at 4.31 with Sprinter Sacre on 3.42. Al Ferof is a Spring horse.....
Al Ferof win (UP4th)
JLT Specialty Chase (Handicap)
I'm avoiding those entered for Aintree (it's incredible to think that a Cheltenham Festival race can be used as prep for the GN but the timing is so convenient!). Mossley is back at a suitable distance, on ground that he'll like and in a more realistic grade. I can't believe (despite the hype) that Our Mick will last. Zarrafakt is a nice horse who may run into a place (still to high in the weights I think to win) and shouldn't have a problem getting up the hill.
Mossley each way (UP PU)
Zarrafakt each way (UP PU)
....and good luck to Lucy Alexander with her first Cheltenham Festival ride on Riguez Dancer :)
Is there even any point in going through the field with Hurricane Fly in this? He is a monster and pretty much bomb proof. Having said that, Binocular improved massively after his wind op and I shall have a (wuss!) saver on him just in case there's been giant leaps forward at home that we don't know about since his last outing. In any other race (i.e.without these two) I'd be very interested in Oscars Well but he just seems to lack that grade 1 class - falling short on each occasion ..the best he can hope for must surely be 3rd today.
Hurricane Fly win (3rd)
Binocular (for the forecast) (UP 4th)
Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase
No I shan't be walking to the centre of the course to watch! Seven runners can have a line struck through as all the 56 places have been filled by Irish trained horses in the past. Scotsirish and Uncle Junior both took the wrong course here in December, handing Garde Champetre the win but that won't be happening today and I have this between these two Mullins horses. Scotsirish is the main hope for the stable and the one I'll be backing with his stable mate for the forecast.
Scotsirish win (UP very sadly pulled up)
Uncle Junior (for the forecast) (UP 8th)
Olbg David Nicholson Mares Hurdle
Doesn't Quevega own this race now? If she likes the other horses then she lets then run against her! Seriously, she is head and shoulders above the others so is a no brainer for me. What A Charm in first time blinkers is interesting at a big price with her ground so I'll put a little each way on her.
Quevega win (1st)
What A Charm each way (UP11th)
Pulteney Land Investments Novice Chase
Is there anyone who doesn't want Hunt Ball to win for his exuberant owner today? He is on his highest mark and his only visit here in the past resulted in a 67 length 4th last April. The opposition is a different class today and I he'll have to be a much improved horse if he's to win this. I like That'll Do with Ruby up. He's on a decent mark, has course form and will like the ground. Bless The Wings is a close second for me so I'll be on both each way.
That'll Do each way (F)
Bless The Wings each way (UP 10th)
.......and I'm off - see you later and good luck everyone x
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