Cheltenham Day 4

Well what a day yesterday was! We well and truly turned the week around!! 6 winners for the Irish. Unbelievable sport!

I never doubted Willie and Ruby but they proved a lot of people wrong yesterday. And another Cheltenham winner for Pat Kelly, by god he’s one of the shrewdest men in racing.

Gold Cup Day today, which happens to be Paddy’s Day this year and lets hope it’s another massive day for the Irish and we can fill the pockets for the weekend’s festivities!

1.30 JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)

JP won this race last year and has a strong hand again this year. Of the two market leaders I am going to favour Defi Du Seuil for Richard Johnson and Phillip Hobbs. Unbeaten over hurdles, his jumping has improved with each run, he’s a course winner and he can triumph in the Triumph. Bapaume of Willie Mullins’ at bigger prices is well capable of being on the premises too.

 

2.10 Randox Health County Handicap Hurdle

Another competitive handicap this one and I’m going to throw two darts at this. Ivanovic Gorbatov won on the day last year and looks nicely treated here in his first run in a handicap having been campaigned in Grade 1 company all season. Mick Jazz is the opposite, he’s improving with each run and looks like he has a big one in him. I expect both to go well but beware this is a lottery of a race!

 

2.50 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Gordon Elliot has had 5 winners so far this week but before the festival had given Death Duty as his banker of the week. That’s good enough for me and I like this horse a lot. He jumps, stays and can grind out a win. He looks an exciting horse for the future and he can keep Gorodns remarkable week going.

3.30 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)

This year is Djakadam’s year!! Second the in 2015 and 2016 I think his turn has come. Willie and Ruby are on a roll now and Djakadam comes here off a nice break and will run well fresh. Cue Card at 11 can’t win in my opinion and Native River will find one or two too good. It’s finally Willie’s turn to win the Gold Cup and Djakadam is hopefully going to do it for him.

 4.10 St. James’s Place Foxhunter Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase

On The Fringe had only Foxrock in front of him in his prep run at Leopardstown last time and Foxrock isn’t qualified to run today. He’s won this race the last two years and will be many peoples banker on Gold Cup day. Jamie Codd ride and he can do no wrong this week. Fill up the pockets with On The Fringe!!

 4.50 Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle

Castello Sforza was fourth in the bumper in Cheltenham last year and while he hasn’t won yet over hurdles he has a big chance in this. Johnathan Moore is a very positive jockey booking and with the Willie Mullins horses flying this lad must have a big chance. It’s not a race I will get heavily involved in but it has been good to me in the past with the likes of Don Poli and Sir Des Champs.

 5.30 Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Challenge Cup Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

The last race of the festival and hopefully we’ll have made the millions made by now! If not, Rock The World looks to have a chance. Placed in the race last year he can be on the premises again in what looks a weaker renewal to last year. Jessie Harrington has been in the winners enclosure already this week and she could be there again after the finale.

 

Selections:

1.30 Defi Du Seuil 5/2, Bapaume 16/1 EW

2.10 Ivanovic Gorbatov 11/1 EW, Mick Jazz 9/1 EW

2.50 Death Duty 9/4

3.30 Djakadam 7/2

4.10 On The Fringe 7/4 NAP

4.50 Castello Sforza 14/1 EW

5.30 Rock The World 12/1 EW

Treble: Death Duty, On The Fringe, Djakadam 37/1

Cheltenham Day 3

Well the less said about yesterday the better. A strange day with strange results! The Irish continue to fly though and Gordon has reached the 5 winner mark. Unreal!! And great to see Henry De Bromhead with another winner a great trainer and a gentleman.

Douvan was disappointing, something definitely went amiss he’s at least a stone a better horse than that showing. Lets hope he’s ok and comes back to his best next time.

It’s been a rough few days for Mullins and Walsh but it could be about to turn today, they have a strong Thursday team.

No winner and only the odd place for the blog yesterday, so today can only get better I hope! Onwards and upwards.

 

1.30 JLT Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 

If anyone asked me in the months leading up to Cheltenham for my banker I would have said Yorkhill in the JLT. Willie and Ruby are yet to get off the mark at this festival and that has to be a worry? But, I’m going to stick to my guns and go with Yorkhill. He was a high class hurdler and has won his two starts over fences. A lot of people question his jumping but I think his jumping will be fine tomorrow. Jumping sightly left going around Cheltenham will be fine. Lets hope Yorkie can turn the week on its head for us and get the ball rolling!

 

2.10 Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle (Listed Race)

Another of my ante post fancies had been Presenting Percy and despite being nailed by the handicapper for his win last time out I still think he can get on the premises in this. Pat Kelly won this race last year with Maldini and has campaigned Percy for the same race. He’s still an each way price and hopefully he goes well.

 

2.50 Ryanair Chase (Grade 1)

If the ground had come up soft I’d be all over Un De Sceaux in this. They are watering over night to keep the ground at Good to Soft, Soft in places but I don’t know if this will be soft enough. He is the class act in the race but hasn’t at his peak performed on quicker ground in the past. I’m going to take a chance on Henry De Bromhead’s, Sub Lieutenant. Second to Sizing John in the Kinloch Brae last time that form looks very good now. He’s an each way price and I think he can run a big race in this and keep Henry De Bromhead’s big week going.

 

3.30 Sun Bets Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Unowhatimeanharry has done nothing wrong this season and looks the ideal Stayers Hurdle horse. Man of the moment Noel Fehily will ride and he’s bidding to claim his third Championship race of the week. He’s clear on ratings and is a horse that looks like he’ll be able to grind out a win. At a big price Clondaw Warrior should appreciate the better ground and a strong gallop and could run into the money.

 

4.10 Brown Advisory & Merriebelle Stable Plate Handicap Chase (Grade 3)

Diamond King did us a favour last year in the Coral Cup. Can he do the same this year? He has a big chance and the way Gordon’s are running he has to come into the reckoning. Davy Russell has ridden a winner at the festival every year since 2008 and is yet to get off the mark this year. This could be where he breaks the 2017 duck. Road To Respect has transformed since he switched to Noel Meade this year and looks fairly well treated in this and can go well.

 

4.50 Trull House Stud Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)

Limini won this last year and expect the same connections to triumph again with Lets Dance. An adaptable mare that has won over a variety of distances. She looks top class and hopefully Mullins’ and Walsh’s luck will have changed by this race and this mare can do the business. Willie also runs Asthuria who has fallen on her two previous starts but is held in high regard and can give Danny Mullins a nice spin in this.

 

5.30 Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Handicap Chase

Jamie Codd has won 4 of the last 8 renewals and has bagged two winners already this week. He rides Squouteur for the in form Gordon Elliot and he is potentially very well handicapped over fences. He’s probably a bit shorter than he should be, for the Elliot factor alone but I think he he’s the one to beat here.

 

Selections:

1.30 Yorkhill 7/4 NAP

2.10 Presenting Percy 9/1 EW

2.50 Sub Lieutenant 8/1 EW

3.30 Unowhatimeanharry 6/4, Clondaw Warrior 25/1 EW

4.10 Diamond King 11/2, Road To Respect 16/1 EW

4.50 Lets Dance 7/4, Asthuria 14/1 EW

5.30 Squouteur 6/1 EW

 

Treble: Yorkhill, Lets Dance, Unowhatimeanharry 18/1

 

 

 

Cheltenham Day 2

Plenty of hitting the crossbar on Day 1. What a day for Gordon Elliot, taking Cheltenham by the bollocks!!

A winner, two seconds and a third for the blog, hopefully we can turn some of the near misses into winners today.

As always selections are at the bottom to save you reading the waffle!

Good Luck!

 

1.30 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Neon Wolf has looked like one of the more exciting novices this season and he can continue on the upward curve today and take the opener. Noel Fehily, on a high after yesterday’s champion, is in the saddle and he has spoken very highly of this horse in the build up. At a big price, Kemboy could well run into the money. He ran a nice race behind Lets Dance, which is a certainty tomorrow, in Leopardstown and with some improvement he could be in the shake up.

 

2.10 RSA Novices’ Chase (Grade 1)

This RSA looks wide open. All along I was a Bellshill fan but after his latest effort at Leopardstown and his schooling mishap it’s hard to be to confident. He could well bounce back to form but I’m happy to leave him alone tomorrow. Alpha Des Obeaux was very dissapointing last time but if any man can get him back to form for the big day Mouse Morris can. A reproduction of his hurdle from from last year and he wins this. Its a big if but I’ll take a small chance.

 

2.50 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

Like the handicaps yesterday this is awful competitive. Tombstone was Champion Hurdle bound until the English handicapper decided not to do what he usually does with Gordon Elliot runners and hike him up in the handicap. He runs here off 149 and could be absolutely chucked in. It’s his first run in a handicap but I hope he can handle the hustle and bustle of a Cheltenham handicap. Gordon is in flying form and this lad could keep the ball rolling for him.

 

3.30 Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1)

Much like with Altior yesterday this is a race to watch a superstar in action. Douvan remains unbeaten and barring accidents today he will keep that record in tact. He is the best horse in training at the minute in my opinion. Sit back put the feet up and enjoy! No bet here.

 

4.10 Glenfarclas Chase (A Cross Country Chase) 

The cross country is always a great race to watch and this year should be no different. As always JP has a strong hand in this and it’s Cantlow that catches my eye. He’s had a nice prep for this race and Enda Bolger sure knows how to win this race. Mark Walsh will ride and I think this lad will finally give the Clane man his first Cheltenham winner.

 

4.50 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3)

This is an absolute lottery as always. Nicky Hendersons horses are flying and with that in mind I’ll take a chance on his Divin Bere in this, It’s a very tentative vote. Don’t be surprised if theres a very strange result in this. Dakota Morirette is consistent if not flashy and could feature as well at a big price.

 

5.30 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Grade 1)

The bumper is always a race that produces some good horses and this year’s renewal looks a rock solid race. Carter McKay went to Leopardstown at Christmas with a big reputation and while he won he may wasn’t as impressive as jockey Patrick Mullins expected. His Naas run was a lot more visually impressive and he looks the one to beat here. Someday is another I respect and could be one to chase Carter McKay home.

 

Selections

1.30 Neon Wolf 15/8, Kemboy 33/1 EW

2.10 Alpha Des Obeaux 6/1 EW

2.50 Tombstone 9/2

3.30 NO BET

4.10 Cantlow 3/1 NAP

4.50 Divin Bere 6/1 EW, Dakota Moirette 20/1 EW

5.30 Carter McKay 5/1

Treble: Neon Wolf, Douvan & Cantlow 14/1

 

Cheltenham Day 1

Another Cheltenham, another blog. A great week ahead as always and hopefully we can find a few winners!

As always if you don’t want to read the scutter below all the selections are at the bottom.

Good Luck!

 

1.30 Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 

This is probably one of the poorest renewals of the race in some time. Willie Mullins who has won 3 of the last 4 is quadruple handed with Melon, Bunk Off Early, Crack Mome and Cilaos Emery all set to line up. Melon has been a talk horse for the last 12 months and while he only has one run over hurdles prior to today I think he can get Mullins and Walsh off to a flyer. The vibes from Willie at the press morning a couple of weeks ago surprised be regarding Melon and when that man speaks so highly of one you stop and listen. Melon to get the ball rolling for me!

 

2.10 Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 

This is a race to sit back and enjoy a monster in action. Altior won a hot Supreme last year and has taken very well to fences. He’s a superstar already and could very easily go right to the top. If he stands up he wins, simples! In the betting without market Royal Caviar would get a tentative vote from me but I’ll be sitting this out.

 

2.50 Ultima Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 

The first handicap of the week and like all the handicaps at the festival this will be ultra competitive. Singlefarmpayment has rock solid course form and can go well here. He will have the services of Adrian Heskin who has flourished since his switch to the UK. A wide open contest but I’d be surprised if this lad wasn’t in the thick of it coming down the hill.

 

3.30 Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy(Grade 1)

A race that has good to me in the past with the likes of Hurricane Fly, Faugheen and Annie Power. The latter two are both ruled out of this festival and to be honest it looks a poor race this year. Yanworth is likely to start favourite but I’m not his biggest fan and I can see him kicking hurdles out of the ground in what will be a fast and furious race. One horse that will be up on that pace is Petit Mouchoir who has notched up two Grade 1 wins this season and if he hadn’t fallen in the Fighting Fifth it would be three. On last years form he has a small bit to find with Buveur Dair but he’s a different now to what he was then. I find it hard to see him out of the money. At a big price Wicklow Brave could well sneak into the money.

 

4.10 OLBG Mares’ Hurdle (Grade 1)

Willie Mullins has had a stranglehold on this race, winning all bar one of the runnings since the race wast introduced in 2008. He runs both Limini and Vroum Vroum Mag this year which is puzzling. The fact he runs them against each other, which he never really does, leads me to think neither are 100% firing at home. I’m going to go with Apples Jade who has the beating of Vroum Vroum Mag on their Hattons Grace meeting in November but will have to turn form around with Limini from a few weeks back in Punchestown. The drying ground and a strong gallop is sure to suit and at around 5/1 I think she’s great value.

 

4.50 JT McNamara National Hunt Challenge Cup Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase (Grade 2)

A wide open contest as always and the Irish seem to have a strong hand. Its one at a big price that I like, Arbre De Vie. He’s run two solid races at the festival and should relish this stamina sapping test today. Of the ones at the top end of the market, Edwulf would interest me most but I’ll go with Arbre De Vie each way.

 

5.30 Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase (Listed Race)

At this stage hopefully the Day 1 money has been made. I have no real opinion on this but for anyone feeling greedy an each way chance on Hammersly Lake could prove profitable.

 

Selections:

1.30 Melon 7/2 NAP

2.10 Royal Caviar without Altior 7/2

2.50 Singlefarmpayment 7/1 EW

3.30 Petit Mouchoir 8/1 EW, Wicklow Brave 33/1 EW

4.10 Apples Jade 9/2

4.50 Arbre De Vie 18/1 EW Edwulf 5/1

5.30 Hammersly Lake 16/1 EW

 

Treble: Melon, Altior & Apples Jade 25/1