The saying "Follow Horses that have run well at the Festival before.

nice vent - some of the stats are utter tosh.

I don't think you can take it as meaning anything that's placed. It's about looking out for the ones who do better than their usual form at the festival, suggesting they are suited by the unique test. Walkon is a classic case where this doesn't apply - certainly not to his chasing form anyway. He did win the Triumph but arguably stepped up on that form next time out.

Desert Orchid ran well for 6 or 7 years in a row at the Festival by any normal standards, but not by his own, it was always his worse performance of the season. Son of Flicka is a good example of a horse who has massively improved at the festival twice in a row (but maybe to a large extend because of the ground, which he hasn't got this time).

That said, it's not a bad idea to avoid anything short priced that has no form at the meeting.

FNS was placed last year in the Jewson, so you can add him to the list proper.

Good Post Barry

Apart from the fact that Walkon finished second to Zaynar in the Triumph

I agree Barry but you know that the pundits will be using to their advantage when reviewing the races.

Perhaps I'm just trying to convince myself that it does not matter as I believe Silviniaco Conti will win the Gold Cup

According to easygame's excellent trends site, 90% of all winners have either placed at the course before or not run in that type of race (hurdle or chase) at the course before. I am not sure what the number of runners this is from but it's definitely food for thought.

Previous Cheltenham form at any meeting is a plus, but Festival form is special as it means the same course, same time of year and often the same race. You do have other factors of course, and trainer form leading up to the meeting is equally important imo. Nicholls is in better form than last year, Henderson arguably worse and Twiston-Davies is one to avoid at all costs.

amazing, isnt it...in other sports too, those that have done well at, say, the previous year's World Championships are often the ones to follow....same with the Premiership, Wimbledon, darts etc....uncanny really

Yet, every year, horses with no experience at the place rock up at short prices.......

yep, and some win, some lose....incredible, isnt it?