whats your best bet for the handicaps at Cheltenham 2014

Shantou Magic (M Pipe Conditional)

like the look at that illinois too hopefully ground will be in its favour

Value gone a bit now.... but Hadrians Approach in the Festival Handicap Chase for me.

I've got 5 new ones I've backed today from the handicaps. Three at 33/1 and two at 20/1. I'm feeling good about my handicap book this year.

currently 20's..... I could tell you but then I would have to hunt you all down like dogs after you had 'plunged' it down to 4/1.

I'll share all my handicap bets. Just sent out the emails so need mates etc.. to get on before I put it in public domain is all.

Tranquil Sea is a huge price at 20s for the Kim Muir. Won a really good veterans chase last time out (Burton Port well beat and ran very well last weekend), winning course form and Jamie Codd booked for the ride. What's not to like.

The thing is with these plot horses is I've heard it all before - plotted or well handicapped they MUST to be in good form, what can look a good thing can get crucified in the furnace of a festival race...

.... unless trained by M Pipe (retired) or JJONeil where form figures of PPP7PPP6PPP/PPP3PPP6PPPPPP/PPPP5PPPPP-PPPPP is totally acceptable.

Not gone under the radar by any means but Clondaw Kaempfer looks primed to show his true ability.

holywell

alfie sherrin 3mile and bless the wings byrne group.

Powder Hound for the Fred Winter gets some good mentions. Must be a doubt about making the cut as 55's on here but 20's general NRNB still looks good

a bit early to say but Creepy interesting in the Coral Cup,and I like Aldopicgros in the Fred Winter.

I can see a shock in the Cross Country if the course dries out sufficiently, Duke of Lucca likely to go well if he takes to it.

Probably be three non runners now!

Unoriginal but Indian Castle in the Kim Muir, everything looks tailor made for him.

Two Good Ground with early-season Cheltenham form too.

BAYAN - Coral Cup
THE SKYFARMER - Martin Pipe Conditional Hurdle (pref to County Hurdle).

Claret Cloak, Grand Annual.

Time for Rupert day 1 25/1 in the 2.40

Backed Tap Night in Byrne 16s

Katgary in the Fred Winter - I follow the French NH racing fairly closely and I reckon this is another example of our handicappers being clueless about how to rate French horses. There have been numerous examples of horses winning first time over here off lenient marks and Nicholls has trained quite a few of them.

According to the French official website, Katgary was transferred to Nicholls at the end of November, so he's had the option of running him, but I assume he's happy with the mark he's been given of 130. My reading of his French form makes that in the region of 7-10lbs too low.

That's not to say he's sure to win this, as he has to handle the drop in trip and faster ground. His win at Enghien last time was impressive as he chased down a clear leader, but that was over two and quarter miles and 14 hurdles and the race time was 4m 29s, so clearly the Fred Winter is a different test.

Whatever he does this week, remember the name as he'll be rated a lot higher than 130 by this time next year, whether over hurdles or fences.