Cheltenham Festival
Welcome to Live View – Take the tour to learn more
Start Tour
There is currently 1 person viewing this thread.
Supreme Novice Hurdle – Thomas Dobson E/w 20/1 (4 places)
Al Dancer could be very hard to beat in what looks a very open renewal of this event and fits many trends, however the delayed running of the Betfair Hurdle means it’s less then 30 days since that event, winners of this event usually have had more time to prepare, so with a short price for the event from Handicap to Graded company I am prepared to look for a bit of value.
Thomas Dobson had a bloodless victory on last run at a short price at Taunton and was sent off favourite at Kempton the time before when finishing behind Mister Fisher at Christmas. The Olly Murphy Runner was an decent winner of a maiden hurdle at this track back in the Autumn and course form is often key to winners. He represents value at 20-1 is what is a wide open heat and ticks many boxes as last time out winners have a great record in this race, with 14 out of the last 17 winners having won last time out, with many of them short priced winners. Al Dancer is worth a each-way saver at 9/2 as he could be the class act in what is a open looking event.
1pt e/w Thomas Dobson @ 20/1 (4 places) & Al Dancer 0.5pt e/w @ 9/2
The Arkle – Glen Forsa 7/2
The premier 2M Novice event this year doesn’t have a strong market leader like recent years ( last 6 of 7 winners was odds on). However the favourite looks a strong type and put his chief rival Kalashnikov in his place last time out at Sandown. With Le Richebourg missing the race, the chief Irish challenger may well be Us and Them, who has twice followed that superstar home this season!!
Kalashinkov was ¼ for the Sandown event in which Mick Channon chaser was so impressive, but I don’t believe it was a flash in the pan and Glen Forsa deserves to be favourite for the Arkle in the absence of the JP Mcmanus Le Richebourg. 7/2 Could be a big price by 2.15pm.
Glen Forsa 2pts win @ 7/2
The Ultima Handicap Chase – Mister Whitaker 8/1, Up for Review 8/1 & Willie Boy 40/1
A Typically competitive handicap in which I have 3 choices.
Mr Whitaker brings festival form into the race and ran with credit in the Open meeting Gold Cup HCP. The defeat last time out at Ascot has been well franked by the impressive winner. Often regarded as a leading chance he was sent off as short as 11/2 at Ascot last time out. Mick Channon has yet another solid chance on the opening day.
Up for Review has been catching the eye in Ireland with a solid effort in the Thysters Handicap last time out. Willie Mullins will no doubt end as leading trainer for his graded efforts, but often pops up with a handicap winner, maybe for once it will be a handicap chase then a handicap hurdle.
Outsider who fits a profile of a winner in this handicap is Willie Boy for Charlie Longsdon and Jonathan Burke. Faller twice at this track previously, he can make it 3rd time lucky at this track after looking set to play a hand in the finish at the Open Meeting gold cup handicap chase when coming to grief at the tricky 4th Last. Ran well at Doncaster last time out when getting tap for tow at a vital moment, he stayed on well to suggest he has a chance.
Mr Whitaker 1pt e/w 8/1, Up for Review 1pt e/w @ 8/1 & Willie Boy 0.5pts e/w @ 40/1
Champion Hurdle – Apples Jade 15/8
The feature on day one looks a straight match between the reigning champion Buveur D’air and the super Mare Apples Jade who has finally been given her chance to prove that she is able to beat the best in the champion Hurdle. Laurina inclusion isn’t a surprising one given that Willie Mullins lacks a 2M superstar with Melon somewhat regressive.
Apples Jade burst on the scene at this meeting a few years ago when a less then fortunate 2nd in the Truimph Hurdle in 2016. Since then she hasn’t looked back with the most impressive demolition of Grade 1 rivals at Aintree as a novice. She took her time at the top table to become a dominant force, mixing in the sublime to some shocking defeats (fighting fifth to Irving), however she is now the real deal and even though her festival record is somewhat uninspiring, she looks at the top of game, where as the dual champion who is bidding to make history, hasn’t really looked as good as he had in the previous 2 seasons.
This season no horse has got to within 10L of Apples Jade in Ireland and with Stamina ensure, she can rout them all today with the added advantage of 7lbs sex allowance.
Apples Jade 3pt Win @ 15-8
Best of luck all and any selections are always welcome.
Al Dancer could be very hard to beat in what looks a very open renewal of this event and fits many trends, however the delayed running of the Betfair Hurdle means it’s less then 30 days since that event, winners of this event usually have had more time to prepare, so with a short price for the event from Handicap to Graded company I am prepared to look for a bit of value.
Thomas Dobson had a bloodless victory on last run at a short price at Taunton and was sent off favourite at Kempton the time before when finishing behind Mister Fisher at Christmas. The Olly Murphy Runner was an decent winner of a maiden hurdle at this track back in the Autumn and course form is often key to winners. He represents value at 20-1 is what is a wide open heat and ticks many boxes as last time out winners have a great record in this race, with 14 out of the last 17 winners having won last time out, with many of them short priced winners. Al Dancer is worth a each-way saver at 9/2 as he could be the class act in what is a open looking event.
1pt e/w Thomas Dobson @ 20/1 (4 places) & Al Dancer 0.5pt e/w @ 9/2
The Arkle – Glen Forsa 7/2
The premier 2M Novice event this year doesn’t have a strong market leader like recent years ( last 6 of 7 winners was odds on). However the favourite looks a strong type and put his chief rival Kalashnikov in his place last time out at Sandown. With Le Richebourg missing the race, the chief Irish challenger may well be Us and Them, who has twice followed that superstar home this season!!
Kalashinkov was ¼ for the Sandown event in which Mick Channon chaser was so impressive, but I don’t believe it was a flash in the pan and Glen Forsa deserves to be favourite for the Arkle in the absence of the JP Mcmanus Le Richebourg. 7/2 Could be a big price by 2.15pm.
Glen Forsa 2pts win @ 7/2
The Ultima Handicap Chase – Mister Whitaker 8/1, Up for Review 8/1 & Willie Boy 40/1
A Typically competitive handicap in which I have 3 choices.
Mr Whitaker brings festival form into the race and ran with credit in the Open meeting Gold Cup HCP. The defeat last time out at Ascot has been well franked by the impressive winner. Often regarded as a leading chance he was sent off as short as 11/2 at Ascot last time out. Mick Channon has yet another solid chance on the opening day.
Up for Review has been catching the eye in Ireland with a solid effort in the Thysters Handicap last time out. Willie Mullins will no doubt end as leading trainer for his graded efforts, but often pops up with a handicap winner, maybe for once it will be a handicap chase then a handicap hurdle.
Outsider who fits a profile of a winner in this handicap is Willie Boy for Charlie Longsdon and Jonathan Burke. Faller twice at this track previously, he can make it 3rd time lucky at this track after looking set to play a hand in the finish at the Open Meeting gold cup handicap chase when coming to grief at the tricky 4th Last. Ran well at Doncaster last time out when getting tap for tow at a vital moment, he stayed on well to suggest he has a chance.
Mr Whitaker 1pt e/w 8/1, Up for Review 1pt e/w @ 8/1 & Willie Boy 0.5pts e/w @ 40/1
Champion Hurdle – Apples Jade 15/8
The feature on day one looks a straight match between the reigning champion Buveur D’air and the super Mare Apples Jade who has finally been given her chance to prove that she is able to beat the best in the champion Hurdle. Laurina inclusion isn’t a surprising one given that Willie Mullins lacks a 2M superstar with Melon somewhat regressive.
Apples Jade burst on the scene at this meeting a few years ago when a less then fortunate 2nd in the Truimph Hurdle in 2016. Since then she hasn’t looked back with the most impressive demolition of Grade 1 rivals at Aintree as a novice. She took her time at the top table to become a dominant force, mixing in the sublime to some shocking defeats (fighting fifth to Irving), however she is now the real deal and even though her festival record is somewhat uninspiring, she looks at the top of game, where as the dual champion who is bidding to make history, hasn’t really looked as good as he had in the previous 2 seasons.
This season no horse has got to within 10L of Apples Jade in Ireland and with Stamina ensure, she can rout them all today with the added advantage of 7lbs sex allowance.
Apples Jade 3pt Win @ 15-8
Best of luck all and any selections are always welcome.
Show More
Post Your Reply
Please login to post a reply.
Wonder
Instance ID: 13539